Our top first aid kit picks
Best Budget Option : Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit
“When budget is a top priority, the Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit is a solid option that doesn’t skimp on quality.”
Best for the Money : Surviveware Small First Aid Kit
“A good option for those who want to get the most bang for their buck in value.”
Best for Family Camping : Surviveware Large First Aid Kit
“Perfect for groups of 5 to 8 people on longer car camping trips.”
Best for Travels : Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel
“Designed to provide you with everything you need when traveling abroad.”
Most Complete Kit : MyMedic The Medic First Aid Kit
“Fully outfitted with anything you could think of for a first aid kit.”
Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit
- Group Size : 4 to 5 people
- Weight : 15oz / 425g
When budget is a top priority, the Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit is a solid option that doesn’t skimp on quality.
This medical kit comes in a durable, rigid case that provides all the durability you need to pack on a backpacking trip. The case even has organization pockets to help you keep track of your gear. Moreover, it weighs just under 1lb (453g), making it an excellent choice for longer adventures.
What sets this kit apart from other budget-friendly models is the sheer number of supplies it includes. While many other affordable options pad their total piece count with large amounts of bandages, the Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit focuses on high-value essentials.
In fact, this model includes tweezers, cold packs, and ointments, among other features, which are hard-to-find, affordable, compact kits.
What we like
- Organization features built into the carrying case.
- Expanded inventory contains essential, but less common, supplies.
- Affordable price point for all adventures.
What we don't like
- Not waterproof. Less ideal for wet environments.
Surviveware Small First Aid Kit
- Group Size : 4 to 5 people
- Weight : 16oz / 453g
The Surviveware Small First Aid Kit is a durable option for outdoor adventurers who want to get the most value for their buck.
This medical kit is packed into a burly MOLLE-compatible 600D polyester storage bag with labeled pockets to help you easily find the gear you need when you need it. The bag is also water-resistant, and its contents are all shielded from the elements inside its plastic laminate pouches.
That being said, the Surviveware Small First Aid Kit shines in terms of the quality of the supplies you get. Although it includes only 100 individual pieces, this model is packed with big-ticket items, like quality trauma shears, tweezers, a CPR mask, and a comprehensive first aid guidebook.
What we like
- Durable carry bag is MOLLE compatible and water-resistant.
- High value items include trauma shears and a first aid guidebook.
- Organization. Built-in pockets make individual items easy to find.
What we don't like
- Low item count, just 100 pieces.
Surviveware Large First Aid Kit
- Group Size : 5 to 8 people
- Weight : 3.3lbs / 1.5kg
For family camping trips, the Surviveware Large First Aid Kit is a great gear to have by your side. Boasting 200 pieces, this kit is perfect for groups of 5 to 8 people on longer car camping trips where having as much gear as possible is a top priority.
Although it’s a bit heavier and bulkier on the portability spectrum, this medical kit is packaged in a durable 600D polyester bag. The outside of this bag is MOLLE compatible for attaching to backpacks or Jeep roll bars, while the inside has a set of individually labeled pockets for added organization.
The Surviveware Large First Aid Kit comes with essential tools, such as two pairs of trauma shears and a splint for handling breaks and fractures. It even includes a first aid guidebook to help people feel confident when handling medical emergencies.
What we like
- Very organized interior for ease of use.
- Durable carry bag is also MOLLE compatible.
- High value includes essential tools and supplies.
What we don't like
- Heavy and bulky for most backpacking trips.
Adventure Medical Kits .7
- Group Size : 1 to 2 people
- Weight : 6oz / 164g
Designed specifically for remote outdoor adventures, the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 is a backpacker’s best friend in the mountains. Although it weighs a minuscule 6oz (164g), this kit is packed with essential trauma supplies for managing bleeds, blisters, and sprains while outside.
To help you handle a wide range of medical emergencies, it comes packed with over-the-counter medications and ointments for treating illnesses and bug bites. This first aid kit has a handful of gear repair supplies, like duct tape and safety pins, for added functionality.
Plus, the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 comes in one of the most compact storage bags on the market. This carry case is also water-resistant on the outside and features a completely waterproof DryFlex bag to keep your gear dry.
What we like
- Fully waterproof design for use in the mountains.
- Essential supplies include medications and trauma supplies.
- Lightweight. One of the most compact models available.
What we don't like
- No interior organization makes items harder to find.
MyMedic The Medic First Aid Kit
- Group Size : 8+
- Weight : 23lbs / 10.4kg
When you want to bring everything and the kitchen sink into the outdoors, the MyMedic The Medic First Aid Kit is the medical kit to have on your camping adventures.
Fully outfitted with anything you could think of for a first aid kit, this model is both OSHA and ANSI-approved for quality and functionality. It contains hundreds of items, including hospital-grade medical instruments, trauma supplies, medications, guidebooks, and even survival equipment to help you handle any emergency.
Although the MyMedic The Medic First Aid Kit is too heavy to bring along on a backpacking trip, it comes in a backpack-style bag with multiple compartments for organization. This makes it a great choice for car camping adventures or base camping expeditions.
What we like
- Comprehensive. Includes everything you might need.
- Very organized backpack-style carry bag.
- High quality. Supplies are hospital grade and reliable.
What we don't like
- Very expensive compared to other options.
- Bulky and heavy. Too large for backpacking
Risen Small First Aid Kit
- Group Size : 2 to 4 people
- Weight : 11oz / 312g
For travelers and occasional backpackers, the Risen Small First Aid Kit is an affordable option that gets the job done. With 170 pieces, including essential trauma supplies, this model is perfect for handling the most common injuries on the trail.
It also includes an emergency blanket, tourniquet, and CPR mask for extra functionality in a serious emergency. However, it’s important to note that this kit doesn’t come with any over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, ointments, or creams for dealing with illnesses, bug bites, or stings.
This Risen Small First Aid Kit is fully latex-free, which makes it an ideal choice for people with allergies. It packs to a compact 8” x 4.7” size in its waterproof carry case and weighs just 11oz (311.8g), making it just right for backpacking and small group car camping adventures.
What we like
- Compact size is good for backpacking.
- Latex free. Appropriate for people with allergies.
- Waterproof carry case for extra durability.
What we don't like
- No medications included in the kit.
Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel
- Group Size : 1 to 2 people
- Weight : 17oz / 482g
Perfect for globetrotters and avid travelers, the Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel is made for adventures in remote corners of the Earth.
Designed to provide you with everything you need when traveling abroad, this kit includes a Visual Communication Tool. That way, you can get quality medical care while traveling, regardless of any language barriers you might face.
Packed inside this medical kit’s durable and well-organized carry case is a set of travel-specific items, like medication for stomach bugs and illnesses. Additionally, this model includes various trauma supplies and hospital-quality medical instruments for dealing with injuries.
To top it all off, the Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel comes with a wilderness and travel medicine guidebook. That way, you can quickly and easily determine whether you should seek further medical help as you travel the world.
What we like
- Travel-specific features. Includes travel medicine book and visual communication tools.
- OTC medications included. Great selection for common traveler’s stomach ailments.
- Well organized interior. Features plenty of labeled pockets.
What we don't like
- Bulky and heavy for the stated group size.
Camping First Aid Kits Buying Guide
First aid kits are complex pieces of gear to buy because they are packed with so many different features.
So, here are 5 key things to keep in mind as you shop for a camping first aid kit.
Intended usage
Perhaps the most important thing to consider before you decide on a medical kit is what you intend to use it for. Every first aid kit on the market is crafted for a specific purpose, so it’s critical that you understand the advantages and limitations of your different options.
Here’s what you need to know :
- Backpacking and hiking. Backpacking and hiking first aid kits, like the Surviveware Small First Aid Kit, are small enough to easily fit in your pack. They focus primarily on providing you with essential trauma supplies, but may also have OTC medications and pocket first aid guidebooks. The key with first aid kits for hiking and backpacking is to get a model that’s under about 1lb (453g) in weight.
- Family camping. On a family camping trip, you don’t have to worry as much about weight and compactness. So, many models designed for this purpose, like the MyMedic The Medic First Aid Kit have everything you need from trauma supplies to medications. They are generally big and bulky, but the priority here is a comprehensive set of supplies for any eventuality.
- Watersports. During sailing, paddling, and other watersports adventures, your utmost concern is keeping your gear dry. So, options like the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 are ideal. These models are fully waterproof and include trauma supplies which can handle common watersports injuries.
- Travels. While traveling, a first aid kit, like the Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel, is ideal because it comes with medications for common travel ailments and information about when to seek further medical care. During trips abroad, medical issues, particularly those involving gastrointestinal diseases, are the most prevalent, so many of these kits prioritize medication over trauma supplies.
Basic essential contents
Since so many first aid kits come with hundreds of individual pieces, it can be tricky to know precisely what’s essential in a medical kit and what’s simply nice to have just in case.
Here are some must-have medical supplies that should be found in any good first aid kit :
- Gauze. All first aid kits should have various sizes of gauze, which are critical for stopping bleeds.
- Nitrile Gloves. Non-latex gloves are essential for protecting yourself and preventing disease transmission during a medical emergency.
- Tweezers. In an outdoor context, tweezers are essential for removing ticks and splinters.
- Bandaids/Bandages. Bandaids do more than just make kids feel good after a scrape – they help keep open wounds clean and reduce the likelihood of infection.
Content quality
When you buy a first aid kit, you do so hoping that you’ll never have to use it, but with the understanding that the gear you purchase will be able to perform when necessary. Thus, buying a kit with hospital-grade medical supplies, such as the Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel, is helpful.
In particular, your biggest concerns when it comes to quality in your first aid kit are the trauma shears, tourniquets, splints, and bandages which can fail if made from low-grade materials.
A good way to determine if a kit has high-quality supplies is to look for options with external certifications, like MyMedic The Medic First Aid Kit, which has OSHA and ANSI approval.
Comes with a durable carrying case
When you spend time outside, having gear that can withstand regular use is essential. So, a first aid kit, like the Surviveware Large First Aid Kit, which boasts a sturdy 600D fabric is critical.
Hard-sided options, like the Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit can also be useful for protecting your medical supplies while you’re on the go. Alternatively, a first aid kit that’s completely waterproof, like the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7, is helpful if you spend time in wet environments.
Number of pieces
Many first aid kits tout the number of pieces they have as a way to measure value. While having more individual pieces of gear such as the 205 pieces found in the Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit is useful, this metric can sometimes be misleading.
This is because, when using this particular metric, a single bandaid and a set of trauma shears both count as just one object. But, trauma shears are more valuable, both in terms of cost and usefulness.
So, if you just look at piece count, the 60 piece Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 seems like a bad deal compared to the 170 piece Risen Small First Aid Kit.
However, they’re all great options with the same basic included essentials. It’s just that the 60-piece option is more compact and has fewer overall bandaids and pieces of gauze compared to its larger counterparts.
Gaby Pilson
Gaby is a professional mountain guide with a master’s degree in outdoor education. She works primarily in the polar regions as an expedition guide, though she can be found hiking, climbing, skiing, sailing, or paddling in some of the world’s most amazing places when not at work.
