Backpacking & Hiking First Aid

We know - there's a lot of noise and opinions out there about what to carry in a hiking first aid kit, how it should be organized, how it should be packed... the list goes on.

But do you know what's really the best first aid kit for hiking and backpacking? The one you'll actually carry.

And what would we actually carry? Something that:
☑️ fits in our pack easily, 
☑️ is lightweight,
☑️ has exactly what we need (and none of the fluff we don't),
☑️ can hold up to the big days, rugged terrain, and general thrashing otherwise known as our "hobby"

That's why each of our first aid kit bags are constructed from ultralight, waterproof Xpac VX21 material and filled with smart, field-tested contents specifically tailored for a wide range of hikes and backpacking trips.

Obviously this is not a one-size-fits-all situation - we know that the gear you carry on a Wednesday post-work frolic is very different from what you're going to pack for a five-day epic. Here's what we recommend:

Your mission Your kit
Everyday hikes The Everyday Explorer
Fast-and-light objectives, Trail runs The Ultralight Explorer
Ultralight thru hikes The Thru-Hiker
Backpacking - 2-5+ days The Traverse
Expeditions, anywhere you'd like access to serious trauma tools The Sawyer

 

Backpacking & Hiking First Aid

FAQs

What should I put in a hiking or backpacking first aid kit?

First, think through the types of injuries you're most likely to encounter. In addition to the typical cuts, scrapes, and bruises, while hiking or backpacking it's not uncommon to see rolled ankles, wrist injuries from tripping on those darn-near-invisible roots, or even burns from cooking in camp. At a minimum, you should consider carrying:

  • Wound care: Something to clean a wound (antiseptic pads) and materials to bandage it (gauze, bandages, wound closures, compression wrap)
  • Durable materials to create a splint or stabilize a joint: These can include something as simple as compression wrap or a triangle bandage, or could include more materials like a popsicle stick, SAM splint, elastic bandage, etc.
  • Emergency equipment if going somewhere very remote and/or overnight: Emergency blanket, emergency water treatment, fire starter such as a mag striker
  • OTC Medications & ointments: all Cascade First Aid kits include ibuprofen and acetaminophen (pain relief), diphenhydramine (antihistamine), aspirin, triple antibiotic ointment, and hydrocortisone cream.
  • Knowledge: Most importantly, the appropriate level of training, experience, and/or supervision to use the materials you bring!

FYI, the information provided here is not intended to be a complete list of first aid kit contents (remember, we said "at a minimum"...) nor serve as a substitute for training through accredited courses. Need first aid course suggestions? This list is a great place to start.

How do I pick a first aid kit if I do all different kinds of hiking and backpacking?

Our personal opinion: pick the kit that covers ~80% of your use case. Need to add a few extra items to make a smaller kit work for a longer adventure, like a triangle bandage, tick key, or SAM splint? Check out our supplies and refills, where you can purchase one-off supplies you need.

Still sweating the decision? Send us a note - we're happy to chat and help you pick the right kit for your adventures.

Where are the kits made?

Every Cascade First Aid kit is assembled in Issaquah, WA.