Heat packs

[silenthunterstudios]

I came across several sealed heat packs, from various manufacturers, that I had acquired over about ten years. I never used any, and decided on replacing them. I used the old ones over the course of one weekend. Work outside, hiking, walking on the street.

Well, the longest period of warmth I had from about ten packs, was one hour. I kept them in my coat pockets, and tried two in my shoes. A few packs didn't even got hot, warm enough to feel, but not hot.

Whats your experience with older heat packs? Do you use your remaining supply up at the end of winter, beginning of spring? Save them for a couple years? Also, I understand that they are not an alternative to a good heat source during cold weather.

 

[cmdr249]

I try to replace them every year and rotate what I have.

I use them mostly when I'm outside instructing. I don't rely on them because I've opened brand new ones that didn't work as well.

I use them mostly as a comfort item not as a survival tool. What I would call casual use at best.

They are good to put in a vehicle and have though - you never can tell and I put them in my wife's vehicle as well.

 

[grease-man]

I've noticed that if they aren't pretty much brand spanking new, they don't work as well... I use them when I'm out hunting during deer season mostly. Sucks to be out there and not have them throwing off much heat. Now I buy only what I need for the season, and discard the ones left over, and buy new ones the next year. YMMV -Matt-

 

[chewbacca]

I used the ones left over from last hunting season this year, and they worked pretty well, although I noticed some worked better than others. I guess I would rotate them every year.

 

[j williams]

I just replaced 7 on the ambulance. They do expire. I went through 7 of them before I found one that worked. Something to think about.........

 

[hlee]

Maybe I'm the only one that has had good luck whith these little chem heat packs, but I've never opened one that didn't work- that was sealed from the atmosphere prior to me opening it. However, the oldest that I have ever tried was maybe 3 years. The only ones that I have ever had that did not go to burn the skin hot were the ones designed for shoes. They are terrible. All of chem packs require oxygen to function so if you don't periodically mash them around they will go cold. And, if you seal them up (like in your shoes) too quickly they won't get enough oxygen to function. My trick is to crack them open and really mix them good for about 5 minutes (or long enough that I can feel that they are really getting good and hot, then I throw one in each boot and let it cook for about 20 minutes. Then I put on a liner sock and a heavy wool sock. I drop the heat pack (from the boots) in another sock and pull this over the wool sock, carful to keep the heat pack centered under my toes. I also generally open two more, mix them up well, then put them in a insulated hand muff. This worked for me when I was hunting in upstate new york. The packs that I had generally lasted most of the day, although I would change them out before going back out to the stand in the afternoon. They are great for what they are (luxury heat for fingers and toes), but I wouldn't trust them as a sole source for emergency heat.

 

[TheGame]

I've used them with good results. New ones, at least. I put 2 in each of my socks, and I also hold a couple in my hands and stay warm.

However, after going out a few days ago I am going to buy some 1200 or 2000 gram Thinsulate boots and some wool socks to go out in. I put 2 packsi n, and after about a half an hour my toes were freezing, and I couldn't feel a thing coming from the heat packs.

 

[desmobob]

In my experience, there is a huge difference in quality between brands. I've had plenty that worked great, but for just a few hours. The following season, they didn't work at all.

Last year, I bought some "Stay Warm" brand packs. They had an expiration date printed on the package (it was two or three years, IIRC). I used a pair of them this year and was very impressed when they not only worked well, but produced heat for 10 hours and really helped make a very cold (single digits to teens), long deer hunt (dark to dark) a lot more enjoyable.

So far, this was the only brand of handwarmer packs that have ever really impressed me. I'll be looking for more of that brand in the future.

Stay sharp,
desmobob