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Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box Review + Coupon – August 2017

Andy
ByAndyAug 16, 2017 | 24 comments

Cairn August 2017

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.

Cairn August 2017

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.)

Cairn August 2017

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!

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn Scout! Featuring 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.

Cairn August 2017

As usual we get a logo sticker. I’ll be adding it to my growing collection!

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Outdoor Element Firebiner – Value $14.95

First up this month we have this multi-use carabiner from Outdoor Element! Originally a Kickstarter project, the Firebiner is a 10-in-1 EDC survival tool rated to safely hang up to 100 pounds! The fire wheel is the real standout feature here - I’ve never seen one on a carabiner before. They included 2 extra ferro rods in the packaging, so depending on how often I need to use it, I should have spark action for quite a long time. I love the little safety blade - perfect for cutting cord or fishing line. Of course, it’s got a bottle opener, and it’s super light at just an ounce. On the Kickstarter page they show one of these clipped to a camp stove - amazing idea. This is a no-brainer addition to my pack!

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Honey Stinger Gluten-free Wildflower Honey Waffle – Value $1.49 (buy a box of 16 for $23.84)

Next, we have this delicious little snack waffle from Honey Stinger! I really enjoyed this little treat - it tastes exactly like Golden Grahams! The honey filling layer is pretty thin, but you don’t need much. It’s gooey and mixes well with the softness of the waffle. I confess I ate this on set and will have to invest in some more for my next outing… or just to have around the house.

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Opsak by Loksak 2 Pack – Value $9.98

I’ve actually had several Loksak products over the years, and was excited to see these at the bottom of my box! The Opsak differs from the Aloksak in that it has an FDA approved film that allows the bag to be odor proof - a pretty exciting feature for a lot of backpackers and campers. I was a little amazed to see that it’ll hold boiling water as well. You could pre-pack dehydrated meals and use these as your cookware.. Genius! They are BPA free and waterproof to 200 feet also. I haven’t tested the odor blocking ability of these Opsaks just yet, but I’m going to Idaho for the eclipse and doing some backpacking in the Sawtooth range, and these are both coming with me! Included on the back of the info card is a recipe for some delicious camp chicken.. Long-time Cairn subscribers may notice some callbacks to past boxes 🙂

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Cairn August 2017

Light My Fire Grandpa's Fire Grill – Value $20.36

Finally this month we have this interesting camp grill tool from Light My Fire! Grandpa’s Fire Grill is an adjustable, collapsible, stainless steel grill clamp that works with any old stick lying around camp! Just pop your food into the grill, secure shut with the clip at the end, twist the arms around a stick, and you’ve got the ability to grill up virtually anything. You could easily fit a full sized chicken breast and a couple of veggies into the grilling area. This seems like a very well made, lightweight tool. It weighs in at 3.7 ounces, so pretty negligible in the long run, depending on how light you’re planning to go. For me personally this is a miss just because if I’m backpacking I’m not making fires for most if any meals, but I’m going to put this into my car-camping kit. Maybe it’ll grow on me and I’ll be convinced to bring some grillables on a long hike!

Verdict: Cairn was pretty great this month! I loved the waffle, I’m definitely going to get use out of the Opsaks and Firebiner, and while it wasn’t a perfect item for me, the grill is a pretty sweet item that I’m looking forward to at least testing out. This month’s value adds up to about $46.78, which is about 1.5 times the $29 investment, so I’m happy with that. All in all, I think Cairn put together another well-curated set of items here and I’m looking forward to what they come up with next month!

What do you think of Cairn?

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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24 comments

Nikki

I loved your review – it was well done and so very through! Enough so that after a few months of debating I’m going to actually sign up for Cairn. And you seemed enthusiastic enough about the Firebinder I even went and ordered 2, for myself and my husband.

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Andy

Thanks Nikki! I took my Firebiner with me while hiking in Idaho a few weeks ago and it was super handy. It fits right in the waterproof case with my backpacking stove, and after breakfast I used it to hang my wet mug from my pack for the morning. Hope you guys enjoy yours!

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Gabby

Really disappointed by this box. Don’t see myself ever using that grilling basket. Oh well, here’s to next month!

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Michelle

Wow! Needed someone to go off on and Andy you got it. If you don’t like the review google and get 100 others. Why be cranky to someone who doesn’t deserve it? This review told me all I needed to know .

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ColleenT.

Can anyone get the 30% off to work?

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Beka

Excellent review 👍🏻

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Connie

I appreciate all the reviewers on MSA for the care and time that is put into an honest review done respectfully. I like to see different reviewers as each one reviews from a different perspective and level of experience.

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Noelle

I am sooooooo tempted to get this for my son…! The value and variety of items are certainly there…!

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Garfield MacLean

I found you neither cavalier nor insincere. I enjoyed the review.

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ColleenT.

I am confused about the subscription though. Do you have to choose which type of box to get? Which box was this one?

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Andy

Hey Colleen!

When you subscribe, Cairn has you fill out a survey so they can better serve you individually. Some months everyone will get the same box, but normally there are variations based on your survey responses.

Hope that helps!

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ColleenT.

the 30% off link did not pop up.

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Marion

I agree, those Honey Stinger waffles are super good. I once used reward points from Love with Food to buy a whole box.

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Anon

I really miss Anna’s Cairn reviews.

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Sharon

I do not miss any of her reviews tbh, I don’t read them anymore.

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Ash

I don’t.

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Andy

🙁 Dang!

Is there something you’re looking for in these reviews that I’m not delivering? Definitely open to constructive criticism.

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anon

Thanks for responding. Forgive me, but you have seemed cavalier and insincere since you started covering Cairn. You didn’t seem to know or care much about what made it interesting and unique. Your attention to detail has been imprecise. You did not even know about the sticker in earlier reviews. You did not even know about the survey and customization. You misquote the price at the end of the review. Anna’s Cairn reviews were thorough and authentic. If she must be gone, I wish you would do msa readers the courtesy of paying attention and caring.