What is the best brand of windproof, re-fillable lighter, survival lighter? They are pretty expensive so I don't want to just buy some. If anyone has had experience with them, I could use your help. Thanks.

I have a Brunton Helios for several years. I paid around $35 for mine (on sale) at a local outdoors shop. It is really well made and I hight recommend it. But at the same time, I have to agree with many others on here that a simple Bic is still a simple way to go.

The Helios is built well........quite waterproof. Refill is easy too.

http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=34

Brunton makes a pretty darned good lighter. My experience is it is fairly stormproof. You may find a number of lighters nearly as good, some for less cost than the Brunton to be sure, but I seriously doubt you will find any that are better. Here's the link:

http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=34

Ha, figtree beat me to it.

I know you guys like the Brunton but I still think the peanut lighter is the best all around survivor lighter. Although it is not windproof it has many other advantages.
1. Cheap $5
2. Waterproof 200 feet
3. Uses lighter fluid (not affected by cold like butane lighters)
4. Sealed so no loss in fuel evaporation (light it up years later)
5. Extremely small, can fit on keychain and carry a backup it needed
6. Most every part in the lighter can use zippo parts


http://www.countycomm.com/peanutlighter.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lidqk1dCGrc&eurl=http://www.countycomm.com/peanutlighter.htm

I really like those little peanuts. They are a great deal and very practical. I will add my recommendation to the list for these little gems.

But the OP asked specifically for the best windproof lighter, and nothing beats the Brunton, cost not being a concern.

For a number of years I carried a refillable Solo Candle Lighter - this is made by the same company that makes the Solo Storm lighter.

http://www.getlit.com/nhtml/candle.shtml

I liked it because it is extendable which made it easier to get to the firestarts underneath a bundle of kindling.

A few months back - when it was much warmer - I was trying to start a fire in a fairly high wind and I had lots of problems with the Candle Lighter blowing out. This got me to rethink my selection of lighters.

I decided to move to a jet-type lighter. I have both the Solo Storm and the Windmill lighters, and find them fairly similar in capability. Both are good lighters with jet-type flames. My only real complaint - and its with both of them - is that when in use I wish the tops of the lighters would flip back farther than they do. The lids kind of get in the way when reaching firestarters.

Of course the problem with jet-type lighters is that they go through fuel much faster. For me that isn't a problem since I don't/won't start lots of fires on any one trip.

Of course I also carry waterproof matches (REI) w/ striker pad in a K&M matchcase, a firesteel w/ striker, and petro-cotton firestarters.

http://www.getlit.com/nhtml/storm.shtml

I have found refillable lighters to be unreliable; Bics for me.
Bill

I know it’s not vogue or sexy, but the inexpensive Bic Lighter had done me well for years.

It lights when I want it to, every time.

It’s waterproof, if it gets wet, blow on it for a min and it’s back up & running.

As far as not working when cold, I keep it in my pants pocket where it keeps warm enough to light even on the coldest of days.

And while it’s inexpensive, it seems to be well enough made. As evidence of this you see people all over in all kinds of weather and conditions using them with success.

Disposable butane lighers are awful handy and cheap, but none of them are very windproof and few are refillable.