Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 First Aid Kit Review

Bottom line

Designed with day hikes in mind, the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 first aid kit may be our favorite option for day hikes of any length: it is small, lightweight, portable, and waterproof. 

It’s well-stocked with most of the supplies we hope to see in a first aid kit, including bandages, moleskin, duct tape, nitrile gloves, and tweezers. There aren’t many of each individual item, but that’s what makes it more suitable for hiking than for backpacking. There’s also room inside to stash additional items, allowing you to expand its use for more activities.

It’s not as well-organized as other kits, but for quick trips down long trails, this is the kit we’ll grab first. As a bonus, during hikes and camping trips in Big Bend National Park, it was easy to locate the bright yellow pouch, even if it was buried at the bottom of our packs.. For more options, check out our guide to the best first aid kits.

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How We Tested

During testing, we took the Adventure Medical Ultralight/Watertight .7 first aid kit hiking and snowshoeing in the mountains of Northern Utah. We tested it in snow, rain, and sun and spent hours assessing the kit and its contents both on and off the trail.

Portability

This kit is compact, especially considering the number of items it includes. Other day-hike specific kits tend to be smaller and lighter, but given this kit’s versatility and the items it contains, we were impressed by its size and weight. We particularly appreciated its slim profile, which made it easier to fit into narrow spaces in our packs when they were packed full.

It was easy to stash in a backpack or large hip pack, but it could also be clipped to the outside of a bag using accessory loops on the corners.

Organization

There’s no organization inside this kit, so during testing, it took a little longer to locate some items when we needed a bandage or a piece of gauze. However, not so long that we’d consider swapping it for a heavier or bulkier kit on most trips. In fact, because there was only one pocket to open, we found items faster than in some kits with more robust organization.

We had to remove the inner zip-top waterproof pouch from the outer package, open it, and search for supplies. On the upside, the inner pouch is see-through, which made most items easy to locate.

Quantity & Variety

The kit included an above-average number of items. All the most common supplies are part of the kit, such as bandages of all sizes, moleskin, medical tape, gauze, wraps, duct tape, nitrile gloves, and tweezers. It also contains antiseptic wipes and OTC medications.

There aren’t many of each individual item, but there are enough that we were comfortable taking it along on a three-day trip for two people.

It was missing most trauma items like wound dressings, scissors, and a CPR mask, but nothing we felt we or others experienced with first aid couldn’t improvise or add to the kit ourselves. There was enough room inside to add many of those products.

Quality & Durability

During testing, we found no durability issues or signs of wear when tossing the kit into a bag with rough or jagged objects. In fact, it’s one kit we’ve had for years, and we have never noticed a puncture, tear, or snag in the inner or outer packaging. 

Regarding water resistance, the exterior yellow pouch was only minimally water-resistant during short bursts of light rain, but it eventually soaked through. However, the interior DryFlex bag kept all contents dry. Additionally, it is more durable and robust than typical plastic zip-top bags found in other kits.

Should You Buy the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight?

The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 is our top pick for first aid kits for hiking due to its versatility, durability, waterproof nature, and functionality. It comes with more than the essential supplies for all-day hikes and even short backpacking trips. Additionally, there is enough space in the kit to add a few items, making it suitable for longer, multi-day trips.

It lacks some trauma supplies, so individuals planning deep backcountry trips or week-long adventures, particularly with more than two people, might find it inadequate. Similarly, those who are unfamiliar with first aid may prefer a kit that includes a portable manual for extra peace of mind.

However, avid hikers who enjoy tackling trails of any length will likely find the ease of use, portability, watertightness, and a wealth of necessary supplies to be more than suitable. Ultralight backpackers, in particular, will discover much to appreciate about this kit.

It’s also affordable compared to similar kits, making it a great value for a wide range of hikers.

What Other First Aid Kits Should You Consider?

We’ve tested plenty of first aid kits for hiking, so if the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 isn’t the right fit, one of these other options may be more suitable.

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker:  Although it may be somewhat larger, this kit offers a more diverse range of individual supplies, making it a great option for extended backcountry trips.

Cascade Traverse: This first aid kit is also waterproof, well-stocked, durable, and portable. It comes with a few more supplies in a similarly-sized package, but it is extremely durable. However, it does weigh more.

HART Outdoors Day Hike: If easy day hikes are more your speed, this kit provides essential supplies in a remarkably portable and affordable package.