HART Outdoors Day Hike First Aid Kit Review

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a lightweight, ultra-portable, and inexpensive first aid kit, the HART Outdoors Day Hike kit is an excellent choice. It’s perfect for easy hikes when you need just enough supplies to address minor cuts, scrapes, and blisters. Additionally, it’s small enough to fit in a large pocket or be dropped into a backpack, and light enough that you won’t even notice it’s there once you do.

We were more than happy to toss it in our packs when hiking near home in the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. It was light and compact, and we appreciated the inclusion of a small first aid guide. It is best suited for single-day adventures and not backcountry expeditions, as it lacks many items required for serious injuries or ongoing treatment. Check out our detailed guide to the best first aid kits, where you’ll find a variety of options suited for different situations.

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

How We Tested

While testing, we had a fantastic time exploring with the HART Outdoors Day Hike on short hikes and snowshoe adventures across the beautiful Northern Utah. We experienced everything from snow to rain, and even sunny days, dedicating hours to thoroughly assess the kit and its wonderful contents both on and off the trail. 

Portability

Of all the first aid kits for hiking that we tested, the HART Outdoors Day Hike kit was the most compact and portable. It was by far the lightest and smallest. When hiking with fully loaded packs and additional snow gear clipped to the outside of our bags, we had no trouble finding space for this kit. It easily fit into a water bottle pocket, an accessory pocket, or inside our packs. In a pinch, it could even be clipped to the outside.

It’s so small that there’s no reason not to bring it on every adventure.

Organization

When it comes to organization, we found that most HART kits are top of the line, and the Day Hike was no exception. Despite its small size, it featured three organizational pockets. None were labeled, but all were transparent, making it easy to locate and retrieve the items we needed. In fact, it took less time to find three commonly used items than in any other kit. 

There was even enough space inside to add a few small additional items, like personal medications and nitrile gloves.

Quantity & Variety

We found the variety of supplies in the kit to be good, but all the items are available in limited quantities, usually just one or two packets of each. However, it’s designed for day hikes, so we were fine with that. After all, you likely won’t need more than one round of OTC painkillers or a packet of antibiotic ointment on a short hike, and you can restock the kit when you return home.

The kit contains adhesive bandages, moleskin, medical tape, OTC medications, wound care items, scissors, and gauze, plus topical treatments. There’s enough to treat minor scrapes, cuts, and the occasional trailside headache, but not for more serious injuries.

The fabric adhesive bandages come in several sizes and are stretchy and breathable. They have average stickiness and didn’t come off completely after 24 hours of wear on our fingers.

Quality & Durability

While the Day Hike kit wasn’t the most durable we tested, when we tossed it in a backpack with loose microspikes there was no wear and tear on the fabric of the kit, so it should last for years. The outer material isn’t waterproof, so when we left it in the rain some items inside were damp after a brief downpour. So items like bandages and moleskin may be damaged beyond saving if the kit gets left in the rain for an extended period. 

The zipper is one-way and not as robust as other kits we tested, so we won’t be surprised if that’s the first feature to fail.

Should You Buy the HART Outdoors Day Hike?

The HART Outdoors Day Hike kit is aptly named and offers excellent value. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it also includes many essential supplies you may need for a short hike. While the quantity of these supplies is limited, restocking will be easy with a quick trip to your local pharmacy. At this price, it’s worthwhile to purchase a few and stash one in each of your favorite daypacks, hip packs, or bike bags.

It’s perfect for those who want or need a simple, streamlined, well-organized kit that contains only the most commonly used essentials and who don’t want to spend much. Therefore, anyone who enjoys traveling fast and light but still desires the reassurance of a quality first aid kit will likely find it a winner.

On the other hand, anyone who plans longer day hikes or backcountry travel rather than short hikes near home may want to look elsewhere. The lack of trauma or serious injury supplies means you won’t be prepared for as many issues as you would be with a better-stocked kit. Likewise, if you regularly hike with a group, you may prefer having more of everything to ensure there are enough supplies for everyone.

But for most folks who stick with easy hikes or other adventures, it’s bound to be a hit.

What Other First Aid Kits Should You Consider?

We’ve tested many first aid kits for hiking, so if the HART Outdoors Day Hike isn’t right, one of these options may work better.

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series, Backpacker Review: Larger and heavier, but equipped with more essential supplies and trauma items, this kit is an excellent choice for longer adventures.

Cascade Traverse Review: Waterproof, well-stocked, and more durable yet portable, this first aid kit comes with ample necessary supplies for day hikes or longer excursions in a slightly larger package.

HART Outdoors Weekend Review: This kit contains even more first aid supplies in a larger package, making it more affordable and better stocked for off-the-beaten-path adventures.