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Cairn Subscription Box Review + Coupon – October 2019

Christen Russo
ByChristen RussoOct 20, 2019 | 4 comments

Cairn is a monthly subscription box that sends members outdoors, adventure, and fitness gear. Cairn's goal is to enrich your outdoor adventures by connecting you with best-in-class products. 

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

Check out our review of the "Hammock Collection" welcome box to see what will be included.

The Products: Outdoor gear, including apparel, nutrition/energy products, skincare, and other essentials to keep you prepared and comfortable on your adventures.

Ships to: The US for free, Canada for $5, and internationally for $10

Cairn October 2019 "Grab and Go" Review

 

As always, this month's box includes a copy of Cairn Scout, which gives the lowdown on the month's products, subscriber perks, the Adventure Upgrade, the Obsidian box, and more. Check out the Cairn blog for some great tips and pieces on outdoor-related topics.

 

Croakies Custom Belt - Retail Value $29.99 (Similar belt found here)

Has Cairn been reading my diary? I have been needing a belt for exploring—honestly, for a couple of years now—but kept pushing it down on the priority list because I have other belts that suffice. The belt I had been using (and loved) up and fell out of the belt loops of my snowboarding pants in transit from the slopes a few winters ago. Key elements that this Croakies belt checks all the boxes for are: lightweight, durable, mad-easy adjustable yet secure, and has some personality. The mountainous sunset pattern is so my vibe. One million bonus points for the buckle doubling as a bottle opener! I haven't yet figured how to open a bottle with the belt still on me, but hey, the solitude of nature is a great place to practice unusual skills such as this. Additional points for the band itself being made entirely out of recycled plastic bottles. Perfect belt.

More cool stuff: the custom graphic on this guy was created by Cairn's Head of Brand Creative, a gal named Kelly. So cool! You, too, can upload a graphic to appear on your belt, or you can choose from the dozens of prints available on the site.

 

Sprout Mini Lantern - Retail Value $14.99

I've found that camping lanterns are kind of like speakers...or shoes, maybe...in that you can collect them forever and still feel like there's room for more. In the "camping room" of our basement (the one we really hope an intruder never finds), we have solar lanterns, lanterns with bendy legs so you can attach them to things, an old school lantern kind of like the one in Moonrise Kingdom, a few headlamps...but nothing quite like this tiny, lightweight, two-brightness guy with an optional hanging string. Certainly nothing with a blue nighttime setting! I think I'll keep this lantern in my car, since it doesn't take up much space, just in case.

 

Yumbutter Ancient Inergy Almond Butter, 1.8 oz - Estimated Value $1.99 (Buy a 10-packet case here for $19.99)

Best trail snack ever! I slurped this pouch down in an instant. It tasted sweet, so I was surprised to find it only had 7g of sugar (5g added). The almond butter in here was blended with maca, guarana, and L-theanine for extra energy. The only downside of this pouch is its plastic lid, though I suppose that would be handy if you were hoping to save some for later. Great snack.

Verdict: I was super into all 3 products I got in my October Cairn box! The belt is my favorite, the lantern is a solid addition to anyone's outdoor supplies collection, and the almond butter made for a yummy different-from-the-norm trail snack. Excellent month.

This box costs $29.95, including free shipping, and the contents add up to about $46.97, which I calculated using an estimated value for the almond butter. That's a similar value to last month, and one 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. 

Check out our review of the Hammock Collection welcome box to see what will be included.

Value Breakdown: This box cost $29.95 + free US shipping, but I estimate it contained $46.97 worth of product. That breaks down to approximately $15.66 per item.

Check out all of our Cairn reviews, and learn more about our readers' favorite fitness boxes.

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 as I did?

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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4 comments

Flo

I was ho-hum about the lantern. Seems like Cairn has sent plenty of lighting devices, so if I’m getting another I would really prefer it be rechargeable, not battery operated. Batteries in landfills= no thank you.
Appreciated the belt, though.

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Christen Russo

I can’t disagree with you here, Flo—I was surprised the lantern didn’t have the option to recharge. Also agree about the belt!

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Marion

That almond butter looks like a great idea! Did the energy-boosting additives affect the taste at all?

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Christen Russo

I didn’t detect anything! It was rather sweet, so maybe those flavors were masked by that. 🙂

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