The Truth about Hand Warmers

By Yeti \ December 2 2014

Words by Harriet Wallis

Now can be a great time to stock up on the "shake 'em up" hand warmer packets that we put into our ski gloves and mittens. Some big box stores have special deals on the packets throughout the long hunting season.

But before you load up on packets, examine them for the expiration date. It's embossed or printed into the edge of the foil wrapper. Packets that are close to their expiration date may have lost their oomph.

Last year, my locker room buddies stocked up on hand warmers from a big box store as usual. Then they moaned and groaned all winter about the packets. Many packets heated inconsistently and some never heated at all. On close examination, we found the packets to be nearly outdated and some were past their expiration date.

On the other hand, I've had packets buried in the bottom of my ski bag for several years and yet they heated well.

The bottom line: To assure warm hands, check the expiration date before you buy. The expiration date should be several years into the future.

Need new handwarmers or other gear? These shops can hook you up.

Harriet Wallis has been a ski writer, editor and photographer forever. She learned to ski on a dare when she was in her mid 30s and has been blabbing about it ever since. Read more from Harriet at SeniorSkiing.com

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4 Comments

mark \ 5.7 years ago

Better than the zippers is the version that has a battery operated starter button (no need to have a separate lighter) and also can take off the top, rotate it and it will turn off the unit conserving the fuel...

John Cano \ 5.7 years ago

To make hand warmers last longer place in an airtight container i.e. baby food jar.

Libby \ 5.7 years ago

Thanks for the great advice!

Eric \ 5.8 years ago

First off, I would say that the older warmers from 3-4 years ago are much better than the new ones. It would seem to me that the manufacturers anymore don't care about quality, just making as many as they can. And the pirce? Way to high if you ask me.

For the cost of a box of handwarmers, buy a Zippo handwarmer. I have 2. Fill them--using the supplied funnel thingie, and then light, burn off the excess and off you go. 12 hours of constant heat. When the wick finally wears out--100-200 uses, replace it for 5-10 dollars. Better heat, longer lasting and NOT disposable.

Think about it.