Posted February 2023
Backcountry First-Aid Items
Mountain Medications
Backcountry Gear Repair Items
What is a Trouble Kit?
Most of the backpackers we know carry a first-aid kit, a selection of medications, and some random repair items. My wife and I have assembled a compact “trouble kit” that combines all of these items. By having everything in one kit, there is less chance of leaving something at home. Our complete kit consists of a red nylon zippered pouch that measures 5″ x 7″ x 1″ and weighs 8.5 oz. Most of the contents are packaged in small zip-lock bags so we can quickly find things.
The contents of a trouble kit are certainly a matter of personal preferences. We have had our share of medical issues and gear problems in the mountains, and those experiences have largely dictated the contents of our kit. Compared to the items that other backpackers might choose, our kit is undoubtedly a little more comprehensive than some but a little less comprehensive than others. As always, the goal is to assemble a collection of items that are personally useful without bringing too much. We regularly check our kit and restock the contents as needed.
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I should emphasize that the purpose of our trouble kit is to deal with the relatively minor medical and gear problems that are most likely to occur on a backpacking trip. There is always the possibility of encountering a major problem that requires bigger items. In such situations, our philosophy is to employ other pieces of equipment in a makeshift role. You have to get resourceful. For instance, trekking pole sections, sitting pads, and accessory straps can be used to splint a broken arm, while gloves, beanies, socks, bandanas, and tape can be used to create an absorbent pad over a large wound. Furthermore, because the gear repair items in our trouble kit are in no way adequate to deal with repairs of skiing and snowshoeing equipment, we always carry a specialized ski and snowshoe repair kit on winter trips.
Needless to say, even the best trouble kit is useless if you don’t have it when you need it. My wife and I learned this obvious lesson the hard way a few years ago, when she incurred a major laceration high on a mountain and I discovered that I had carelessly left our trouble kit back at base camp! We managed to scavenge enough spare clothing, straps, slings, and carabiners from our summit packs to treat her wound, but it’s a mistake that we will never repeat. I subsequently sewed a special “trouble kit pocket” into each of my summit packs to serve as a visual reminder, and so far, it’s worked like a charm.
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Affiliate Disclosure: My trouble kit item list contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something that I’ve linked to, I might get a small commission at no additional cost to you. Be assured, my list only contain items that I (or a mountain partner) have used extensively.
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Duct Tape & KT Tape
Duct tape has probably been in every backpacker’s repair/trouble kit for decades, and we always carry a small amount of duct tape specifically for gear repairs. However, kinesiology therapeutic tape (often simply called “KT tape”) has become the new “must-have” item in our trouble kit. Almost any medical application that you can accomplish with duct tape, you can do better with KT tape—plus a whole lot more. We use it for blisters, muscle aches, joint injuries, wounds, and other issues.
KT tape is breathable, stretchy, and slick, which makes it ideal for applying to various body parts. The adhesive is strong enough to keep it in place on skin for multiple days in the mountains, yet it can be removed easily when you take a shower at home. It will even adhere to feet unless they get really wet. KT tape is produced in 10-inch lengths, but we cut some smaller pieces ahead of time for use on heel blisters and toe blisters. My wife and daughter use it preventively on rub spots and even carry their own personal supply for trail use. As a bonus, KT tape comes in a rainbow of colors, which makes for some fun bandages. We just buy whichever color happens to be on sale.
We and several of our climbing partners have tried several brands, and KT Tape brand has proven to be the best. We have also tried each of the different tape weights and found that “Pro Synthetic” is by far the most versatile. The “Pro Extreme” tape is thicker and heavier, making it more suitable for competitive athletes. With regard to duct tape, we (and most backpackers) prefer the newer high-strength, extra-sticky products such as Gorilla Tape and T-Rex Tape.
 | KT Tape Pro Synthetic Kinesiology Therapeutic Sports Tape, 20 Precut, 10” Strips – Works on muscle injuries, blisters, and wound tape. Stretches and breaths. |
 | Gorilla All Weather Outdoor Waterproof Duct Tape, UV and Temperature Resistant |
 | T-REX Ferociously Strong Tape, Duct Tape with UV Resistant & Waterproof Backing for Wood Brick Concrete and More, 12 yd. x 1.88″ |
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Scissors & Razors
Our trouble kit includes two implements that serve a variety of first-aid and gear repair functions: scissors and razor blades. These are essential tools for cutting tape, gauze, fabric, cord, string, patches, and many other materials. For scissors, we prefer the common angled medical/surgical type in a 5- or 6-inch size. For razors, we carry a couple standard single-sided blades.
 | KCHEX New Mini 3 1/2″ Stainless Steel Bandage Scissors – Surgical & First Aid – Cutting everything from KT Tape to Gauze to Thread. In my opinion, more important than a knife. |
 | Bates- Single Edge Razor Blade |
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First-Aid Items
Blisters, scratches, cuts, abrasions, and insect bites are such a common occurrence in the mountains, it seems to be the rare backpacking trip when we don’t break out a bandage or ointment. For this reason, we stock our trouble kit with the basic items required to treat blisters, bites, and scratches, as well as to clean up and patch a variety of cuts and abrasions.
For Blisters & Small Wounds
 | Ever Ready First Aid Triple Antibiotic Ointment .9gr Packets |
 | Antiseptic Towelette with Benzalkonium Chloride |
 | Compeed Advanced Blister Care – Hydrocolloid Bandages, Heel Blister Patches, Blister on Foot, Blister Prevention & Treatment, Waterproof Cushions |
 | Rite Aid Sheer Adhesive Bandages with Sterile Non Stick Pad, 3″ x 4″ – Extra large bandage |
 | Band-Aid Brand Flexible Fabric Adhesive Bandages for Comfortable Flexible Protection & Wound Care of Minor Cuts, Scrapes, & Wounds – Variety of sizes |
 | BAND-AID® Brand Flexible Fabric Bandages Knuckle & Fingertip |
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For Larger Wounds
 | Curad Non-Stick Pads, 3 Inches X 4 Inches – Easy to cut if small piece is needed |
 | Bloodstop Hemostatic Gauze Controls Bleeding Fast |
 | Betadine Solution Antiseptic, 0.5 oz – Disinfectant for open wounds |
 | WoundSeal Topical Powder Wound Care First Aid – Individual packets |
 | Nexcare Max Hold Waterproof Bandages |
 | Dukal Butterfly Closure Strips |
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Medications
We stock just enough medications in our trouble kit to handle a basic variety of unexpected ailments while backpacking, plus some strong painkillers that would hopefully get an injured person through a bail-out or rescue situation. We assume that individuals who need routine or special medications will bring their own supply.
 | Aleve Back & Muscle Pain Relief Naproxen Sodium Tablets |
 | Gas-X Ultra Strength Gas Relief Softgels with Simethicone 180 mg |
 | Claritin 24 Hour Allergy Medicine, Non-Drowsy Prescription Strength Allergy Relief, Loratadine Antihistamine Tablets |
 | NyQuil SEVERE with Vicks VapoCOOL Cough, Cold & Flu Relief – Get tablets not Gel Caps. Gel Caps can get funky in the heat |
 | Sudafed PE Sinus Pressure + Pain Relief Maximum Strength Non-Drowsy Decongestant – Recommend going to your local phamacist and picking up heavy duty Sudafed |
 | Hydro Codone – Pain medication – If you have a relationship with your doctor, they will typically give you a prescription for 3-4 pills for your backpacking first aid kit |
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Gear Repair Items
Common issues that require simple gear repairs in the field include torn clothing, backpacks, or tents; bent or broken tent poles; loose or missing eyeglass screws; punctured sleeping pads; and broken or lost sunglasses. We stock our trouble kit with a few small repair items that, when combined with duct tape or KT tape, can handle most situations.
 | Wenrook Safety Pins – Strong Nickel Plated Steel, Rust Resistant, Heavy Duty Variety Pack |
 | Prym Compact All-Purpose Needles – Dental floss makes a great thread in the field |
 | Topus Extra Strong Upholstery Repair Sewing Thread – Repairing gear including backpacks. |
 | Apex Glasses Repair Kit – Eyeglass Repair Kit with Small Screwdriver, Eyeglass Screws, Magnifying Glass, Screw Guide, & Storage Pouch |
 | Slipins Disposable Sunglasses Inserts – Emergency sun glasses |
 | Flicklock Wrench – Specific for repairing your trekking poles – should come with poles |
 | Gear Aid Tent Pole Splint |
 | Therma-Rest Tear-Aid Patch – For sleeping pads. The new comfy air mattresses are delicate. – Comes with air mattress purchase |
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Trouble Kit Essentials Gallery
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