Hiking first aid kit: what to pack and how to choose8 cases, 31–115g

A hiking first aid kit is a purchase where you think about the case and the contents separately. All 8 I compared were empty containers with no contents list. My pick for a solo day hike is the Deuter Active (45g), and for overnight or group trips it's the Deuter Pro (100g) from the same maker.

Most hiking first aid kits come with nothing inside

The official Japanese page for Deuter's "First Aid Kit" says "accessories shown in the product images are not included." The name says kit, but what arrives is a container.

The mont-bell Aquapel First Aid Bag also said "a first-aid set is not included." Of the 8 I compared, none gave a list of what's inside or how many pieces.

So this article is split in two. For contents, I list what public bodies name as things to carry, with sources. For cases, I compare the official weight, outer size and price.

How I chose

The first thing I looked at was outer size, because comparing weights means nothing until you know how much you'll pack. Next I calculated volume from the outer size and re-sorted by weight per liter. Last, I split close ones by their waterproofing labels. This pick is made from what you can buy on Rakuten. mont-bell, sold only through its official shop, and ISUKA, which isn't listed on Rakuten, appear as out of ranking with their numbers.

• Solo day hike: start with the smallest outer size
• Overnight or group: choose a box type that shows everything inside when opened

Weight and price of 8 first aid kit cases

8 cases weigh 31–115g and cost ¥1,650–¥6,600. The spread is 84g and ¥4,950.

By outer size, the bigger the case, the lighter it is per liter

My pick for a solo day hike | Deuter First Aid Kit Active, 45g

This is my pick for a solo day hike. Its 11×13×5cm outer size is the smallest of the five box types, with a mesh pocket and dividers inside. Here's the weak spot. At 62.9g per liter, it's the heaviest of the six.

It suits people whose contents stay at adhesive bandages and some regular medicine.

If your contents might grow, the same design comes one size up at 12×18×6cm and 70g.

My pick for overnight or group trips | Deuter First Aid Kit Pro, 100g

For overnight or group trips, this is my pick. Its 15×18×8cm outer size is the biggest of the three box types you can buy on Rakuten, and at 46.3g per liter it's the lightest of the three. It has a mesh pocket and dividers inside.

Here's the weak spot. ¥5,280 is the highest price of the 3 Deuter cases. It suits people who stay in huts or camp and carry kit for the whole group.

Out of ranking: ISUKA Weathertec Pouch 1 and mont-bell First Aid Bag (not sold on Rakuten)

If it's weight alone, it's the ISUKA Weathertec Pouch 1. 31g and ¥1,650 are both the lowest of the eight. It's 14g lighter and ¥1,650 cheaper than the day-hike pick. It's built from a waterproof 3-layer material closed with a water-resistant zipper, but it's a small-items pouch not described as a first-aid case, and it isn't listed on Rakuten.

The mont-bell First Aid Bag M is 115g and ¥6,600: 15g heavier and ¥1,320 more than the pick for overnight trips. In return its outer volume is 1.62 times bigger (3,496 ÷ 2,160), and at 32.9g per liter it's the lightest of the five box types. Open the zipper and the bag itself becomes a tray.

The bag-type Aquapel 0.5L is 50g and ¥2,300, with a small pouch for keeping things like scissors separate. mont-bell is bought at its official online shop.

What goes in a hiking first aid kit | What public bodies list

I didn't decide what to pack myself. I took it from the guidance of public bodies. The sources are these three.

Nara Prefecture writes that you can arrange the contents to suit yourself. For which regular and oral medicines to choose, ask a pharmacist or doctor.

Using it is something you learn in a course. The Japanese Red Cross Society runs first-aid courses, and says the basic course is 4 hours as standard, and the first-aid instructor training course for those who complete it is 10 hours as standard.

"Highly waterproof" and "fully waterproof" are different labels

All four mont-bell cases are described as "highly waterproof" bags and also say "not fully waterproof." The Aquapel closes by folding the opening over 3 times and fastening it with a buckle.

Meanwhile Nara Prefecture's guidance says to put first-aid supplies in "something highly airtight and make them fully waterproof." A case labeled as not fully waterproof, on its own, doesn't reach the prefecture's wording. Whether to add a sealable bag inside is something you decide by reading these two labels side by side.

Once the case and contents are decided, next come something to wrap your body and something to make noise. I compared weights in the emergency blanket and zelt article.

Who is it for?

This suits people who have finished laying out what they'll pack and are looking for a container to hold it all.

If a sealable bag and a small pouch hold everything already, what you have is enough. All 8 I compared are empty, so if you want one with the contents included, there are other ways to choose.

FAQ

What should I put in a hiking first aid kit?

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' magazine lists first-aid supplies such as adhesive bandages, regular medicine and a health insurance card (a copy is fine). Nara Prefecture lists bandages, gauze, antiseptic, taping tape and oral medicine. Nara also says to rearrange it to suit yourself.

How much does a first aid kit weigh?

For the cases alone, the 8 I compared were 31–115g. No official page gives a weight with contents, so that's a number you weigh yourself after packing.

Do I need a first aid kit on a day hike?

Nara Prefecture includes "first-aid supplies" in its day-hike packing list. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' article for beginners also says first-aid supplies such as adhesive bandages are needed.

Gear in this article

Ad · Images: Rakuten Ichiba

Deuter First Aid Kit ActiveDeuter First Aid KitDeuter First Aid Kit Pro

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