how to have toasty hands at the birkie – and all winter (+ a giveaway!).

02/25/2016

When it comes to the upper midwest in February, you never know what weather you’re gonna get. It can swing in a second… from big fluffy snowflakes to freezing rain to sunshine. 

Case in point: Nick’s fifth American Birkebeiner last weekend in Hayward. The day started out fairly mild – around 30F – with a few peeks of sun, but by midday it had fully clouded over and was drizzling. Not overly enjoyable or exactly warm in northern Wisconsin, especially when you’ve been standing outside for about eight hours!

But, these small but mighty Zippo hand warmer were perfect for spectating and sherpa-ing – and for keeping my always cold hands toasty warm (hello, occasional Raynaud’s!). 

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The 12-hour chrome hand warmer at the double zero trailhead.

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The six-hour Zippo hand warmer. 

The hand warmer – available in both a six-hour and 12-hour version – is super easy to use. Simply fill with Zippo lighter fluid (using what looks like a mini gas can… ha!), light with a windproof lighter, and you’re good to go. A black fleece warming bag keeps the heat gentle on your skin. 

zippo-lighting-2

Both sizes fit perfect in my mittens as I was cheering up and down the Birkie trail. And, when Nick finished the race – a 30-minute PR! – he promptly stole the 12-hour warmer from me to warm up his hands! 

What I love about the hand warmers:

  • They’re super easy to use.
  • They emit a steady, consistent heat.
  • They’re odorless (I even lit one in the car – while parked – though that probably wasn’t the smartest idea!).
  • They’re reusable! Because reduce, reuse and recycle, always. 
  • And, they’re great to use for all outdoor winter adventures – from spectating a ski race to snowshoeing to waiting at the bus stop (seriously, why didn’t I have one of these that first winter I lived in MSP and took the bus to work?!). 

Interested in trying the Zippo hand warmer? I’m happy to offer one heat gift set (a windproof lighter, the 12-hour hand warmer and premium lighter fluid) to a lucky reader. To enter, tell me in a comment below how you’d use a Zippo hand warmer during the winter. I’ll randomly choose one person at 9p CT on Monday, February 29. If you don’t win, use code GETHEATED for $5 off through February 29. 

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Full disclosure: I was compensated for this post. Views are mine. That said, I only post about products I believe in and use! 

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26 Comments

  • Reply Steena 02/25/2016 at 9:50 am

    Ooooh! I just bought a fat tire bike! On my first ride I kept having to put my hands on my stomach to warm them up to keep riding! This would be amazing for that!
    Congrats to him on his PR too! 🙂

  • Reply Stephanie 02/25/2016 at 10:18 am

    Such a cool product! It would totally be perfect when I’m on the side lines spectating cross races in the fall or when I’m getting ready to race in the early road races in the spring!

  • Reply Kristin 02/25/2016 at 10:47 am

    This would be awesome to have when I take the dogs out in 10-degree weather and they refuse to poop, so we’re out there a lot longer than we need to be!

  • Reply Sarah 02/25/2016 at 10:51 am

    This has been on my list! I’d use one to watch pond hockey or crashed ice or the art shanties …

  • Reply Amanda 02/25/2016 at 10:53 am

    I assume people who live in Texas and find 50 to be “freezing” don’t qualify for the give-away!

  • Reply Beth 02/25/2016 at 11:04 am

    I would use it to volunteer at cold trail races.

  • Reply Caitlin 02/25/2016 at 11:15 am

    I love the idea of this and if I ever move back to a cold climate I’ll look at getting one. For now, though, I’ll leave the contest open to you poor northerners and your popsicle-like fingers. 😀

  • Reply Carly 02/25/2016 at 11:20 am

    I’d use it while running during the lovely Canadian winters, and truthfully almost anytime haha. I too have raynauds (goes along with my autoimmune disorder, lucky me) and I’m always cold lol

  • Reply Sarah from WI 02/25/2016 at 11:50 am

    My hands warm up okay when I run in winter, but when I walk they’re usually freezing. So I need these for walking!

  • Reply Erin 02/25/2016 at 12:04 pm

    Ohhhh so many uses for that here in Colorado! I would specifically use it post races (CX and running). I get COLD after racing!

  • Reply Sharlene 02/25/2016 at 12:19 pm

    I’d use them when I walk in the winter in the REALLY cold northern MN! 😊

  • Reply Christine Cogger 02/25/2016 at 12:21 pm

    I’d use them in the winter, in the summer… I live in the mountains! Post-open water swim… during/post ski… sitting at my desk… You name it! I’m always cold so these things sound like a dream!

  • Reply Beth 02/25/2016 at 3:27 pm

    I maybe could use these for a day. However, my bf does have Raynaud’s and Best Damn Race season is always cold (well, for us Floridians it’s cold!). Would be perfect for him. Cool product lady!

  • Reply Beth @ Paces and Places 02/25/2016 at 4:03 pm

    That would be perfect for a run on really cold days. A bit bulky? Sure. But totally worth warm hands!!

  • Reply Lindsey 02/25/2016 at 4:52 pm

    Oh exciting!! My hands are cold ALL THE TIME! I love camping and exploring in the winter – these would be perfect for that!

  • Reply Becki 02/25/2016 at 6:28 pm

    This wouldbe great for volunteering and racing in the late fall and winter! It would be amazing on ski trips, too!!

  • Reply Jessie 02/25/2016 at 8:09 pm

    So many uses for this in Minnesota 🙂 Definitely a fellow Raynaud’s sufferer. I’d use it AFTER I come in from a run to bring my hands back to color!

    • Reply erin 03/02/2016 at 9:49 pm

      Right?! So many uses here in Minnesnowta! And, you’re gonna get to try it out because you’re the lucky winner, Jessie! 🙂 Thanks for entering!

  • Reply Feisty Eats 02/25/2016 at 8:19 pm

    I’d use it for biking in spring & fall and ice fishing in the winter!

  • Reply Kristina 02/26/2016 at 8:25 am

    Oooooh, what a cool hand warmer! I’d definitely use it for skiing! I have major issues with circulation, and my hands especially get cold on the chairlift – at times, I have to take a break and go inside a ‘lodge’ just to warm up my hands because they are so painful.

  • Reply Kristen 02/26/2016 at 5:18 pm

    My hands are always cold! Heck, I would probably use it inside as much as I would outside! Haha.

  • Reply Leslie @ TriathleteTreats 02/27/2016 at 3:20 pm

    Looks awesome!! I’m not much of a cold/winter person so it probably wouldn’t get used much. 🙂

  • Reply Katy 02/28/2016 at 8:38 am

    Fun product!! I would use them when outside with my little guy or out on stroller runs!

  • Reply Erin 02/28/2016 at 10:34 pm

    I would use it walking the dogs, snowshoeing, and let’s be honest…EVERY possible moment of a ND winter. Maybe I’ll be nice and share with the hubs. Maybe.

  • Reply Heather 02/29/2016 at 7:46 am

    My son would use it. He’s 15, has Raynauds and gets Chilblains, which is basically the start of frostbite, several times a winter. This year has been the worst even though we’ve had a mild winter and his hands are a blistery, swollen mess. He would use it at the bus stop in the morning when it is dark and well below freezing but he is too “cool” to wear a coat! Thanks for the offer.

  • Reply Alyssa @ Don't Look Down 02/29/2016 at 8:22 am

    Matt and I each got one of the 6 hour hand warmers for a football game last year and they were so awesome. I would love another one! Any time where I need to stand out in the cold for a while it would be useful. (Like skiing or football!)

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