Cairn Outdoor Subscription Box Review – October 2017
This month’s Cairn Subscription Box included some great outdoor gear. I was pleasantly surprised and can’t wait to use some of these products.
The total contents of October’s box had a value of $68.93.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the items:
Hydrapak Stash 750 ml Collapsible Bottle – $18.00
Air Rechargeable Headlamp – $34.99
Skout Organic Energy Bar – $2.95
Portland Bee Balm – $2.99
Tribe Pilot Adventure Planning App (4 GB free) – $10 value
Cairn Scout Newsletter
As always, the box comes with a small newsletter that is made of recyclable paper. The newsletter includes product descriptions as well as valuable coupon codes for the items in the box.
There are also a few short articles designed to inspire and motive your next outdoor adventure.
Hydrapak Stash 750ml Collapsible Bottle
The Stash 750 by Hydrapak is a collapsible bottle that only weighs 2.5 oz. It has flexible walls that flatten easily to pack away, which gives you even more room in your backpack.
It retails for $18.00 and comes in 3 different colors… Malibu (light blue), Mammoth (green), and Mojave (orange).
UCO Air USB Rechargeable Headlamp
This item really impressed me. Everyone needs several sources of lighting when camping or backpacking and the headlamp is one great way to go. It frees up your hands and lets you move freely about camp.
The Air Lithium Ion Rechargeable Headlamp is lightweight and comfortable. It features 3 various light selections (up to 150 lumens) as well as a red light option that is easily adjusted via the Infinity Dial.
It is also rechargeable with a standard USB cord. I love this option because carrying extra batteries all the time can get tedious and this feature eliminates that need.
Skout Argentinian Peanut Butter Organic Bar
Skout Backcountry uses plant based organic food to produce the most powerful nutrition. This energy bar only has four ingredients… Organic Dates, Organic Argentinian Peanuts, Organic Oregon Pumpkin Seeds, and Pink Himalayan Sea Salt.
I love most protein or energy bars as they are super convenient and usually quite tasty. This particular bar was very good tasting and although I wasn’t sure about the sea salt at first, I found that I rather like it. Calories for this bar are 130, which is pretty common for these types of bars.
The bar retails for $2.59
Portland Bee Balm – Oregon Mint
The mint flavoring of this bee balm is actually quite nice. It’s not too overpowering and has a slight sweetness to it. It is made with all natural ingredients including local Pacific NW beeswax and Oregon peppermint essential oil.
The Portland Bee Balm Company supports their local bees and their keepers. The tube is surrounded by a handmade wooden wrapper made by a Portland woodworker.
Portland Bee Balm retails for $2.99.
Tribe Pilot Adventure App
Included in this month’s box was a downloadable adventure planning app. The code gives you 4GB of free storage on the app that is valued at $10.
I don’t know too much about this particular app, but at first glance it looks like it would be perfect for those who like to plan trips with their friends or family. This app allows you organize everyone together and finalize everything from dates to meal plans.
Box Recap
Click here to read more about Cairn Subscription Boxes
This month’s box arrived on Oct 21, 2017.
Number of Items included: 5
- Water Bottle
- Headlamp
- Energy Bar
- Bee Balm
- Adventure App
Retail Value of Items: $68.93
Price of Monthly Subscription: $29.95
Sign up here NOW to get in on the next month’s box
Posted in Gear Reviews, Products and tagged Cairn subscription Box, Outdoor Gear, Outdoor Subscription Box by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
What is the Cairn Subscription Box?
Monthly subscription boxes are all the rage right now and there are so many varieties of boxes available. Everything from nutrition snack boxes to boxes for dogs.
As an avid outdoor enthusiast, I recently started searching for outdoor/camping subscription boxes and I came across Cairn. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised!
Cairn is based in Bend, Oregon and strives to inspire people to get outside and discover new products that will enrich and expand their experience. The word Cairn refers to a man-made stack of rocks that is usually used to mark trails.
What is the Cairn Subscription Box About?
Basically the Cairn Subscription Box is outdoor inspiration delivered monthly to your door. If you are an outdoor adventure enthusiast or someone who loves camping and being outside in general, then you will love this subscription box.
Every month, you are sent a box of 3-6 amazing outdoor products. The contents inside the box are valued at $50 and up. You simply subscribe, wait for your box, and enjoy. They also have a way that you can review the products and get rewarded with points. Points can be accumulated and once you have enough, you can get a free box.
Once you subscribe for your first box, it will be sent to you within a week or two… I got mine in about 5 days. After that, the box is sent around the middle of each month.
It is a subscription, so every month you will be billed, but you can easily cancel and even restart your subscription at any time. So if your budget gets tight and you need to give your wallet a break, you can stop the monthly subscription and then crank it back up again when you want.
2 Subscription Levels
There are 2 separate boxes that you can sign up for. The “Original Box” is the one that I described above and it’s only $29.95 per month. The contents inside are valued at over $50. It is delivered monthly.
The 2nd type of box you can subscribe to is called the “Obsidian Box” and it is delivered quarterly. This box includes 5-10 PREMIUM outdoor products (valued at $300+) and costs $199 per quarter.
What Comes in the Box?
Once you subscribe, you are given a profile survey to fill out. This gives Cairn more information about the kind of outdoor activities you enjoy, your apparel sizes, food & drink preferences and so on. This info allows them to better personalize your box.
The boxes include items such as gloves, beanies, cookware, gear, energy bars, freeze-dried meals, lip balms, insect repellent, fire starters and first aid items. One of the first boxes I received had an LED headlamp that featured 4 different brightness settings. And I believe one of the boxes over the past summer had a hammock with tree straps.
The Obsidian Box has more Premium items in it. Items such as a Marmot winter jacket, ThermaRest camping chair, Premium lanterns, trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc. In other words, this box includes more big ticket items.
The Brands Cairn Works With
Backpacker
Clif Bar
Gerber
Hydro Flask
EOG
Gossamer Gear
LifeStraw
Klymit
Mountain Smith
And Many Many More!!!
Conclusion – Is it Worth It?
I personally subscribe to this amazing box and I always look forward to walking out to the mailbox and getting that month’s box. It’s like Christmas every month. I like the fact that they personalize the box based on what you are interested in.
I’m contemplating subscribing to the Obsidian Box in the future in order to upgrade my personal inventory of outdoor gear. But so far the Original Box is great and I haven’t been disappointed yet.
I’m even setting aside some of the items that I receive to give as gifts to family and friends for Birthdays or Christmas. Technically that’s not “re-gifting”, is it? Shh don’t tell.
If you are someone who loves the outdoors, camping, skiing, backpacking, etc then you will love this box. I highly suggest signing up at least for a few months and see how you like it.
Posted in Products, Uncategorized and tagged Cairn subscription Box, camping Gear, Subscription Boxes by Elizabeth with 2 comments.
Govino Unbreakable Wine Glass Review
Have you ever been out camping or traveling on the road and wanted to relax with a nice glass of wine? Sounds like an easy thing to do, but you have to pack (carefully) glassware unless you plan on drinking straight from the bottle. Enter the Shatterproof Wine Glass!!!! It’s a game changer and it’s useful for more than just camping…. poolside parties, hot tubs, picnics…. anywhere you don’t want breakable glass.
Product: Govino Shatterproof Wine Glasses
Price: $12.95 USD (set of 4)
My rating: 10/10
About the Brand
Govino originally started in 2008 in order to provide wine makers with stemware while they were on the go selling their product. As a result, Govino was the first unbreakable wine glass to be accepted by the wine industry.
Govino products are made from a flexible, BPA polymer. This makes them not only recyclable but also reusable. And it also properly showcases all types of wines, beers, and spirits. Govino glasses look and perform like fine crystal.
The unbreakable glasses are perfect for camping, picnics, poolside parties, and anywhere breakable glass is not wanted.
My Review – A Wine Glass for Camping
I always enjoy a glass of wine to relax at the end of the day and when I’m traveling or camping, that is even more true. Recently while spending the weekend at a cabin near Medina Lake, my husband found these awesome wine glasses. He actually surprised me with them because he knows just how much I like my wine and champagne on vacations.
The look of the glasses resembles regular crystal glasses, however they are much lighter and they have an indention for your thumb. This allows you to swirl the glass the way most wine enthusiasts always seem to do. The glass is slightly flexible and is easy to clean. Govino also has a top rack only dishwasher safe version.
Product Info
This product is made of ultra thin, flexible BPA free polymer. It is shatterproof, reusable, and recyclable. Made in the USA!
Price and Size
$12.95 USD for a set of 4, 16 oz wine glasses
Who is this product for?
- Campers
- Backpackers
- Travellers
- Party Goers
- Picnic Lovers
- Anyone who drinks on the go
Final Thoughts
Pros:
The fact that this product is unbreakable is probably the best pro of all. It is also easily packed for travel and it looks exactly like regular glass. Another pro is that they are extremely affordable. $12.95 for a set of 4 is an incredible deal.
Cons:
Not really any cons to this product. I mean it holds alcohol… that’s NEVER a bad thing! 😉
My Rating:
10/10
Where Can You Get it?
Govino products are available on amazon.com
You May Also Like…
Govino Decanter 28 oz
Govino Champagne Flutes
Govino Beer Glasses
Posted in Gear Reviews, Products, Uncategorized and tagged Camping Glasses, Camping Wine Glass, Unbreakable Wine Glass, Wine Glasses for Camping by Elizabeth with 6 comments.
Sunny Sports Fall Fun Sale – up to 40% Off
Fall Fun Sale is Going on NOW!
Shop all the best gear up to 40% OFF during the Fall Fun Sale at Sunny Sports!
Sunny Sports specializes in offering gear for all your backpacking, camping, hiking and climbing needs. They carry the finest quality brand names at competitive prices. Brands such as The North Face, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, etc.
Apparel
Camping & Hiking Gear
Footwear
Posted in Products, Special Promotions by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
GoPro HERO4 Session Review
GoPro HERO4 Session
Extreme Helmet Camera
GoPro has just come out with one of the most rugged, waterproof designs to date. The HERO4 Session is super lightweight and extremely small. As common with other GoPro models, this camera offers stunning video quality and provides users with a great tool to capture the extreme adventures they decide to tackle.
Features at a Glance:
- Small and Convenient
- Easy one button control
- Mounting flexibility and control
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Durable and waterproof to 33ft
- 35% smaller and 40% lighter
Cons:
The GoPro HERO4 Session only comes in one color… black. This is a minor con however because black seems to be a pretty good option as far as colors go.
It also does not have a monitor built in like some of the other models.
Note: You can sync it to your smart phone in order to see what you are filming (in real time).
My Opinion:
The small size of the HERO4 Session is absolutely awesome. It fits well on helmets and doesn’t add extra weight which is really great. The audio is also the best out there. The microphone sheds water so the audio quality remains intact.
The fact that this model is completely waterproof really appealed to me. The camera doesn’t need a separate housing in order for it to go underwater. I have another model that I also love, but it requires the extra waterproof case.
Mounting this GoPro model is a breeze and it offers a lot of versatility in that regard. So whether you are mounting to a flat surface or a slightly curved one, you are good to go.
Feel free to Leave a comment if you have any experience with the GoPro camera. What features do you find most useful?
Where to buy
Click Here To Buy: GoPro’s New Session Camera is Available Now at Backcountry.com + Free Shipping
Posted in Gear Reviews, Products and tagged Extreme Camera, GoPro, helmet cam, Hero4 by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
Wise Company Food Storage Review
Wise Company
Survival Food and Emergency Food Storage
Wise Company provides ready-made meals for emergency and preparedness. The meals have a shelf life of 25 years and allow your family to have enough good, usable food when emergencies strike.
Features at a Glance:
- Provides simple and affordable ready-made food
- Freeze dried and dehydrated options
- Gourmet long-term food storage
Pros:
- Easy to prepare – Just add water
- 25 year shelf life
- High quality and Great taste
- Affordable and Convenient
Cons:
In order to reconstitute freeze dried or dehydrated food, it is preferred to use hot or boiling water, which may not be easily available in an emergency situation.
Note: Many of the foods from Wise Company can be reconstituted with room temp water if absolutely necessary.
My Opinion:
Wise Company usually ships very quickly even in high demand times. They provide peace of mind to their customers who are looking to prepare for the worst. The products are also very useful in other situations like camping, hunting, and backpacking.
The quality of the food is by far the best on the market. It truly does have a good taste, which is definitely something you want when SHTF. The variety is excellent and accomodates virtually every preference.
The food is packaged in airtight Mylar pouches and then arranged in durable buckets for easy storage. The buckets are compact and stackable, which saves space.
Where to buy
Click Here To Buy:Buy Wise Company Emergency Food Kits Now!
Posted in Gear Reviews, Products, Uncategorized and tagged Dehydrated Food, Emergency Food Storage, Freeze Dried Food, Gourmet Emergency Food, Preparedness, Survival by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
Fozzil Bowls – Gear Review
Lightweight Foldable Camping Bowls – Fozzil Camping Bowls (set of 2)
These bowls are designed to be folded when needed and unfolded to a flat design when needed to be packed away. They are non stick and BPA free.
After I bought these 2 bowls, I really wondered if they would fold up into a true bowl design without any leaking or awkwardness. The folding/snap design is actually very easy to do and it creates a perfect bowl shape with deep sides that are perfect for soups, pastas, and cereal. 
I like the lightweight, space saving design and plan on buying a few more as well as some of the other sizes that Fozzil offers.
Posted in Food & Water Containers, Gear Reviews, Products and tagged Backpacking Bowls, Camping Bowls, Fozzil collapsible camping bowl by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
Gear & Equipment Deals for 6/23/14
This Week’s Featured Deals
Posted in Helpful Links, Products, Weekly Deals and tagged 6/23/14, Dutch oven, Fly vest, Shelter, Sleeping Bag, Water Filtration, Weekly Deals by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
Gear & Equipment Deals for 6/23/14
This Week’s Featured Deals
Posted in Helpful Links, Products, Weekly Deals and tagged 6/23/14, Dutch oven, Fly vest, Shelter, Sleeping Bag, Water Filtration, Weekly Deals by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
Firestarters that work
What are some of the best ways to start a fire? Try some of these tested firestarter techniques and never be without a campfire again!
1. Dixie cup filled with dryer lint and wax.
2. Paraffin soaked cardboard – cut cardboard into strips (about 1 inch wide), soak in paraffin and store in zip top bag.
3. Use a wad of dryer lint and a trick birthday candle. I keep a container near my dryer so I collect the dryer lint after every cycle.
4. Dryer lint soaked in rubbing alcohol…. store in small container like an old prescription bottle.
5. Egg Cartons filled with wax.
Of course, if you rather just purchase a trusty firestarter, might I suggest adding a magnesium firestarter to your equipment.
Posted in Camping Tips, Products by Elizabeth with no comments yet.