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First aid kit for hiking, running or cycling in the hills and mountains

Written by Fiona

November 18 2025

It’s a good idea to carry a small but thoughtful first aid kit when you head into the great outdoors. For mountain leaders, it’s an essential list of kit. It doesn’t need to be heavy or huge, but being prepared for some minor injuries is important. If you, or a fellow walker, cyclist, runner, suffers a more major injury, you will need to call emergency services.

VET tape is very useful for helping to support minor injuries, such as a sprain.
A fold-up splint could be very useful as an injury support.

First aid kit – the basics

Roll of VET wrap (Self Adherent Cohesive Bandage) – this is amazingly useful

First aid splint – another excellent item

Instant hot pad

Hand warmers

Wound dressings

KT tape

Bleed control patches

Medical gloves

Burn shield and gel

Plasters

Blister plasters (eg Compeed)

Gluco gel – small tube

Medical wipes

Pain killers

Anti-histamine tablets

Midge repellent (if summer) – Smidge

Tick remover (all year) 

Small scissors

In addition, I pack an emergency bivvy bag, 2 x emergency survival ponchos, head torch, powerbank, cable and a group shelter.

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