As a medical professional, one of the most defining pieces of equipment is your medical bag. You will want to not only have the right functional medical bag for the job, but you will also want to be able to express your own style and flair.
We take a look at 11 of our favorite bags for the medical profession for nurses, doctors, first responders, and even for medical students.
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In a hurry? Here are our top 3 picks:
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11 Best Medical Bags for Doctors, Nurses, & EMTs
MFASCO Complete Emergency Response Trauma Bag
The MFASCO first aid bag is a complete first aid kit and bag all in one package. You get everything you need for an emergency or any minor first aid type of situation.
The large bag is colored orange and has the medical logo printed on the top to identify it as a medical bag. There is a large central compartment and 2 side pockets that are zippered. Two more pockets adorn the front of the bag that close with velcro. There is a large lid for the bag that comes together with two clips for closure.
The bag comes stocked and fully ready for use or for keeping in your car, office, or house for emergency situations. This medical big includes a basic blood pressure cuff, a stethoscope, as well as gauze pads, eye wash, burn gel, and many different bandages and dressings. In addition, you’ll also receive a couple pairs of Nitrile gloves and hand wipes.
What we liked:
- Light shoulder bag
- Reflectors on the bag
- Full of useful equipment including blood pressure cuff and stethoscope
What we didn’t like:
- Bag can be a little bulky to carry
This is the best complete emergency bag as there is no need to buy additional basics with this purchase. The size is right to keep in a desk, cupboard, or the trunk of your car.
Rothco EMT Bag
The Rothco EMT bag is a decent-sized trauma bag with a white cross on the top of the bag indicating it is a medical bag.
The bag comes with plenty of pockets: 4 on each side and 3 of the front of the bag, and then one large central enclosure with a removable compartment organizer. The side pockets and one of the front pockets is zippered to keep things in place and there is a large u-shaped zippered opening for getting into the central compartment.
An adjustable shoulder strap is included, and there are hand straps on either side so you can carry it simply by hand or sling over your shoulder for convenience. There are additional attachment points on the sides of the hand straps where you can clip c-clips with an additional clip if desired.
What we liked:
- Comes in blue, orange or red
- Padded central pocket helps keep delicate items safe
What we didn’t like:
- Center divider organizer does not attach to anything inside the bag
This is the best low-cost general purpose medical bag for those on the go or who want a travel bag to carry medical equipment.
Related: Best Stethoscope for Doctors
Hopkins Rolling Med Bag with EZ View Features
Sometimes carrying a medical bag around all day is a chore that is just too much for some. Hopkins has a decent size medical bag with wheels on it to help keep the weight off your shoulders and on the ground where it should be.
This is a decent size medical bag with 2 main compartments that take up the bulk of the bag. There are additional pockets for a sharps container and for hand wash supplies. There is even a fold-down work area, so you have a place to work instead of needing a table or other workspace.
There is a single lockable pocket that is large enough to hold files or your laptop, replacing the need for a separate bag for computer supplies.
A pull-out handle and wheels make this rolling medical bag easy to pull around as needed. When in an upright position, the bag sits on 4 short legs, keeping the bag portion off the ground. The bag is made of 600D waterproof polyester material. Learn more about 600D polyester and its benefits here.
What we liked:
- Wheels
- 4 luggage feet for added stability
- Computer pocket
- Retractable handle
What we didn’t like
- Can be a little cumbersome for petite persons
- Hard to find items if all the pockets are full
This is the best rolling medical bag on our list. A good bag for rolling around if you have to do a lot of travel or walking in your job. It is large enough to carry everything you should need and convenient enough to use and maneuver daily.
Hopkins Rolling Executive Home Health Care Bag
The Rolling Executive bag gives a professional appearance when you are making your house calls or on your needed rounds.
There are 3 large compartments with inner pockets that keep all your items organized. Each zipper can be locked if needed and there is a pocket that is good for your computer or tablet or other electronic devices.
A large extendable handle is included so you can roll your bag when suitable. Wheel guards help to protect the bag against scuffs and damage from stairs or escalators. In addition, large feet on the front mean the bag stays a good distance from the ground when in a standing position.
Hand straps and a shoulder strap are included if you need to carry this bag around, but it does weigh over 6 pounds alone and can be a lot to carry.
What we liked:
- Oversized wheels for navigation
- Lockable zipper enclosures
What we did not like:
- Heavy to carry
This is the best rolling medical bag that is perfect for when you need to bring all your supplies on-the-go. Compartments for all your supplies are easy to access, and this bag is very simple to use and get around.
Explorer First aid Survival Kit Emergency Kit
The Explorer M2 is another field pack that is designed specifically for medical use.
This pack has two primary areas for equipment: a smaller front area for your small items with many pouches, pockets, and straps and the larger area with a few larger pockets for your bigger items. This medic backpack also comes with two smaller pouches with MOLLE straps that can be attached to the front of the pack if you need additional space for equipment.
There are the shoulder straps with this pack, but no waist strap, so it may not be as good for long durations if the pack is full and fairly heavy. The shoulder straps do have many pockets on them for additional items such as a cell phone or keys.
There are four main colors to choose from for this pack: a digital camo print, black, tan and OD green.
What we liked:
- Plenty of space for storage
- Additional pouches can be attached if needed
What we didn’t like:
- Zippers are single stitched
- No waist strap
This is another great military style of pack that can be worn over a tactical vest or other military equipment when in the field.
Banuce Vintage Leather Briefcase for Men
As a medical professional, who doesn’t want to look like a traditional style country doctor out making house calls? The Ronts classics leather briefcase is just that traditional bag you are looking for.
This doctor bag is made from a high-quality PU leather and then lined with cotton polyester. This PU leather makes very durable and will withstand the test of time. It comes with 3 movable plates that can be inserted in the bottom of the bag, keeping it wide and allowing the bag to stand on its own with ease.
This bag is big enough to hold a small laptop or a tablet with ease. There are three separate compartments with one of them having places for pens, thermometers and other smaller tools. The larger compartments will hold your A4 files as needed as well any larger items you need to carry with you.
There is a single strap across the top of the bag to close it, and that strap is lockable so you can keep your contents safe.
What we like:
- Two very comfortable handles for carrying
- Very classic elegance
- Lockable
What we didn’t like:
- No shoulder strap
- Inserts can shift around a bit making the bag less sturdy
This is the best low-cost classic doctor’s bag and adds a level of distinct elegance to any professional. A traditional sense of style gives this a great look for any doctor on-the-go.
ADC Nurse/Physician Nylon Medical Equipment Instrument Bag
The ADC medical bag is a no-nonsense medical bag that is designed to hold and protect your medical equipment while on-the-go.
The bag has a single, large middle compartment that has two interior zippered pockets and 11 interior gusseted pockets of various sizes to keep all your item secure. There is a double zipper opening for the main compartment and a foam bottom to help protect your items.
The outside has a single zippered pocket that is big enough to hold your stethoscope or similar size equipment.
There is a big shoulder strap for convenient carrying and handle straps as well if needed. The bag comes in three colors: black, green, and blue.
What we like:
- A simple yet well laid-out bag.
- Great storage
- Durable
What we didn’t like:
- No inner space dividers
- Only one outer pocket
This is the best sports medical bag for the field or locker room. The bag itself is lightweight meaning that when you fill it up, you are not carrying all bag, the weight is of the items inside.
Leather Doctor Bag Medical Satchel Unisex
This leather satchel is the quintessential leather doctor bag. And by leather, we mean real hand-dyed full-grain calfskin. The tanning itself is made from vegetables and does not contain any harmful chemicals. With leather bags, what you can enjoy from their use is that they actually get better over time. Unlike synthetic fabrics, leather develops its own patina from being handled and takes on a delicious “weathered” look over the years.
This doctor bag’s quite functional, with a large opening to a single, spacious compartment that can fit a 12-inch MacBook. This interior is lined with cotton and also includes a zip pocket and two open pockets. The design features brass hardware with a push button closure and functional lock key! This is definitely a statement piece for doctors and medical professionals.
What we liked
- Beautiful leather
- Big interior space that is easy to access with gape frame opening
- Functioning lock buckle
What we didn’t like
- No shoulder strap
This is the best classic looking doctor’s bag for the professional who wants to take it to the next level, professionally speaking. A gorgeous looking bag that is also quite functional.
Related: Our 7 Top Picks Best Shoes for Doctors
Prestige Medical Nurse’s Car-GO Bag
This is a small travel bag for a nurse who is on-the-go. The bag is designed to sit on the front seat or on the floor of the car and remain in place.
This small travel bag has several dedicated pockets like a mug holder, a mesh front pouch, a cell phone side pouch, and a removable aneroid compartment. The top has a mesh pouch in it and can be flipped over the top and velcroed closed.
The bag has a velcro bottom that can be used to attach to car seats or rugs on the floor to keep the bag in place. There is also a strap that can go around the seat to keep it from moving around.
What we liked:
- Convenient size
- Many pockets for separation of items
- A way to keep it from moving around in the car
What we didn’t like:
- No zipper enclosure
- Not convenient to carry around if needed.
This is the best car seat organizer medical bag for those who need something to stay in their car while they are going around doing their rounds. The bag will conveniently hold your essentials and provides easy access.
Ergodyne Arsenal First Responder Supply Bag
As a first responder, you need your bag to be as functional and organized as possible in emergency situations. The Ergodyne bag does just that for you and keeps items safe until needed.
The large inner section comes with 4 handy dividers so you can section off the main pouch and customize where you want to store your gear. Each of the side pockets flips down and stores all your quickly-needed supplies for easy access.
The bag is durable, made with a 600D polyester, and the bottom is reinforced with tarpaulin and molded feet to keep out dirt and water from the ground.
Four v-rings are in place for you to clip accessories to the bag if needed and a shoulder strap can be clipped on for comfortable over-the-shoulder carrying.
What we liked:
- Decent-sized bag
- Protection against wetness and dirt
- Medic logo printed on the front of the bag
What we didn’t like:
- Inner dividers are held on with velcro and can come out of place easily
- Bag will collapse easily if not completely full.
This is the best EMT / trauma bag that is a perfect first responders bag and will hold all the items you need in an emergency situation.
VooDoo Tactical Medic Bag
The VooDoo Tactical Men’s Medic bag is an updated version of the original M3 Medic bag used by the US military.
There are three fold-out compartments that can be used to store your medical supplies. The compartments fold back into themselves to create a nice compact carrying case. A snap-tight cover keeps all the compartments together and maintains the bag’s integrity.
MOLLE style straps are added to the back so you can attach it to any MOLLE system vest or pack and you can also use the alice clips if you want to attach to a pistol belt. There is a removable shoulder strap as well if you want to carry it in the traditional over-the-shoulder style.
This best tactical medical bag is available in 4 different colors: urban digital camo, black, olive drab and red.
What we like:
- Cool military style bag
- Durable for constant use
What we didn’t like:
- No inner pouches or straps
This is the best classic military medic bag that can be used as a simple shoulder carry bag or a smaller basic medic bag with all the essential supplies.
Medical Bag Buying Tips
What Makes a Great Medical Bag?
A medical bag can be a very personal tool for any doctor or nurse, and while there is no definitive answer of what constitutes the best medical bag, there are some things you can put into consideration when you are looking for your perfect medical bag.
Bag Construction
Construction should be paramount when looking at a bag, especially if you want your medical bag to last as long as possible. Sturdy materials that offer water resistance should be considered. Some of these materials may include nylon or have waterproof-coated ballistic materials. Stitching should also be considered as a more durable stitch will of course, last longer than a basic single stitch edge.
Storage & Compartments
You need to consider carefully what kind of storage and inner compartments you need when you are making your purchase. If you need a lot of equipment with you, then you will need a bag that is the right size to accommodate the necessary items you need to carry daily.
Ease of Transportation
Another thing to highly consider is how you will be transporting your bag. Do you have to carry it everywhere? Can you roll it? Do you want to use a strap or use handles. Consider this carefully because if you need to bring it with you everywhere, you don’t want fatigue to set in and possibly interfere with your duties. Sometimes it can make more sense to use a backpack instead of a shoulder bag if you are doing a lot of activity or have to walk long distances.
Functionality
It is a good idea to consider function over fashion as you will need your bag to perform as required. If you purchase a high-fashion bag that does not meet all your needs, you will ultimately be disappointed.
How Much Should You Expect to Spend?
Since each medical bag will be tailored to your particular activity, this can range anywhere from twenty dollars to several hundred dollars. Once you are sure of the type of medical bag you are needing, then you can look further into options regarding a particular style.
Consider if the bag you are wanting has a warranty or any kind of guarantee, as you can consider this bag to be an investment into your ability to perform your job with ease.
We hope you found this list helpful and found what you needed in our 11 favorite medical bags.
