BIC Lighter

The BIC Maxi is a classic butane lighter that shows up in this ultralight lineup as a cheap, reliable backup to a primary stove ignition method. At 25 g it adds almost nothing to a gear list's weight, yet the manufacturer rates it for up to 3,000 lights and roughly 55 minutes of total burn time — comfortably more than a typical multi-day trek requires. Its main advantage is the simple flint-wheel operation, which works even with gloves on or cold, stiff fingers, unlike matches or a ferro rod that need dry conditions and specific technique. The trade-off of a standard butane lighter is reduced performance at high altitude and low temperature, where canister pressure drops and ignition becomes harder — which is why many experienced hikers carry it as a backup rather than a sole fire source. It's suited to lighting gas and solid-fuel stoves and as a universal backup fire source on trail, where low weight and cost matter more than performance in extreme conditions.