The GQ Best Stuff Box is a quarterly men's subscription from GQ magazine that's $50 a box with free shipping. The box features $200 worth of products that the editors have curated after testing and finding them to be the best in their class. It also usually includes at least one voucher for a high value to be redeemed via the featured brand's website. Although this subscription is geared towards men, most women we know tend to love it for themselves!
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About GQ Best Stuff Box
The Subscription Box: GQ Best Stuff Box
The Cost: $50/quarter + free shipping
The Products: “The GQ BEST STUFF BOX is a quarterly subscription box featuring the things we love—rigorously tested and loved by GQ editors. It includes our favorite electronics, grooming products, and accessories—every box valued at over $200 each”
Ships to: The US (including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico)
GQ Best Stuff Box Spring 2020 Review
As soon as I saw this box arrive at the office I kept loudly remarking how amazing it looked and screaming "I'm gonna buy this for Kurt!" Megan, the sweetheart that she is, said "Why don't you just review it this time?" and here we are. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, I suppose. Honestly, everything in this box looks so good that I'd buy it for myself, but I'm also so engrossed in my own products to review that I thought I'd kindly ask my sweetheart Kurt to help me out. Secretly, I just want him to start a skincare routine with the cleanser included...
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Each box comes with a small poster that folds out to reveal all of the goodies inside. There is a short description as well as their retail values.
Rhone Versatility Workout Shorts - Retail Value $78.00 (with tax and shipping, these probably hit the $85 listed value)
Although he'll have to wait for them to arrive, it's very cool that this voucher gets Kurt a full-price pair of shorts in his choice of color, size, and length, as well as if he wants them lined or unlined. Since he doesn't have to pay shipping, tax, or even put in a credit card number for these, they are totally free. Yay! The only downside is that as soon as I went to redeem these for him, every size and color in the 7" length was sold out. He ended up just choosing the longer 9" length, lined, and in black in a size small. We'll have to report back on these when they show up.
UPDATE 3/11: The shorts actually shipped extremely quickly (I ordered on the 24th and they arrived on the 26th). It just took me a while to get the shorts to Kurt and get this update posted.
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The Rhone shorts showed up in a flat paper mailer with a packing list that also went over their returns and exchanges policy.
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The shorts themselves are a REALLY nice quality! The size small that Kurt ordered ended up fitting him perfectly. They have a lining that is essentially bike shorts that fit tightly under the looser outer legs which I assume is great for working out. Kurt isn't a gym guy but he'll do situps and pushups at home and wears shorts to lounge around in at home. He was impressed with the quality as much as I was and remarked at the ventilation strip in the back as well as the sturdy zip pockets. There's also a tie at the waist to cinch and make sure they fit securely while moving around. I thought these would look long on Kurt since the 9" length is the longer of the ones offered but they looked great! Now I'm thinking the 7" length would have maybe looked too short. An excellent pair of shorts that Kurt really liked!
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Nalgene 32 oz Wide Water Bottle, exclusive GQ design - Listed Value $20.00 (Other graphic bottles found here for $12.99)
Have you ever seen such a cute water bottle?! There appear to be three different designs (looking at the info sheet) that all feature outdoorsy-themes and I think we got the best one. It has a big mountain tree reading a magazine with little bunnies surrounding it and birds above while in the sunshine. The illustration is in an olive green ink and the bottle has a contrasting yellow and green cap that screws off. This wide-mouth Nalgene holds 32 ounces of water which is perfect because Kurt needs to drink more of it, especially in this dry season. I'm a little surprised to see such a cute design in a men's box but I'm hoping the dudes who get this appreciate it.
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Oars + Alps Full Size Natural Deodorant in Fresh Ocean Splash, 2.6 fl oz - Retail Value $14.00
I must admit, I am sort of natural deodorant-obsessed and have been wanting to try this one after seeing it in ads. Kurt currently uses Tom's of Maine deodorant but he was really curious to try this one out. He's into day two and has reported back that it's standing its ground and keeping him fresh. We both really like the scent that came (there are variations) and it just hits the mark really well. Plus, look at how sleek that packaging is? I also like that they have a little "Deo Detox Guide" that you can read if you're switching to natural deodorant from an antiperspirant for the first time.
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Koa Skincare Daily Cleanser, 3.4 oz. - Retail Value $18.00
Like a lot of men who do nothing but use bar soap on their faces, Kurt has great skin. The only caveat is that I've noticed he is a little dry this winter, so I dab moisturizer on his face when I can (he's a good sport). Using a cleanser that is actually meant for you face is a great first step to balancing his skin so I gleefully presented him with this one evening like a proud Mom. The cleanser is made with sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate which is a coconut-derived cleanser, aloe vera to soothe, antioxidant green tea, licorice root to also soothe, and yuzu which has vitamin C to brighten. Kurt said he's been using this in the shower and that it feels nice and clean and he likes the way it smells. I don't think he appreciates having an extra product to use, but he's being a good sport and I think he'll eventually notice a difference. He says that the fact he's still using it is a pretty great compliment coming from him. 😂
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Field Notes National Parks Notebooks, 3 ct - Retail Value $12.95
Well, this set of three mini Field Notes notebooks are just perfect. Kurt and I talk nonstop about what National Parks we want to visit this year so this is clearly right up both of our alleys. I am an avid note-taker while Kurt usually relies on his memory for things like packing or grocery lists. I'm trying to get him into jotting down to-do lists for when we go running errands next but he didn't have anywhere to really write things down until now. One of these can be tossed into the glovebox of his car, one in a backpack for trips, and the other I will be stealing for myself (thank you very much). Each notebook has 48 graph paper pages and has cute little extras like a ruler on the inside of the cover and some facts about each National Park! There are four variations of this set with different parks in each one. Ours contained illustrated covers by various artists featuring the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, and Mount Rainier. Kurt and I both haven't been to any of these, but it's inspiring him to do so and we have a Seattle trip tentatively planned for July so... see ya soon, Mt. Ranier!
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Spitfire BC2 sunglasses - Retail Value $49.00
I'm a little shocked that GQ has two sunglasses variants that subscribers could receive that have a huge difference in retail value. Kurt got the cheaper pair of sunglasses which ended up being great because they're a style that suits him better. The other option is a clear pair from Raen that retails for $135 and you can find here. While I personally prefer round frames, Kurt looks great in this more square wayfarer-style pair from Spitfire (that he received in black) so he's happy. He normally wears prescription sunglasses since he often prefers wearing his glasses to contacts, but he can wear these if he is indeed wearing his contact lenses for some reason. I know a lot of people who normally wear glasses aren't super pumped on this item, and I can totally see why. Thankfully, I normally wear contacts so I can also swipe these from Kurt when he isn't using them. I think they're sturdy and feel well made as well.
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Gold Toe Casual Traveler Socks in Sky and Blue Wave, 2-pack - Retail Value $15.00
The first thing about this box I said to Kurt was "Wait 'til you feel how soft the socks are!!" I can't get over how incredibly cozy these feel and I'm bummed that they are waaaaay too big for me to steal. There are two pairs in the pack in different colors. One pair is a heathered grey with dark blue heathered accents on the top, toe, and heel. The other is a heathered baby blue with contrasting cream and red accents. When Kurt first picked them up he was impressed and thought they were nice and thick which would be perfect for hiking. I agree! The socks are made of 46% polyester, 36% rayon, 15% nylon, 3% spandex and feature arch support in the middle of the foot which I know feels amazing from past experiences. After a couple of wears, Kurt reports that they're super soft, comfy, and warm. Just as suspected!
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Tiger Balm Active Pain Relieving Muscle Spray, 2.53 oz. - Retail Value $6.79
GQ lists this as a "sponsored" product on the info sheet which I honestly appreciate. I'm assuming it means that the brand is putting this in the box for free to get exposure. At least GQ is calling it out as such which many boxes wouldn't. While it still adds to the value, I think of these more as bonus items. The first of two sponsored items, this one is a full-size can of muscle spray. Kurt said he doesn't really foresee having a need for it, so I may be swiping it for my roommate who has been having an awful lot of issues with his shoulder, prepping food in a restaurant. I've always known Tiger Balm as being a long-trusted brand, so this easier-to-use spray will probably come in handy at some point.
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Dude Wipes On the Go Wipes, 3 ct - Listed Value $2.00
This is the second sponsored product and one that made Kurt scrunch up his face a little when I said he could use them for his bum. He's not a gym guy but once he read that these can be used in other areas of the body, he thought maybe they'd come in handy deep in the summer months to freshen up after a hike or on a road trip. Three come in the pack and they are supposedly flushable (though, as a woman, I don't believe ANYTHING to truly be that way besides TP).
Verdict: I was personally pretty obsessed with our first GQ Best Stuff Box and I think it's safe to say that Kurt was very pleased to receive it as a gift. His favorite items were the deodorant and socks (a practical man, indeed) but the sunglasses were probably not a great item for him as a wearer of prescription sunnies. He said that this box "got his attention" and while I think a lot of guys may not purchase a box like this themselves, it's clear that it'd make a great gift. Kurt found most things quite useful and I'm hoping that the cleanser opens up a newfound love of skincare for him (ok, pipe dreams). This box has a total value of $216.79 (including the cheaper pair of sunglasses) which is great for the $50 cost. If you receive the more expensive pair of sunglasses, the value goes up to $302.79. We'll report back about the shorts, but for now, I think this box (and subscription) is a winner!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, the Spring 2020 box is available now!
Value Breakdown: For $50 for this box, here's what you're paying for each item:
- Shorts (voucher): $17.99
- Water Bottle: $4.61
- Deodorant: $3.23
- Face Cleanser: $4.15
- Field Notes: $2.99
- Sunglasses: $11.30
- Socks: $3.46
- Muscle Spray: $1.57
- Dude Wipes: $0.46
Check out all of our GQ Best Stuff Box Reviews and check out some of our other favorite men's subscription boxes!
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What are your thoughts on the Spring 2020 GQ Best Stuff Box? Do you know someone who'd love this box?
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