The term emergency kit does sound a bit dramatic but out in the hills far from the nearest road the most minor problem can find itself amplified into a real danger.
Main image: LOMO’s bag also provides a comfortable cold weather lunch | Credit: Peter Macfarlane
I had a reminder of this as I prepared to finish writing up my own test of emergency kit during a local trip in the first snows of winter 2023. On an early morning ascent in the Arrochar Alps I came across a couple crouching down off the path. Their animated movements suggested something was up. It turned out a sole had come away from one of their boots and they were looking for solutions to allow a safe retreat downhill to the car park.
Spare laces to strap the sole on were an option. Climbers’ finger tape to bind the sole onto boot was my immediate suggestion – I had a roll in my pack – but a pair of stretchy elastic pull-on crampons turned out to be a perfect solution as they gripped the whole boot and kept the sole in place well enough for safe walking. They retreated safely but I was left wondered what may have happened had that sole come off later in the day on the iced summit rocks of Beinn Narnain where they were heading or at the more remote bealach beyond.
In reality, neither scenario would have a presented a real problem because they were prepared and could return safely. But it was a reminder of how an inconvenience can become a hazard. The unexpected does happen in the hills. The gear I’ve reviewed here all has a very serious purpose. Whilst the hope is you won’t need it, you’ll be glad of it should the time arise.
Lomo Emergency Storm Shelter 2-3 Man Bothy Bag
Peter Macfarlane’s Best in Test 2025
It’s simple, functional and a very good price too for something you might end up using regularly.- simple
- effective
- useful
- none
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £19.99 |
| Weight: 384g including stuffsack |
| Materials: 190T PU-coated polyester |
| Features: vents, windows, reflective patches, drawcord hem |
| Sizes: 4/5 and 8 person versions available |
| www.lomo.co.uk |
The Lomo Emergency Storm Shelter is an excellent example of emergency equipment that you can also use regularly. The shelter deploys quickly from its stuffsack and you can be out of the snow and rain in seconds. It warms up quickly once you’re inside, noticeably so with two people. Although rated for three people, this is definitely in emergency use only as you all sit shoulder to shoulder.
The Storm Shelter is light and packs away well at 22cm x 10cm in its stuff sack to I’m happy to carry it as on rainy hill days it’s been mood saver to climb into for lunch and it dries out quickly back at home. It’s simple, functional and a very good price too for something you might end up using regularly.
Read more: Peter’s full Lomo Emergency Storm Shelter 2-3 Man Bothy Bag review
Lifesystems Heatshield Thermal Bivi Bag
Peter Macfarlane recommends
On a long winter day being well rested, fed and warm can help you stay safe – this bag offers a step towards that- light
- simple
- effective
- could be longer
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £13.99 |
| Weight: 124g including stuffsack |
| Materials: metalized polyethylene |
| Features: taped seams, printed with useful emergency information, visible colour |
| Sizes: unisex |
| www.lifesystems.co.uk |
From my earliest days in the hills carrying a bag to climb into when everything went wrong in the hills was drilled into you. For decades I carried a simple oversized poly bag folded up and slipped down the back of my rucksack, something that would still work today. Materials technology has advanced greatly and we can now carry something sleeping bag sized that is lighter and smaller than my old poly bag but also warmer, as with the Lifesystems Heatshield Thermal Bivi Bag.
It could absolutely make the difference between an uncomfortable night and a disaster. It can also keep you comfortable on any cold rest stop in the hills.
Read more: Peter’s full Lifesystems Heatshield Thermal Bivi Bag review
Lifesystems Mountain First Aid Kit
Peter Macfarlane recommends
This is a large, accessible and comprehensive kit to which I have added my own additions- Well stocked and cleanly laid out package
- could be more than you need
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £42.99 |
| Weight: 572g |
| Materials: nylon zipped case with elastic and velcro trim |
| Features: dressings, medication, tools, tapes, light stick |
| Sizes: various versions available |
| www.lifesystems.co.uk |
This Lifesystems Mountain First Aid Kit is large and is well stocked with almost everything you’d need to deal with minor injuries and ailments. The Mountain kit is comprehensive. It is well set out and packaged to allow you to access what you need when under pressure but experience has taught me to add a few items of my own. One is a small mirror which I’ve used many times to help get grit out of my eye. Another is foot tape which can help stop blisters forming when applied early, plus indigestion remedies and a tick remover.
Read more: Peter Macfarlane’s full Lifesystems Mountain First Aid Kit review
Lomo First Aid Dry Bag Waist Belt Pouch
Peter Macfarlane recommends
The dry bag weighs next to nothing and has been incredibly useful. It is an excellent bit of kit.- simple
- effective
- useful
- nothing
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £7 |
| Weight: 44g |
| Materials: TPU |
| Features: waterproof, buckled rolltop closure, belt loop |
| Sizes: one size, but also available without First Aid branding |
| www.lomo.co.uk |
The Lomo First Aid Dry Bag Waist Belt Pouch is a simple piece of kit which goes on every outdoor trip with me. It’s made from a thick waterproof TPU material and has a roll top closure with buckles to secure it. I’ve found it to be completely waterproof and consequently I use it to store a small selection of first aid items and emergency spares such as batteries, a small headtorch, on solo trips. The capacity is 600ml which is small enough when full to tuck into a rucksack lid pocket or even a jacket or trouser cargo pocket.
The dry bag weighs next to nothing and has been incredibly useful. It is an excellent bit of kit.
Read more: Peter Macfarlane’s full Lomo First Aid Dry Bag Waist Belt Pouch review
Alpkit Juice Holder Power Bank
Peter Macfarlane recommends
A lighter model may suit you but the Juice Holder’s performance and reliability has been a source of confidence- long battery life
- simple operation
- heavy
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £29.99 |
| Weight: 438g |
| Materials: aluminium case |
| Features: IP65 water resistant rating, various plug in ports, LED indicator lights |
| Sizes: smaller capacity and lighter sizes are available |
| alpkit.com |
This shift in approach to powering adventures with devices makes power a high safety priority for me and I’ve been carrying the Alpkit Juice Holder, a large capacity power bank with 20,000mAh of stored power across its two internal batteries. Despite the additional weight I’d be carrying I chose the larger Alpkit Juice Holder size to cover all the potential needs I’d face over a number of days in the hills or with a group. With it, I’ve found myself charging two things simultaneously many times.
A lighter model might have been better but the Juice Holders performance and reliability has been a source of confidence.
Read more: Peter Macfarlane’s full Alpkit Juice Holder Power Bank review
Petzl Bindi Headtorch
Peter Macfarlane’s verdict
The Bindi is aimed at night time runners but the features and small size also make it work as a hillgoer’s backup- light
- bright
- adaptable
- bezel is a little loose
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £37.99 |
| Weight: 34g |
| Materials: Lithiun Ion rechargeable battery, elastic headband, plastic housing |
| Features: small packsize with stuff sack, flood beam pattern, reflective headband |
| Sizes: adjustable |
| www.petzl.com |
A headtorch is always vital equipment in the outdoors but carrying a spare is a sensible option. The Petzl Bindi headtorch is a rechargeable headtorch with a 200 lumen brightness at only 34g. The Bindi is aimed at night time runners but the features and small size also make it work as a hillgoer’s backup. The lamp body is plastic with the white LED lens, small red LED, a rubberised switch and the charging port which is exposed but on the bottom facing edge. The body is IPX4 rated which is splash resistant, not waterproof which is worth bearing in mind for both storage and your potential uses.
I have appreciated the rechargeable battery on the Bindi as I have been topping it up rather than wondering how the replaceable battery life is. The IPX4 rating is acceptable in most situations, but for complete confidence I’d like to have seen it fully waterproof.
Read more: Peter Macfarlane’s full Petzl Bindi headtorch review – to compare more head torches, read Chris Townsend’s guide to the best head torches for hillwalkers and hikers
Testing conditions
Peter carried and used items from the review on all of his hill trips throughout 2023 from one winter into the next. This ranged from Munro days to low level trails and he also used the gear multiple times on ranger duties in the Kilpatrick Hills. All weights are from the reviewer’s digital scales.
This comparative review was first published in the December 2024 issue of The Great Outdoors.
Features to look for in your emergency kit
Usefulness
Emergency gear has to fulfill its function without any compromise and ideally without any unnecessary faff to set up and use. You could be needing this kit when you’re tired, wet and cold, in the dark or when you’re injured. A single thing that does its job the best way possible is ideal and what I looked for in the items I used and reviewed.
Adaptability
Whether this gear can be used on a regular day in the hills is a question worth asking. Shelters can make a miserable wet day lunch stop more bearable for example. Adaptability also extends to your companions: will your emergency kit help others in your group or just yourself?
Maintenance
Emergency gear has to work properly when you need it and leaving something crammed into a stuff sack at the bottom of your pack for a year isn’t helping to guarantee that happening. Take your kit out, clean it, check it for damage, use it at home to familiarize yourself with its features and functions
Weight and packsize
To encourage yourself to always carry emergency kit it’s worth seeking out small packing and lightweight versions so long as you don’t sacrifice performance or security. Taking a chance by leaving something potentially vital behind because your pack is already full is easy to do.
Longevity
Check and replace batteries, check the dates on everything inside your medical kit. From experience its worth checking the dates on any backup snacks you have.
Skills
All the gear I’m suggesting here will help in many potential hill situations, but you also have to learn the skills to use them. Knowledge, understanding and familiarity gives you confidence and a calm approach to a potential hazard.
