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Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box Review – May 2017

Andy
ByAndyMay 26, 2017 | 4 comments

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 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 Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

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

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 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!

Side note: Last month’s Cairn was sent to us before I realized I had a questionnaire to fill out! Thanks to the observant commenters here at MSA, I got that all sorted and future reviews will feature gear aimed towards my personal interests.

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

This month Cairn changed up their info card situation - Welcome to Cairn Scout! Featuring all the info we’re used to - full descriptions of each item, coupons from manufacturers - and some new features like tips for using your new gear, a close look at the next Obsidian box, and more. It looks like it’s printed on easily recyclable newsprint too.

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Serac Classic Single Hammock and Straps – Value $39.95

First up this month we have this awesome hammock! I’ve been camping in hammocks for a few years now - I ditched my tent and get some of the most restful sleep ever while out and about in the wilderness. I am actually really excited to have a second! This classic single hammock from Serac is perfect for general lounging around your yard or at the campsite. You could definitely get a comfortable sleep in this too. Unlike some hammocks out there, it comes with carabiners for quick attachment. It packs down easily into it’s own attached stuff sack. These new generation hammocks are made from the same material as a parachute so they are light and thin, yet very strong. Pro-tip: Hanging the hammock a little looser but higher up will allow you to spread out inside and keep you from hitting the ground, rather than a rigid/tight hang which actually will force the material to cocoon around you. Try it out!

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

The straps are included when you buy the classic hammock from Serac, so I didn’t separate out their value. These straps from Serac are really cool. They have a daisy-chain pattern so you can adjust your hammock tightness easily. If you misjudge the distance between trees it’s easy to reset with this system. And bonus - no knots! Just loop the strap through the last loop and it’s super tight. The total system weighs in under a pound, and if you switch out the included steel carabiners for something a little more lightweight, you could save a few ounces easily!

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Natrapel Insect Repellent Wipes - 12 Pack – Value $7.31 on Amazon

I was introduced to the magic of Picardin a few summers ago and haven’t gone back to DEET since, so I was glad to see these wipes which feature a 20% Picardin concentration. Picardin smells good (read: not like chemicals), and is super effective at keeping away pests - Just as good, if not better, than DEET. I love these little single use wipes and immediately tossed the entire pack into my backpack for this weekend’s adventure. I think I’ll probably need 2 wipes for full coverage, but if it’s anything like the Picardin spray, that should easily last me a full day if not longer.

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box - May 2017

CLIF Whey Protein Bar - Peanut Butter Chocolate – Value $2.79

Who doesn’t love a CLIF bar before/during/after a good long day of hiking? This particular whey-based bar offers a whopping 14g of protein! The peanut butter/chocolate flavor is pretty fantastic too. You can never go wrong putting those two together.

Cairn included a sticker again this month.

Verdict: So glad I filled out my questionnaire and got some awesome stuff this month from Cairn. I am already anticipating a good relaxing hang this weekend on my trip to Dolly Sods with my new Serac, and fingers crossed I come home with no bug bites. This month’s value adds up to $50.05, over double the $25 cost! Cairn did a great job curating to me this month, and I’m really excited to see what next month brings, as usual.

What do you think of Cairn? Did you get the same box, or 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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4 comments

Miranda B

I have been shopping for a hammock so this box is a perfect fit!!! Just signed up 😀 and they are still offering this May box!!

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Anna

That’s the same box I got and I LOVE it!

On my last backpacking trip, I decided it was time to retire my old WalMart hammock and get a good one. So perfect timing!

I might cut the straps to same weight in my backpack & also swap out carabiners. Am thrilled that the straps were included.

I do a lot of backpacking in the Sam Houston National Forrest, so the bug wipes are perfect.

Way to go Cairn!!

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Andy

Wow, great info thanks Cassie! I don’t have a set of Serac straps to compare the included ones to and I can’t seem to find the length of the originals on their site, but I can confirm that the straps included with my Serac are 6’11” and will likely stretch a bit over time.

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Cassie

What isn’t mentioned in the review is that the straps were made 1 ft longer for Cairn subscribers than they normally are if you buy from Serac (7 ft vs. 6 ft, I believe) which means you can get them around bigger trees! Also I believe the hammock colors are custom made for Cairn too (12 unique versions).

Another thing to note – this month everyone got the same box (v.s. different versions).

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