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 March 2018 Review
As usual, we get a Cairn logo sticker.
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.
This month, Cairn has launched the Gear Up Give Back program in conjunction with another Oregon company, The Gear Fix. They’ve sent along a large pre-paid mailer to send in your used outdoor gear as a donation. The gear will be donated to others who need gear or be used to benefit The Conservation Alliance - a group working to preserve wild places. I think this is a great idea - we’re getting tons of gear from Cairn and when I upgrade an item I’d love to know that my used gear is going to someone who could use it. The included bag could easily fit a compressed sleeping bag, a couple pieces of clothing, or 15-20 smaller pieces of random gear.
Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Repellant – Retail Value $49.99
The main item this month is this rechargeable mosquito repeller from Thermacell. It’s small and light and boasts a scent-free 110 square foot protection-from-mosquitos zone! This should pretty adequately cover a relatively standard campsite for a handful of people. The repeller recharges via USB and comes with a cable. The battery only lasts about 6 hours, so if you’re planning a trip where you hang around the site all weekend, you’ll want to bring a USB backup to keep things running. Thermacell included a 12-hour refill but they also offer 40-hour refills on their site, along with several other interesting repellant tools. Of course, it snowed where I am today so I won’t get to adequately test it for a couple of weeks.
Bobo's Lemon Poppy Seed Oat Bar – Retail Value $3.49
This month’s snack item was absolutely scrumptious! This oat bar from Bobo’s is more like a piece of heavy cake than a standard trail snack. The lemon flavor really pops and the full bar has about 4g of protein. This would be great in the morning with a cup of trail coffee and some eggs!
Verdict: My March Cairn was good. I’m loving the idea of the Gear Up, Give Back program, and the mosquito repeller is a really interesting little piece of tech. This month’s value adds up to $53.48, well over the initial cost. I kind of like the idea of a single high-quality item + snack too - it is a nice complement to the new Gear Up, Give Back program.
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:
- Repellant: $27.99
- Bar: $1.95
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What do you think of Cairn this month? Did you get the same items?
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