REVIEW: Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel First Aid Kit

A good first aid kit is one of the handiest pieces of gear that outdoor enthusiasts and adventure travelers can carry with them. The problem is, it can be very challenging to find one that has all of the supplies that you need and still comes in a compact and well-organized package. But Adventure Medical Kits has been making outstanding first aid kits that do just that for years, delivering simplicity and convenience to their customers in the process.

One of the best options from AMK is the Smart Travel, which packs in enough supplies for two people to travel the world and still be able to treat common ailments and injuries. You’ll find a wide variety of bandages and wound-care products, medications to treat a variety of afflictions, blister pads, handy medical instruments, and so much more. It even comes with a comprehensive guide for diagnosing and treating everything from simple sprains and muscle pulls to illness brought on by dehydration and food poisoning. In short, this first aid kit is an indispensable item to have with you no matter where you wander.

Design (5) ★★★★★

The concept behind all of AMK’s first aid kits is that they come prepackaged with everything you need for whatever adventure you’re embarking on. The company has options for mountaineering and hiking, as well as ultralight backpacking and hunting and fishing. There are even first aid kits for dogs. The Smart Travel kit falls under the broader “travel” category and includes a number of items specifically selected for frequent travelers. Those include items like antiseptic wipes, medications to treat traveler’s diarrhea, and blisters. All of the items are individually packed and stashed in a designated storage compartment inside the first aid kit itself. An inventory list is printed on the inside of the kit itself, making it easy to know what everything is and where it is located at a glance. This also comes in handy when restocking the kit after a trip.

Best of all, AMK’s kits are designed to fold up into a small, easy-to-carry package. Whether you’re stuffing it in a backpack, suitcase, or duffel, you won’t have to sacrifice a lot of room, particularly when you consider everything that is included in the kit. After carrying it with you a time or two, you’ll forget that it’s there. That is until you need something—at which point you’ll be very glad you have it.

Contents (5) ★★★★★

As noted, the kits come prepackaged with just about everything you would want to take with you on an adventure. The inventory list for the Smart Travel includes items like adhesive bandages, butterfly closures, gauze, gloves, tweezers, a disposable thermometer, ibuprofen, antibiotic ointment, and a lot more. The kit itself has room for adding additional medications and prescriptions if needed, but for the most part, it is ready to go straight off the shelf.  Knowing that it contains enough items to see you through all but the worst emergencies provides excellent peace of mind.

Convenience (5) ★★★★★

If you couldn’t tell already, each Adventure Medical Kit has been designed from the ground up to be incredibly convenient. The company has taken all of the guesswork out choosing what you should bring with you on a trip and put all of the items into a single, easy-to-carry package. You simply order the one that most fits your needs and put it in your luggage when you’re ready to leave home. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

But AMK has taken things one step further by offering handy refills of all of the items that are included with their products. That makes it incredibly easy to refill the Smart Travel—or any of the other first aid kits—after you return from an adventure. Yes, you can manage the inventory yourself and refill the kit with items from your local drugstore. But the convenience of being able to order exactly what you want and replace it without a second thought is very handy. Replacement items are reasonably priced, easy to order, and ensure that you always have a properly equipped kit at all times. This helps to avoid running into problems while away from home, but not having a properly outfitted first aid kit to address an emergency.

Overall (5) ★★★★★

For frequent travelers, the Smart Travel first aid kit is the perfect companion. The product’s design and inventory are the result of a great deal of thought and experience from a team of outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Having one of these kits at your disposal means you don’t have to think about those things yourself, allowing you to concentrate on trip planning, packing, and preparation.

AMK says that the Smart Travel is designed to support two people, but we’ve found that it can easily handle more—particularly on trips that aren’t especially stressful. If you find that you need a larger first aid kit, the World Travel ($83.99) expands the inventory for four people instead.  And for those who really want to be prepared, the Professional Series takes things up another notch altogether.

Priced at $52.99, the Smart Travel is an affordable first aid kit for the vast majority of people. It is a good option to carry with you anywhere you go, but you’ll also find that it is handy just to have around the house too. The price tag may seem pricey compared to basic first aid kits that you’ll find elsewhere, but the level of thought that has gone into its design—coupled with its compact size, convenient refills, and broad inventory—make it a bargain. Buy one and you’ll always be well prepared for all of your global journeys.