Adventure Medical Kits Hiker First Aid Kit Review

Bottom line

Whether you’re planning an extended day hike for a group of friends or an easy backpacking trip over the weekend, the Adventure Medical Kits Hiker likely contains most, if not all, you need to stay happy and healthy outdoors. It’s highly portable, lightweight, and includes a small first-aid manual.

The kit claims it contains enough supplies for two people for two days, but we found we wanted a few extra emergency supplies for deep backcountry travel when planning a multi-day trip in Southern Utah. Therefore, we believe it’s best suited for extended day hikes for groups and easy backpacking trips where you don’t plan to venture too far from a trailhead. However, with a few additional trauma supplies, it could also easily support longer trips.

The kit itself isn’t waterproof, but it’s compact enough to fit in a dry bag or zip-top bag. Check out our guide to the best first aid kits to see other kits we tested.

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

How We Tested

Throughout our testing, we used the Adventure Medical Kits Hiker on long hikes, brief backpacking excursions, and snowshoe adventures across Northern Utah. We evaluated it in snow, rain, and sunshine, dedicating hours to examine the kit and its contents both on and off the trail.

Portability

During testing, we were pleased with the size and weight of the Adventure Medical Kits Hiker. While it may not be the smallest or lightest option we tested, it is compact enough to fit in a day pack or large hip pack. When backpacking, we found ample room in fully loaded packs for this kit. Thus, it ranked high compared to other kits, particularly given the variety of supplies included.

If we couldn’t fit it inside a bag, we could easily clip it to the exterior thanks to the webbing handle, although the kit did occasionally bounce around. If you’re confident in your first aid knowledge and skills, you can save a few ounces by removing the included first aid manual.

Organization

Inside, the supplies were well-organized, though not as easy to find as those in kits with more pockets or clear windows. Three zippered pockets were clearly labeled with their contents, but they were not see-through, which made it take a little extra time to find common items when we weren’t yet familiar with the kit.

The pockets were also constructed in such a way that it was difficult to locate items through the small openings.

Quantity & Variety

When it comes to the quantity and variety of supplies, this kit ranked close to the middle of the pack. It contained a total of 22 items. There were plenty of adhesive bandages, a few gauze pads, wraps, and a wound dressing, along with shears, tweezers, and medication. Additionally, there were topical treatment products and safety pins, as well as nitrile gloves and medical tape.

However, it was missing some more serious trauma items like a splint, tourniquet, and triangle bandage. We don’t think any of those items are dealbreakers, but we did feel more comfortable on backpacking trips adding a CPR mask ourselves. There was still some room inside for additional small items.

Quality & Durability

Regarding the kit itself, although it isn’t waterproof, we didn’t mind. After all, it’s small enough to fit easily in a stuff sack or zip-top bag if we anticipated inclement weather. Doing so would help ensure that items like bandages and gauze wouldn’t be ruined if water seeped through, which it did during testing.

Durability was moderate. When we dropped it in a pack with loose microspikes, there was minimal wear, although the outer fabric will be more susceptible to snagging over time.

Should You Buy the Adventure Medical Kits Hiker?

The Adventure Medical Kits Hiker offers good value given its price point, portability, and the number of items included. It’s a solid choice for those who want a ready-to-go kit designed for multiple people for a couple of days or a well-stocked option for extended day hikes deep into the wilderness.

However, it’s not ideal for more than two days of backpacking since the quantity of each item is limited. Similarly, those traveling far from trailheads and possible rescue in the event of a real emergency may prefer a kit with a few more of everything and additional trauma supplies.

With that in mind, adding a few more items like a CPR mask can easily bridge the gap between day hikes and long backcountry travel, so it shouldn’t be dismissed due to a few missing essentials. However, hikers who often travel with large groups may prefer other, more robust kits.

This kit is also a good choice for those who are still getting comfortable with administering first aid or haven’t taken any instructional courses. The inclusion of a small manual that guides you through treating everything from sprained ankles to heat stroke will provide comfort and peace of mind in the woods.

What Other First Aid Kits Should You Consider?

After testing numerous first aid kits for hiking, if the Adventure Medical Kits Hiker isn’t ideal, then one of the other options might be a better choice.

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

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker Review:  Although it may be slightly larger, this kit offers a more comprehensive variety of individual supplies, making it an excellent choice for extended backcountry excursions.

HART Outdoors Weekend Review: This kit contains even more first aid supplies in a similarly sized package with improved organization, providing greater peace of mind for more distant off-the-beaten-path adventures.