Kea Kit Mini: the smallest version of Kea's survival system — worth carrying?

Kea built its name on the original Kea Kit, a proper modular survival system covering the five usual pillars, water, shelter, fire, tools, and first aid. Built by a bloke, Matt Butler, who came at the problem from actually guiding people in the backcountry rather than designing gear from behind a desk. The Kit Mini is the stripped-back version of that idea: Same modular thinking, shrunk down small enough to live in a hip pack or the bottom of a pack pocket or on your waste instead of taking up a whole compartment.

The idea: Most survival kits are either too big and cumbersome carrying on a short ride or hike, or so minimal they're basically a whistle and a Band-Aid. The Mini is Kea's attempt at the middle ground enough to matter if something goes wrong on a weekend haunt, without needing its own major space.

What's actually in it: Here's the beauty, there's no set list of what is in the kit. The kit itself comes empty, and ready to load with your chosen aid. Not wanting to BYO? This is the good part. Kea have taken that job off you and curated a bunch of ready to go smaller packs dependent on what you may want to take a long on your adventure. Kea have available pre-made bundles which can be distributed into the kit bag to cover things like: Strains, burns, cuts, abrasions, falls, breaks etc. They really have used products which work, and fit the NZ wilderness and users. Going hiking, grab the sprain kit, sitting by the campfire surrounded by west coast sandflies? Pack the Bite and Burn pack.

On the trail: Fitting easily into one hand, I opted to fill my kit with the bleed and skin and sprain and break for an overnight hike. The risk profile of my walk, fit with the list of equipment from the two bundles well. heading away on a multi day however? perhaps the Go is the better option given it carries all of the Kit Mini and more. Wanting to be prepared in your camper, 4wd or boat? grab yourself the XL or the Everything kit, and stash them neatly away, somewhere handy.

Where it falls short: Again, I can't easily call the product out for missing the mark. My only gripe would be the belt loops are very snug the first time you use them. That said, I'm glad of it....

Verdict: It's compact, it's thoughtful and it becomes easy to grab and go on what ever adventure you decide. A tidy, compact and high quality product that I (thankfully haven't needed to use!) would happily include in my must have list for adventure.

I have to applaud Matt and his Kea brand. They've genuinely created products I can tell have come from real world frustration and experience of what genuinely works, and what is genuinely needed in the wilderness! Is Kea a brand I would like to continue to use, promote and proudly carry? you Betcha! Now to twist Matts arm on other cool products I've eagerly got my on....

Disclaimer: Kea Outdoors supplied the Kit Mini for this review free of charge. I haven't paid for the item and Kea had no say over what I've written here — if the product was rubbish, you'd be reading about that instead.