If you’ve ever ventured into the first aid section of your local outdoor retail store, you’ve probably seen Adventure Medical Kits products. First providing hikers and backpackers with pre-packaged first aid kits designed specifically for outdoor pursuits, AMK now has a wide selection of products ranging from first aid and survival tools, to insect repellent and hygiene products, as well as a full range of refills for all of their first aid kits. Here’s a few items that I’ve been carrying with me on hikes and trips:
Women’s Edition Outdoor Medical Kit
Take all the essentials from one of AMK’s standard medical kits, and add a few female-specific items and you have the Women’s Edition Outdoor Medical Kit, designed to serve 1-2 women. And it’s not even pink! Don’t get hung up on the Women’s Edition branding though–the majority of the items are unisex. Even though I may be the only woman in the group of hikers, I have been making sure to throw this in my backpack every time I hit the trail (especially since first aid kits are one of the Top Ten Hiking Essentials). Bandages are bandages, no matter what kind of packaging they come in. $40.
Ultralight / Watertight .3 – 2010 Edition Medical Kit
For those who care about every ounce saved (think, Fast and Light), AMK has an ultralight version with the basics for a single day on the trails, in the backcountry, or in the rapids. The whole kit comes in a waterproof, re-sealable bag, so you don’t have to worry about the gauze getting soaked during those eskimo rolls if it’s stashed in your PFD’s outer pocket. $9.
Fresh Bath Travel Wipes
After long and dusty days backpacking through the backcountry, showers are usually not an option. In the past I’ve carried a few baby wipes in a ziptop bag on backpacking trips. They do an adequate job of wiping away dust and sweat after a long day, but leave you smelling, well, like a baby. These got quite the testing after a long and hot day climbing up to Camp Muir on Mt. Rainier. From now on, I’ll be packing these instead of baby wipes! The antibacterial wipes combine a thick, almost cloth-like material with just enough moisture to wipe away multiple applications of SPF 70 sunblock, no easy feat. Plus, you aren’t left smelling of baby powder.
$4.50 for package of 8 wipes.
Quik Clot Sport
A while back we featured the Quik Clot Sport as a cool product. Though this always goes in my pack on longer, multi-day excursions, I have been lucky enough to not have to test it. For $10, I am able to give myself some peace of mind that should anyone in my hiking party have a major wound, Quik Clot will help stop the bleeding faster than traditional methods like tourniquets. $10 for the 25 gram size, $14.50 for the 50 gram size.
Product samples provided by the manufacturer for review purposes.
