The Best First Aid Kits Of 2024 To Quickly Treat Injuries Anywhere
Camping, hiking, training and everyday living all come with a small amount of risk—unless you’re living in a bubble or under a rock. And if you’re not living in a protected sphere or under a large boulder, chances are you, or a friend or a family member is going to get injured at some point. It’s a reality of life, but that’s where having a first aid kit comes in.
In the event that you or a loved one do suffer from an injury that needs to be treated on the trail, at camp or at home, it’s important to have the right first aid kit on hand. We wrote this guide to provide expert input on how to pick a first aid kit, which one will work for your needs, and what to keep in mind while you’re shopping. Read on for the six best first aid kits available.
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Best First Aid Kit Overall: Protect Life First Aid Kit
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Best Budget First Aid Kit: Be Smart Get Prepared First Aid Kit
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Best First Aid Kit For Families: Adventure First Aid Family Kit
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Best Compact First Aid Kit : Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit
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Best First Aid Kit For Travel : MyMedic MyFAK Standard First Aid Kit
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Best First Aid Kit For Injuries: Homestock+ First Aid Kit
Best First Aid Kit Overall
Stay Safe And Secure
Protect Life First Aid Kit
Case type: Hard shell zip case | Size: 7.8 x 2.6 x 5.9 inches | Includes: First aid guide, disaster zone kit| Number of pieces: 200 | Weight: 1.1 pounds
Pros:
- Large amount of supplies in a small package
Cons:
- Unorganized
A first aid kit is a small but mighty investment in your safety and peace of mind as you venture into the world. Our top pick for first aid kits comes with an impressive 200 supplies, all encased within its (pretty) miniature case. At just over a pound, this first aid kit has just about everything you’d need in an emergency, and can easily fit in a backpack, duffel or your vehicle.
Although it’s re-fillable, which is a useful design feature, one drawback of the Protect Life First Aid Kit is that that it’s pretty unorganized in the interior—so you’ll want to have a working knowledge of what’s inside, and where you can find specific items, before emergency strikes.
Best Budget First Aid Kit
Stay Supplied Without Spending A Lot
Be Smart Get Prepared First Aid Kit
Case type: Hard plastic case | Size: 7.5 x 2.5 x 6.8 inches | Includes: Bandages, wood splints, cold compress| Number of pieces: 110 | Weight: 12.6 ounces
Pros:
- Impact-resistant case is sturdy
Cons:
- Limited supplies for big groups
Safety is important, but so is your budget when it comes to planning and managing your adventures. Luckily for the price-conscious adventurer, there are a ton of cost-effective first aid kits on the market. Our favorite is the Be Smart Get Prepared First Aid Kit, which rings in at less than $10 and yet still manages to pack quite a punch, supplies-wise, with 110 pieces stored inside its hard plastic case.
If you’re prepping for a group excursion, this kit alone may not be enough to ensure everyone is covered in case of injury, so you should stock up on a few, or pick a more well-appointed kit, if you’re worried about supplies running short. But, if you’re heading out solo (be careful!) or with just a couple friends, this first aid kit will work just fine.
Best First Aid Kit For Families
Enough Supplies For A Family Of Four
Adventure First Aid Family Kit
Case type: Soft coated nylon | Size: 8.78 x 8.58 x 4.06 inches | Includes: Information on wound care, bandages, trauma care accessories| Number of pieces: N/A | Weight: 15.2 ounces
Pros:
- Enough supplies for a family of four
- Organization is a master class
Cons:
- Case could be more substantial
Families adventuring together should also be practicing safety together—and the first step in any safety plan is making sure you’re well prepared. The Adventure First Aid Family Kit is a solid option for families of four—or under—to ensure they are adequately prepared for an emergency situation.
Our editors like this case for its generous amount of supplies, its superior organization and the practical size. We didn’t like that the case is fairly flimsy. Overall, for families or groups of four heading out for a camping, backpacking or single overnight trip, this is an excellent first aid kit to bring along and protect the whole group.
Best Compact First Aid Kit
A Tiny Kit For Mini Adventures
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit
Case type: Nylon | Size: 6.5 x 5.5 x 3 inches | Includes: Supplies for 2-day trip| Number of pieces: N/A | Weight: 7.2 ounces
Pros:
- Small enough to fit in almost any pack size (excluding hip packs under 1 liter)
- Robust amount of supplies for 2-day trip
Cons:
- Not a good option for more than 2 people
Even if you’re just heading out for a simple overnighter—or if you and a friend are going on a day hike—it’s still important to bring a first aid kit along. The most routine adventures can go south just as quickly as more far-flung trips, and being prepared pays off.
Luckily, being prepared doesn’t have to equate to being weighed down. The Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiking First Aid Kit is a very compact, well-equipped first aid kit. It weighs very little (less than 10 ounces) and has enough supplies to treat 22 cuts and scrapes, 29 wounds or blisters, and has five days’ worth of medication stuffed inside its teeny nylon case.
Yes, this kit is not ideal for anything but pairs or solo travelers, so if you’re heading out with three or more friends, we don’t recommend taking this along (unless you’ve each packed one). But, if you’re a small-scale-adventure type of person and prefer pairs over groups, this little guy has you covered.
Best First Aid Kit For Travel
Be Prepared Wherever You Roam
MyMedic MyFAK Standard First Aid Kit
Case type: Nylon Cordura | Size: 8 x 7 x 4.5 inches | Includes: Bandages, bliser strips, burn supplies, sprain and fracture supplies| Number of pieces: 115+ | Weight: 1.9 pounds
Pros:
- Excellent quality
- Lots of supplies
Cons:
- Much more expensive than other first aid kits
Those that prefer above-average adventures will need an above-average first aid to accompany them—and this one from MyMedic more than fits the bill. Sure, it’s bulky and heavy compared to some of its more lightweight counterparts, but what the MyMedic lacks in minimalism, it makes up for in preparedness.
The MyFak Standard First Aid Kit includes over 115 pieces of first aid equipment, and is designed with efficiency in mind: It features a laser-cut MOLLE panel that allows for accessories to be attached, a tear-away panel to secure it to a car headrest, vehicle, or anywhere else you’d like to store it, and it comes with a strap if you need to carry it on your body at any point. The MyFak is made in the USA, and is designed to be durable, functional and performance-oriented. Yes, it’s expensive, but can you put a price on peace of mind and safety?
Best First Aid Kit For Injuries
The Supplies You Need To Treat Major Accidents
Case type: Soft zip case| Size: 7.9 x 5.9 x 3.6 inches | Includes: Trauma shears, pocket CPR kit, emergency blanket | Number of pieces: 104 | Weight: 1.31 pounds
Pros:
- Interior organization is clearly labeled
- Lots of supplies
Cons:
- No medications
Every first aid kit should be able to deal with injuries—that’s one of their main benefits. However, some first aid kits are better equipped to handle major accidents, spills and injuries than others. The Homestock+ First Aid Kit is one such kit; it includes strong trauma shears, a pocket CPR kit and 104 pieces of injury and wound care supplies, all of which are clearly labeled and easily accessible.
In terms of weight and size, the Homestock+ is a Goldilocks kit: not too big, not too small. The interior of the soft zip case is made up of labeled compartments and a MOLLE system, so each section is contained in its own removable pouch.
The case can be tricky to open, so we recommend practicing a few times before you officially take this on the road with you—better to be safe than sorry. And if you’re worried about needing medications , this may not be the kit for you.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted gear team is well-versed in all things outdoors. We love talking about products at the intersection of adventure and fitness, from the best trail running shoes to a complete list of reliable bike brands.
- This guide to the best first aid kits was written by contributing editor Hayley Helms, who has spent over a decade testing and reviewing outdoor, fitness and lifestyle gear. She is a lifelong camper and has spent extensive time in the wild—and used a few first aid kits herself. Her favorite brand is Adventure Medical Kits.
- This guide was edited and overseen by Cam Vigliotta, Forbes Vetted’s gear editor. As a gear editor, Vigliotta evaluates products in the field and edits buying guides each day; he also contributes to other gear publications, including
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