General Medi Mini First Aid Kit Review

Bottom line

If there’s a kit that crams more first aid supplies into a smaller package than the General Medi Mini, we haven’t found it. It may be small, but it packs a punch. In fact, when investigating contents before a long winter hike in Utah, we were impressed to discover just how much was included.

Supplies took time to locate since there’s no organization. There’s also nothing included that has an expiration date, like medications or antibiotic ointment. But given the budget-friendly price and considering how many total supplies are included, we didn’t mind the thought of packing our own. There’s not much room left in the stuffed-full zipper pouch, though. 

On the upside, the kit includes items many others don’t, like a simple tourniquet, eye-wash kit, and emergency blanket. So we think it offers a solid bang for your buck. It’s a good starter option for hikers who don’t have many first aid supplies yet.

For more options, take a look at our detailed guide to the best first aid kits.

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

How We Tested

Throughout our testing, we used the General Medi Mini on both brief day hikes and full-day excursions along Utah’s trails. We used it in snow, rain, and sunshine, dedicating hours to evaluate the kit and its contents both on and off the trail.

Portability

For how much is packed into the General Medi Mini, it’s surprisingly portable. It’s not the smallest or lightest kit we tested, but it might contain more supplies by size. That’s because no space is wasted on pockets, sleeves or organization: just everything packed in like sardines.

But that keeps it to a portable size and slim shape that’s easy to toss into a backpack, daypack, or hip pack for most adventures. It even has a small clip on the exterior of the bag so we could easily hook it to a pack exterior for easy access or when we ran out of room inside our packs.

Organization

One area where this kit falls short is organization. All supplies are tightly packed into a single plastic zip-top bag, which is then stuffed inside the red kit pouch. This lack of organization and cramped packaging makes supplies difficult to locate. We found that we had to empty half the bag to find many items, although larger supplies like bandages were easy enough to find.

It wasn’t the kit that took the longest to procure supplies, but it was the least organized.

Quantity & Variety

When it comes to quantity and variety, the General Medi Mini is impressive. It’s competitive in terms of the number of items, including emergency supplies and commonly used products. It includes supplies such as gloves, a tourniquet, eye wash solution, CPR mask, triangle bandage, and emergency blanket, as well as plenty of adhesive bandages, moleskin, and tweezers.

The plastic bandages felt cheap but remained stuck on our fingers after 24 hours. They weren’t stretchy or breathable, however. We were pleased to find a sufficient number of bandages and gauze as well.

What was missing was anything with an expiration date, including OTC medications and antibiotic ointment, so those items need to be stocked separately. While the absence of these items keeps the kits affordable, we didn’t mind the idea of adding our own medications, especially given the many other supplies included. 

That said, there’s not much room left in the stuffed zipper pouch, so you may need to pack additional supplies separately.

Quality & Durability

While this kit wasn’t the most durable or high-quality, for the price we didn’t have much to complain about. The outer pouch felt burly enough to withstand some abuse and didn’t look worse for the wear after getting tossed around in a bag with loose microspikes. It picked up more dirt than other kits due to the textured, canvas-like exterior, though. 

In wet weather, the exterior pouch soaked through immediately, but the inner plastic zip-top bag kept supplies dry. However, after testing, that plastic bag is showing signs of wear and small punctures, so it may need to be replaced occasionally.

Should You Buy the General Medi Mini?

The General Medi Mini offers excellent value for those seeking a simple, streamlined, no-fuss first aid kit. It’s not the most durable, but it is compact, small, and well-stocked with commonly used and emergency supplies. This makes it a great starter first aid kit in our opinion.

It is best suited for long day hikes and easy backcountry trips, as it may be excessive for short hikes close to home. However, due to its lightweight and compact design, it is well-suited for both. This is especially true given the stocked supplies intended for both minor common injuries and more serious situations.

That said, it is missing items with expiration dates, such as OTC medication, making it more suitable for those experienced with first aid and knowledgeable about what should be in a kit, as well as for those willing to add their own items. Those new to hiking and first aid, or who want a kit that’s ready to go as-is and includes a first aid guide, may want to look elsewhere.

On the flip side, it’s an excellent option for those who want to purchase all the most important emergency and trauma supplies in one place, then use them to assemble their own kit in their chosen packaging.

What Other First Aid Kits Should You Consider?

We’ve tested many first aid kits for hiking, so if the General Medi Mini doesn’t check all the boxes, there is something that will in our list.

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 Review: Still compact, lightweight, and waterproof yet more durable and equipped with additional essential supplies, this kit is an excellent choice for most adventures.

Cascade Traverse Review: This first aid kit includes similar supplies, in addition to OTC medication, and it is more waterproof, durable, and organized.

HART Outdoors Weekend Review: This kit contains even more first aid supplies in a slightly larger package, featuring better organization and medications, making it a great option ready to hit the trail as-is.