Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker Review

Adventure Medical Kits (AMK) makes numerous first aid kits designed for medical attention on-the-go. From backpacking to car camping and everything in between, AMK has a kit that is sized appropriately for your group and trip length and which includes implements that are both useful and activity-specific. The AMK Backpacker is a first aid kit that is designed for two people on a trip up to four days long, though it is entirely useful for a slightly larger group on a similar length trip.

Performance Comparison

Quality

AMK kits tend to be of above average quality, and the AMK Backpacker is no exception. The carrying case consists of thick, durable nylon, with silicone-impregnated nylon pouches keeping inner contents organized and easy to find. These zippered pockets hold medical supplies based on the kind of injury you need to treat, making the first aid kit much less cluttered than kits that only have one or two compartments for stuffing all the instruments and supplies together. The slight increase in weight to gain organization is well worth it. The kit's contents are generally of a high standard, with quality implements like forceps and trauma shears included.

Usefulness

It is readily evident that AMK developed this first aid kit to be useful to backpackers, as the included supplies anticipate many of the on-trail medical needs that might occur. Cloth athletic tape is superior for taping ankles as it allows more flex than synthetic fabrics, and a half roll is provided, enough to wrap two ankles if not going overboard on how much you use. Also packed inside is an adequate amount of blister treatment and a small vial of the sticky tincture of benzoin is provided to ensure that moleskin stays in place. The small selection of over the counter medications in this kit includes loperamide (Immodium). For those who are rusty with their first aid skills, the Mountain Series Backpacker comes with a 160-page book written by Eric Weiss, MD on wilderness first aid.

Durability

The durable woven nylon carrying case showed no signs of abrasion during our test despite being tossed around in packs, in the dirt, and into travel luggage during our testing period. For trips in wetter environments, such as backpacking in the Pacific Northwest or on ski trips, we placed the Backpacker kit in a quart-sized plastic bag, as the case is only moderately water resistant and the contents are not individually sealed as they are in other small kits we tested.

Versatility

While the AMK Backpacker kit is specifically intended for shorter backpacking trips, it's perfectly useful for a wide range of outdoor activities. The main thing that makes this so useful for backpackers is the ample supply of foot care and small wound treatments, but this kit also benefits individuals or groups looking for a quality, weight-conscious first aid kit.

Weight

We weighed the AMK Backpacker on our own scale and found that it weighs .85 pounds (13.6 oz) with all contents included. Since many users choose to leave the wilderness medicine book out for weight savings, we also weighed it without the book, resulting in a .68 lb (10.9 oz) total weight. It does not represent the lightest kit out there, but for the included supplies and usefulness, it's a good compromise and worth a couple extra ounces.

Best Applications

This kit is going to serve small groups of 2-3 people best who are going out into the wilderness for up to 4 days on a trip that is on foot. Backpackers have to carry all of their equipment on their backs, and this kit provides a good blend of usefulness, versatility, and weight that makes it a good choice.

Value

With a list price of $39, we feel that the AMK Backpacker is a good value, considering the quality implements and overall usefulness for overnight backpacking trips.

Conclusion

The AMK Backpacker first aid kit is optimized for those adventurous folks taking to the trail for several days, and who may likely encounter the typical issues like twisted ankles, blisters, and cuts, or mild allergic reactions. This kit provides quality supplies for small groups embarking on trips into the wilderness without being overly heavy or cumbersome.