7-day pill organizer
Holds a few days of your own daily meds.
72-hour kit: Starter · Trail-Ready · Fully Loaded
How to use it: Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate XL weekly pill planner~$2.92 · Walmart
Trail-TestedEzy Dose weekly 7-day pill organizer, XL~$5.36 · Amazon
Top ShelfSagely XL weekly pill organizer, removable pods~$34.99 · AmazonOptional upgrade; the cheap one does the job.
Compact first-aid kit (~100 pieces)
Bandages, wipes, and tape for cuts and scrapes.
72-hour kit: Starter
How to use it: Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringEquate 40-piece travel first aid kit~$4.97 · WalmartSmaller than 100 pieces.
Trail-TestedBand-Aid Travel Ready portable first aid kit, 80 pieces~$10.98 · Amazon
Top ShelfAdventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5~$31.95 · Amazon
First-aid kit (~200 pieces)
Covers cuts, blisters, burns, and sprains.
72-hour kit: Trail-Ready
How to use it: Basic Wound Care: Cleaning and Bandaging Small Cuts and Scrapes · Burns: Basic First Aid and When It's an Emergency · When to Call 911 (and What to Say) · Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringEquate All-Purpose first aid kit, 140 pieces~$14.98 · Walmart
Trail-TestedBand-Aid All-Purpose portable compact first aid kit, 160 pieces~$18.36 · Amazon
Top ShelfAdventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker~$34.49 · Amazon
First-aid kit (~300 pieces)
Room for more than small cuts and scrapes.
72-hour kit: Fully Loaded
ShoestringFirst Aid Only 298-piece family first aid kit~$18.69 · Amazon
Trail-TestedSwiss Safe 2-in-1 first aid kit, 348 pieces~$27.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfAdventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker~$57.49 · Amazon
Acetaminophen tablets, small bottle
A common pain reliever to keep in the kit.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate acetaminophen caplets, 100 count~$1.98 · Walmart
Trail-TestedAmazon Basic Care acetaminophen caplets~$7.19 · Amazon
Top ShelfTylenol caplets, 100 count~$9.87 · Walmart
Aloe vera gel
A common after-sun gel to keep in the kit. Read and follow the label; ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate after-sun gel with aloe, 20 oz~$4.72 check size · Walmart Trail-TestedFruit of the Earth aloe vera gel, 12 oz~$4.48 · Amazon
Top ShelfBanana Boat after-sun aloe gel, 8 oz~$6.71 · Amazon
Antacid chewable tablets, small bottle
A common antacid to keep in the kit.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate antacid chewables, 100 count~$3.27 · Walmart
Trail-TestedAmazon Basics antacid chewables, 90 count~$8.42 · Amazon
Top ShelfTums Smoothies antacid chewables, 60 count~$5.98 · Walmart
Antibiotic ointment, small tube
A common first-aid ointment to keep in the kit.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Basic Wound Care: Cleaning and Bandaging Small Cuts and Scrapes · Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate triple antibiotic ointment, 1 oz~$2.84 · Walmart
Trail-TestedAmazon Basic Care triple antibiotic ointment, 2 oz~$9.67 · Amazon
Top ShelfNeosporin Original antibiotic ointment, 0.5 oz~$4.88 · Walmart
Antihistamine tablets, small pack
A common allergy product to keep in the kit.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate antihistamine tablets (diphenhydramine), 100 count~$3.97 · Walmart
Trail-TestedAmazon Basic Care antihistamine tablets (diphenhydramine)~$8.99 check size · Amazon Top ShelfBenadryl Ultratabs antihistamine, 24 count~$5.98 · Walmart
Antiseptic wipes, box
Cleans hands and skin around small wounds.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Basic Wound Care: Cleaning and Bandaging Small Cuts and Scrapes · Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringEquate 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 40~$4.24 check size · Walmart Trail-TestedMed Pride BZK antiseptic towelettes, 100~$9.99 · AmazonAlcohol-free.
Top ShelfCurad alcohol prep pads, 400~$4.49 · Amazon
Burn gel, small bottle or packets
A common first-aid burn gel to keep in the kit. Read and follow the label; ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate burn gel with lidocaine, 8 oz~$4.64 check size · Walmart Trail-TestedWater-Jel Burn Jel, 4 oz bottle~$11.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfWater-Jel Burn Jel single-use packets, 25~$17.80 · Amazon
Calamine lotion
A common anti-itch lotion to keep in the kit. Read and follow the label; ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate calamine lotion, 6 oz~$2.97 check size · Walmart Trail-TestedMajor calamine lotion, 6 oz~$5.88 · Amazon
Top ShelfCaladryl calamine lotion, 6 oz~$6.74 · Amazon
Elastic wrap bandage
Wraps a sprain or holds a dressing in place.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringGeneric Self-adhesive bandage wraps, 2 in, 6 rolls~$4.99 (6 per pack) · Amazon
Trail-TestedGeneric Elastic bandage wrap, 4 in, 6-pack~$8.09 (6 per pack) · Amazon
Top ShelfRaismile latex-free elastic bandages, 8 rolls in 4 widths~$9.99 (8 per pack) · Amazon
Emergency pressure bandage, 4-6 in
Holds steady pressure on a wound.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Basic Wound Care: Cleaning and Bandaging Small Cuts and Scrapes · Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringPerSys Medical Israeli Emergency Bandage 4 in (First Care)~$13.04 · AmazonBuy a genuine Israeli bandage or ETD; budget knockoffs are often counterfeit. Shoestring uses the Trail-Tested pick.
Trail-TestedPerSys Medical Israeli Emergency Bandage 4 in (First Care)~$13.04 · AmazonBuy from the maker or an authorized seller.
Top ShelfNorth American Rescue Emergency Trauma Dressing (ETD) 4 in~$13.95 · Amazon
First-aid field guide (book)
Step-by-step reference when you can't look it up.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: When to Call 911 (and What to Say) · Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringCicerone Pocket First Aid and Wilderness Medicine (book)~$16.95 · Amazon
Trail-TestedNOLS / Stackpole NOLS Wilderness Medicine (book)~$17.66 · Amazon
Top ShelfMountaineers Books Medicine for Mountaineering & Other Wilderness Activities (book)~$32.95 · Amazon
Gauze pads, roll gauze, and medical tape
Covers and wraps wounds bigger than a bandage strip.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Basic Wound Care: Cleaning and Bandaging Small Cuts and Scrapes · Burns: Basic First Aid and When It's an Emergency · Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringEquate + Nexcare 4x4 gauze pads + Nexcare waterproof tape~$11.42 check size · WalmartRoll gauze not priced. Trail-TestedCurad + Nexcare Pro-Gauze 4x4 pads + Nexcare waterproof tape~$18.30 · AmazonRoll gauze not priced.
Top ShelfBand-Aid + Nexcare Cushion-Care 4x4 gauze pads + Nexcare waterproof tape~$14.71 · AmazonRoll gauze not priced.
Hydrocortisone cream, small tube
A common anti-itch cream to keep in the kit.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate hydrocortisone cream, 1 oz~$3.97 · Walmart
Trail-TestedAmazon Basic Care hydrocortisone cream, 2 oz~$5.58 · Amazon
Top ShelfCortizone-10 hydrocortisone cream~$5.48 · Walmart
Ibuprofen tablets, small bottle
A common pain reliever to keep in the kit.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate ibuprofen tablets, 40 count~$1.00 · Walmart
Trail-TestedAmazon Basic Care ibuprofen tablets~$6.39 · Amazon
Top ShelfAdvil coated tablets, 50 count~$7.28 · Walmart
Instant cold packs, 2
Squeeze to activate; no freezer needed.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Burns: Basic First Aid and When It's an Emergency · Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringEquate instant cold compress, 2-pack~$4.88 check size · Walmart Trail-TestedNo-name brand Instant cold packs, 8-pack~$8.99 check size (4 per pack) · Amazon Top ShelfNo-name brand Instant cold packs, 25-pack~$21.29 check size (12 per pack) · Amazon Loperamide tablets, small pack
A common anti-diarrheal product to keep in the kit.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Organizing the OTC Shelf: Sorting by Type and Rotating Dates
ShoestringEquate loperamide tablets, 24 count~$3.98 · Walmart
Trail-TestedAmazon Basic Care loperamide tablets, 24 count~$4.19 · Amazon
Top ShelfImodium A-D loperamide caplets, 24 count~$11.48 · Walmart
Moldable splint, 36 in
Supports an injured limb until help arrives.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
ShoestringEver Ready First Aid Ever Ready 36 in aluminum splint, 3-pack~$16.95 (3 per pack) · Amazon
Trail-TestedSAM Medical SAM Splint 36 in, orange/blue~$14.95 · Amazon
Top ShelfSAM Medical SAM Splint 36 in, orange/blue~$14.95 · AmazonSame as Trail-Tested.
Moleskin blister padding
Pads hot spots on feet before they turn into blisters.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringEquate moleskin padding sheets, 3~$1.67 check size · Walmart Trail-TestedDr. Scholl's moleskin padding roll~$7.23 · Amazon
Top ShelfFirst Aid Only moleskin pac-kit, 10~$5.55 · Amazon
Nitrile gloves, box of 100
Protects you and the person you're helping.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Basic Wound Care: Cleaning and Bandaging Small Cuts and Scrapes · Burns: Basic First Aid and When It's an Emergency · Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringMedPride powder-free nitrile gloves, 100~$9.99 · AmazonPick size M/L.
Trail-TestedGreat Value nitrile disposable gloves, 100~$14.97 · Walmart
Top ShelfVenom Steel industrial nitrile gloves~$19.74 check size · Amazon Pointed tweezers
Pulls splinters and ticks.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Basic Wound Care: Cleaning and Bandaging Small Cuts and Scrapes · Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringEquate precision pointed tweezers~$3.97 check size · Walmart Trail-TestedEquate slant and pointed-tip tweezer~$3.44 check size · Walmart Top ShelfTweezerman point tweezer~$20.49 · Amazon
Sterile eye wash, 4 oz
Flushes dust or smoke grit out of eyes.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringPhysiciansCare sterile eye wash, 4 oz~$3.99 · Amazon
Trail-TestedBausch + Lomb eye wash, 4 oz~$4.32 · Amazon
Top ShelfHypaClens saline eye wash pods, 25~$20.00 · Amazon
Trauma shears
Cuts clothing and tape quickly.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
How to use it: Your First-Aid Kit: Layout, Checks, and Restocking
ShoestringMEUUT trauma shears, 2-pack~$7.99 (2 per pack) · Amazon
Trail-TestedMadison Supply 7.5 in EMT/trauma shears~$8.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfLeatherman Raptor Rescue 6-in-1 trauma shears~$79.95 · Amazon
Windlass tourniquet (genuine C-A-T Gen 7 or equivalent)
Stops severe limb bleeding. Buy from the maker or an authorized seller; counterfeits fail.
Role add-on: Sawbones (Medic)
ShoestringNorth American Rescue C-A-T Gen 7 tourniquet (genuine NAR)~$33.99 · AmazonBuy a genuine CAT or SOF-T; budget knockoffs are often counterfeit. Shoestring uses the Trail-Tested pick.
Trail-TestedNorth American Rescue C-A-T Gen 7 tourniquet (genuine NAR)~$33.99 · AmazonBuy from North American Rescue or an authorized seller; avoid the Trainer version.
Top ShelfTacMed Solutions SOF Tourniquet Gen 5~$27.98 check size · AmazonGenuine SOF-T; buy from an authorized seller.