Backpacking Gear Lists || First Aid, Foot Care & Repair Kits (Downloadable)

If I were to drop my first aid, foot care, and field repair kits directly into my 3-season gear list template, I would fear clogging it up. Already, this master list can be intimidating, and these kits contain dozens of items on their own. Moreover, their exact contents depend greatly on whether I am traveling solo or with a group.

I thought it was best to address them as sub-lists, with a dedicated post, conversation, and spreadsheet for each one:

Download & edit these lists

Static online lists are useful. But lists that can be downloaded, integrated with other resources, and tailored to personal needs are even better.

To download and edit my 3-season gear list template, follow the on-page instructions.

To download my kits as single-page PDF’s, use these links:

To edit these lists, you will need to create your own copy of them.

  1. In a new tab or window, open my First Aid, Foot Care & Repair Kits sheet.
  2. If you do not have a Google account or if you prefer other software besides Google Docs, under “File” select “Download as” to generate your own Excel or CSV file. Otherwise,
  3. Log in with your Google account, if you are not already.
  4. Under “File” select “Make a copy.” A 3-tab sheet named “First Aid, Foot Care & Repair Kits” will be saved in your Google Drive account.

Have recommendations for improving these lists, in terms of their content or usefulness? Leave a comment.

9 Comments

  1. Bob S. on October 5, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    Very comprehensive first aid kit. I would consider adding an ACE elastic bandage with the SAM splint (and for other uses) and a straight nose or curved hemostat with the tweezers.

  2. John Kirby on February 18, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Nice. Only real change from what I carry is – I tend to carry Coban. I like it’s security over tape.

    One thing to consider is Neosporin is a mixture of three topical antibiotics – neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin. Almost 10% of population will have a contact dermatitis reaction to neomycin.

    Polysporin, which is bacitracin and polymyxin, would be a better choice for a group outing. Polysporin is also available over the counter like Neosporin. There are some that have a reaction to bacitracin also but fewer.

    Just FYI. Plenty of people use Neosporin without a problem.

  3. Mary Ellen Breining on July 7, 2018 at 7:21 am

    Dear Andrew,
    Thank you so very much for doing all of this and making it available to those of us who feel no need to reinvent the wheel! I appreciate being able to print out and go by these lists you have compiled as tried and true. Thank you so much!

  4. Greg Geisen on March 19, 2020 at 8:02 pm

    I always carry 10 each:
    Vicodin(5mg HyCod/500mg Tylenol) 2/ 4-6 hrs Pain
    Flexeril (5mg cyclobenzaprine) 2/ 8hrs Muscle Relax
    Lioresal (10mg Baclofen) 1/ 8hrs Spasms

    Powerful medicine if something goes very wrong and you have to hike out. Took a bad fall once, landing on my tail bone and messing up my back.
    Vicodin and Lioresal made the hike out bearable. Your MD will likely prescribe a small number of pills if you explain your trip.

  5. Riku on April 21, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    Good list and similar to my findings.
    I like injection needle (gauge: green 18 or pink 20) best if blisters need to be emptied from liquid. Very sharp, hygiene (at 1st round at least) and makes the opening more like nice cut than hole.
    Also normally carrying couple pieces of second skin like Compeed blister plaster.

  6. Cameron on April 23, 2021 at 7:20 am

    Andrew – Looks like your lists are no longer available on Google drive.

    • Andrew Skurka on April 24, 2021 at 10:30 pm

      It’ll get put up again this week. The embed code broke recently due to a platform change.

  7. Travis on April 24, 2021 at 8:04 am

    The lists seem to have been deleted. 🙁

    • Andrew Skurka on April 24, 2021 at 10:30 pm

      It’ll get put up again this week. The embed code broke recently due to a platform change.

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