Shop for backcountry first aid kits here.
If you like carrying a minimalist combo first aid and emergency kit, a small rectangular zippered bag makes a nice container. You can use a stuff sack, but everything gets jumbled up and it’s hard to access the contents. I happened on this small (4x9x14 cm, 50 grams) clamshell zipped bag while grocery shopping the other day. Acquired immediately, as my slightly smaller bag (and old beacon case) has always been slightly too small for what I like carrying during big days. What’s cool are the interior clear plastic interior side pouches, and a bit of elastic at the bottom that’ll hold a film canister or something like that. For the price you also get a few first aid supplies and a Patented! fish hook removal tool. Not sure that works for tree branches, and probably won’t test any time soon.
Backcountry skiing first aid kit, closed up, with coin for scale.
Because this is a clamshell, if you’re handy with a sewing machine you could easily add any desired mods to the interior. Overall construction is actually above average in quality for this sort of thing, but we’re not sure how well the plastic inside dividers will hold up in the cold; if they don’t, no great loss. I modded mine by cutting off an extraneous hook/loop strap on the exterior, but I left the carabiner loop for now as it might be nice to be able to hang the bag up while accessing. The bungie cord zipper pulls are lame, but they function and are easily swapped out. When packing, to prevent damage to the zipper coils keep hard objects away from the insides of the zippers.
Backcountry skiing first aid kit, closed up, clamshell open.
Packed up, first aid kit.
Admittedly, this little clamshell bag is low-end. What worked for me more than anything is the size is perfect for my ski touring needs, and the price was right. I noticed that Ortovox and some other gear companies make similar zippered first aid kit bags of various sizes. Leave a comment and share your favorites. Good way to prep for the season.
Shop for backcountry first aid kits here.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
