ProView – MyMedic SideKick Review

In northwest Montana, we are surrounded by backcountry with easy access. This means that we spend a ton of time every season in the backcountry, which is amazing, but that also means that we all have to take precautions when the trailhead or rescue is not especially close. I love that I can explore some of the most remote areas of wilderness in the country, and making sure I go through my backcountry checklist each adventure gives me some peace of mind and allows me to enjoy these places even more. I was stoked to introduce the MyMedic Sidekick as a staple in my adventure kit as an organized med kit even further boosts my peace of mind. 

The longer I have recreated in the backcountry, the longer my list of required gear grows, but also refines and becomes more efficient. When it comes to safety, my partner and I regularly ask ourselves if we are prepared and up to date on all measures. We are just moving into the spring skiing season in Montana, and that means that our safety checklist will slowly move away from heavy layers, emergency bivvies, and lots of calories, to sunscreen and hydration.

One of the most constant changes on my gear checklist is my first aid kit. It will often change from day to day depending on duration, weather, number of people in the group, etc. It is very important to me to make sure my safety measures are as updated to the needs of the trip as possible so I am prepared for any scenario. I was able to use the MyMedic Sidekick in a variety of scenarios and see how versatile it can be. It stayed in my backcountry ski touring pack most frequently, but I was able to easily use it in my trail running vest. My partner even used it for biking trips and a few work related wilderness field trips.

Fit/Comfort

For my personal use and the activities that I participate in, the Sidekick is the perfect med kit size for me. I appreciate that there is some extra room for add-ons that I will talk about in a bit. The sling that allows you to wear the kit over your shoulder or as a fanny pack is easily adjustable and very convenient if you need to have the kit accessible. 

Look/Style

I am a huge fan of MyMedic’s various color options. While I think the best option in most scenarios is the bright red for easy identification and location, it is nice to have options. If you had a large group and wanted to distinguish whose kit is who’s, or you were buying a few kits for dedicated activities, being able to have different colors is convenient. I also appreciate the large metal medical cross on the front as it allows someone to identify the first aid kit quickly in an emergency scenario, especially if you are looking through someone else’s bag. 

Features

MyMedic seems to be thinking about every detail of their med kits and the features they include with each. With the Sidekick, I feel that efficiency and speed was their main focus.

Starting on the outside, the Sidekick has a hypalon front which is going to be durable in various temperatures and terrains. It has velcro on the front if you would like to have your own patches for identification, medical information, an organization, or something goofy!

On the back, the Sidekick has a tear away velcro patch so you can mount the kit on something like a backpack or bike, and have quick access to it without having to deal with a buckle or straps. As I mentioned before, it has a strap that can be used over the shoulder or as a fanny pack for quick access. On the inside, the kit has four main elastic pouches with assorted bandages, a blister mod, burn mod, hydration mod, medication mod, topical mod, one pair of gloves, and a first aid guide. MyMedic has a lot of information on each of these mods and gives you the option to purchase extras or other items you would like to add. I feel confident addressing minor issues or non-life threatening emergencies in the frontcountry with the Sidekick as it is. 

Function/Performance

The Sidekick is MyMedic’s smallest kit, and I feel like it is most suited to folks with minimal first aid experience. I have been certified in some form of wilderness medicine for over a decade now, and I felt the need to add a few extras to the kit. I feel like the Sidekick Pro or MyFAK Mini Pro would be more suited to my needs. These kits have the things I ended up adding to my kit like equipment to deal with trauma such as a tourniquet, shears, chest seals, and a few other activity specific items. As I mentioned before, the Sidekick has some extra room for a few of these items and it is a great place to start if you are beginning your journey into building a first aid kit. 

Durability/Construction/Weight

MyMedic’s durability feels fantastic and their products appear built to last. Every tactile feature such as the buckles, straps, tear away velcro, and elastic pockets is spot on and they don’t feel like a hindrance in any way. The Sidekick doesn’t feel overly bulky at 2.5 pounds despite the heavy duty zipper and hypalon cover. MyMedic created a really great beginner friendly med kit that offers a lot for $74.95.

Friendliness to the Earth

MyMedic does not have any readily available resources about their environmental impact or responsibility to the earth. They do have a small section about their story and mission which is, “…to empower people with the skills, knowledge, and supplies to save lives”. They also have a lot of resources and training on almost every first aid topic, and they include some form of online training through a QR code in each med kit. Other than that, there is not a ton of information about their manufacturing processes online. 

The Final Word

In my opinion, MyMedic is creating some awesome products that are easily accessible and ready to use that can help folks who are just getting started or want to upgrade and dial in their current kits. Their resources and media are concise and easy to understand. I recommend taking some time to think about what you may need out of a first aid kit, and looking through their vast selection of products. Don’t forget that you can add more supplies to your kit as you learn and grow in your adventures and expertise. I am excited to continue honing in the Sidekick through spring and summer activities!

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