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Cairn Outdoor Subscription Review + Coupon – March 2018

Andy
ByAndyApr 6, 2018 | 3 comments

Cairn box closed

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 box open

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 March 2018 review

About Cairn

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

Cairn March 2018 Review

Cairn green and brown sticker

As usual, we get a Cairn logo sticker.

Cairn Scout! Featuring all the info we’re used to - full descriptions of each item, coupons from manufacturers, a look at the current Obsidian box, tips for using your new gear, and more. It is printed on easily recyclable newsprint too.

 

This month, Cairn has launched the Gear Up Give Back program in conjunction with another Oregon company, The Gear Fix. They’ve sent along a large pre-paid mailer to send in your used outdoor gear as a donation. The gear will be donated to others who need gear or be used to benefit The Conservation Alliance - a group working to preserve wild places. I think this is a great idea - we’re getting tons of gear from Cairn and when I upgrade an item I’d love to know that my used gear is going to someone who could use it. The included bag could easily fit a compressed sleeping bag, a couple pieces of clothing, or 15-20 smaller pieces of random gear.

Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Repellant – Retail Value $49.99

The main item this month is this rechargeable mosquito repeller from Thermacell. It’s small and light and boasts a scent-free 110 square foot protection-from-mosquitos zone! This should pretty adequately cover a relatively standard campsite for a handful of people. The repeller recharges via USB and comes with a cable. The battery only lasts about 6 hours, so if you’re planning a trip where you hang around the site all weekend, you’ll want to bring a USB backup to keep things running. Thermacell included a 12-hour refill but they also offer 40-hour refills on their site, along with several other interesting repellant tools. Of course, it snowed where I am today so I won’t get to adequately test it for a couple of weeks.

 

 

Bobo's Lemon Poppy Seed Oat Bar – Retail Value $3.49

This month’s snack item was absolutely scrumptious! This oat bar from Bobo’s is more like a piece of heavy cake than a standard trail snack. The lemon flavor really pops and the full bar has about 4g of protein. This would be great in the morning with a cup of trail coffee and some eggs!

Verdict: My March Cairn was good. I’m loving the idea of the Gear Up, Give Back program, and the mosquito repeller is a really interesting little piece of tech.  This month’s value adds up to $53.48, well over the initial cost. I kind of like the idea of a single high-quality item + snack too - it is a nice complement to the new Gear Up, Give Back program.

To Wrap Up: 

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Based on their subscription model, your items may vary based on your survey responses and boxes you have received in the past. 

Coupon - Use code TRAILHEAD to get the Trailhead welcome box your first month! Check out our review of the Trailhead Welcome Box to see what will be included.

Value Breakdown: At $29.95 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

  • Repellant: $27.99
  • Bar: $1.95

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

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

What do you think of Cairn this month? Did you get the same items?

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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3 comments

Missy

Omg I SO wish I had got the mosquito thing! I plan on setting up an above ground pool for my backyard and have been thinking of ways to not fight with mosquitoes while swimming and that device seems SO perfect! Ergh! And what a discount for it too! I’m gonna have to look up how it works!

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Summr

Have you looked into DynaTrap?
Good for mosquito repellent…portable also.

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Ann

You would have better luck purchasing the mosquito repellent on your own then to try to get it in a cairn box. From what I have experienced the sponsors get cool gadget and normal subscribers get something entirely different. For the March box I received a 16oz thermal mug and bottle bright cleaners. But the BOBO’S bar was the same. That is one thing that is consistent with them. Everyone gets the same snack bar. I do like the boxes but I sincerely dont think they go off the profile you provide them. They are busy patting themselves on the back for things they are doing that wouldnt be possible without their customers; the ones that dont get the free boxes.

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