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I Go First Aid Kit Ultralight Review

This ultralight kit is small, compact, and easy to take with you on day trips close to home or the trailhead.
I Go First Aid Kit Ultralight
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Price:  $36 List | $11.99 at Amazon
Pros:  Compact, durable case
Cons:  Poor organization, lower quality tools
Manufacturer:   I Go
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Aug 12, 2017
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62
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#8 of 10
  • Quality - 20% 4
  • Usefulness - 20% 6
  • Durability - 20% 7
  • Versatility - 20% 6
  • Weight - 20% 8

Our Verdict

The I Go First Aid Kit Ultralight is an 85 piece, compact first aid kit that is portable and durable. This is a basic kit that will allow the user to treat many small injuries including cuts, scrapes, and wounds, as well as more serious medical emergencies such as CPR. It is a lightweight kit, so does not have many of the tools or quantities that a first aid kit meant for groups, home use, or long-distance trips might require, but as a travel-sized emergency kit to bring along just in case, the I Go does a pretty good job. Despite its name, we think there are better options out there that are more true to the definition of 'ultralight.'


Compare to Similar Products

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award  
Price $11.99 at Amazon$36.95 at Amazon$25.00 at REI$27.99 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$23.50 at REI
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Star Rating
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Pros Compact, durable caseVery durable, quality tools, removable CPR kitCompact, lightweight, quality materials, handy wilderness first aid guidebookLightweight, minimal packaging, waterproof, quality components, compactLight, compact, useful first aid book
Cons Poor organization, lower quality toolsNo medications, no first aid manualLimited medications, no CPR maskLimited group size, minimal quantitiesNo gloves, no CPR mask
Bottom Line This ultralight kit is small, compact, and easy to take with you on day trips close to home or the trailhead.A great choice for those in rugged environments where durability is a concern.This kit is a great choice for short weekend trips, containing the essentials to guard against many trailside emergencies.The best choice for trips where weight matters, without compromising on quality.This compact and well-organized kit is great for a weekend getaway, with quality implements at an affordable price.
Rating Categories I Go First Aid Kit Ultralight Surviveware Small Mountain Series Hiker Ultralight/Watertight .7 HART Health Weekend
Quality (20%)
10
0
4
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
7
Usefulness (20%)
10
0
6
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
6
10
0
6
Durability (20%)
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
7
Versatility (20%)
10
0
6
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
5
10
0
6
Weight (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
8
Specs I Go First Aid Kit... Surviveware Small Mountain Series... ... HART Health Weekend
Total Weight (oz) 10 oz 14 oz 10 oz 8 oz 10 oz
Dimensions (inches) 2.7" x 6" x 6.4" 3.1" x 6.2" x 6.7" 6.5" x 5.5" x 3" 7.5" x 10" x 2" 6.5" x 5.5" x 2"
First Aid book Yes No Yes No Yes
CPR Mask/ Face Shield Yes Yes No No No
Type of Gloves Vinyl disposable gloves Nitrile gloves 1 nitrile gloves Nitrile gloves None
Medications No No Yes - acetaminophen, ibuprofen, asprin, antihistamine Yes - antihistamine, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen Yes - acetaminophen, ibuprofen, asprin, antihistamine
Splint No No No No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

This kit showed itself to be an average quality first aid kit with a limited number of supplies. Housed in a small and compact case, it is a durable product that is ideal for people on the go.

Performance Comparison


The contents of the I Go- heavy on the bandages this is really only good for minor wounds.
The contents of the I Go- heavy on the bandages, this is really only good for minor wounds.

Quality


The I Go kit was an average performer in quality. We were immediately intrigued by the case design, the only portable hardshell case we tested in our review.

Some users complained about the zipper easily coming off its track, though we did not experience that issue firsthand. The contents were generally of lower overall quality, from the wound closure strips that had poor adhesion, to the flimsy vinyl first aid gloves. When compared to award-winning products, there was a distinct quality gap. Few tools are included, such as tweezers and scissors, and though small, they seemed to hold up well and we found cutting through thick cardboard to be possible with the scissors.

The only tools included in the I Go kit - small shears tweezers and an emergency whistle.
The only tools included in the I Go kit - small shears, tweezers, and an emergency whistle.

Usefulness


Users are limited in what they can accomplish with a kit this small. All of the contents are visible through a mesh compartment, but they are all jammed in tightly so to get to what you need you will have to pull everything out. This kit is really a light trauma and CPR kit- there are 35 bandages of varying sizes, several small gauze pads and wound cleaning pads. There is a triangular bandage, though after constructing a sling to simulate a dislocated shoulder the fabric tore through. Tape is included, but the rolls are so small and thin that holding bandages in place is the only likely use- there is not nearly enough to wrap an ankle or construct a splint. Consider replacing the tape with a wider roll for a small price.

While durable the case does not offer much in the name of organization
While durable, the case does not offer much in the name of organization

Durability


The outer case turned our heads, but the case is only labeled as water resistant, not waterproof. Since the contents inside the case are not protected by any additional protective packaging such as used in the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7, that means that once submerged everything inside will get wet and fall apart.

Small and portable in a hardy case the I Go can get thrown ina pack without worrying about crushing its contents
Small and portable in a hardy case, the I Go can get thrown ina pack without worrying about crushing its contents

Versatility


Due to the few contents included in this kit, there is limited versatility aside from being able to clean and bandage small cuts and wounds, especially if far away from definitive medical care. While this is an appropriate kit to carry on a day to day basis in your car, or even on a short day hike, we would not like to be deep in the wilderness with so few options for treating simple, yet common issues like ankle sprains, blisters or headaches.

Too little medical tape means less versatility to the I Go kit
Too little medical tape means less versatility to the I Go kit

Weight


Weighing in at 9.6 ounces, the I Go first aid kit is certainly light, but we would not go as far as calling it ultralight. The case itself weighs much more than it likely needs to. The low weight should encourage users to take the kit with them on short day hikes where it won't be as burdensome as the larger kits, but we would not qualify this first aid kit as worthy of being taken on lightweight backpacking trips or anywhere far from home.

Best Applications


With a small size and durable external case, the I Go Ultralight kit is a good option for those looking to put a small supply of general first aid equipment in a handy spot like the trunk of a car, a desk drawer in an office or in a small pack when out on a walk or short hike.

The I Go is small and compact when shown with the other day hiking kits
The I Go is small and compact when shown with the other day hiking kits

Value


We would not call this kit a supreme value, considering how little you can do with it. It is often found on sale at a lower price, however, which makes it a much better value.

Conclusion


You need a small first aid kit that is well stocked with bandages and alcohol swabs for cleaning up the common cuts but also has a CPR mask and heavier gauze pads for the rarer but serious medical events. This could be the kit for you if you don't need anything else that might be useful in a wider range of emergencies.


— Ryan Huetter