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Waterproof First Aid Kits Gear Guide

waterproof first aid kit

Our buyer’s guide for the best waterproof first aid kits by rank is below, and we chose our top-rated waterproof first aid kit on the basis that emergencies happen in all conditions, not just when things are dry. This is why it’s extremely important that your First Aid/Emergency Kit is capable of handling wet-weather emergencies. We’ve compiled a list of the best Waterproof First Aid Kits, including both hard-shell cases and waterproof first aid kit bags, taking into account price, quality, and of course, value.

It’s important that your First Aid Kit comes stocked with plenty of gear to handle small medical emergencies, has a waterproof case, is lightweight, and is easily accessible. Many kits have carabiners, Velcro straps, or D-rings to cinch them down. Here’s our full criteria:

  • Waterproof Capability: a good waterproof First Aid Kit doesn’t need to be submersible, but it does need to hold up to storms and splashes of water, especially if you store it on your boat, paddleboard, or kayak.
  • Supply Value: more than just bandages, but less than the proverbial “kitchen sink.” You want items you’ll actually use, as both space and weight is at a premium.
  • Portability: whether you’re storing your First Aid Kit inside a vehicle, watercraft, cabin/cottage, or strapping it to your backpack for everyday carry, your emergency kit should be portable enough to go wherever you go, with you.
  • Visibility: often overlooked. Unless you specifically need a low-profile camouflage kit, your emergency kit should be like that fire extinguisher in the corner that always catches your eye: it should attract your attention, making you continuously aware of where it is.
Top Pick
Buy Now

Breakwater Supply Waterproof Survival First Aid Kit, 101 Pieces

5

Breakwater Supply offers a few Waterproof First Aid Kits, and we tested the Survival version as it’s got an impressive combination of supplies. This versatile kit is smaller than we expected, in a good way, weighing only 1.3lbs with dimensions 10″ tall and 4″ in diameter, which makes the Breakwater Supply Survival First Aid Kit good for the boat, kayak, or for camping and hiking. It comes preloaded with First Aid (bandages, wraps, CPR mask, and even a foam survival splint) and just-in-case Emergency survival supplies (poncho, space blanket, multitool, wire saw, paracord bracelet with compass and fire-starter). Brightly colored with a reflective First Aid symbol, it’s relatively waterproof when the 2L mini dry bag is rolled and buckled and features a nice locking carabiner at the top. Tough to beat this bang for the buck (about $45 USD at the time of publish).

Bonus: for those who want low-profile, there’s a Stealth Black version as well.

As one Amazon customer put it, “The quality is unbelievable. I love it! It’s small, lightweight, easy to use and has all the items I need.”

The Good
  • Solid value, affordable
  • Brightly colored, with reflective First Aid symbol
  • 101 pieces with wide range of supplies
  • IPX6 waterproof
  • Lightweight and space-saving
  • Locking carabiner
The Bad
  • Not submersible
  • Some may prefer a hard case versus a dry bag
surviveware first aid kitBuy Now

Surviveware Waterproof Comprehensive First Aid Kit

5

This popular IPX7 waterproof First Aid Kit features over 200 items while weighing only 2.25lbs. Aside from its tried-and-tested waterproof capability, the best part about it is the labeling and organization. At close to $150 USD at time of publish, it’s not exactly a budget kit, but its compact size makes it versatile to keep in the vehicle or take on the trail.

The Good
  • IPX7 waterproof
  • Brightly colored
  • 200 pieces
  • Lightweight at 2.25lbs
  • Includes mounting plate and strap
  • Soft-shell flexibility
  • Well organized
The Bad
  • Airtight zipper can be hard to open
  • Some may prefer a hard case versus a bag
  • No survival gear (odd given the name “Surviveware”)
Buy Now

Adventure Medical Kits Waterproof Marine 600 Medical First Aid Kit

4

A hard-shell waterproof kit containing 252 pieces, the Marine 600 Medical First Aid Kit from Adventure Medical Kits is very capable and ideal for boating, with enough supplies for 6 people. This kit is focused on medical supplies, and includes splints, bandages/pads, wraps, medicines, CPR mask, an ice pack, and dressing tools, and an emergency blanket. There’s also an extensive manual to administer emergency care.

The Good
  • Heavy-Duty IP67 Waterproof Construction
  • Brightly colored, though some reviews wish it was red
  • High-quality medical supplies
  • Emergency Guide Book included
  • Coast Guard approved
The Bad
  • No basic emergency/marine gear such as poncho, survival tools, rope
  • Heavy (5.8lbs) and bulky (17″ W x 12″ L x 6″ Depth)
  • Priced over $200 USD at time of publish
Buy Now

MyMedic MyFAK Pro Mini Waterproof First Aid Kit

4

This mini-version of the MyMedic MyFAK Pro Waterproof First Aid Kit (above) offers the same hard-shell durability and IP67 waterproof capability in a smaller package, with 65+ pieces. It’s much lighter at 2.7lbs (versus 5.4lbs of the larger version), and offers bandages, medications, paracord, space blanket, RATS Tourniquet, and MyMedic ZZips.

Though it offers less, it lists for $269.95 USD at time of publish, which makes it the second highest on this list.

The Good
  • Durable construction
  • IP67 Waterproof, dustproof, and crushproof
  • Floats
  • Brightly colored, with a reflective First Aid symbol
  • Well organized, with 65+ pieces in sealed plastic baggies
  • Carry handle
  • Made for 1 person
The Bad
  • Hard shell design offers no flexibility for stashing
  • No reflective elements
  • Priced at $269.95 USD
waterproof first aid kitBuy Now

Breakwater Supply All-Purpose Essential Waterproof First Aid Kit

4

For the price, this kit is an exceptional value ($23 USD at time of publish). The soft-shell case features a waterproof exterior, splash-proof zipper, and a reflective First Aid symbol. Contents are standard bandages, wraps, and dressing tools, with a cold compress, large triangular bandage, and ointments. It’s not a heavy-duty kit by any means, but at its price-point we highly recommend it.

The Good
  • Exceptional value
  • Brightly colored, with a reflective First Aid symbol
  • 101 pieces
  • IPX5 waterproof
  • Lightweight and space-saving at 8″ x 6″ x 2″ and .9lbs
  • Carabiner for attachment
The Bad
  • Not heavy-duty
  • Limited range of supplies
Buy Now

MyMedic MyFAK Pro Waterproof First Aid Kit

3.5

This hard shell Waterproof First Aid Kit is made primarily for boating. It has an IP67 rating and comes in a hard shell case with two lock-down latches. Heavy duty (waterproof, crushproof, and it floats) and unsurprisingly the highest priced and heaviest on this list ($369.95 USD at publish, weighing 5lbs 6oz).

For supplies, you get a high-quality RATS Tourniquet, plenty of bandages, burn dressings, cold pack, and dressing tools, plus a space blanket, paracord, and light stick. There’s also medications, hydration tablets, splints, and MyMedic ZZips to close deep wounds. We love how it’s organized, and the biggest knocks here are price and bulkiness.

The Good
  • Durable construction
  • IP67 Waterproof, dustproof, and crushproof
  • Floats
  • Brightly colored, with a reflective First Aid symbol
  • Well organized, with 140 pieces in sealed plastic baggies
  • Carry handle
  • Made to supply 2+ people
The Bad
  • Heavy (5.4lbs) and large (12″ W x 10″ L x 6″ Depth)
  • Hard shell design offers no flexibility for stashing
  • No reflective elements
  • Tough to justify the price ($369.95)
mfasco waterproof first aid kitBuy Now

MFASCO Class B Waterproof First Aid Kit

3

This hard-shell kit is fully waterproof and relatively compact (11″ W x 7″ L x 3″ Depth). Primarily included are bandages, ointments, tourniquet, a burn dressing, tourniquet, and other medical supplies.

The Good
  • Heavy-duty waterproof IP67 case
  • Brightly colored
The Bad
  • Heavy at close to 6lbs
  • Only medical supplies; no survival/emergency gear
  • Priced at $134.20 USD at time of publish
Buy Now

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight Medical First Aid Kit .9

3

Adventure Medical Kits have a range of offerings that are designed to go off the beaten path. This “.9” kit is 7.2oz and features enough supplies to treat four people. It’s advertised to include “sterile bandage materials, bleeding and wound care, blister/burn care, fracture/sprain care, common medications, and essential tools,” and “ideally used for ski/snowboard, hiking/backpacking, alpine/rock climbing, mountain/road biking, hunting/fishing, off roading, and paddlesports.”

The Good
  • Brightly colored
  • Water resistant outer fabric with supplies also bagged in a plastic bag inside (IP66/IP67)
  • Lightweight and space-saving
  • High-quality medical supplies
The Bad
  • No emergency gear such as poncho, space blanket, survival tools
  • Requires your own carabiner/clip to attach to gear
Want to suggest a product for this list? Let us know here!
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Waterproof Headphones with Bluetooth Gear Guide

We reviewed and ranked highly-rated waterproof earbuds and headphones, choosing our top picks by using them for workouts on land (gym, running, cycling), on the water (kayaking, paddleboarding), and regular everyday use. Before we get to which one ranked #1 on our best waterproof earbuds and headphones list, here’s what we looked for:

  • Sound Transmission & Fit: in-ear, open ear, over-the-ear, or bone conduction. They need to offer a lockdown, solid fit through the ups and downs of outdoor activity. And without saying, all headphones on this list are Bluetooth.
  • Physical Buttons: with wet hands, what good are touch controls? Physical buttons are a must.
  • Speaker Holes (or lack thereof): speaker holes are an easy way to let in moisture, especially during a workout. We’ve found that bone conduction headphones have an inherent advantage to eliminating speaker holes, because they work by vibration, without needing an opening to transmit sound.
  • Charging Ports (or lack thereof): similar to speaker holes, if a “waterproof headphone” has a dedicated charging port, it’s a recipe for water ingress. The better waterproof ‘phones come with charging cases that work by just dropping each earbud into the case.
  • Long Battery Life
  • Non-Corrosive Construction: electronics need metal for conduction, but metal is a recipe for corrosion. Well-designed waterproof headphones are designed to eliminate exposed metal contact points.
TOP PICK
Buy Now

WANFEI Bone Conduction Wireless Headphones, IP67

5

After giving many different “waterproof headphones” a go, these Open Ear Wireless IP67 Bone Conduction Headphones from WANFEI came out on top. Why? Well, for starters, they’re legitimately waterproof! They don’t have a large speaker hole, which means sweat and water don’t get into the body of the earbud, meaning they’ll hold up to intense workouts, whether running or at the gym.

They’ve got a grippy silicone area on the upper part of the earhook to keep them in place. Also, in our usage, the battery never dipped under 80%, even after 1.5 hours of use.

The Good
  • Bluetooth 5.2
  • IP67 waterproof and fully sweat-proof
  • Long battery life
  • Physical buttons
  • USB-C charging case
  • True Bone Conduction
  • Grippy silicone upper ear area
The Bad
  • Bone Conduction technology may feel odd for some people
Buy Now

Xmenha In Ear Clip On Earbuds

3.5

These unique clip-on earbuds hug the outside of your earlobes and remain comfortable despite their unusual design, though the “clip-ons” are gaining in popularity. The silicone tip and wraparound hook keep them in place, and the physical buttons are clutch. They feature a 5-hour battery and are extremely lightweight.

These do not offer a waterproof rating. They appear like they’d keep sweat out, but in our tests we avoided using them in heavy moisture situations due to the speaker hole. On the plus side, the speaker hole is aimed directly into your ear, so they’re among the loudest open-ear headphones we’ve used.

The Good
  • Bluetooth 5.3
  • Very loud
  • Physical buttons
  • USB-C charging case
The Bad
  • No waterproof rating
  • Advertised as “Open Ear,” but these are effectively in-ear
  • Speaker hole allows moisture inside
Buy Now

Sotiepevs Open Ear Earhook Headphones, IPX6

3

A lightweight, comfortable earhook-style open-ear headphone with physical buttons. Though they are lightweight and useful around-the-house, these performed poorly in sweat and kayaking tests and wouldn’t charge after getting wet.

The Good
  • Bluetooth 5.3
  • Comfortable on ear
  • USB-C charging case
The Bad
  • Speaker hole
  • Not very loud
  • Performed poorly in tests
  • Stopped charging
Buy Now

ORANPID Open Ear Air Conduction IPX6 Headphones

3

Almost an exact replica of the Sotiepivs above – and who knows which one is copying the other nowadays – the ORANPIDs offer the same functionality. They’re lightweight and comfortable, with physical buttons, but are not a reliably waterproof headphone.

The Good
  • Bluetooth 5.3
  • Comfortable on ear
  • USB-C charging case
The Bad
  • Speaker hole
  • Not very loud
  • Not reliably waterproof
Buy Now

MSTHOO Purpods Open Ear Headphones, IPX7

3

We thought these were the ones, but were quickly proven wrong after one side died from sweat during a 20 mile cycling workout and they repeatedly kept getting stuck in helmet straps. The speaker hole is clearly an Achilles heel for letting sweat in, and there also appeared to be a charging issue, as only one of them would take a charge.

Yes, they are usable if a single side works, but they’ll seem so quiet when listening to one that it’s a lost cause. On the positive, this is the only model we reviewed that features a wireless charging case, meaning the case itself can be popped onto a wireless charger just like your smartphone.

The Good
  • Bluetooth 5.2
  • Wireless & USB-C charging case
The Bad
  • Performed poorly in tests
  • Poor fit
  • Speaker holes
Want to suggest a product for this list? Let us know here!
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Learn About IP Waterproof Ratings

IP waterproof ratings are a standardized way to convey how well a device or enclosure can protect against the intrusion of solid objects and liquids.

You’ve probably seen codes like IP68 or IPX6 at some point – probably while reading up on product details – and wondered, “What in the…?”

Well, these strange 4-letter codes prefixed by “IP” are IP waterproof ratings, also known as IP codes or Ingress Protection ratings. These are a standardized system used to classify and communicate the level of protection a device or enclosure provides against the intrusion of solid objects and liquids. These ratings are often used to describe the degree of protection that electronic devices, appliances, lighting fixtures, and other equipment offer against dust, dirt, water, and other environmental factors. The IP rating typically consists of two digits, such as “IP68” or “IP54,” with each digit representing a specific aspect of protection:

1. First Digit (Protection against Solid Objects): The first digit ranges from 0 to 6 and indicates the degree of protection against solid objects, including dust and foreign particles. Here’s what each number signifies:

  • 0: No protection (i.e., not protected against any solid objects).
  • 1: Protection against objects > 50mm in size (e.g., a hand).
  • 2: Protection against objects > 12.5mm (e.g., fingers).
  • 3: Protection against objects > 2.5mm (e.g., tools and wires).
  • 4: Protection against objects > 1mm (e.g., small wires).
  • 5: Dust-protected (limited ingress of dust, but not completely).
  • 6: Dust-tight (completely protected against dust and particles).

2. Second Digit (Protection against Liquids): The second digit ranges from 0 to 9 and indicates the level of protection against liquids. Here’s what each number signifies:

  • 0: No protection (i.e., not protected against any liquids).
  • 1: Protection against vertically falling water drops (dripping water).
  • 2: Protection against water droplets at a 15-degree angle (e.g., light rain).
  • 3: Protection against water sprays at a 60-degree angle (e.g., heavy rain).
  • 4: Protection against water splashes from all directions (e.g., splashes from a faucet).
  • 5: Protection against low-pressure jets of water (e.g., hose spray).
  • 6: Protection against high-pressure jets of water (e.g., powerful water jets).
  • 7: Protection against immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for a limited time (usually specified by the manufacturer).
  • 8: Protection against continuous immersion in water beyond 1 meter (the depth and duration are specified by the manufacturer).
  • 9K: Protection against high-temperature, high-pressure water jets (not commonly used).

In summary, IP waterproof ratings are a standardized way to convey how well a device or enclosure can protect against the intrusion of solid objects and liquids. The higher the numerical values in the IP rating, the greater the protection offered. For instance, an IP68-rated device is dust-tight and can be submerged in water for an extended period, making it highly waterproof and dustproof. These ratings are essential for selecting the right equipment for specific environmental conditions and applications.

And the winner is…

The best IP rating you’ll find is IP68. An IP68-rated device is airtight and can be submerged in water, making it completely waterproof and dustproof. The difference between IP67 (which is also airtight and extremely waterproof) and IP68 is that IP67 only covers submersion down to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes, and IP68 means the item has been tested over 1 meter deep AND longer than 30 minutes. Choosing IP67 is completely fine and covers most scenarios, but choosing IP68 is an even better option.

Disclaimer: But what about IP69?

There is IP69, but this is generally used in the industrial world and not for consumer products. IP69 covers high temperatures and high-pressure jets, which are typically not “real-world” scenarios.