The GQ Best Stuff Box is a quarterly men's subscription from GQ magazine that's $59 per quarter (or $216 per quarter with an annual subscription) and ships for free. The box features $200 worth of products the editors have curated after testing and finding them to be the best in their class. Although this subscription is geared towards men, women love it for themselves as well. This quarter's box is about gearing up for the Spring.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
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This quarter's box continues the new design and updated index sheet. It's larger, which keeps me from squinting too much. Each item includes a code for a discount at each manufacturer.
Inside the GQ Best Stuff Summer 2023 Box
Bather Solid Pine Swim Trunks - Retail Value $90
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This quarter's big item is a pair of swimming trunks from Bather. This classic Swim Trunk in Pine is the newest addition to the Bather collection and features an elasticized waist with an ultra fine four-way stretch mesh lining. It has a 100% recycled quick-dry nylon shell and 90% Nylon/10% Spandex ultra fine mesh. There are reinforced side pockets with a back pocket with snap enclosure. I love the way it feels. I've had many, many trunks over the years and these are definitely the softest and most comfortable.
Long time subscribers may recognize this item from the Summer 2020 box. Three years is a decent period of time to wait before repeating items that may need renewed, like a swimsuit, because if you're like me, you may have put on a few pounds the past few years. Luckily for me, I didn't review that box. So this is a new item for me and it couldn't have come at a better time. It's finally staying hot enough to swim in our pool.
UpWest Washed Baseball Cap - Retail Value $28
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This vintage-looking uni-sex ball cap would look good at the ballgame, the beach, or in the garden. Wherever. It's breathable and light. I love the washed denim look and that there is (almost) no branding. It's just a hat and I really appreciate that. Unfortunately, I have a huge melon and have never been able to wear hats. So will item will get passed on to a friend or one of my kiddos.
Riddle Oil Santal Roll-On Fragrance - Retail Value $58
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This fragrance from Riddle smells like you're riding shotgun on a stagecoach. The website uses words like "spicy" and "woody." It has hints of cardamom, amber, orchid, cassis, and the ever-present sandalwood. I enjoy the scent and the roll-on applicator, which prevents me from accidentally applying too much. I like that it's full-size, but also travel-size.
4Ocean Shark Beaded Bracelet - Retail Value $24
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Every one of these bracelets purchased funds the removal of one pound of trash from the ocean, rivers, and coastlines and raises awareness for sharks – a misunderstood creature close to my heart. The cord and bracelet are made from post-consumer recycled material, included material pulled from the ocean. Even the little charm is recycled. While I am personally not much of an accessory kind of guy, I am very much a shark kind of guy. So I appreciate what this company is doing. One very small complaint is that my bracelet did not actually come with the shark charm. There was however a small sticker to represent the "Pull a Pound for the Sharks" movement, which I just realized I forgot to photograph.
Explorer "Classic" Cold Brew Concentrate - Estimated Value $5.60
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I recently reviewed this exact cold brew concentrate from Bespoke Post. Long story short: coffee concentrate is not for me. However, I never turn down a coffee and I did enjoy this item ... just not as much as a real cold brew. It's interesting to me that they redesigned, upped the price, and changed their instructions since April. Price aside, I like the new look and their "figure it out for yourself" instructions. I like the idea of coffee concentrate, but for $5+ a pop, I'll just go with a cold brew from the cafe.
Note: You can purchase a 4-pack of these for $22.50. That comes to about $5.60 a little bottle.
Egyptian Magic Skin Cream - Retail Value $6
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This mysterious multi-purpose balm totes all natural ingredients with no additives, preservatives, nor fragrances. The website claims it "has been used as a face moisturizer, an eye cream, a scar treatment, a hair mask, a baby cream, a shaving balm and anything else you can think of. It also works wonders on eczema, skin irritations and redness, burn and wound relief." It seems that it can do anything and everything. There are a couple uses I might skip, but one thing is for sure, this will likely to join me and my wife's routine.
Youth to the People Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask - Estimated Value $3.23
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This scentless, triple-clay power mask is "supercharged" with exfoliating salicylic acid and 2% niacinamide, which is a form of vitamin B3 that your body needs to help maintain healthy-looking skin. Like most masks: apply to clean skin, wait, wash, and dry. I loved the way to left my skin feeling. I only wish I had more as this was just a small sample. For goodness sake, the lid is the biggest part of this item.
Kocostar Foot Therapy - Retail Value $10
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I've reviewed many masks, but this is my first time trying a revitalizing mask ... for your feet. You wear these little footies for 90 minutes and rinse. Keep your feet moist everyday and within a week your skin will begin to exfoliate. Don't force the process by peeling or scrubbing. The dead skin will fall off naturally and you'll soon have softer, fresher, healthier feet. It's recommended that you only do this once a month at most.
Momentous Gift Card - Retail Value $25 (with $50 minimum purchase)
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Momentous has an array of supplements and recovery products that can help you with things like endurance, sleep, or building muscle. GQ hooked up subscribers with a $25 gift card (with a $50 minimum purchase). I'm including this item in the review, because it was in the booklet. However, I don't really consider this an item of any value. It's just a coupon that requires a purchase.
Verdict
For the third installment in a row, GQ Best Stuff Box relied on a repeat item from 2020. While I think they can do better to find new and different items, at least this time it was swimming trunks. It's not a bad idea to get a new pair every couple of years. They were easily my favorite item. They'll get a lot of use this summer. I also really enjoyed the hat, even if I can't use it myself. I just like the idea of a plain hat to accent an outfit. The balm was also a hit for me. The bracelet was a great idea and execution, but is not for me. Not to mention subscribers got a bracelet last quarter. The cold brew concentrate was OK. This quarter's products - mask, fragrance, and foot therapy – were all nice. Overall, this was a decent summer box. If I could change something, I think I would drop the hat or bracelet and spring for a full-sized Egyptian Balm or face mask.
Keep track of your subscriptions by adding this box to your subscription list or wishlist.
Let's Talk About Value
By my calculations, this box clocks in at around $225. That's more than four times the cost for GQ Best Stuff Box. That does not include the gift card. Even though this box is $100 less than last quarter's box, it's an incredible value for just $59.
For $59 for this box, here's approximately what you're paying for each item:
- Trunks ($90): $20
- Hat ($28): $6.22
- Fragrance ($58): $12.89
- Bracelet ($24): $5.33
- Cold Brew ($5.60): $15.25
- Egyptian Balm ($6): $1.24
- Power Mask ($3.23): $0.72
- Foot Therapy ($10): $2.22
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes. As of this post, the box is still available.
Would you grab the "Summer 2023" GQ Best Stuff Box for a guy in your life... or yourself?
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