If you are like me, you probably carry a backup Bic lighter in your pack somewhere. Mine is usually in my cooking kit bag with my stove. Some of my stoves have piezo lighters, others do not. But even with those that do, I never trust them. You want a way to always ignite your stove.
But you might also know that if you use the same lighter for five years, it gets pretty grubby. The worst is when the top starts collecting lint.
Kirk found me lighter covers by FlameNest this past month. They seemed to be an easy option to try out.
They come in a 3-pack for $9.99.
This is the top on the lighter.
To make it work, you have to work on the bottom half. I had to get my youngest son to do brute force to get it up to the top of the lighter’s shoulder. Fingernails help a lot. Then, when you put the top cover on, it seals.
I tested it by submerging it in water for 30 minutes. It didn’t float, but when removed and I took the top off, the interior part of the lighter was dry. A little water was in the seal area between the two parts. The lighter lit perfectly.
I would say it does work and passes the tests. If you had it in a pocket or a kitchen bag, the lighter would be protected and stay like new.
The second lighter protector was one I had had sitting around for years unopened. Sometimes I get something, and it just gets forgotten. This got lost in all the cooking gear I often carry in my vehicles. The FlameNest got me thinking, and I went and found the fireSLEEVE.
At $19.99, it is more expensive. It is also for just one protector.
It is very easy to insert a classic Bic lighter. No struggle at all.
Getting the top on tight is a bit harder the first time, but easy to take off.
We water tested it, and yes, it does float. It was dry inside, and the lighter lit up.
It is also more durable, though this makes it bulkier and a tiny bit heavier. If you stepped on it, there is far less chance you would break your lighter.
Two things this model has:
A harness (Gas Lock Strap) that goes over the button so you can keep the lighter on for up to 30 seconds.
A lanyard area on both the bottom and top so that you can lash it to a pack or similar.
The takeaway:
Both items did what they claimed. For lighter weight, the FlameNest would be the best. For more rugged use, the fireSLEEVE.
~Sarah