Which Backpacking First Aid Kit is Right for You?

The safest way to recreate outside is to be prepared for anything. That means bringing a first aid kit that will meet personal needs, group needs, and address hazards specific to the environment. When was the last time you gave your backpacking first aid kit a once-over and considered whether you have what you need for your next adventure? 

Read on to learn about available kits, plus pro tips to make sure you’re ready for anything on the trail.

Factors to Consider When Comparing Backpacking First Aid Kits

  • Group size: Adjust first aid supplies or the number of kits to bring based on the number of people in your party. I usually pack an additional person’s worth of supplies in case I happen upon someone who needs help. Backpacking first aid kits say how many people they are meant to supply, making it easier to decide which one is appropriate for your needs.
  • Environment and weather: My first aid kit looks slightly different depending on where I travel and the weather forecast. For example, I’ll add individual servings of powdered electrolyte drinks for hot weather and low-water environments, and I’ll take hand warmers for higher-altitude places and cooler temps. Consider the unique conditions where you’re headed and what emergencies may require the use of your first aid kit when packing.
  • Trip length: How long will you be out for? Longer trips require more supplies, such as extra bandaids for more mileage, additional pain relievers for more chances for headaches or dehydration, etc.
  • Weight: If you’re headed out for a one night trip, you’re probably ok with bringing a premade wilderness first aid kit. However, if you’re planning a FKT (fastest known time) on an epic route, you might want to pack light. Weigh the risks of injury and length of trip when deciding what items to remove from a kit if weight is a concern. You can always replace included items with lighter-weight options as needed.
  • Proximity to help: Should you have an emergency on your intended route, how quickly would help arrive? If you’re in a remote place where assistance is hours away, consider taking more items in your first aid kit as you’d have to wait for help longer. Trips closer to the front country or within a few miles of a ranger station or town may not require as many supplies. 

Comparing Backpacking First Aid Kits

  • Multi-day kits: Wilderness first aid kits are rated by how many people they can help and how long they can support those people. To ensure you’re extra prepared, get a kit rated for several days longer than you plan to be out. 
  • Ultralight kits: These kits feature super lightweight packaging and small amounts of first aid supplies such as wound care, sprain, and fraction support items. Adventure Ready Brands offers an Ultralight & Watertight kit that weighs under 8 ounces.
  • Professional kits: If you go on a guided trip, your expedition leaders should have professional-level medical kits. These larger set-ups contain more of everything as they’re meant for longer trips with more people. They may also contain supplies for more serious injuries, such as a suturing needle and thread or a splint for fractures.
  • Activity-specific kits:
    • Adventure Ready Brands Marine 450 is an excellent option for people headed out on paddling adventures. This kit is waterproof and dust-proof and contains typical first aid items such as wound care and sprain supplies, plus a marine medicine guide to treat 200+ injuries and illnesses that may occur in aquatic environments. 
    • My Medic’s Biker Med Pack is created with cyclists in mind. The small kit is easy to add to a handlebar bag or daypack and contains typical first aid items like ibuprofen and gauze. The kit has sport-specific items like friction frosting to prevent and treat chafing and electrolyte replenishing packets to reduce cramping. This is a great setup whether you ride a fat tire bike, cruiser, or something in between.
backpacking first aid kit the lnk

First Aid Kit Add-ons

  • The Adventure Ready Brands Trauma Pack Pro with QuickClot & Swat-T is a great option for bleeding and wounds. For example, if you are going somewhere you’ll need a knife or machete or be around sharp rocks, this is a great addition to a general first aid kit. It’s also great for climbers who might develop large skin abrasions.
  • Emergency communication: If you’re headed somewhere with limited cell service, consider adding an emergency communication method to your kit. Global satellite communicators like this one from Zoleo are popular as they can connect you with loved ones and emergency services. Some boost your cell signal, while others are satellite phones and directly make calls or send texts.

Other Additions to Consider

No matter who you recreate with (human or canine!), someone in your party will likely require medications not included in a readymade first aid kit. Before a trip, always go through your kit and add any over-the-counter or prescription medications you’ll need on the trail. 

Add pain relievers. Most kits have barely enough Advil or ibuprofen to cover a headache for one person. Pick whatever you use for a headache or would turn to if you sprained an ankle, and pack enough doses for several days. 

Bring several copies of emergency contact and medical information for each group member. Keep these copies in different packs and edit them yearly (at a minimum) to include any new concerns like medication changes or new conditions. 

Consider taking a Wilderness First Aid and Mental Health Wilderness First Aid course to feel more confident and prepared in the wild. You never know when you’ll need lifesaving lessons like how to relocate a shoulder over a big rock or work with a tripmate struggling with grief on trial.

backpacking first aid kit the lnk

If you backpack with a pup, bring a canine kit! They may need things that do not already come in a human first aid kit. You can purchase a dog first aid kit like this one from Adventure Ready Brands, or make your own! Include items like booties to protect their feet and any veterinarian-recommended medications personalized to your pup’s needs. Dogs can often use the human kit’s wound care items like gauze, tape, and irrigation syringes. Still, specific items such as a lightweight muzzle to use if they’re in pain and a carrying harness for mobility issues can be critical if your doggo needs extra assistance in the field. 

About the Gear Tester

Outdoor Prolink Pro
Hatie Parmeter
Writer + Editor

Hatie Parmeter (she/her) digs hiking, paddling, and yoga. She's a writer and editor in the outdoor industry and is working toward an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Soon, you'll find her teaching wilderness mental health resources for outdoor outfitters, guides, camps, and more. Bio image is by Lauren Danilek.

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