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HART Health Weekend Review

This compact and well-organized kit is great for a weekend getaway, with quality implements at an affordable price
HART Health Weekend
Photo: REI Co-op
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Price:  $24 List | $23.95 at REI
Pros:  Light, compact, useful first aid book
Cons:  No gloves, no CPR mask
Manufacturer:   HART Health
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Aug 13, 2019
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68
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#7 of 12
  • Quality - 20% 7
  • Usefulness - 20% 6
  • Durability - 20% 7
  • Versatility - 20% 6
  • Weight - 20% 8

Our Verdict

When reviewing first aid kits, we almost came to believe that quality was synonymous with price. So many kits priced under 20 dollars were underwhelming and contained low-quality supplies. But when we opened up the HART Health Weekend kit, we were impressed at how much value is contained in its slim and well-organized carrying case. HART Health has long been the source of quality first aid kit supplies, and so it is no wonder that they finally have put together their own prebuilt kits. This was frequently packed along by our testers on day trips and single overnight adventures with two people.

Due to its quality and its accessible price, this product was runner-up for our Best Buy Award. We do want to note that we would like to see a CPR mask and nitrile gloves, items that you should purchase and stock in this kit to make it safer and more versatile.

Compare to Similar Products

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HART Health Weekend
This Product
HART Health Weekend
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award  
Price $23.95 at REI$40 List
Check Price on Amazon		$24.98 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$28.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers		$38.99 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Light, compact, useful first aid bookVery durable, quality tools, removable CPR kitCompact, lightweight, quality materials, handy wilderness first aid guidebookLightweight, minimal packaging, waterproof, quality components, compactVery well organized, useful
Cons No gloves, no CPR maskNo medications, no first aid manualLimited medications, no CPR maskLimited group size, minimal quantitiesBag is only moderately weather proof
Bottom Line Light, packable, and affordable, this kit fits in a daypack and ensures you are ready for the unforeseenBuilt to be long lasting, this kit has almost everything you need for your overnight tripsThis small kit is easily packable and has enough materials to treat many common backcountry injuriesFor short trips, day hikes and light weight adventures, this kit is our top choiceWith a well-thought out compartment system, this is an ideal kit for small backpacking groups
Rating Categories HART Health Weekend Surviveware Small Mountain Series Hiker Ultralight/Watertight .7 Mountain Series Backpacker
Quality (20%)
7
9
8
8
8
Usefulness (20%)
6
8
6
6
7
Durability (20%)
7
9
9
8
7
Versatility (20%)
6
8
6
5
7
Weight (20%)
8
7
8
9
7
Specs HART Health Weekend Surviveware Small Mountain Series... ... Mountain Series...
Total Weight (oz) 10 oz 14 oz 10 oz 8 oz 14 oz
Dimensions (inches) 6.5" x 5.5" x 2" 3.1" x 6.2" x 6.7" 6.5" x 5.5" x 3" 7.5" x 10" x 2" 7" x 6" x 3.5"
First Aid book Yes No Yes No Yes
CPR Mask/ Face Shield No Yes No No No
Type of Gloves None Nitrile gloves 1 nitrile gloves Nitrile gloves Nitrile gloves
Medications Yes - acetaminophen, ibuprofen, asprin, antihistamine No Yes - acetaminophen, ibuprofen, asprin, antihistamine Yes - antihistamine, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen Yes - acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, antihistamine, diamode, sting and bite relief wipes
Splint No No No No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


Heading out for a backcountry overnight with the Hart kit packed...
Heading out for a backcountry overnight with the Hart kit packed along for the ride.
Photo: Ryan Huetter

Quality


For many years, HART has provided quality medical supplies to manufacturers of prebuilt first aid kits. While this is the first HART branded kit we have reviewed, we are already quite familiar with their supplies. One of our testers works for an organization that stocks bulk boxes of HART equipment to resupply with. Though the quantities of bandages, gauze rolls and medications is rather limited (as can be expected for such a small kit), they are top-tier quality and are trustworthy. Individually wrapped doses of over the counter medications make dispensing NSAIDs and allergy medications easier and more sterile.

The provided case is durable, compact, easy to navigate, and gives users a much faster response by being able to find what they need quickly. It's isn't fully waterproof, though. A good idea is to take some small ziplock bags and individually waterproof like contents to keep them in better shape. Even a light rain shower can cause bandage packaging to delaminate, so it is better to ensure that the contents stay fully dry.

The contents and organization of the HART kit. We like the inclusion...
The contents and organization of the HART kit. We like the inclusion of the first aid booklet and medications, but (as usual), we wished for more tape, sterile gloves, and a CPR mask.
Photo: Ryan Huetter

Usefulness


First and foremost, if a medkit contains poor quality supplies, it does not matter how many supplies there are. It is simply not useful if the necessary equipment does not do the job. Luckily, that is not the case for the HART Health kit. It does exactly what its name describes, giving useful medical supplies for a 1 or a 2-day trip, and it does this task well. It also comes with good quality tools like all metal trauma shears (extremely helpful for cutting tape off ankles) and metal forceps which are great for getting out pesky splinters.

The included first aid reference booklet definitely adds to the...
The included first aid reference booklet definitely adds to the Weekend's usefulness.
Photo: Ryan Huetter

This is not large enough to service an entire group, as the supplies contained would be thoroughly depleted if even two or three people had blisters and a headache. If you are going out with a group, it might make sense for each member to have their own personal medical kit, which would be a perfect fit for this kit.

A well-organized kit is a useful one. The HART pack does pretty well...
A well-organized kit is a useful one. The HART pack does pretty well here.
Photo: Ryan Huetter

Durability


We appreciate the attention given to the quality outer case, which is made of heavy nylon fabric and is sealed with a good zipper. This should last you a long time. The inner compartments keep supplies separated so they don't get messed up while you search for things. There is not much extra room inside, so as long as you don't try to overstuff it with extra add-ons, then you shouldn't blow out the zipper, which we almost did when we brought along an extra-large roll of tape to guard against a rolled ankle for a member of our group.

The zippered case should last you many years as long as you don't...
The zippered case should last you many years as long as you don't overstuff it, like most lower-priced kits.
Photo: Ryan Huetter

Versatility


This small, budget-friendly kit works well as a solo kit on a longer trip, or as the group kit provided your group is small (one or two people) and you are only going out for a couple of days. It is a minimalist kit that is good for basic cuts, scrapes, and minor illnesses but does not give you a lot of resources like a larger kit might have. It does come with a handy wilderness first aid booklet so that you can more effectively diagnose and treat problems. Another nice feature is that it comes with a loop so that you can hook it high, and thanks to the vertical folding organizer can keep the medical supplies off the ground.

The AMK Mountain Series Hiker on the left, and the HART kit on the...
The AMK Mountain Series Hiker on the left, and the HART kit on the right. Costing nearly the same, our reviewers leaned toward the AMK kit, although they also found few qualms with the HART model during the testing phase.
Photo: Ryan Huetter

Weight


Clocking in with a weight of only 9.5 ounces, this little pouch is easily tossed in a small pack without feeling like it will slow you down. This scant weight is not driven by any technological advancement in materials, so consider weight a function of resources available. This is a great kit, but it's also limited in use.

Just over half a pound, this kit offers more than just blister care!
Just over half a pound, this kit offers more than just blister care!
Photo: Ryan Huetter

Value


This is an inexpensive kit, but it comes with quality supplies. The value is definitely there for a small, personal-sized kit for shorter adventures. We do recommend adding at least some sterile gloves, and perhaps a CPR mask (if you're capable of administering CPR), after-market.

Roaming about Yosemite with the HART first aid kit.
Roaming about Yosemite with the HART first aid kit.
Photo: Dave Stimson

Conclusion


Low price and high quality do not often go together, but in the HART Health Weekend, they do! We would be suspect of saving a few dollars in something as important as a first aid kit, but we were impressed at HART's attention to detail, the inclusion of medications and useful components. Although it does not feature a CPR mask or a pair of gloves, two items that we believe should be in there, this is a good deal, is a great starting point, and we recommend it as an inexpensive, lightweight kit.

— Ryan Huetter