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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
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i go first aid kit ultralight
I Go First Aid Kit Ultralight
Credit: I Go
Price:  $36 List
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Manufacturer:   I Go
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 4, 2023
59
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 16
  • Quality - 25% 4.0
  • Assortment - 25% 6.0
  • Versatility - 25% 6.0
  • Durability - 15% 7.0
  • Weight - 10% 8.0

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.'
REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Durable case
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor organization
Lower quality tools

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award 
Price $36 List
$14.69 at Amazon
$44 List
$50.99 at Amazon
$35 List
$36.97 at Amazon
$25 List
$17.48 at Amazon
$29.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
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79
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Star Rating
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Pros Compact, durable caseExtremely durable case, quality tools, removable CPR kitWell-labeled, strong trauma shears, pocket CPR kitBrand name supplies, good bandage size varietyCompact, lightweight, quality materials, handy wilderness first aid guidebook
Cons Poor organization, lower quality toolsNo medications, no first aid manualTight pockets, no medicationsBulky, small trauma shearsLimited medications, 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 trailheadA very useful, high-quality, and durable choice for individuals or small groups heading into the backcountryA kit with a practical assortment of supplies for administering first aid on a road tripA simple but robust kit with a supply selection that makes it great for familiesThis kit is a great choice for short weekend trips, containing the essentials to guard against many trailside emergencies
Rating Categories I Go First Aid Kit... Surviveware Small Homestock+ Professi... Johnson & Johnson A... Adventure Medical K...
Quality (25%)
4.0
9.0
6.0
8.0
8.0
Assortment (25%)
6.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Versatility (25%)
6.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
Durability (15%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
Weight (10%)
8.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
8.0
Specs I Go First Aid Kit... Surviveware Small Homestock+ Professi... Johnson & Johnson A... Adventure Medical K...
Weight 10 oz 22 oz 23 oz 22 oz 10 oz
Dimensions 2.7" x 6" x 6.4" 3.1" x 6.2" x 6.7" 7.9'' x 5.9'' x 3.6'' 10" x 7" x 3.5" 6.5" x 5.5" x 3"
First Aid Book? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CPR Mask/ Face Shield? Yes Yes Yes No No
Type of Gloves 1 pair vinyl 1 pair nitrile 1 pair nitrile 2 pair nitrile 1 pair nitrile
Medications? No No No Yes - 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


i go first aid kit ultralight - the contents of the i go- heavy on the bandages, this is really only...
The contents of the I Go- heavy on the bandages, this is really only good for minor wounds.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

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.

i go first aid kit ultralight - the only tools included in the i go  kit - small shears, tweezers...
The only tools included in the I Go kit - small shears, tweezers, and an emergency whistle.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Assortment


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.

i go first aid kit ultralight - while durable, the case does not offer much in the name of...
While durable, the case does not offer much in the name of organization
Credit: Ryan Huetter

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.

i go first aid kit ultralight - too little medical tape means less versatility to the i go kit
Too little medical tape means less versatility to the I Go kit
Credit: Ryan Huetter

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 watertight kits, that means that once submerged everything inside will get wet and fall apart.

i go first aid kit ultralight - small and portable in a hardy case, the i go can get thrown ina pack...
Small and portable in a hardy case, the I Go can get thrown ina pack without worrying about crushing its contents
Credit: Ryan Huetter

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.

i go first aid kit ultralight - the i go is small and compact when shown with the other day hiking...
The I Go is small and compact when shown with the other day hiking kits
Credit: Ryan Huetter

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
 

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