Maybe I’m Not the Outdoorsy Type After All
November’s Cairn Box has arrived and it’s 1 for 4. I fully admit I’m not a hardcore outdoors person, but I feel like this box might have even the true outdoors enthusiasts wanting.
It was a small box, small enough to fit into my mailbox, but that just added to my anticipation. After all, don’t good things come in small packages?
Alas, it appears some good things come in small packages. The standout of this month’s box was the Aqumira Frontier Pro Ultralight Water Filter ($30). This relatively tiny device makes it possible to filter out 99.9% bacteria and cysts making most water drinkable. That said, I’m not sure I’ll try it on the DC streams. BUT I will try it on other bouts in the countryside.
Then the Nitlze BetterBand stretchy cord ($5) which would have been handy when I rock climbed, but I no longer do. Perhaps a good stocking stuffer for my Dad? (hope you’re not reading this Dad-O!)
And then food. I don’t like food samples in non-food boxes, but so far Cairn has been pretty good. This is disappointing. Rip Van Wafels Traditional Waffle ($1.50) and Little Red Wagon Geo Coffee ($2). I can’t drink regular coffee but since it’s instant I suggested it as an alternative to American Airline’s sad brew.
The box runs $25 a month, so this is the first month where I’m not sure it was worth the price. All the previous months have been pretty good though!  If you’re interested in signing up, (cue shameless plug), please tell them Keri Anderson at keri@heelsfirsttravel.com sent you.
They do have a loyalty program of sorts. Earn 250 points and get a free box. You get 25 points for completing your profile and 25 points per box you review. Getting a friend to sign up gives you 100 points.
Hi Keri,
I’m a pretty avid hiker and backpacker and to me, these random box deals seem mostly aimed a those interested in getting out more.
One thing outdoor people like is doing research into their equipment and trying to save as much money as they can getting the gear they need. There are plenty of blogs out there, not to mention outdoor club meetings and the conversations around the camp fire or mountain huts, that dedicated a large portion talking about the gear they have and reviewing ones. Most will already have essentials and found better way to use their money to get those essentials. So putting money into something that is random in what you receive isn’t the most useful to avid hikers and backpackers.
These things seems to be good gift ideas for those interested in hiking where they can try out some of the equipment and get more into the outdoor experience (though nothing beats just going with a friend that knows what they are doing).
John