10 Best First Aid Kits for Hiking of 2025

No adventure–whether on frontcountry trails or in backcountry wilderness–would be complete without a well-stocked first aid kit. After all, most experienced adventurers know that the right supplies can make the difference between life and death outdoors. Or at least, between comfort and discomfort.

We tested a variety of first aid kits to determine which ones are the best for hiking and backpacking. Each kit was evaluated based on portability, organization, quantity, and variety, as well as quality and durability. We took them hiking in Utah, camping in the West, tossed them in the back of our car during extended road trips, and more. This thorough testing allowed us to compile a list of the best first aid kits for hiking and camping.

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Quick Picks for First Aid Kits

Check out this quick list of our favorites if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

Best first aid kit overall: Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 ($35)

Best for backpacking: Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker ($48)

Best waterproof kit: Cascade Traverse ($40)

Best for base camp adventures: HART Outdoors Extended ($66)

Best kit for extended day hikes: Adventure Medical Kits Hiker ($30)

Best for easy weekends: HART Outdoors Weekend ($29)

Best budget pick for easy day hikes: HART Outdoors Day Hike ($15)

Best for large groups: My Medic MyFak Mini ($115)

Best-stocked kit with no expiration date: General Medi Mini ($20)

Most customizable kit: Surviveware Small ($30)

Best for car camping with kids: Welly First Aid Kit ($25)

How We Test

We tested these first aid kits on snowy winter hikes in Utah, during snowshoe trips in the mountains, tossed them in the back of our car on road trips, and examined each one and its contents carefully. We assessed bandage stickiness, checked how many life-saving essentials were included in each kit, and evaluated how the kits held up to rain showers and rough handling with abrasive gear. All of this was to uncover which kits are best suited for every type of adventure.

PORTABILITY

First and foremost, we tested each kit for portability since they are designed for camping, hiking, and backpacking, and generally need to be highly portable. We compared the weight of each kit, their size, and the various ways they can be packed or carried, including whether they need to be stashed inside a bag or if they can be easily clipped to the outside of a pack.

While smaller, lighter kits may rank higher, that doesn’t necessarily make them the best choice. When choosing a first aid kit, you should also consider other factors, such as how easy it is to locate the contents and whether it includes everything you need for your specific adventure.

ORGANIZATION

When comparing the organization of various first aid kits, we considered how easy items were to find inside each kit. We chose three commonly used first aid items—bandages, gauze, and moleskin—and timed how long it took us to locate each item after familiarizing ourselves with their possible placements. We also considered how many other items we had to dump out of the kits during our search.

Generally, more organized kits ranked higher due to their labeled pockets and compartments, eliminating the need to unpack every item to locate a commonly used product. After all, timing is often essential when applying first aid outdoors.

QUANTITY & VARIETY OF SUPPLIES

Quantity and variety are also important when it comes to choosing a first aid kit. After all, you don’t want to hit the trail, have an accident, and realize you’re missing something important like latex gloves or don’t have enough gauze pads for medical emergencies. We checked each kit’s list of contents against the National Outdoor Leadership School’s (NOLS) list of what to pack in a first aid kit. Kits with more overlapping items scored higher while kits with few items on the NOLS list scored lower.

That said, most first aid kits offer extra space for you to add personal medications or specialty items. Not all camping or hiking trips require a robust kit, so just because a kit ranks lower doesn’t mean it’s unsuitable. However, it is important to know what’s inside so you’re prepared for any likely injuries.

QUALITY & DURABILITY

When it comes to quality and durability, we compared several factors, including how waterproof the kit was when exposed to rain and how well each held up when jostled in a backpack containing a loose pair of microspikes for a specified duration. A higher score indicates that the bag’s exterior can withstand rough treatment, and if the kit is left in inclement weather, it prevents the contents from becoming soggy.

A lower ranking doesn’t mean a kit is worthless, though. On the contrary, it may score high in other areas, but a low score here simply indicates that more care is needed to keep the kit protected and out of the rain.

Why Trust Clever Hiker

Alisha has spent thousands of hours hiking and backpacking thousands of miles on trails across the country and around the world. As an outdoor journalist and seasoned gear tester, she is well-versed in wilderness first aid and is never without a kit in her pack, regardless of how short the hike may be. She has also attended first aid training, and perhaps more importantly than knowing what’s in her kit, she understands how to use it.

She spent hours testing each first aid kit based on various metrics during road trips, hikes, and snowshoe excursions throughout Northern Utah. She researched and assessed the types of adventures for which each kit is best suited, ranging from short hikes near home to frontcountry camping with the kids, as well as wilderness backcountry excursions. She’s passionate about safety in the outdoors and wants everyone to have a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Analysis & Results

VALUE

The importance of a properly stocked first aid kit for hiking, camping, or backpacking cannot be overstated. At the very least, it can ease discomfort by treating minor issues like blisters. If the worst should happen, it can save a life. Therefore, it’s worth spending a few dollars on a reliable kit. However, if you’re on a budget, particularly if you prefer easy day hikes close to home rather than backcountry exploration, there are options that provide good value.

The HART Outdoors Day Hike first aid kit is the most affordable option available, yet it provides an impressive array of essential items. Additionally, it is the smallest and lightest kit we tested, meaning there’s no reason not to include it in your backpack, hip pack, or back pocket for every hike.

For a well-stocked kit that packs a punch with the number of items in such a small package, the General Medi Mini is more than sufficient. The contents are packed into a zip-top bag, ensuring they stay dry in the rain. However, it doesn’t include medications or anything with an expiration date, so you’ll need to add over-the-counter medications and topical ointments yourself.

The HART Outdoors Weekend is budget-friendly and filled with essential first aid supplies. Everything inside is organized and easy to find, and the kit has everything needed for emergency situations. We believe it provides the best value for your money while remaining compact, lightweight, and user-friendly.

PORTABILITY

When it comes to choosing a first aid kit for hiking, portability is often high on the list of factors to consider. After all, a kit that is too big and heavy runs the risk of being left at home if you don’t think you have enough room for it in your pack. However, you should never head to the trailhead without one, so selecting a kit that is portable and packable is crucial. We took size and weight into consideration when ranking first aid kits, and a few emerged at the top. 

Starting with the affordable, compact, and lightweight HART Outdoors Day Hike kit, which is the most portable first aid kit on this list. Weighing only 3.5 ounces, it is only slightly larger than a deck of cards. Its compact size made it almost unnoticeable in our hip packs during easy hikes near home. This kit is best suited for quick, effortless excursions near civilization.

Our favorite kit also happens to rank high when it comes to portability: the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7. Weighing only 8 oz and just 2 inches thick, it slides easily into a backpack for day hikes. It is even stocked well enough for longer hikes or simple overnight backpacking trips.
The Adventure Medical Kits Hiker is another standout choice for portability. Weighing 7.2 ounces, it is slightly heavier than the lightest option; however, it still includes a first aid manual along with essential supplies in one convenient package. It’s ideal for day hikes and easy overnight trips.

ORGANIZATION

While a well-organized first aid kit is a beautiful thing, it’s not solely about aesthetics. When it comes to treating injuries quickly or comforting a crying child, being able to swiftly locate the supplies and tools you need is crucial. Therefore, a kit with ample pockets, a straightforward organizational system, and clearly labeled sleeves or pouches can make a significant difference. Fortunately, several kits stood out in this aspect during testing. 

The HART Outdoors Weekend was one of our favorite first aid kits for organization. It contains numerous clear pockets and sleeves, all clearly labeled, and we had no trouble locating the items we needed. In fact, we found what we were looking for faster than in any other kit. It was also a pleasure to use.

Similarly, the HART Outdoors Extended excels at organizing first aid supplies. It features the same clear pockets and bold labels, providing a place for everything. It even includes a removable day hike kit stocked with a selection of the most-used essentials, making packing for day trips from base camp or quick excursions from home easier than ever.
Another brand that excels at organization and makes individual supplies easy to find is the Surviveware Small. It features the most individually labeled pockets, which were mesh to assist in searching. We could locate frequently used items in seconds, along with extra pockets for personal medications and additional supplies.

QUANTITY & VARIETY

While portability and organization are important, if you’re primarily concerned with the contents of your first aid kit, then consider these options. Each one is not only well-stocked with a variety of essential items, but we also factored in the diversity of items and whether the kits included supplies for cuts and scrapes as well as more serious injuries. Extra credit was given to options containing trauma supplies like nitrile gloves and CPR masks.

The HART Outdoors Extended kit contains an impressive variety of supplies, including medications and true emergency supplies. It also includes the most items on a NOLS list of first aid necessities, meaning it’s the kit we’d choose for group backpacking trips when we want one that’s stocked and ready to handle almost any unforeseen injury outdoors for multiple hikers.

The My Medic MyFak Mini also checks many boxes on the NOLS list of essential first aid supplies and a few convenient—but perhaps less essential—extras. Moreover, each packet of supplies can be easily restocked and purchased as-is by ordering online. This allows you to add to or subtract from your kit to create the perfect kit for you.

At the intersection of portability and supply variety is the Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker. It’s smaller than the kits mentioned above, but nearly as robust in the supply department–just more streamlined. It’s missing a few trauma supplies for more serious injuries and emergencies, but those can be easily added if you need them.

QUALITY & DURABILITY

Finally, there’s quality and durability to consider. While you may need to restock your kit from time to time, replacing expired medications or adding additional items, you shouldn’t have to purchase a whole new kit every other season. A good kit should withstand use and abuse for years of outdoor adventures. Fortunately, a few first aid kits we tested stand out in terms of quality and durability, including water resistance.

The Cascade Traverse took top honors in this category thanks to the durable case made of XPac fabric, a tightly woven synthetic that stands up to bumps, drops, and scrapes with ease. It’s waterproof, which meant we didn’t think twice about stashing it in an outside backpack pocket even if there was rain in the forecast. When it got soaked, the contents stayed dry.

The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 also performed admirably. Thanks to the inner waterproof packaging, it keeps first aid supplies completely dry in the rain. The outer package keeps the inner zip-top and included supplies similarly free from debris and punctures. Even after tossing it in a bag with microspikes, it shows almost no signs of wear.

For those looking for a kit that’s practically bomb-proof, the My Medic MyFak Mini is just the thing. Although the case is only minimally water-resistant, most items inside are in individual plastic pouches, which protects them from getting soggy in a downpour. Combine that with a robust case, sturdy carry options, and heavy-duty straps, and you’ve got a kit you never have to baby.

How to Choose a First Aid Kit

Clearly, not all first aid kits are created equal, and not all are suitable for every type of adventure or adventurer. Some are adequate for easy hikes, while others are designed for backcountry travel, where you’ll be far from civilization. Keep these considerations in mind when choosing one to ensure you end up with the right kit for you.

LENGTH OF TRIP

The first thing to consider is not only how long your trip is, but also how far you will be from civilization. A well-stocked kit may be larger and more cumbersome to pack, but if you’re three days from a trailhead, you’ll need more first aid supplies to keep you happy and healthy if you get hurt. So for longer trips, opt for a kit with multiples of everything and plenty of variety so you’ll be covered for nearly every eventuality. Many kits will even have the number of days they are best suited for printed on the packaging.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE

Similarly, the number of people you are hiking with should also influence your choice of kit. One person requires fewer supplies and medications than four people in case more than one individual becomes sick or injured. Ensure your kit contains enough for the entire group. Many kits will have the optimal number of people for which the kit is designed printed on the packaging.

WEIGHT & SIZE

While it shouldn’t be the primary factor in choosing a first aid kit, weight and size can be a concern when hiking and backpacking. Heavy, bulky kits may be cumbersome and might not fit in your pack. Therefore, if you’re going far or fast, you may want to look for a kit that’s small and light but still contains everything you need. If you’re hiking with others, you may be able to divide supplies and share the load.

MEDICATIONS INCLUDED

Not all first aid kits automatically include medications. To extend their shelf life (medications have expiration dates), some lower-priced kits omit oral medicines like over-the-counter painkillers, antihistamines, or similar products. If you want a ready-to-use kit, look for one that contains these items and check the expiration dates. You can also stock a kit yourself with medications you may already have in your medicine cabinet.

ARE EMERGENCY ESSENTIALS INCLUDED?

It’s easy to stock a first aid kit with over-the-counter medications, but it’s often tougher to find emergency supplies like shears, CPR masks, and tourniquets. Consider prioritizing kits that include those items, along with trauma pads and other wound treatment equipment, rather than focusing on whether they contain moleskin or medical tape.

DIY

A final option is to build your own kit, which can be cost-effective, but more time consuming. You will have to compile all your own supplies separately, but most can be found in your local pharmacy. Those with special medication needs, allergies to latex, or other restrictions may find it easiest to construct their own kit. Consult lists produced by NOLS or the American Hiking Society for details on what should be included in a first aid kit.

Conclusion

We’ve spent hours testing and comparing numerous first aid kits over the years. We’ve taken them hiking, backpacking, camping, and more, and we would never leave home for outdoor adventures without one. Our goal is to help you find the right gear for you, including first aid kits. So gear up with confidence, and here’s hoping you never have to restock anything in your new first aid kit except bandages and blister treatments.