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Cairn Outdoor Subscription Review + Coupon – January 2019

Christen Russo
ByChristen RussoJan 25, 2019 | 0 comments

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.

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.)

About Cairn

The Subscription Box: Cairn

The Cost: $29.95 per month with discounts for 6- and 12- month subscriptions

Limited Time Deal: Use code HAMMOCK to get the Hammock Collection Box your first month!

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 January 2019 Review

Hi, everyone! Christen here, back for my second Cairn review. As always, this month's box includes this Cairn Scout publication, which gives the lowdown on what's in your box each month, as well as offering details on the monthly "Adventure Upgrade" prize, subscriber perks, and more. The Scout is focused on base layers, be that your skivvies, your sunscreen, et cetera. They also highlight the RAD dog adoption program offered by Ruffwear. My pup always comes with me on hikes and wears his Ruffwear vest (he carries his own food and water!), so this is a special cause to me.

Exofficio Men's Give-n-Go Sport Mesh 3" Boxer Brief – Retail Value $28

The first base layer is this pair of sports mesh boxer briefs. This is, of course, a men's style, so I slid them on over to my husband, who wears this type of underwear for runs. Some of the features pointed out on the Exofficio website is an ultralight mesh material, ergonomic flyless design, an antimicrobial treatment to reduce odor, and a non-chafing waistband. They're super lightweight and seem extra comfy, like in a can't-even-tell-they're-there kind of way, for active outings.

HikeGoo Blister Prevention Cream, 5.5 oz– Retail Value $17.99 (found on sale here for $17.09)

Oh man, I wish I had this on my last backpacking trip! I was setting out in a new-ish pair of Danners, and while I had done some shorter day hikes to break them in, it felt like I hadn't by the middle of the first 13-mile day. I was stacking moleskin on moleskin, creating these bulky layers at my heels that were probably hurting instead of helping my blisters. This creamy substance is meant to make your sock/shoe situation smooth and slippery to avoid chafing. Between my fingers, it feels smooth indeed, and I did try rubbing some on my heels just for a normal workday spent in my Danners, but they don't give me blisters anymore, so I can't speak to their true efficacy as intended. I'm hopeful, though!

FourPoints Trailhead Gingerbread Energy Bar, 2.5 oz – Buy 12 for $36

I was holding off on trying this energy bar until I really felt like I needed it. While I love ginger, gingerbread isn't a flavor I'm usually super excited about, but by the same token it's not one you see in bars every day, so I was very curious and intrigued. To start, I love the ingredients list! It's all real food and the packaging clearly states common allergens for those avoiding certain things. I also love seeing that even though there is a decent amount of sugar in this bar (17g), less than 1g is added, so it's all natural sweeteners. 13g of protein is awesome. I bit in and found this bar to be almost fudgy in consistency, and subtle in flavor. It's nutty and very faintly gingerbread-y, but not too strong—that's crucial for me, as on long hikes I find that a blast of flavor is kind of overwhelming. This snack kept me satisfied until lunch. I would consider buying this for my next backpacking trip!

Verdict: January was another great month for Cairn. While I work on getting the subscription switched over so that I receive items appropriate for my preferences, I'm in the meantime glad that I could pass this high-quality pair of boxers over to my husband, as well as be introduced to two great products to take with me into the Great Outdoors. This box costs $29.95, which includes free shipping, and the contents add up to an estimated $48.99, which is a deal I'm happy with.

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. 

New Deal: Use code HAMMOCK to get the Hammock Collection Box your first month!

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:

  • Boxers: $17.12
  • Goo: $10.99
  • Bar: $1.83

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?

Christen Russo
Christen Russo

Hi there, I'm Christen. I am all sorts of things:

🌳 a writer who loves to convey feeling

🌲 a mother who wants to have just as much fun as my kids do

🌳 an outdoors-lover who's achieved #1000hoursoutside with my family

🌲 a low-maintenance self-carer

🌳 a general hungry person with an unstoppable sweet tooth

You'll find me collecting stationery and squirreling away stickers, riding bikes and swimming with my family, creating outfits in colors and silhouettes that make me feel amazing, wearing big earrings, drinking beer and asking my husband to feed me harmonies to sing, taking my vitamins, living for dancing to live music, roping everyone into a craft, being human and vulnerable, and celebrating the phenomenon of being alive.

...and doing it all with energy, delight, and jokes along the way.


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