I carry both sponges and granules. The benefit of the granules is: it'll close off an arterial bleeder that a sponge can't reach.

The granules use an exothermic reaction to "fuse" the wound. This in a deep, but narrow injury could be all that is available to stop an arterial bleed-out. Tourniquets can be used also, but require constant monitoring (to prevent limb loss) and can't be used on non-extremity wounds.