HART Outdoors Weekend First Aid Kit Review

Bottom line

If you’re searching for a kit designed for easy weekend trips in the backcountry, the HART Outdoors Weekend kit may be just what you need. It is well-sized for a small duo or trio, lightweight, easily packable, and contains most essentials we often reach for on backpacking trips. It’s well-organized and well-labeled, and the clear pockets make everything quick and easy to locate.

It’s designed to accommodate up to three people for two days, making it ideal for easy weekend trips with a friend or two. There are plenty of regularly used items like bandages, gauze, medical tape, blister care, an elastic bandage, scissors, medications, and a first aid manual, plus ample room to add personal medications or additional supplies.

It doesn’t include a wide array of trauma supplies, but at this price, we don’t mind stocking a few extra items ourselves. Take a look at our guide to the best first aid kits to explore more options.

And for more info, check out some of our other popular gear guides:

How We Tested

While testing, we took the HART Outdoors Weekend on extended hikes and snowshoe expeditions across Northern Utah. We evaluated it in various conditions—snow, rain, and sunshine—spending hours reviewing the kit and its components both on and off the trail.

Portability

This kit ranked higher than average in terms of portability. It’s neither the largest nor the heaviest, nor the smallest or lightest kit we tested. However, when we considered all the supplies included and the impressive organization, we were pleased with the overall packability.

It’s small enough that we could usually fit it in a backpack or daypack, but even if we overpacked, we could clip the kit to the outside in a pinch, although it did bounce around a bit.

Organization

The HART Weekend kit ranked high for organization, thanks to six labeled compartments and see-through pockets that make it one of the quickest and easiest options for finding necessary supplies. There’s a place for everything, and everything is in its place. Additionally, there’s extra room for extra supplies.

Quantity & Variety

This kit contains a solid number of first aid supplies, making it an excellent option for easy weekend backpacking trips or extended day hikes. However, items like second skin, splints, triangle bandages, and wound cleaning tools such as irrigation devices are lacking. Fortunately, there’s enough extra room in the kit to add a few things if you feel inclined.

The kit includes several types of gauze, bandages, medical tape, and an elastic bandage. It also contains topical treatments, OTC medications, scissors, and tweezers. Additionally, there’s a small first aid guide with instructions on how to perform basic first aid.

The fabric adhesive bandages come in several sizes and are stretchy and breathable. They are of average stickiness and began to peel after a few hand washes, but didn’t come off completely after 24 hours of wear.

Quality & Durability

While the Weekend kit wasn’t the most durable we tested, it performed reasonably well. When we tossed it in a backpack with loose microspikes, there was no noticeable wear and tear on the fabric of the kit, suggesting it should last for years. The outer material isn’t waterproof, so when we left it in the rain, some items inside became damp after a brief downpour. Therefore, items like bandages and moleskin could be damaged beyond saving if the kit is left in the rain for an extended period.

The zipper is one-way and not as sturdy as the zippers on other kits we tested, so we wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the first feature to fail.

Should You Buy the HART Outdoors Weekend?

The HART Outdoors Weekend is suitable for exactly what its name suggests: weekend trips. Specifically, easy weekend trips not far from civilization—at least in its current form. With a few extra items for serious injuries, it could also be an excellent option for longer or more distant travel.

It’s ideal for those who want or need a simple, streamlined, well-organized kit with just the most commonly used essentials, without spending a lot. It offers only the essentials and nothing more. Therefore, anyone who enjoys traveling fast and light, while still seeking the peace of mind provided by a quality first aid kit, will likely see it as a winner.

On the other hand, those searching for a first aid kit that’s better suited for easy day hikes may want to consider something smaller and lighter. Additionally, the absence of trauma or serious injury supplies, such as a CPR mask and gloves, means you won’t be prepared for as many life-threatening issues that may arise in the backcountry as with a better-stocked kit. That said, it’s easy enough to enhance this kit with more supplies.

While it’s designed for short backpacking trips, it also serves as a great day hike kit for groups or families who need more of each item.

What Other First Aid Kits Should You Consider?

We’ve evaluated numerous first aid kits for hiking. If the HART Outdoors Weekend doesn’t meet your needs, other options might be better suited for you.

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit .7 Review: Smaller and lighter, yet equipped with nearly as many necessary supplies, this kit is an excellent choice for most adventures. Additionally, it’s waterproof.

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker Review:  This kit, similar in size and weight but offering a slightly larger variety of individual supplies, is an excellent choice for most adventures.

HART Outdoors Extended Review: This kit contains even more first aid supplies in a slightly larger package, providing greater peace of mind for more remote adventures.