Best First Aid Kit for Hiking and Backpacking [2024]

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This is a review of the best first aid kits for hiking and backpacking in 2024.

Whether you are on a short day hike or a multi-day backpacking trip, you need to take a first aid kit.

Cuts, blisters, dehydration, and heat-related illnesses are the most common issues that most hikers need to deal with. But you need to ensure that you pack enough supplies for most eventualities. 

Being prepared doesn’t mean you need to carry a large, bulky medical kit around with you. There are a lot of first aid kits out there which are extremely lightweight and not bulky. And when really bad things happen you should always be prepared by having a PLB or Satellite Messenger to ensure you are rescued.

Below are my top choices for the best hiking first-aid kits in 2024.

How We Tested

All the First Aid Kits in this review have been extensively evaluated and researched by the expert author who has more than 30 years of experience in Thru-Hiking, Backpacking, and Hiking. He also spent several years managing a hiking retail store and more than eleven years as a first responder with the Police. He has also completed Wilderness First Aid courses. The research, testing, and experience of the author have combined to present this honest and unbiased review. Read the Review Policy for further details.

Best First Aid Kit For Backpacking

The best first aid kits for backpacking in 2024 are:

The AMK Mountain Series Explorer Medical Kit is a well-designed, and well-organized first aid kit. It is primarily designed for parties of up to 4 people on expeditions lasting up to a week, it comes with enough supplies that could be required for prolonged care in a remote environment.

This first aid kit offers a more complete selection of supplies to handle heavy bleeding and a wider selection of medications. In addition, there are informational resources to guide you in choosing the most appropriate course of action, when you cannot directly interact with a medical expert.

The kit doesn’t take up as much space as you may think it would.

For many hikers and backpackers, this hiking first aid kit will be a bit too big and have too much stuff. But if you are in a group it is a good option.

Overall, the AMK Mountain Series Explorer Medical Kit should be a top consideration for the best first aid kit for backpacking.

The Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker is intended for use by two individuals for up to four days, or by a small group of three to four people for a weekend expedition.

It has all the supplies you could need, including a 160-page first aid book to help you treat any first aid issues. The carrying bag is made of sturdy, thick nylon, and its interior is kept orderly and simple to navigate by nylon pouches.

The Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker is much less cluttered thanks to these zippered pouches, which organize medical supplies according to the type of damage you intend to treat.

The abundance of foot care products and remedies for minor wounds is primarily what makes this so handy for backpackers. For most people reading this review, this will be the best option as it is a good compromise between taking too much and having everything you need.

Overall, the Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker is one of the best backpacking first aid kits for 2024.

One of the most well-liked first aid kits among travelers is the Adventure Medical Ultralight Kit. This is because it achieves an ideal mix between preparation and minimalism.

It includes all the essentials you’d anticipate, as well as a few uncommon products, such as a small roll of duct tape, Moleskin for blisters, and an elastic pressure bandage. It’s a great starter kit and offers lots of customization options.

There are larger and smaller versions of the Adventure Medical Ultralight Kit available as well. Due to the silicone-coated nylon used in the construction of the Adventure Medical Ultralight first aid kit, it is extremely lightweight.

The medications come in individual containers with clear labels, so you can locate the right thing. Finally, this kit is one of the lightest kits available at just 8 ounces.

There are several different versions of the ultralight first aid kits, namely the .3 / .5 / .7 / .9, and pro. I think so if you want only the lightest and most basic, go for the .3 if you want the most comprehensive take a look at the pro version.

The Adventure Medical Ultralight Kit is one of the best first aid kits for backpacking in 2024, thanks to its small size and lightweight construction.

Best Day Hiking First Aid Kit

HART Outdoor Day Hike First Aid Kit

Pros:
> Ultralight
> Includes medications such as Ibuprofen, Antacid, and more
> Compact
> Reasonably Priced

> Has everything you will need for short day trip and beyond
Cons:
> Small and basic

The HART Outdoor Day Hike First Aid Kit is lightweight, compact, and filled with almost everything you would want or need for a day hike. Although, when you take a look at this first aid kit you will realize that this will be good enough to take on multi day hikes aswell.

Some of the more important items include bandages, splinter removal tool, moleskins, tape, and various medications such as Antacid, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen and Allergy Relief Tablets.

Overall, this is one of the best day hiking first aid kits. And with the addition of a couple of things, this could work very well on multi day hikes or while traveling.

More First Aid Kits for hiking & Backpacking

Surviveware Comprehensive Premium First Aid Kit

Pros:
> Durable
> Medical Tools included
> Everything inside the kit is clearly labeled and stored separately
Cons:
> You must provide your own medication which is not really a negative.

The Surviveware Small Kit is a well-organized first aid kit that makes it simple and quick to locate everything you need in an emergency.

All the typical first aid supplies, such bandages and gauze, are included in the kit, along with some uncommon additions like medical shears, elastic wrap, and a CPR mask. No actual medication is supplied, but little bags are offered for you to put your own medication into.

This kit is quite bulky, but by removing items you don’t anticipate using, you might easily slim it down to reduce weight. It’s a fantastic standalone kit with enough supplies in it to last a small group several days.

Hence, if you are planning a longer backpack trip, you should consider the Surviveware Comprehensive Premium First Aid Kit.

Overall, the Surviveware Comprehensive Premium First Aid Kit is one of the best first aid kits for backpacking that you can get your hands on in 2023.

A wide range of high-quality supplies are included in the Surviveware Waterproof Premium First Aid Kit, which is contained in a durable container. Despite being small, it has all the tools you require to handle the majority of injuries, minor or severe.

The Surviveware Waterproof Premium First Aid Kit has high-quality supplies that raise its value, like ace bandages, trauma shears, and forceps suitable for a hospital. This kit also includes a strap that you may attach to yourself, a bike, or other objects.

In the event of an emergency, it is simple to locate everything you need thanks to the labeled and structured inside compartments. No more digging around or creating a mess to find what you need. This tough kit’s watertight zippers and 100% waterproof construction keep the items inside dry.

Overall, the Surviveware Waterproof Premium First Aid Kit is a great option when looking for the best first aid kit for backpacking.

Size And Weight

As you have probably already seen, first aid kits come in a range of sizes and shapes. When you are going backpacking, you want a compact hiking first aid kit that is easy to put into your backpack. As a result, it needs to be compact and lightweight.

It is important to consider how many people this first aid kit will cover and the length of time it is needed. First-aid kits that are compact and lightweight are typically sufficient for one to two people on day trips.

Then, as your kit gets heavier, it contains more supplies and can cater to more people for longer. Size should be your top priority when it comes to a first aid kit.

Supplies

Look over the list of supplies in a first-aid kit before you buy one, and decide if it includes the kinds of things you’re likely to need. A set number of adhesive bandages, different types of gauze, medical tape, antibiotic ointment, and other items are typically included in these kits.

Trauma shears, common drugs, and finger splints are extras that are less frequently provided but may be quite helpful. Also, you must verify how many of every item there are.

For individuals without medical experience who might not be familiar with how to use the supplies in their pack, a small reference guide is essential as well.

Durable

A durable first aid kit will withstand the circumstances it is used. A kit should have a sturdy case of some sort to prevent all the contents from falling everywhere inside your backpack. As long as it is strong enough to withstand a bit of abuse. The last thing you want to do is start sewing your first aid kit back together.

In addition to a durable first aid kit, you should also look for a waterproof kit. This is because a lot of common medical items are brittle and susceptible to water. Hence, a durable and waterproof kit will give you peace of mind that the supplies will remain in perfect condition until needed.

Price

Price is always a notable consideration, as it can affect the quality of your supplies. Ideally, you will have a budget in mind, but you don’t want to buy the cheapest you can find.

This is because some less expensive kits contain poor-quality supplies that sometimes perform poorly when you need them. Yet, with that being said, you can purchase a good quality kit at an affordable price.

You must do your research into the kits that interest you within your price range.

Conclusion

The best hiking first aid kits for backpacking in 2024 are:

Frequently Asked Questions

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