Handwarmers

With winter lingering and cold nights ahead even up to May, it’s never too late to invest in a good hand warmer – and the following are two of the best.

On the Rox

First up is the new Hot Rox Hand Warmer, an innovative twist to keeping your extremities up to working temperature on those cold spring dawns and nights, based on therapeutic Japanese heated pebbles. Chic and simple in concept and design, it takes two hours to fully charge the built-in lithium battery direct from the mains or via your laptop’s USB port, the palm sized unit can then provide up to 430’s of heat for three hours or six hours at 390. The other notable difference is you can turn it on and off as and when you need it. In other words, no liquid fuel, no burning sticks of charcoal, no mess and no looking for somewhere safe to stow it whilst it eventually burns out.

Complete with a small heat bag that helps prolong the Hot Rox’s performance, by sliding the small switch into the middle or farthest setting the user can determine exactly how hot they need the Hot Rox to be and for how long. Heat up is instant, taking just fifteen seconds for the internal heat plate start to generate finger thawing warmth, and the longer you leave it switched on the more the warmth permeates the small shiny ‘rock’. Guaranteed to give you at least five hundred recharges, the Hot Rox is set to become the chosen hand warmer of the gadget orientated and those looking to cut down on fossil fuel consumption. There’s even red and green LED’s to indicate settings, remaining charge and when the Hot Rox is once again full of energy and ready to go.

Retailing for around £30-63p, further details can be found at www.thehotrox.co.uk or by contacting Energon Solutions Ltd on 01763 848404.

Keep It Zipped

For a more traditional approach to thawing fingers, the new Deluxe Hand Warmer from Zippo takes its styling cues from the iconic lighter of the same name, a product I’ve personally been using for more years than I care to think. Manufactured from bright, shiny highly polished metal, the Zippo embossed case and velvet pouch will fit in any pocket and keep hot for twelve hours or more and when I say hot, I mean roasting hot. 

Filled with Zippo lighter fluid - although other makes will work - a small plastic measure allows you to gauge just how much fuel to add dependant on how long you need the Zippo to work. After that, take off the case lid, remove the burner and pour the measured fuel into the absorbent internal wadding. Replace the burner, introduce a flame for five to ten seconds, place the top back on the warmer and slip the Zippo back in the pouch. After five minutes or so you won’t believe the warmth this small unit gives off or just how efficient it actually is.

Whether you’re out clay shooting, stood waiting on a cold peg, walking the dog, freezing in a lonely high seat or out and about on a quad, I guarantee the Zippo Hand Warmer will be a welcome, warming companion that’ll form an essential part of your winter and early spring shooting kit. From my own point of view, this is one of the best twenty quids I’ve ever spent and I don’t say that lightly.  It even exceeds Zippo’s own claims by a considerable extent.   

Zippo’s Deluxe Hand Warmer costs a very reasonable £20.75p, a replacement burner unit is £5.40p and a 125ml can of Zippo Lighter fluid is about £2.50p. For further details contact Zippo on 0208 964 0666 or visit their website at www.zippo.co.uk