Cairn is a subscription service that delivers outdoor gear every month. They are inspired to enrich and expand the outdoor experience by fostering connections among those who create and enjoy it.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Cairn
The Subscription Box: Cairn
The Cost: $29.95 per month with discounts for 6- and 12- month subscriptions
The Products: “A recurring delivery of outdoor related products sent to your doorstep! Get introduced to new brands and products, including gear, apparel, nutrition/energy, skincare, and more.”
Ships to: U.S. for free, Canada for $5, and Internationally for $10
Cairn February 2018 Review
As usual, we get a Cairn logo sticker this month.
Cairn Scout! Featuring all the info we’re used to - full descriptions of each item, coupons from manufacturers, a look at the current Obsidian box, tips for using your new gear, and more. It is printed on easily recyclable newsprint too.
Bee's Wrap in Large - Retail Value $7.20
Bee's Wrap in Small – Retail Value $6.00
First up this month we get these two reusable beeswax wraps from Bee’s Wrap! This was a totally new product to me, and I’ve been using them at home for the past few weeks. The wraps are made from organic cotton, beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin, and can be used to wrap individual pieces of food or to seal containers. You warm up the wrap with your hands and as it cools it holds it’s shape! The small size is good for half a lemon or sealing a small bowl, while the larger can seal up half a watermelon. These are a great alternative to plastic wrap, and they are reusable! I’ve washed these a few times and they are still holding up.
Go Macro Macrobar – Estimated Value $2.89 (Buy 12 for $34.68)
Up next we get this fruit and oat bar from Macrobar! I got Cherries and Berries flavor, and it was seriously delicious. It’s very chewy and pretty filling, but only has 4g of protein. This would be a nice treat on the trail for a quick boost, but ultimately that’s about half the amount of protein as some other bars we’ve gotten in Cairn's past.
Lifestraw Universal – Retail Value $34.95
Finally this month we get this Lifestraw Universal kit which allows you to filter water from all the most common water bottles out there. Lifestraw removes 99.99% of waterborne bacteria and protozoa, and filters up to 4,000 gallons of water, or over 15,000-liter bottles! Lifestraws also have a replaceable carbon capsule which removes bad taste, chlorine, odor and more. The capsule lasts for 100 liters, so you’d need to replace it every now and again. The Universal kit comes with 2 lid adaptors to fit wide or slim mouth bottles from Nalgene, Hydroflask, Camelbak, Kleen Kanteen and others. I’ve never had one of these but they’ve always been intriguing. I normally carry a pump or gravity filter when I hike, but this would drastically reduce weight and space in my pack.
Verdict: My February Cairn was great! The straw and wraps are great for camping or daily use, and the macrobar was a solid introduction to a new brand of trail snacks. This month’s value adds up to $51.04, again slightly lower than some previous Cairn boxes but well over the initial investment.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Based on their subscription model, your items may vary based on your survey responses and boxes you have received in the past.
Coupon - Use code TRAILHEAD to get the Trailhead welcome box your first month! Check out our review of the Trailhead Welcome Box to see what will be included.
Value Breakdown: At $29.95 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- Large and Small Wraps: $7.75
- Bar: $1.70
- Lifestraw: $20.51
Check out all of our Cairn box reviews and the Lifestyle Subscription Box Directory!
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What do you think of Cairn this month? Did you get the same items?
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