N5FDL Amateur Radio

HeatMax HotHands-2HeatMax HotHands or their equivalent will not be a new item to most of you, but this is a reminder and the price I paid for these—at Wal-Mart, of all places—is quite good.

What is it? Each HotHands consists of a foil pouch that contains a white, ventilated pouch containing a mix of iron powder, salt, charcoal, and vermiculite that creates heat for several hours when exposed to oxygen in the air.

I am just back from the store and found a six-pack of these 2.25-by-4-inch hand warmers (three two-packs) for less than $1.75. I Googled around and that was easily the best price I could find.

The pouches take 15-30 minutes to heat up and remain warm until the chemical reaction ends. There are models that work for 6-15 hours, based on size of the pouch.

The pouches are often used in a pocket, though you can also put them in gloves. There are special versions of the product for use in shoes, ski apparel, and survival applications.

The SurvivalHeat model is a 9-by-13-inch warmer that sells for $5-$7 depending on source and quantity. This larger model is supposed to provide heat for up to 15 hours and comes with a resealable bag, allowing it sealed and reused until exhausted. Applications include sleeping bags, inside jackets, etc.

During the winter, I carry packages of these in all my coat pocket so they are handy if I need them.

(Since writing the “top” of this piece, I’ve noticed that different Wal-Marts carry different brands of hand warmers, all for more or less the same price. Some carry different sizes, including those meant to be stuck inside shoes.)