chemical handwarmers

J

johnwilliamson062

Moderator
Do you use them?

Anyone ever done comparison of brands?

Alternatives like zippo warmer, buddy heater, reusable, etc?


Do they have scent that scares wildlife?
 
I've used a number of different handwarmer solutions over the years -- liquid fuel, solid fuel, and chemical.

The thing I like about the chemical packs is that they are very small and thin, weigh virtually nothing, and you can tuck them places where you can't put another kind of hand warmer.

The solid fuel ones are convenient, but they have a tendency to go out when you really need them.

The liquid fuel ones probably deliver the most heat, but they are also the largest. And fuel is geting to be quite expensive.
 
I also use the Hot Hands. The hand ones come in 2 sizes and there are ones made for your toes also. They work very well and I don't believe they leave any scent. I put them in my shoes, gloves and pants pockets. Keeps me very comfortable.
 
I use various HotHands models. I especially like the toe warmers. I put one on the bottom and one on top of my toes. Works great.
Also, the kind you'll find in drug stores that actually wrap around your body and are intended for muscle pain work really well for super-cold days. They're a bit pricey though.

On cold days, it's not unusual for me to have 8 or 10 HotHands products all at once. 4 on my feet, one for each hand a couple in front pockets, a couple in back pockets and a couple sticky types on my back.
 
Brian, I tried the foot ones. I thought my toes were on fire! Then they got all sweaty and so my feet were on fire on the bottom of the toes, but sweating all over.

I sometimes do duct tape one inside the cuff of each pant leg of my coveralls. Sitting in the stand with my knees bent, I often get chilled below the knees, not just in the feet either. This helps quite a bit without feeling like my legs are on fire. It also helps stave off my feet feeling as cold.
 
They do get awfully hot if you're walking around. I'm pretty sure that the foot ones are made for low-oxygen environments and walking around keeps the air circulating and they get really hot. Obviously, your feet are also less cold when you're walking so it's a double whammy.

I have rather poor circulation in my feet and hands so they don't get too hot for me. My dad can't stand to use them on his feet either, says they get too hot.

I wish hunting season was late spring and early fall.:D
 
Poor fellas, it's been in the 70's and 80' s.

I'm sure in New York, you might need a few more than here.

I've used them because it can get really cold in Texas too.
 
i have the zippo reusible one i really like it it stays really warm for virtually all day. the only down side is if ur holding it out it does kinda make the place smell like lighter fluid but when its in the pouch in ur pocket u cant really smell it , i would definitely recomend it
 
Handwarmers...

John Williamson--I've used the liquid-fueled ones for many years, and been concerned for the whole time about the odor. Never had proof one way or the other about the odor affecting deer or other game.

I've hunted with a bud who swears by the little chemical paks you can put into your boot, or into a glove. They have no odor, at least one I can detect, and he has been very successful over the years, both gun and archery hunting. My objection to the chemical paks is that they are a one-use item; you constantly have to buy new ones and dispose of the dead ones.

A different consideration altogether: In recent years I've been using a muff, rather than any handwarmer, with great success. It keeps the hands toasty warm; you leave it on your left hand (for a right-handed shooter) and hold the rifle up, and your right hand is bare, warm, and free to operate safety, bolt and trigger squeeze with no impediments. A pair of light gloves augments the muff, for use when hiking out to one's stand, etc. So that is the way I've gone. Haven't used a handwarmer of any type in the last 5 years at least.
 
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I use the Jon E and now the Zippo liquid fuel type. I run Coleman fuel in mine. A gallon of fuel lasts a couple of winters for me even under heavy use.

I bought some of those snap types that you recycle by boiling them. They put out nice heat but it only lasts for a few minutes.
 
I like the 4x4 Handwarmers and throw them in the bottom of my waders.

I will activate two and throw them in my waders as I'm getting dressed and put two fresh ones in right before I put my waders on.
 
I have taken to hunting out of my chair blind. It is the easiest/safest to fall asleep in :) Since it is relatively small and enclosed I have generally just closed it up as much as possible with half length foam sleeping pad on the ground to insulate then open 3-4 chem warmers and drop them. The foam pad also eliminates leaf rustling. I bought a big box a while back and just ran out so I was thinking of trying something new. Bought a zippo and I am going to give it a try.

I also don't like the fact that the chem warmers are one use and throw away. If I hunt 20 days in the winter that is at 80 of them I am tossing in a landfill.
 
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MSDS sheets are about the safety of the people using the product, they don't generally provide commentary on environmental impact. The MSDS for vermiculite, by the way, says you shouldn't breathe it or get it in your eyes because if you do either of those things it will cause irritation. Basically the same kinds of cautions one would be well advised to follow with any sort of dirt/clay/mineral/sand/etc.

The fact that a particular substance has an MSDS doesn't automatically mean it's dangerous. The MSDS might say that there are no hazardous ingredients and no special precautions for handling or use. And even if it is hazardous to breathe, for example, that doesn't automatically mean it has to go in a landfill.

Vermiculite is a special type of clay that is (among other uses) commonly recommended for soil conditioning--it is mixed with soil that is unsuitable or inhospitable to cultivation to improve its characteristics. So there's absolutely no problem with disposing of it outside of a landfill. In fact, in many areas, you're actually improving the soil by doing so.
 
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