Cascade Traverse First Aid Kit Review

Bottom line

Convenient, portable, and well-stocked for hiking adventures, the Cascade Traverse medical kit is prepared for anything, including inclement weather. In fact, during snowy day hikes in Northern Utah, we were pleased to throw it in or clip it onto our packs, unconcerned about moisture, knowing the supplies inside would be protected. We were even impressed by the supplies it contained.

In addition to standard items, the kit contained unique peripheral first aid items and important gear, but it was missing a few emergency supplies. That said, most of what we use regularly or want to have on hand in a pinch was included, even if we might want to add an item or two of our own.

It’s somewhat heavy for its size, but it offers several carrying options for packing it inside or outside a backpack. We found it to be an excellent choice for extended day hikes in wet weather and, when supplemented with a few additional items, short backpacking trips as well. Take a look at our guide to discover the best first aid kits for more options.

And for more info, check out some of our other popular gear guides:

How We Tested

While testing, we took the Cascade Traverse first aid kit on adventures hiking and snowshoeing through the beautiful mountains of Northern Utah. We experienced it in snow, rain, and sun, dedicating hours to thoughtfully assess the kit and its contents both on the trail and off.

Portability

This first aid kit is compact. We had no trouble fitting it into a daypack or backpack. Even when we overstuffed our packs with layers or snacks, the kit easily hooked onto an outside strap or belt via either a hook-and-loop strap that encircles the body of the kit or a MOLLE strap on either side.

There are also durable loops on two corners, allowing us to use a carabiner to clip it on. There are plenty of ways to ensure we never had an excuse not to pack a first aid kit.

Organization

There are four organizational pockets inside the Cascade Traverse, but they are neither labeled nor see-through. As a result, it takes a little longer to find three commonly used items compared to other kits we tested.

That said, the pockets are easily accessible and deep enough to see what is inside clearly. The light-colored interior fabric enhances visibility. There is also an additional Velcro sleeve at the bottom of the main compartment for securing long, narrow items like tweezers or an irrigation syringe (not included).

A few items were loosely packed in the main compartment, not in a pocket, so some care is required when opening it to ensure they don’t fall out. This will likely be true for any additional items you add yourself, too.

Quantity & Variety

The Cascade Traverse kit is well-stocked enough to rank near the middle regarding quantity and variety. It includes medications, adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, gloves, bandages, and gauze, and wound dressings. However, it lacks a CPR mask or triangle bandages. There are tweezers, shears, and Coban wrap.  

Instead of moleskine, there’s athletic tape, along with additional items like electrolytes, a small SPF stick, wet wipes, a compressed towel, and a space blanket. It’s sufficient for extended day hikes, especially for those who often forget essentials like electrolytes or sunscreen.

The fabric bandages have a slight stretch. While attached to our fingers, they loosened after a few hand washes but didn’t come off completely within a 24-hour window.

Quality & Durability

The Cascade Travers may be one of the most durable kits we tested. It’s made of robust X-Pac material, which is waterproof and resistant to dirt and scuffs. During testing, it showed no signs of wear when we tossed it into a backpack with sharp, abrasive gear. 

It’s also the only kit that kept supplies inside completely dry without requiring an easily puncturable plastic bag inside or outside the kit. Plus, many items that would be sensitive to water damage were packed in additional protective packaging. Therefore, we were never worried about clipping the kit to the outside of our bags on rainy or snowy days.

Should You Buy the Cascade Traverse?

The Cascade Traverse kit is an excellent option for long day hikes or overnight backpacking trips for one or two people, especially if you’re expecting rain or snow, or if you will be spending time on or near water and don’t want to worry about what will happen to your kit or its contents if they get wet.

It’s one of the few waterproof kits we tested and is extremely durable, so it will also appeal to hikers who don’t want to baby their gear; this kit can take a beating and keep on going.

It won’t appeal as strongly to those who tend to stick with easy day hikes close to civilization and want a smaller, lighter kit that’s either more affordable or more packable. That said, it’s still small and light enough that we wouldn’t mind carrying it on most hikes. In fact, it’s a good option for bridging the gap between day hikes and short backpacking trips for those who occasionally do both.

It’s priced on the high end compared to other first aid kits, but for those who want a durable, compact kit with plenty of necessary supplies, it still offers a decent value.

What Other First Aid Kits Should You Consider?

We have tested many first aid kits for hiking, so if the Cascade Traverse isn’t the right choice, one of these other options might be a better fit.

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 Review: Smaller and lighter, yet equipped with the same amount of supplies, this kit is an excellent choice for most easy adventures. Additionally, it is waterproof.

Adventure Medical Kits Hiker Review:  For a similarly sized kit that is also well-suited for weekend trips, long hikes, or backpacking duos, this option offers a robust variety of individual supplies, with more essentials and fewer peripherals.

HART Outdoors Weekend Review: This kit is larger and contains more first aid supplies with an impressive level of organization. It’s ideal for short backpacking trips or long day hikes and is also more affordable.