Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Outdoorsman, Get a Monthly Gear-Up with Cairn Subscription Box

cairn subscription box
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Getting into the outdoors is often as simple as lacing up your favorite running shoes and hitting the closest trail.

However, when you are ready to tackle some bigger endeavors – be it your first outdoor rock climb, a long backpacking trip, or even a backcountry ski tour – the right gear makes all the difference. Often times though, many of us don’t know where to start when it comes to finding new gear; and a few missteps while you’re building up a good collection of outdoor gadgets can set you back quite a bit of money.

Our friends at Cairn have been a huge help in navigating new sport specific gear over the last few months. Their subscription box ($30 monthly) shows up at our door every month with a fresh set of gear from new and established brands. If ever you needed an excuse to get out and expand your gear knowledge and adventure horizons, Cairn is the perfect vehicle to do that.

Recommended Videos

Cairn was founded in early 2014 by a pair of Wharton School classmates studying innovative retail strategies. After seeing successful campaigns in the apparel and food markets, they realized that there really wasn’t a retail brand that was shaking up the outdoor industry. Their ideas on how to introduce the average consumer to emerging brands and new outdoors gear formed the foundation for Cairn’s subscription model. That means you get to reap the benefits of their work, as each monthly subscription box tends to be worth around double what you’re paying.

How It Works

When you initially sign up with Cairn, you’ll create a profile including some of your outdoor interests so that their team can customize each box. This is our favorite part of the Cairn system – not every box sent out will be the exact same, and when there is a theme to a given month, you might be getting some tailored items for your sport of choice. Additionally, each month Cairn partners with different outdoors brands for their Adventure Upgrade program, which rewards a random subscriber with some unique gear – last month, Cairn gave away a pair of Schwood Eyewear to one lucky subscriber.

Beyond the regular monthly subscription, Cairn has a premium program for the outdoorsman looking for a little more curated gear. The quarterly Obsidian Box will set you back $199, but a quick glance at the spring collection (featuring products from Biolite, Drink Tanks, Slackline Industries, and UCO), reveals that you’re getting a steal – and building up a good stable of adventure gear in the process. Whether you’re just venturing off the trail for the first time, or ready to discover new top-shelf gear, this is the box for you.

For $10 off your first month, sign-up here.

Austin Parker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…
The ultimate guide to avoiding ticks in the wild — learn from my experience
Stay vigilant, and use these tick tips next time you're outdoors
Close-up of a red tick and water droplets on a blade of grass

When people think about outdoor hazards, they picture bears, venomous snakes, or poisonous plants like poison ivy. However, one of the most dangerous threats in the forests is something much smaller — ticks. These tiny bloodsuckers can carry a bunch of diseases that you really don't want, and many of them are difficult to treat.

Lyme disease is one of them, and after getting infected during a teenage game of manhunt in the woods, I struggled with my health for seven years before finally overcoming it. Needless to say, I'm always very careful every time I venture out into the woods. Here are my top precautions and tick tips for the next time you venture into the outdoors.
Top tick tips from someone who's been bitten before

Read more
Bushnell’s Tour Hybrid Rangefinder brings GPS and laser power to your golf game
Looking for a new rangefinder? Check out this hybrid
Bushnell Golf Tour Rangefinder

Bushnell Golf is well-known for having some of the best rangefinders in the golf game, but it looks like they may be raising the bar again with the announcement of their new Tour Hybrid Rangefinder. Here's what to expect:

One thing about rangefinders is that GPS lacks the precision of a laser, but laser-only devices don't give you the insight of GPS-based course mapping. While many rangefinders either use laser or GPS, the Tour Hybrid actually combines both to enhance precision. This device will simultaneously display lasered pin distance and GPS-provided front, center, and back yardages.

Read more
Can hiking boots be used in snow? Here’s when to wear them (and when not to)
How to wear hiking boots in snowy conditions and when to opt for your snow boots
Man wearing hiking boots in the snow

When headed out for a wintery adventure, it's sometimes difficult to figure out what gear you should take. Winter activities often need a good deal of ankle and foot support, so it's really tempting to opt for your favorite pair of hiking boots when headed out into the winter wild. Here's when you should (and shouldn't) opt for hiking boots, as well as some helpful tips along the way.
When hiking boots work well in snow

When determining whether or not to use your hiking boots for your winter adventure, take a look at the different materials that were used to create your boots.

Read more