Hypothermia, uncooked foods, and being unable to start a campfire are some of the worst things you can experience when camping in the wilderness. Getting the fire started can be a challenge especially to those who didn’t have survival training or haven’t experienced getting stuck and making use of the resources they can find. This generation of campers and backpackers are lucky because of the many resources they can bring and use to make outdoor adventures more bearable.

One of the most important survival tools you need in camping, backpacking, and other outdoor activities is a reliable fire starter. Why not bring matches or lighters? Sure, you can bring them just in case you want to be sure things will go fine in the heating department, but matches can get wet and lighters will run out of fluid. Fire starters, however, are your emergency go-to, can last longer, and some even withstand water and other conditions. You can pack additional materials to accelerate the fire starting such as cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, tinder, dried lint, or candles.

So, before you head out to your next adventure, here are the top fire starters for camping and the outdoors that you can bring to spark your trip.

Survival Spark Magnesium Survival Fire Starter
Compliments	Complaints
It throws great spark  Easy to use  It is compact  The whistle is included in the pack  With built-in compass	Magnesium rod detaches after a few strikes  Striker is flimsy  Compass does not work well
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Swiss Safe 5-in-1 Survival Fire Starter
Compliments	Complaints
The handle feels solid Striking the flint sparks very well  Has sturdy construction  Easy to ignite a fire  Compass is included	The rope is too short Compass may not work well  Whistle quite hard to use
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überleben Zünden Survival Ferro Rod Fire Starter
Compliments	Complaints
Takes little effort to start a fire  Allows for great hand grip  Simple and convenient to use  It is waterproof Includes cord and striker blade that other brands do not	Top of the rod is bent  Rod falls out of the handle  Not glued enough
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The Friendly Swede Magnesium Flint Fire Starter
Compliments	Complaints
Very lightweight and easy to pack  Even a little spark ignites  The scraper works flawlessly Striker tool has a bottle opener  Fits well on your palm and pocket	Ferro rod wears out quickly  Does not shave well for others  Too small to use properly
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Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 2.0 Army Fire Starter
Compliments	Complaints
Spark hot enough to light lint  It is lightweight and compact  It is waterproof  Rod can last many strikes  Comes with a whistle	It is quite small  The whistle produces weak sound  The lanyard is short to give room to strike
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