Waterproof Matchbox Camping Kit

A waterproof matchbox is a camping essential that solves a simple problem with a simple solution. A small plastic case with a rubber gasket that keeps strike-anywhere matches dry in rain, river crossings, and accidental pack submersions. The case holds about 25 matches and the striking surface is built into the lid so you don't need to carry a separate striker. The whole thing weighs almost nothing and clips to a backpack strap with a small carabiner loop. Design has not changed much in decades because there's not much to improve, the gasket seals, the matches stay dry. Orange color makes it easy to find if you drop it in leaves or dirt. Camping gear tends toward overengineering, adding features and weight that solve problems you don't actually have, but the waterproof matchbox resists that impulse by doing exactly one thing. Cost is about $3, which makes it the kind of item you buy without deliberation and keep in your pack forever. I noticed that the experienced hikers in my outdoor club all carry matches as a backup even though they use lighters as their primary fire source. Redundancy is a form of practical wisdom. The matchbox works as part of a larger system of reliable low-tech backups that experienced outdoor people build into their kits.