[AlpineRose]

Now available in bulk boxes at Costco. The expiry date on both types purchases last week is 2020.

[boot up]

The air activated packs can be turned off and on by sealing them in a layer or two of ziplock bags, with the air mostly squeezed out. I used to do that for a half hour walking commute in the winter. I could get a week out of a package of handwarmers, instead of going though 5 pairs a week. Also good for hiking when you start out on a cold morning and only need them for a bit of a start....and similar situations.

[wildling]

I have accidentally packed them up in my sleeping bag during over nighters and found they work the next night too!

[InFlight]

I'll put a plug in for one of my favorite pieces of backpacking gear that you can use these hand warmers in. https://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens-versaliner.html Great set of fleece gloves and water proof shells that you can use separately depending on conditions. They have a zippered pocket for hand warmers. Total weight is under three ounces for a size large. Perfect for three season PNW use.

[boot up]

[dla]

Why not use a Zippo handwarmer? The large one will go all night in your sleeping bag.

[boot up]

[dla]

Given that they are refillable - I don't see what the weight issue is. They are not flexible, so they're not a boot warmer. Anyways, just wondering. I use them and like them.

[Randito]

The zippo's are great and will work with high quality white gas. They can be used to "pre-warm" boots -- which is very helpful in the morning -- but they can't be worn "in the boot" The Zippo's and all oxygen consuming warmers contain all sorts of warnings about not using them while sleeping -- just like stoves and tents contain all sorts of warnings about never using a stove inside a tent -- which are routinely ignored by winter campers.

[Schenk]

I have a couple Zippo handwarmers that I use for winter flyfishing. I feel they work well enough with the "odorless" Zippo fuel, but are no warmer than the disposable type. I do not use the Ronsonol lighter fluid as that stuff has a pretty strong odor. 2 questions for the audience: 1) Do they work better (warmer) with white gas? 2) Does anyone know of a good inexpensive source for the "catalytic" burner elements on the top? I wouldn't mind buying a half dozen as they do wear out with use.

[Schenk]

While poking around for replacement catalytic burner elements I came across these: http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=P3IP8420&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=p3ip8420&gclid=COb9yeaVn9ACFQ8vaQodPqMBgA Does anyone have any experience with this type?

[boot up]

[dla]

Here is a write up on Zippo warmers. Yes they work really well with Coleman fuel. They also work with alcohol - but I think they smell funny. They don't get hot enough to melt a sandwich bag. Supposedly the catalytic element is good for ~80 burns - but I don't count and I've never had one wear out. You can buy replacements online. Better than a pee bottle if you don't have to pee. I'd have to put one in a box with a CO alarm to see if they create enough CO to be concerned about.

[dla]

I put one in a 2 gallon ziplock bag along with a First Alert CO detector (400 ppm). After 14 minutes the CO alarm sounded. I removed the Zippo and found it still running. The Zippo was running on Coleman camp fuel. So what did I learn? The Zippo will eventually deplete the Oxygen in the bag but continue to combust inefficiently - producing enough Carbon Monoxide to trip the detector. (I did this experiment with a votive candle, and the candle went out after 4 minutes without triggering the detector). So the Zippo will produce CO if starved for O2. Lesson: don't sleep in a plastic bag with a running Zippo.