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My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
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Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box Review – July 2017

Andy
ByAndyJul 17, 2017 | 12 comments

See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review!

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.

See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review!

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review!

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

Check out all of our Cairn box reviews and the Lifestyle Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review!

This month's issue of Cairn Scout features all the info we’re used to—full descriptions of each item, coupons from manufacturers, a look at the next Obsidian box, tips for using your new gear, and more. It looks like it’s printed on easily recyclable newsprint too.

See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review!

Here's the Cairn logo sticker this month. Back to the brick red color for me. My hopes of building a rainbow of Cairn stickers are squashed!

See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review!

GobiGear 20L Seg Sac – Value $24.99

First up this month, we have this awesome segmented stuff sack from GobiGear! Number one—how have I never heard of these? And number two—how has it taken this long to come up with this genius idea? At first, I was like “Oh great, a stuff sack, I have a billion of these,” but when I realized it had the segments, I was embarrassingly over-excited! I received a 20L version, though Cairn Scout lists the 15L version. I was able to easily fit my Serac hammock and straps in one segment, my ultralight Marmot sleeping bag in another, a rain fly and camping pillow in the third, and a shirt, socks, and underwear in the fourth. It was packed tight, but all in one convenient package! The seams held fine. The sack itself is very lightweight, though the fabric can be see-through when loaded fully. Did you receive the 15 or 20L version? What color did you get? I can’t seem to find this one on their site, so I’m wondering if it’s an exclusive like the Serac hammocks I got a few months ago.

See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review!

The Tent Lab Deuce of Spades – Value $19.50

Up next, we have this little trowel from The Tent Lab. The Deuce of Spades is a strong but lightweight aluminum trowel that seems durable enough to dig a pit large enough to do your business in no time. The edge is thin enough to break soil easily, and at just 0.6oz, there’s really no reason not to have this in your backpack at all times. After perusing their site and the attached comment card, I have to say the designer and owner is a perfectionist, and I love it. He is actively seeking feedback on this item to see if he should redesign it once it’s been field tested by users. I plan on letting him know once I get some use out of it!

See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review!

All Good Products (Formerly Elemental Herbs) All Good Lips 15SPF Lip Balm – Value $3.50

Hey, who doesn’t need lip balm? The All Good Lips 15SPF Original lip balm smells great, is all organic, and as far as I can tell, is protecting my lips from UVA and UVB rays right now. I’m all for a quality lip balm, but I have to admit, I don’t use them too much in the summer months. I decided to take a tip from Marne, one of our other reviewers here at MSA, and I’m going to stash this guy in my cold weather hiking jacket. It’ll be a welcome surprise come autumn and winter!

See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review! See the supplies in my July 2017 Cairn review!

Buddy's Nut Butters Cinnamon Raisin and Honey Peanut Butter, 1.15 oz each – Value $3.00 ($1.50 each)

Finally, we have two packets of Peanut Butter from Buddy’s Nut Butters. These would be perfect to have as a trail snack and they both pack a ton of flavor. I just ate the Cinnamon Raisin one and it was truly delicious—think cinnamon raisin toast that’s been slathered in your favorite peanut butter. The Honey Peanut flavor was pretty much just standard peanut butter, but still very tasty. I like that they were in single-use packets and that they were both made from simple ingredients. No crazy preservatives or anything like that to be found.

Verdict: I really enjoyed Cairn this month! I know I’m going to get a lot of use out of the GobiGear SegSac, and the Deuce of Spades is going to cut my pack weight considerably. This month’s value adds up to about $50.99, doubling the initial investment and beating the value of last month!
What do you think of Cairn? Did you get the same color and size SegSac, or any different items this month?

 

 

Andy
Andy
Andy is a professional photographer and a vinyl record collector. He loves coffee, gin, craft beer, and playing disc golf. Getting mail is one of his favorite things and he buys a new record every week but tells his wife it's much less often.

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12 comments

Flo

I received a dry bag (very thin and foldable) and camp towel which will be put to the test in next rafting trip. Also the sunscreen and nutbutters. Got the trowel and SEG sack in another box and love it, but would have also loved a second SEG– those are awesome!

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Andy

Oh nice, what kind of dry bag did you get? I’m always on the lookout for quality waterproof stuff.

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Cassis

I got the climbing box:

Trango cord trapper rope tarp
Frictionlabs secret stuff chalk crram
So ill finger massager
The 2 pk buddy nut butter

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Andy

Wow, very cool. I assume you filled out the subscriber survey with more of a climbing focus?

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Cassie

Yes – I think it was in my top 5

Lauren

I got a 2L resevoir to go with my Cotopaxi backpack instead of the stuff sack and shovel. I’m happy with it, I’d been looking for one for hiking with.

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Andy

Oh interesting! Had you received a Seg Sac in the past? It seems like a few commenters here have received them in the past, and in turn received different items this month. I think this is really smart on Cairn’s part to ensure long-time subscribers don’t double up on past items.

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_uff_da

I waited a while to subscribe to Cairn cause like most people that camp or backpack we already have the gear we need. I’ve been happy to get “upgraded” versions of products that we have though. Little things like the sections in the stuff sack to separate items and the test shovel that is much lighter weight that what we have make it a great box for us. They are products we have, but these are much better versions of them. Also my husband has really liked the snacks.

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Andy

I feel the same way. I have a closet full of gear but each month there’s either a surprise item I’ve never heard of or an improved product I may not have heard about. Sometimes there are items I may not use, but can easily gift or lend to my camping buds.

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Ann

Did not get a seg sack this time (had got that a few months ago) I got sunglasses, individual packets of suntan lotion, along with the peanut butters.

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Andy

How have you been liking your Seg Sac? I haven’t field tested mine beyond packing it up at home. It definitely seems like a good item if you’re counting ounces for backpacking and can omit a couple of stuff sacks.

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sunflowerseed

We also got that in our box several months ago. We haven’t used it for camping but we did take it on a cruise & used it to pack beach shoes & sunscreen on a couple excursions.