Subscription boxes have become a popular method to explore new products in categories like snacks, coffee, pets, and literature.
A box of things arrives in the mail once a month. Hikers would like them as well.
Cairn gave a complimentary box, but did not compensate me or have any control over the content of my post.
Friends of ours subscribe to a dog-themed one (BarkBox) and like receiving new toys and goodies every month (though I’m not sure who gets more excited when it arrives… the dogs or the people…)
Cairn is essentially a package of toys and sweets for hikers, so we were excited when Rob Little, the company’s founder, contacted us to see if we wanted to try out the service.
Cairn (along with many other outdoor/fitness themed journals) became part of Outside in 2021, and its web site now reflects this.
How does Cairn work?
A box containing a “well curated” collection of outdoor related things arrives every month for $34.99 (free shipping; save with a 6- or 12-month membership).
The combined value of the items in these categories is usually around $50:
- HELPFUL ACCESSORIES: WATER, HEADLAMPS, AND COOKWARE
- Hiking Socks, Gloves, and Beanies
- FOOD/ENERGY: Energy Bars, Trail Snacks, Drink Mixes
- SUN PRODUCTS, INsect Repellents, and Lip Balms
- FIRST-AID KITS AND FIRE STARTERS ARE REQUIRED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY
For garment and accessory sizes, complete your account profile. For couples sharing goods, use a gender-neutral box, or select female or male to receive exact sizing.
Indicate your leisure interests for non-winter and winter activities (hiking, camping, climbing, snowshoeing), as well as whether you enjoy coffee or alcohol, are a vegetarian, or are interested in things for dogs or children under the age of 13.
In 2020, customers will have the option of receiving sunglasses or CBD products.
Some months, everyone receives the same stuff, while other months, there are multiple variations.
Hikers may receive a different item than bikers, vegetarians may not receive jerky, or a popular past item may be offered again while an older subscriber who has already gotten it will receive something new.
Auto-renewing subscriptions can be canceled at any time. Each month, a different person is chosen at random to get an Adventure Upgrade pass and additional stuff.
Obsidian – 5 to 10 products delivered quarterly with many individual items over $50 and a total box value of over $300 – is a better option for a larger subscription.
You can offer any subscription as a gift.
More than just Subscription Boxes.
In addition, holiday bundles or special collections (such as from Backpacker and Outside magazines) are occasionally offered in a variety of pricing points and themes.
The gear is mentioned for these so you know exactly what you’re getting, and it’s a one-time box.
On their subscription and gift pages, they detail all of their many offerings.
In addition, get points by completing a monthly box review survey and saving them up to get a free box or other products.
KITTED by Cairn – Try Before You Buy.
After being in beta or invite-only for a while, KITTED by Cairn was officially launched in 2021. This is a seasonally updated handpicked array of outdoor goods and clothes.
KITTED works like this: Pick up to 5 products to try for a week – even outside!!! – Return whatever you don’t want and only pay for what you keep.
Build a kit whenever you want – there’s no obligation, no subscription, and no return costs. Orders above $100 are subject to a $25 curation fee, which is credited to your account.
The collections are divided into categories, such as trekking, camping, running, and “trailgating,” and some include both men’s and women’s alternatives. KITTED is a simple method to try out different types of gear and clothes.