So you spent a lot of time putting your camping checklist together and you think you have everything ready to go, but did you remember your survival matches?

Well, think again. There’s an essential item you may be leaving behind. Many campers do and it ends up being a costly mistake.

What is this oh so essential item I’m referring to? SURVIVAL MATCHES.

Now I know what you may be thinking, “Relax man, I’m already bringing a cutting-edge lighter with me that I just bought at REI, what do I need a backup for?” Or “Survival matches are only for newbies. I’m a regular Chris McCandless out there. I’ll be fine without them.”

No matter how much of a rough and tough wilderness (wo)man you think you are, you need to pack survival matches. In fact, EVERYONE needs to pack survival matches.

Whether you are new to the outdoor camping game or you are a seasoned vet, read on to find out the top five reasons why they should be at the top of your packing list.

1. Fire Building- Harder Than You May Think

We all know how crucial fire is when camping outdoors.

But building a fire is no easy task. Building a fire is a skill, and it needs to be mastered and practiced. And trust me, no matter how many youtube tutorials you’ve watched, you are not a master fire builder.

Depending on how frequently you camp, mastering this skill can take years of experience.

Fire making is simply too essential and often too difficult to master to be relying on a single means to create your fire. Therefore, it’s best to always have a backup.

2. Not everything is Failproof

Many campers rely on BIC lighters and Ferro rods as either their go to or backup fire source.  While these are typically very reliable options, malfunctions do happen.

If a BIC lighter has been sitting in a survival kit for several years, the butane may leak or the mechanism for sparking may seize up, rendering it useless.

Some Ferro rods are incredibly compact and easy to use; however, many traditional Ferro rods can be difficult to use in cold weather or with only one hand. They often require the use of tinder, but this tinder must be ideal, and spotting ideal tinder can be difficult without extensive training.

3. Survival Matches- Quick and Easy

These matches like the everstryke match provide much more than just a backup source for building the perfect campfire.  They can also be used for:

• A quick light source for walking in the dark
• An emergency light source
• Burning off insects

4. Inclement Weather

When camping, you always should expect the unexpected. And sometimes that means inclement weather even though the forecast predicted sunny and calm.

Therefore, you need waterproof matches that can weather the toughest of conditions.

5. Anywhere, Anytime

Got a rough bark or a stone? How about buttons on your pants or a thumbnail? Great! These surfaces can all be used for striking your survival match.

With survival matches, you don’t need the perfect kindling to get your fire going, all you need is a solid surface and presto- you have a flame!

So, there you have it. Five perfectly sound reasons to never leave survival matches behind. Now, a quick Google search will yield thousands of opinions on the best ones to buy.

Drop a comment and I can tell you why the EverStryke Match kills the competition for best survival match.

Tip: If you do happen to find yourself without your survival matches, then be sure to check out our how to start a fire without matches blog post… it’s a lifesaver in an emergency situation.