Hiking is popular among people who want to enjoy outdoor areas such as parks and forests. It is a fantastic way to tackle the urge when the call of the great outdoors hits. It may be tempting to head out on an impromptu hike without any advanced planning. However, if an accident occurs then any fun you might be having can come to an abrupt and unhappy end. It is always wise to carry proper first aid provisions with you so that these emergencies can be delt with quickly. To help you be better prepared when you venture out into nature, here are three of the best first aid kits for hiking trips of any duration.
BEST FOR
DAY TRIPS
Swiss Safe 2-in-1
First Aid Kit
Size: 9″W x 6″H x 3″D
Weight: 16 ounces
Bag Type: Nylon
Guide Included: Yes
Mini Kit Included: Yes
BEST FOR
WEEKENDS
Adventure Medical Kits
Mountain Backpacker
Size: 7″W x 6″H x 3.5″D
Weight: 14 ounces
Bag Type: Nylon
Guide Included: No
Mini Kit Included: No
BEST FOR
LONG TRIPS
Surviveware Large First
Aid Kit
Size: 12″W x 8″H x 6″D
Weight: 3.25 pounds
Bag Type: 600D Polyester
Guide Included: Yes
Mini Kit Included: Yes
Why Carry A First Aid Kit?
When going on any outdoor excursion, it is important to be prepared at all times. You never know what kind of conditions you might face, and emergency equipment should be readily available. There are several emergency situations that can affect a hiker. They can take the form of freak weather changes, falling injuries, or even illness. A hiker should be prepared to manage any situation they may come across and should be ready to provide first aid when an injury occurs. For example, what if someone falls and cuts their leg open? What if an ankle is sprained or an arm broken? It is far better to be prepared to treat injuries that might require stitches or splints immediately rather than waiting until when, or if, help can arrive.
What Makes A Good First Aid Kit?
Any outdoor enthusiast needs to carry the right supplies with them on their trip. A first aid kit is an essential part of that equipment. But what makes the best first aid kit for hiking? The kit should include many different items, like bandages, gauze pads, antiseptics, scissors, tweezers, and basic analgesic and allergy medications. These will all come in handy while you are hiking, camping, or just taking an afternoon jaunt through your local woods. But while these are among the basics, there are other first aid items that could potentially become invaluable. These items will differ based on the nature of your outdoor adventure.
First Aid Kit Essentials
When considering a first aid kit, deciding what kinds of situations you might encounter is key to what supplies you might need. Some people choose to carry a large first aid kit for backpacking or hiking trips. Other people might decide to carry a smaller kit for biking or camping trips. In general, the lighter your kit is, the easier it will be to carry. However, you must make sure it contains the right supplies for the type of trip you will be embarking on. A first aid kit should have supplies that will meet the hiker’s individual needs. A list of basic first aid items can be found below, and the Mayo Clinic has a very good list as well.
- Antiseptic wipes
- Antibacterial ointment
- Assorted bandages
- Butterfly bandages
- Non-stick pads
- Gauze pads in assorted sizes
- Medical tape
- Moleskin or another type of blister treatment
- Your preferred pain-relief medication
- Insect sting treatment
- Antihistamine for allergic reactions
- Tweezers
- Safety pins
- Personal prescription medications
- An extra pair of glasses or contacts
- A first-aid guide to help when digital devices may not be available for use
Good Addons To Your First Aid Kit
While it is good to be prepared with basic first aid items, they may not be adequate for some situations. Not all injuries can be treated in the same way and preparedness is important when going out into the wilderness for camping or hiking. Packing trauma-oriented items in your kit could potentially save yours or someone else’s life. These kinds of items should help you survive until professional help arrives. Several trauma-oriented addons for your first aid kit include, but certainly are not limited to the list below. Along with these, the most important part of your kit should be the contact information for the nearest wilderness first responder in the area for when your first aid kit will not be enough.
- A self-inflating or standard tourniquet
- Chest seals
- Splints
- Pressure dressings
- CPR masks
- EMT shears
- Nitrile gloves
- Eye patches
- Quick clot kits
Best For Day Trips
The Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit is an affordable, well organized, all-purpose kit than can check off a couple of first aid preparedness boxes for you. This kit contains 120 basic first aid items to help you tackle minor injuries. While it may seem big for taking out on a quick hike, there is a solution. This kit comes with a smaller grab-and-go first aid kit stocked with an additional 32 essential first aid items. The main kit is perfect to keep in the utility room or your vehicle which makes it available for everyday use. If you keep up with maintaining and restocking the kit, you can just grab the mini kit whenever the urge to head into the outdoors hits. Check out our review of this kit to learn more.
Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit
Pros
Lightweight design makes it ideal for travelling.
Lots of extra supplies, heavy-duty case, reasonable value.
Organized pockets with room to add custom supplies.
List of included items printed on back of bag.
Cons
The main kit is a bit heavy for long hikes or backpacking.
Many consumers stated the band-aids were smaller than they would have liked.
OTC medications, such as pain killers, are not included.
Best For Weekend Trips
Sometimes a quick day hike may not be long enough. When you have planned a longer hiking trip, then you will need to have more first aid supplies on hand. For a weekend trip, the Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Backpacker will make sure you are prepared just in case. It covers a wider array of situations than a standard basic first aid kit does. The kit folds out to revel a plethora of supplies all organized by care type. This helps make administering first aid more efficient when time is factor. The water-resistant nylon carry case will help make sure your supplies remain will protected until needed. You can read more about this kit in our review.
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Backpacker
Pros
Exceptionally well organized and labeled for very easy access.
Quite compact for the amount of included items.
Keeps to the basics of emergency care.
160-page first aid field guide is included.
Cons
Carrying case is moderately water resistant rather than waterproof.
Smaller, compact bag leaves less room for additions than other kits.
Only contains basic aid items.
Best For Extended Trips
The call of the outdoors has been strong, and you have now planned a longer excursion to satisfy your craving. This means that, to be prepared, you will need a more comprehensive first aid kit to accompany you. The Surviveware Large First Aid Kit is one of the best rated on the market. First off, it is a larger, heavier kit that will serve well as the main emergency kit at base camp. Included is a smaller, lighter kit that can head out with you when you leave camp. The carry case is constructed of durable polyester and is MOLLE compatible. Finding the right supplies at the right time is easy with its tri-fold design and well labeled pockets organized by care type. If you would like to learn more, check out our review.
Surviveware Large First Aid Kit
Pros
Very well labeled and organized.
Items individually packed in laminate pouches.
Mini kit is included.
Good array of latex free bandages.
Water resistant polyester casing that floats.
Cons
Too big for daily carrying.
Need to supply your own medications (due to expiry dates).
Restocking is not currently available through Surviveware.
Planning Ahead Is Key For Safety
When heading out on a hiking trip, or any other, you need to bring the right equipment. Along with some basic safety tips, a good first aid kit is essential as it can help you deal with most injuries that might arise. Some outdoor enthusiasts prefer to carry a small, lightweight kit that is easily stored in a pack or pocket. Others prefer a bigger kit that includes more advanced supplies. The type and duration of your trip will determine the kind of kit that you need. If you have a limited amount of time, a small kit that does not need much space is suitable. If you have more time, you may wish to pack more supplies. Keep in mind that the supplies should be appropriate for the area you will be hiking in. Extended treks in the wilderness will need more advanced supplies. Hopefully these three of the best first aid kits for hiking, designed for trips of different lengths, will help to keep you and your fellow outdoor compatriots safe and sound.
Now, get out there and safely enjoy that trail!