Bespoke Post is a monthly membership club that delivers high-quality lifestyle products from up-and-coming brands. It’s voted as one of the best men’s subscription boxes of 2021 by our readers and it’s a great box for women and couples as well.
When you sign up, there’s a quiz to determine your preferences and interests, then you’re matched with a new themed box every month. For $49 per month, each box promises at least $70 in retail value with items ranging from outdoor gear, barware, home, and kitchen goods, clothing, and more.
Unlike most subscription boxes, you get to preview your Bespoke Post box before it ships and you can easily swap for a different box or skip the month for no charge. You only pay for the months that interest you.
This is a review of the limited edition "Issue Two" box, which costs $75, which is $30 more than the usual subscription amount.
MSA pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
First Impressions
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Bespoke Post always has good presentation, but they designed a special box for their collaboration with Esquire. In fact, it feels more like an Esquire box via Bespoke, since everything is from the editors. The box typically comes with a card to let you know what's inside and a little bit about each item. This one is larger than any other I've received and had to be folded into the box. It has a note from the Esquire editors.
Inside the Bespoke Post x Esquire "Issue Two" Box
Columbia Field Watch - Retail Value $75
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I got back in the watch game via Bespoke Post back in April of this year with their "Trek" box. Although I do not wear the watch as often as I like, due to my dirty profession, when I do I love it. So I jumped at the opportunity to grab another Columbia Field Watch. This time it is designed exclusively for this box by Bespoke Post and Esquire. I really dig the striped design and choice of color. It feels like something you'd wear to match your classic car. It is water-resistant up to 50 meters and features a stainless steel case and rugged nylon strap. I love the simple, tan face with black numbers and silver hands. It just looks so classic. I like having two watches that I can choose from depending on my outfit/mood.
The watch itself is currently sold out on Bespoke Post's site, where it went for $75. Here is a black version on Amazon, also $75. Perhaps it is worth noting that this whole box cost $75. Strangely, there seem to be no watches on Columbia's site. Am I missing something? After a quick internet search, Columbia watches are almost non-existent.
Tactica Bottle Opener - Retail Value $19.95
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I like any excuse to buy more beer. I usually drink from cans but bought a case of bottles just for this opener. I'm already a few beers in at this point and have to say I really like this opener. It's substantial, yet lightweight. I'd almost say it is too big for a bottle opener, but it rests just right in my hand and the extended length makes short work of its one and only purpose. It's six inches long and two inches wide. I like the matte black look, but am curious if it will show wear over time. Their website says it will never rust. I thought this was an excellent inclusion for this box. If you'd like one of your own, but don't like the price tag, here it is for $9.95.
Rains Card Holder - Retail Value $34
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Rains is known for its waterproof items. I have a dopp kit (or pencil case, I'm still not sure) from a GQ Box. Although I don't use it for toiletries, it has held up nicely through a year of use. Here is a thin wallet or cardholder from the same company. Although I never thought of needing a waterproof wallet, I have been wanting one of these thin card holders for some time. So I was very excited to receive it. It has two card slots on each side and a center one for cash, which I just realized I failed to photograph. On the Rains website, it comes in four colors. If you are purchasing the Issue Two box from Bespoke, you have the opinion of two colors. I really like it, but I have one small complaint. When it is full of cards, it slightly fans out at the top. Not a deal-breaker. I think this will be my wallet of choice moving forward.
D.S. & Durga Auto Freshener - Retail Value $12
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This item falls under the "Things I didn't know I needed" category. D.S. & Durga offers candles, air fresheners, and perfumes with special and incredible scents such as Big Surprise After a Rain, Portable Fireplace, and Concrete After Lightening. The latter is the scent of this air freshener meant to be hung from your rearview mirror and the smell is amazing. I don't know how else to describe it beyond its name. I am one of those people partial to the smell of concrete after rain. So this one really hit home for me. The price tag is a little high for me, but it is unlike any air freshener I have smelled before. Check out their other scents here.
Rudy's Shower Bomb - Retail Value $4
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I had done bath bombs before, but this was a new experience for me. This shower bomb accented my shower very well. Just unwrap, place it where it will get wet, but not soaked, and enjoy. It's not something I think I would buy for myself, but like a lot of things I receive in subscription boxes, I enjoyed the new experience.
Note: This individual item is sold out, but different scents can be purchased as part of a bundle here for $15.
Verdict
Every one of these items was a home run for me, save for the shower bomb. I enjoyed it but didn't move the meter for me. The watch, of course, is amazing, classic, and useful. It's what really drew me to this box and I wasn't disappointed. The wallet was something I had wanted for a while. The bottle opener and air freshener surprised me by being even better than I expected. It'd be too easy to pick the watch as the best item, so I'm picking the bottle opener as my favorite. I love its design, feel, and functionality. Overall, this was such a solid box. The three main items feel like they will last me for many years to come. The fragrant items, while finite, served their purpose well. Especially the air freshener, which has really stuck with me. If this box is any indication, I hope to see more collaborations by Bespoke Post. For the record, here are Issue One (sold out) and Issue Three. In my opinion, Issue Two is the superior option.
At $75, this is tied for the most expensive box I have received. The other is the recent "Future of Grooming" box from GQ. In that review, I said I would like to see a future box dedicated to items that are gentlemanly, rather than grooming products. This box from Bespoke Post and Esquire is what I had in mind. Bravo.
Let's Talk About Value
The items of this box clock in at $145. That's about twice the cost of the limited edition box. You could look at it like you paid for the watch and got everything else free or that everything in the box cost half its price. Any way you look at it, this was an incredible box and, in my opinion, worth the extra cost.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, the "Issue Two" box is available at the time of this post, but it is a limited edition situation.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist.
What do you think of the "Issue Two" Bespoke Post box? Let us know in the comments below.
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