Cairn is a monthly subscription box that sends members outdoor, adventure, and fitness gear. Cairn’s goal is to enrich your outdoor adventures by connecting you with best-in-class products. It was chosen as one of our favorite subscription boxes for men but is suited to adventurers of all identities.
In addition to the monthly subscription, Cairn also offers a premium quarterly box, Cairn Obsidian; UnStacked by Cairn, a unique gear auction site in which prices drop over time; and Kitted, a curated gear “styling” service.
Cairn also has a give-back program called Gear Up, Give Back, where outdoor enthusiasts can send in their retired gear and Gear Fix will repair it and sell it in their shop. The net proceeds are then matched by Cairn and Gear Fix and donated to Outdoors For All, an organization working to enrich the quality of life of children and adults with disabilities through the outdoors.
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE $34.99 MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION.
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.)
First Impressions
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My Cairn box arrived packaged securely. I appreciate that Cairn customizes the box each month to perfectly fit what's inside. No excess packaging here, and it's always recyclable – this month's box broke down especially easily.
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I always look forward to the monthly Cairn Scout included in each box – September's theme is "Fueled For Fun". The newspaper-style info sheet provides detailed background on each item included within, along with a feature on a Cairn community member. This month also included instructions for making Cowboy Coffee – coffee made over a campfire with no filter. I'm a huge coffee fanatic – just typing that made me want a cup!
Now, on to the items!
Outdoor Element Aluminum Pot – Ms. Pots
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This 750 mL aluminum camp pot from Outdoor Element is the perfect size for backpacking or a day hike – even cooking something (or brewing a pot of coffee?) on the beach. It pairs perfectly with the next item, too. I was unable to find this particular pot online, but the Cairn Scout mentions this item is new, so it could be that it's just not available online. You can shop a similar, titanium pot here for $34.95 (considering this pot is aluminum, my guess is the Ms. Pots would ring in less expensively). I've mentioned before that I'm not big on backpacking, but honestly, Cairn is wearing me down with all these backpacking-focused boxes. Suddenly, I'm craving coffee on a mountaintop as the sun rises.
Outdoor Element Pot Gripper & Fuel Canister Recycle Tool - Retail Value $14.95
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This item is a very necessary pairing for the Ms. Pots Aluminum Pot since the pot has no handle – it's a handle and fuel canister recycle tool in one. This pot gripper (named Handled by Outdoor Element) attaches securely to the Ms. Pots so you can safely remove the pot from your camp stove or fire – no burned hands here. Its integrated design can also be used to safely release excess gas and puncture holes in spent fuel canisters so the canisters can be recycled. Handy!
Stasher Reusable Snack Bag – Retail Value $9.99
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Who doesn't love a Stasher bag? I've tried many reusable snack/food storage bags, and Stasher Bags are by far the easiest to reseal. This bright orange bag is the perfect size to bring along to the beach for a post-surf snack - and that's exactly how I used it on Sunday for an afternoon surf session. It held my trail mix like a champ, and I'm pleased to say that no sand made its way inside the bag.
Bonus Item
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Packet – Estimated Retail Value $1.50
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Full disclosure: I've been a fan of Four Sigmatic for a long time, especially these instant coffee packets, so I was very happy to see one included. This particular blend includes functional mushrooms lion's mane and chaga, along with Rhodiola, to support concentration. These packets are ideal for travel, and I always carry some with me when I'm flying (so much better than airplane coffee! Pro tip: just ask for a cup of hot water from the flight attendant). A packet this size wouldn't make a full pot of coffee or fill the 750 mL camp pot, but I appreciate the thought of this being included to round out the curation this month. I mixed this with some hot water and almond milk and poured it into my to-go cup to enjoy on the beach after my surf – it didn't disappoint!
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost:$34.99
This month's box felt well-rounded and fit well with the September theme "Fueled for Fun". The pot and handle feel unique, although I'm counting them as a single item since you really can't use the pot without the handle. I'll never turn down a Stasher bag, and the snack size of this one is ideal for on-the-go snacks for surfing or hiking. The Four Sigmatic coffee packet was a welcome surprise, although a full bag of coffee would have made this box feel more complete and more in line value-wise. I always look forward to receiving my Cairn box each month – I think they've finally inspired me to get more comfortable with backpacking!
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Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, order now to receive the September delivery while stocks last.
Value Breakdown: At $34.99 for this box, each of the items inside has an average cost of $11.66. I'm not counting the coffee packet because it felt like more of a "bonus" item.
What do you think of Cairn this month? Did you receive any of the same items as me?
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