Winter note
Cold injuries and slower evacuation raise the value of extra gloves, chemical warmers, and dry wound care supplies.
10 Essentials spoke
First Aid Supplies
First aid is about preventing small problems from becoming trip-ending and stabilizing larger problems until help arrives.
Catalog items6
Source families2
Typical range5-300 g
How to use it
Blister care, personal medications, and enough supplies to stabilize common trail injuries.
- Customize the kit around blister care, cuts, sprains, and personal medications.
- Keep frequently needed items easy to find without unpacking everything.
- Replace expired medications and used supplies after each trip.
- Know what is in the kit before someone else needs it.
Packing tip
Use a bright pouch and group medications separately from bandages and tape.
GearCatalog items
Structured item stats transferred from the PeakList GearCatalog source families.
Minimalist First Aid Kit
- Family
- First Aid & Medical Kits
- Weight
- 70 g
- Best for
- three season day hike, ultralight, fastpack, race
- Suitability
- good
Pros: Light; covers minor injuries; easy to customize.
Cons: Lacks supplies for serious injuries; limited medication variety.
Standard First Aid Kit
- Family
- First Aid & Medical Kits
- Weight
- 250 g
- Best for
- multi day, group hike, alpine, off trail, moderate technical
- Suitability
- excellent
Pros: Comprehensive for most injuries; customizable; group use.
Cons: Heavier; takes space; may contain items that expire quickly.
Trauma Kit
- Family
- First Aid & Medical Kits
- Weight
- 300 g
- Best for
- mountaineering, technical climb, remote backcountry, group, winter
- Suitability
- good
Pros: Critical supplies for severe injuries; can save lives; waterproof case.
Cons: Heavy; requires training; may never be used; high cost.
Personal Prescription Medications
- Family
- Medications & Personal Health
- Weight
- 10 g
- Best for
- all trips, personal health needs
- Suitability
- excellent
Pros: Essential; ensures health management; personalized to user.
Cons: None; forgetting is dangerous.
Over‑the‑Counter Pain Reliever
- Family
- Medications & Personal Health
- Weight
- 5 g
- Best for
- three season day hike, multi day, race, emergencies
- Suitability
- good
Pros: Treats pain; improves comfort; small and light.
Cons: Overuse can cause stomach issues; monitor dosage.
Allergy/Anaphylaxis Kit
- Family
- Medications & Personal Health
- Weight
- 20 g
- Best for
- users with allergies, insect season, remote backcountry
- Suitability
- excellent (for those with allergies)
Pros: Prevents allergic reactions; life‑saving; easy to carry.
Cons: Expiry date; may be bulky if carrying epi pens.
Related essentials
Most safety margins come from systems working together.
