For most beginners, the Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker is the day-hike kit to start with. The maker sorts its supplies into labeled compartments by injury, includes a trauma pad, elastic bandage, gloves, EMT shears and a wilderness first aid guide, and lists the kit at under 8 oz. If you hike alone and want the lightest waterproof option, look at the Ultralight/Watertight .5 (3.6 oz listed); for two people or longer outings, the .7 (5.8 oz listed) adds gloves, tape and an elastic bandage.
| Kit | Who it is for | Key listed specs | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Series Hiker | New hikers who want labeled sections and a guide | Under 8 oz; “1-2 people, up to 2 days”; water-resistant bag; trauma pad, elastic bandage, gloves, shears | View on Amazon |
| Ultralight/Watertight .5 | Solo hikers counting ounces | 3.6 oz; waterproof DryFlex inner bag; no gloves, tape or elastic bandage listed | View on Amazon |
| Ultralight/Watertight .7 | Two people, or 2-4 day trips | 5.8 oz; “1-2 people, up to 4 days”; waterproof; gloves, cloth and duct tape, elastic bandage | View on Amazon |
Specs are the figures on Adventure Medical Kits’ own product pages, checked October 22, 2026. The listings are for the exact models named; the Hiker is sold in several color designs.
Mountain Series Hiker: best first kit for most day hikers
The maker describes the Hiker as a compact kit for you and a friend on a weekend trip, with an external kit map and a reflective design to help you find supplies fast. Its contents list includes adhesive bandages in two sizes, butterfly closures, sterile gauze and a non-adherent dressing, a 5 by 9 inch trauma pad, a 2 inch elastic bandage, one roll of cloth tape, pre-cut moleskin, tick and splinter forceps, shears, gloves, triple antibiotic ointment and bite wipes. It also lists single-dose aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and diphenhydramine.
That mix covers cuts, scrapes, blisters, a sprain wrap and a splinter or tick. The person-and-days label is the maker’s planning figure, not a guarantee; route remoteness and your training matter more. Our Mountain Series Hiker review goes through the contents and limits in more detail.
Limit: the medications are small single doses, so check them against your own health, allergies and any drugs you already take.
Ultralight/Watertight .5: lightest waterproof kit
The maker lists 3.6 oz and a 100% waterproof DryFlex inner bag. The contents are leaner: bandages, butterfly closures, gauze, a non-adherent dressing, moleskin, forceps, safety pins, the same four single-dose medicines, antibiotic singles and tincture of benzoin. There are no gloves, tape or elastic bandage on the list, so plan to add those. One wrinkle: the page text says it suits a pair for 1-2 days while its spec line reads “1 person, up to 2 days,” so treat it as a solo kit.
Ultralight/Watertight .7: more room for two people
At 5.8 oz listed, the .7 adds a pair of gloves, a 10 yard roll of cloth tape, a strip of duct tape, an elastic bandage and a second non-adherent dressing to the .5’s list. The maker calls it suited to 1-2 people for 1-4 days. It does not include a trauma pad or shears, so the Hiker is the more complete kit for ordinary trail injuries, while the .7 is the better waterproof choice.
How to choose
- Weight versus completeness. A kit under 4 oz leaves out things like tape and an elastic bandage. Decide whether you would rather carry them in the kit or buy and add them yourself.
- Waterproofing. The Ultralight/Watertight kits are built around a waterproof inner bag. The Hiker’s bag is water-resistant, so keep it in a pack pocket away from the bladder.
- Group size. Pick the .7 or the Hiker if you hike with another person; the .5 is listed for one.
- Add your own. The National Park Service tells hikers to start with a pre-made kit, modify it for the trip and medical needs, check expiration dates, and add personal medications. Add blister care you know how to use, and write down an emergency contact.
- Open it at home. Check that you can reach it without unpacking your bag and that you recognize each item. Keep the route decision separate: the day-hike versus overnight guide helps decide how much capacity you need.
A kit does not replace training. The American Red Cross first aid steps begin with scene safety and checking the person. Call emergency services for a serious injury, breathing problem, life-threatening bleeding or any situation beyond your training.