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First-aid kits are your initial line of defense in the backcountry — or around town. The ability to quickly administer first aid to yourself or someone in need could be the difference between life or death. Read on for the absolute best first-aid kits for different scenarios of 2024.
All forms of outdoor recreation involve certain risks, unknowns, and the potential for injury. If all goes well, you won’t need a first aid kit while pursuing your activity of choice. Ultimately, first aid kits are like fire extinguishers — you don’t want to have to use them, but it’s nice to know they’re there.
Effective careful risk management begins long before you leave the trailhead. As the first line of defense — especially when recreating outdoors — be prepared for anything with a well-stocked first-aid kit.
For decades, the average outdoor first-aid kit consisted of a personally assembled plastic bag filled with odds and ends from the supermarket’s pharmacy aisle. Now, many purpose-built first-aid kits come pre-stocked with a well-considered assortment of essentials. Portable activity-specific medical kits are available for all kinds of outdoor pursuits, from days out at the crag to overnight river trips.
While you can still find a waterproof bag and fill it with supplies to create a custom kit, the time and money required can add up quickly. For those who want to skip this step and invest in a high-end, fully assembled kit, we’ve put together this list of our favorite options on the market.
The GearJunkie team includes rock climbers, mountain bikers, hunters, anglers, and lovers of just about every other outdoor pursuit. Naturally, we’ve had to perform quite a bit of in-the-field first aid over the years.
The lead author of this guide is Austin Beck-Doss, a former climbing guide and certified wilderness first responder who regularly hauls a first aid kit to crags all over the country. Austin has carefully combed the market to identify high-quality kits and, in due course, field-test them.
Scroll through our top picks below, and be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide, FAQ, and comparison chart for help in choosing the best first-aid kit for your needs.
Editor’s Note: We refreshed this article on April 30, 2024, by adding The Galby, a kit made with mountain bikers in mind from Cascade First Aid.
For a kit that’s so lightweight and compact, the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 ($33) is immensely versatile and practical — making it our pick for the best overall first-aid kit. At just 8 ounces, the entire kit is likely to go unnoticed in your pack. But when the time comes to provide medical care, it’s worth its weight in gold.
As the name suggests, this first-aid kit comes in a fully waterproof case-within-a-case. The bright yellow outer material is durable too, meaning it won’t easily rip open inside your pack.
Because this kit is built to be lightweight, it’s stocked with only a simple array of medkit essentials. That said, the kit’s contents are well-considered and include many important items included in larger kits, such as a full sheet of moleskin and common medications like aspirin and Tylenol.
Other items include medical tape, three sizes of Band-Aids, sterile gauze, nitrile gloves, sterilizing wipes, and much more. This kit unfortunately doesn’t come with a CPR face shield, but there’s room to add one if you choose. Ultimately, this kit is adequate for individual use or for small groups of two or three. For larger groups, we recommend a fuller kit.
Sewn-in loops allow you to easily clip this kit to a climbing harness during multi-pitch routes, and it fits easily in a kayak or a canoe. The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 is smaller than a 1L water bottle, and until you need it, you’ll probably forget it’s there.
Over the years as outdoor recreators and professionals, we’ve really honed in on exactly what needs to be in our packs. But what’s never changed, no matter the trip, is the need for a first-aid kit. For quick overnights (up to 2 days of camping with one or two people), we loved the HART Health Weekend Kit ($27). (It comes in a similar multiday option if you take longer camping trips.)
For less than 30 bucks, you get a super-solid kit that can flex for all-day adventures or for shorter weekend or overnight trips. And, there’s room to add in a few more items (whether that’s extra band-aids, more tape, or personal medications). Here’s what we liked most about the kit: its price, contents, organization, and packability. At 9.5 ounces, it competes with leading ultralight kits too.
HART’s Health Weekend Kit and other kits are all assembled in the USA. (Pro tip: You can order first-aid kit items from HART in bulk too, like when you need to restock things like ibuprofen or antibiotic wipes.)
As a longstanding maker of first-aid kits, Adventure Medical Kits dominates our list of recommendations for a reason. The well-regarded brand makes a wide variety of kits for various activities. For hiking, backpacking, or other trail-based activities, the Mountain Series Hiker ($30) is our pick for the best hiking first-aid kit.
From its case to its contents, the quality of this kit is exceptional. The rugged nylon material resists abrasion and is clearly built for outdoor use. On the inside, handy labeled pouches keep the supplies well-organized. Each internal pouch zips shut, which prevents the contents from sliding around and mixing together. Everything is always where you need it when you need it.
Adventure Medical Kits sources the contents of its kits from reputable suppliers. From the medical-grade trauma shears to the thick and supportive medical tape, every item in this kit is effective and high-quality.
At just 10 ounces, the Mountain Series Hiker is a small and lightweight first-aid kit. It’s not sufficient for high-level trauma care and can’t support groups with more than two people. Still, for small-group hiking trips up to a few days in length, this kit offers top-quality supplies and good value.
If your pup is going to be joining your outdoor adventures, it’s wise to be prepared with dog-specific medical supplies. Dogs and humans have very different anatomies, and many human first-aid items don’t work well for our four-legged friends. In the Adventure Medical Trail Dog First Aid Kit ($29), all of the contents are specifically designed to treat common injuries and ailments a dog is likely to sustain outdoors.
Other than the numerous helpful medical items that can be used to treat your dog, this first-aid kit includes a well-written and organized handbook. When your dog is in obvious pain or discomfort, the guidebook can be an invaluable resource for figuring out the issue and responding properly.
Inside its fabric outer case, this kit comes with a waterproof ziplock bag that keeps the contents reliably dry. This is especially helpful if your dog carries its own gear — the kit won’t be ruined when it’s time to splash around in the water.
For dog owners who bring their pup along everywhere, this kit provides peace of mind that comes with medical readiness. From paw care items to leg wraps and an effective tick remover, the Adventure Medical Trail Dog First-Aid Kit has you and your best buddy covered. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive at $29.
The generously stocked Homestock+ Professional First-Aid Kit ($37) has become our go-to kit for weekend warrior-style car camping. This kit lives in the car at home base and is always ready when called upon. For certain bike rides or climbing days, we’ll even throw it into our pack and haul it — even though it’s more cumbersome than plenty of other kits.
We appreciate that the brand did not cheap out on a flimsy rip-prone outer material. This kit’s case is thick and robust — which adds durability in the plus column and extra weight in the minus. Over a pound all told, this kit never pretends to be ultralight. Instead, it’s a workhorse containing plentiful bandages, gauze, and reliable tools.
With over 70 bandaids and 50 cotton swabs, you’ll rarely have to restock the basics in this kit. Unfortunately, it lacks ointments and medications, so you’ll probably want to make a few key additions yourself. Like most store-bought first aid kits, consider this a platform upon which you can build the ultimate portable boo-boo treatment center.
Other handy items in the Homestock+ Professional First Aid Kit include a CPR face shield, an emergency blanket, and a whistle.
For those who take big risks and big spills out on the trail, The Galby by Cascade First Aid ($70) is our pick for the best first-aid kit for mountain bikers. The Galby is an extensive first-aid kit designed with mountain biker trailside injury response in mind. Stuffed with bandages for every type of bruise, scape, or tumble, the kit is stocked for small or major injuries.
The neoprene-coated nylon makes the kit water-resistant to stray rain showers or drops into alpine lakes along the trail (hopefully not!), with two zippers and four interior pockets to organize each and every item of the kit.
While the kit is chock-full of bandages, the Galby lacks the same amount of medications and ointments as others, and might need frequent restocks. However, since this kit is geared toward mountain bikers, the emphasis is on more emergent injuries that can be quickly mitigated before making your way to the nearest ER. While on the pricier side, all of the materials within the kit are sourced from high-quality manufacturers.
Incredibly lightweight, the Galby can be stashed away in your pack until any backcountry misadventures occur. Ultimately, The Galby by Cascade First Aid is the perfect companion for any mountain biker who wants to stay as prepared as possible out of the trail and has had more than their fair share of scrapes and sprains along the way.
If you’re looking for a more robust kit for longer backcountry forays, Cascade First Aid also offers The Sawyer, an extensive kit with more advanced trauma care tools for serious injuries in the field. Be aware, though, that it is pricey at $170.
The well-stocked and impressive Surviveware Comprehensive Small First Aid Kit ($60) offers lots of value and utility. On the outside, a rugged, high-denier nylon opens up with a large, robust zipper. Once opened, this kit is noticeably well-organized and uses pouches and resealable packaging to protect the supplies. Surviveware is known to make quality kits, and this is no exception.
Weighing one pound, this kit is a different beast than ultralight kits like the Adventure Medical Kits .7. Still, it feels compact and is certainly not too bulky to bring along — especially if you’re car camping.
For solo trips, this kit may be slightly heavier than you want. But the extra weight might be worth it if traveling far away from definitive medical care. For a small group of up to three people on low-mileage overnight trips, this kit is perfectly capable.
The contents of this kit are extremely well-considered. We appreciate the inclusion of a nice pair of trauma shears and a functional tourniquet. A wide elastic pressure bandage also stands out as a valuable addition.
There are so many supplies in this kit it can be difficult to fit everything back inside once it’s been disassembled. The supplies are in generous quantities. For example, there are over 40 wound-closure strips in this kit, and they come in various sizes.
For $35, the Surviveware Comprehensive Small First-Aid Kit is a bit pricier than other kits of similar size. However, its rugged construction and well-stocked interior fully justify the price tag. For rafting or other water-based activities, we recommend placing this kit inside of a dry bag, as it’s not fully waterproof. A much larger version is also available for $130.
Adventure Medical Kits are the king of the hill when it comes to outdoor first aid kits — and the Ultralight Watertight First-Aid Kit .9 further solidifies the brand’s status. Much like the .7 version, this kit is light, packable, easy to use, and packed in a waterproof bag.
Like most ultralight kits, the .9 has limited quantities of almost every included item. That’s the trade-off with lightweight kits — they require frequent restocking. In our experience though, this kit is extremely well-considered. Depending on your preferences and the outdoor context, you likely won’t need to add much of anything.
While testing this kit, we made use of the precut moleskin pieces, duct tape, adhesive bandages, splinter remover, antibiotic ointment, antihistamine, and sterile gauze — all in just a few outings. It weighs less than half a pound, so we didn’t mind tossing it into the climbing pack ahead of long arduous approaches. The included medical tape and bandaids came in clutch when we ripped open a flapper climbing sharp limestone.
If you’re seeking a compact kit for backpacking, the .9 is a winner. It may be more than is required for a solo trip, but it’s the perfect candidate for a mid-length trip with a group of four or fewer people. The included array of medications is particularly impressive. No other similar kit on the market has such a well-curated selection.
The Ultralight Watertight First Aid Kit .9 doesn’t come cheap at $46 — but it’s a worthy investment that should serve you for years to come (with regular restocking).
The only way to identify the best first-aid kits on the market is to carry them constantly and use them over time. Our staff put months into testing these different kits, carrying them on day hikes, overnight weekend road trips, solo backpacking trips, group camping trips, bikepacking trips, pack-paddleboarding and kayak trips, and more. We also tested different models and variations of kits to see how they vary by brand and where each first-aid kit excels.
The lead author of this article, Austin Beck-Doss, used to work as an outdoor guide and instructor and always carried — and sometimes had to use — a group first-aid kit in the field. He’s taped dozens of ankles, applied Moleskin on countless hot spots, and bandaged various cuts and scrapes. He continues to carry a first aid kit for personal use, and he’s a sharp critic about what exactly makes an effective first aid kit.
While working on this list of recommendations, Austin considered the most common injuries that outdoor enthusiasts encounter. All sorts of medical supplies are available, but the kits in this list are stocked with items you’re likely to use. In 2024, we brought on tester Katie Davis to help us expand our selection; Katie is a seasoned outdoor professional with countless hours in the field.
Our testing process stopped short of intentionally injuring ourselves to truly assess the quality of each kit’s contents. Still, we looked over each kit with care. Not all bandaids and trauma shears are made equal, and poor quality stands out like a sore thumb.
Additionally, we considered size and weight, overall value, and the quality and durability of each kit’s outer case. As new first aid kits hit the market, we’ll be sure to check them out in consideration for this list. At any given time, this article will include the best premade kits that money can buy.
The first-aid kit you choose should be able to handle the situations or injuries likely to accompany your personal pursuits. If you need a first-aid kit for solo lightweight backpacking, you probably shouldn’t purchase a large, heavy kit that’s better suited to car campers.
Similarly, if primarily bringing your first-aid kit on multipitch climbing routes, you don’t need a kit full of first-aid supplies for dogs. Simply put, there are lots of first-aid kits available, and you’ll need to be discerning to identify the best one for you.
Many current first-aid kits will include the number of days and number of people the contents serve. For example, a kit designed for two people for 4-5 days could work in a variety of scenarios.
Many key factors differentiate one from the next, which we’ll dive into below. Of these, kit size, weight, supplies included, durability, price, group size, and type of activity are the most important.
First-aid kits come in all shapes and sizes. If you want to carry your kit on long trail-based adventures like thru-hiking or trail running, go with something small that will fit easily in a backpack or fanny pack. The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 weighs less than half a pound and clips easily to the outside of a pack or harness, or it can stash into a hydration vest.
Generally, small and ultralight first-aid kits are good for just a few people over single-day trips or brief overnight outings. But most small or ultralight packs don’t include the ideal supplies for larger groups or for trips that venture way out from the front country.
Larger kits, like the Homestock+ Professional First-Aid Kit, are better for supporting a group of more than two people over longer trips. The downside to a larger kit is increased weight and volume.
For car camping, canoeing, or river rafting, weight is probably less of a concern, so a large kit may be the way to go.
The kits on this list range in weight from less than half a pound to almost 2 pounds. If your activity of choice requires you to consider every ounce, go for something small and light like the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7. Remember, less weight usually means fewer supplies and reduced quantities.
You should also consider that every first-aid kit can be customized at home. If certain supplies are deemed unnecessary, you can leave them behind to shave weight or replace them with supplies that better suit your needs.
For activities like car camping and whitewater rafting, weight may be of less concern, and you could get away with bringing a heavier kit along. A heavier kit usually means more supplies, which is a good thing for large groups and long trips.
Before purchasing a first-aid kit, read through the list of supplies and consider whether or not the kit comes with the kinds of items you’re likely to need.
Almost all kits come standard with a certain quantity of adhesive bandages, various forms of gauze, antibiotic ointment, medical tape, and more. Other items that are less often standard but potentially highly important include trauma shears, basic medications, finger splints, and emergency blankets.
Be sure to check the quantity of each included item. Some kits, like the Surviveware Small First Aid Kit, come with an impressive 100-plus items. However, a closer inspection reveals that many of these are small adhesive bandages.
Another important item to look out for is a first-aid reference. A small reference book is especially important for those without medical training who may not know how to use the items in their kit. If you don’t know how to use your kit and it also doesn’t come with an instructional guide, the kit won’t be very useful to you in the field.
Some kits are small but still include some high-quality, high-value items. The Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit is quite compact but still includes potentially crucial items like a pair of medical-grade trauma shears and a variety of medications.
A durable kit will hold up to the conditions it’s designed to be exposed to. First, a kit should have a durable outer case. We like that the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 comes in a watertight bag.
Other kits on this list like the Surviveware Small Kit have a high-denier nylon carrying case that resists abrasion and holds up in the long term. You don’t want to have to break out your sewing supplies to do surgery on your first-aid kit.
Because many common medical supplies are fragile and vulnerable to water, it’s wise to seek out a waterproof kit. This is especially important for those who plan to bring their kit along on water-based activities like kayaking or rafting. Kits that aren’t already waterproof can be customized with a durable ziplock bag or a dry bag.
If possible, check the expiration dates of supplies inside of a kit before you purchase. Many kits come with medications, which is great unless they’re all due to expire soon. I have gotten into the habit of checking the dates of all my kits’ meds every 2-3 months or so and replace them as needed.
On this list, we included inexpensive kits like the HART Outdoor Weekend First-Aid Kit and pricier kits like the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight First Aid Kit .9. Because prices for first-aid kits vary a lot, it should be possible to find something within your budget. That said, remember that cheaper kits often include cheaper supplies that won’t function quite as well when you need them most in the field.
Most first-aid kits are designed to support a certain number of people for a certain number of days. Ultralight kits are usually made to accommodate one or two people on shorter trips of 1-2 days. Larger kits can support larger groups on longer trips.
Often, the difference between a single-day kit and a kit for long trips is supply quantity. For example, a kit with a single triangular gauze would be fine for a single day out when multiple injuries are unlikely. However, on multiday trips, you might need to use certain items multiple times over the course of the trip, so the supply quantity should reflect this.
Some first-aid kits, like the Adventure Medical Kits Series Hiker, are made for specific activities. These can be super helpful because they’ve been put together with special consideration for the kinds of injuries that are likely to occur during that activity.
For example, a good hiking first-aid kit is likely to include plenty of supplies to deal with a sprained ankle or skinned knees. Or, a first-aid kit aimed at mountain bikers like the Cascade First Aid Galby First-Aid Kit contains supplies like bandages that are ideal for dealing with emergent injuries more likely to happen while riding your mountain bike.
While activity-specific kits may be slightly less versatile than other options, they are ideal for those who will be sticking to one activity.
While we recommend all of the first-aid kits on this list for various reasons, we have selected the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 as our choice for the best overall first-aid kit — though, we’ve also used the Adventure Medical Kit .9 (that accommodates a slightly bigger group) and the Mountain Series kits as well, and liked those too.
Ultimately, the best first-aid kit to buy is the one that’s most likely to be useful when you need it.
While the supplies in first-aid kits vary depending on the purpose and design of the kit, some key items should be on every first-aid kit checklist. These essential first-aid items include:
Other items that are less universal but still potentially valuable include:
Basic first-aid skills include the ability to treat and care for common injuries and ailments. Properly cleaning a small cut and applying an adhesive bandage is considered basic first aid.
Those who administer first aid can continue to work on their skills over time and increase the level of care they can provide. Before going out to recreate with your first-aid kit, it’s helpful to know how to deal with a range of injuries and emergencies that are most likely to occur — from wound care to blister prevention to lifesaving CPR.
First-aid courses are regularly available in most areas and regions. Some common providers of basic first-aid courses include the American Red Cross and the National Safety Council.
For medical training designed specifically for the outdoors, certifications like Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder are worthwhile pursuits. Common course providers of wilderness medicine include NOLS and Wilderness Medical Associates.
That depends. Usually, medications are the first items in a first-aid kit to expire. However, many other first-aid kit supplies have expiration dates too.
The adhesive on a roll of tape can also expire — if your tape is old and disintegrating, it’s useless! A new first-aid kit should last for a year or more before anything inside expires, but it all depends on the specific contents of the kit.
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Austin Beck-Doss is a Staff Writer at GearJunkie. Austin has been writing about climbing, hiking, and snowsports for 6+ years. Prior to that, Austin worked as a rock climbing and wilderness guide.
Mary Murphy is the Managing Editor of GearJunkie. She has been writing about hiking, running, climbing, camping, skiing, and more for eight years, and has been on staff at GearJunkie since 2019. Prior to that, Mary wrote for 5280 Magazine in Denver while working as an outdoor instructor teaching climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and mountain biking. Based in Denver, Colorado, Murphy is an avid hiker, runner, backpacker, skier, yogi, and pack-paddleboarder.
Katie Davis is a contributor and gear tester for GearJunkie. She has been writing about skiing, hiking and camping for 5+ years. Prior to that, she has worked with brands like Faction Skis, Teton Gravity Research, TREW Gear and K2 Skis. Based in Westminster, Colorado, Davis is an avid skier, camper, hiker, traveler, and pain au chocolat connoisseur.
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