May '15 Highlight Reel

Ever run your phone battery down while on the road? Wish you’d brought a high protein or high energy snack on an adventure? Wondered how to tie a figure eight follow through knot? Then the mix in this month’s Cairn is just for you.

Brunton Pulse 1500

Whether you’re on the trail with a GPS that’s almost out of juice or on the road without a place to charge your smartphone, having a way to power-up your batteries when you’re on the go is always a good thing.

The Brunton Pulse 1500 power pack is a slim, small, barely noticeable addition to your suitcase or your backpack that will help you keep your devices running. Charge it by plugging it into any integrated USB-friendly device or outlet, then charge your electronics by plugging them into the standard or micro USB outputs. All of the charging cords as well as the input and output outlets are designed to neatly fit together, which makes it easy to carry the Pulse 1500 wherever you go.

When the Pulse 1500 is fully charged, it packs enough power to fully charge your smartphone once, and three small lights on the Pulse 1500 make it simple to see how much charge you have left. I can’t see myself leaving on a trip without it anytime soon. Learn more.

Pro-Knot Outdoor Knot Cards

Unless you’re a pro at knot tying, it can be difficult to remember which knot is best for different situations, and how to tie them all. Pro-Knot’s Outdoor Knot waterproof plastic cards are perfect knot tying reference guides for any outdoor enthusiast, and given they measure just 2 ¼ x 3 ½ inches, they’ll easily fit into any pack or bag, even your car’s glove box. The cards cover trying instructions for 20 knots, including essentials like the figure eight follow through, double fisherman’s, prusik, and more. The step-by-step instructions make knot tying a cinch.

Aloe Up Pro Ultra Sport SPF 30 1 oz. Lotion

If you’re hoping to keep your skin protected from the sun without a greasy mess, this month’s Cairn has a great option for you to try. Aloe Up uses Aloe plants that are organically grown and processed in the USA, and the leaves are harvested by hand. The Pro Ultra Sport SPF 30 sunscreen formula is 35% aloe vera gel by volume, which means your skin easily absorbs it without residue, and it’s highly resistant to sweat and water. Aloe Up’s Pro Ultra Sport provides full UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection, and it’s free of ingredients like oxybenzone, parabens, and alcohol.

Kratos Beef Bar (Meat Eaters Only)

If you’re a Cairn subscriber, you’ll remember that when you signed up, you were asked if you’re a meat eater or not, and if you are, a Kratos Beef Bar was included in your mix this month. In Greek mythology, Kratos is the god of strength and power. Kratos Beef Bars are formulated as a healthy alternative to standard beef jerky packages and other related options, which tend to be full of additives and fillers. The bars are made from 100% lean beef and they’re free of gluten, MSG, nitrites, and other fillers.

I’m always looking for ways to get enough protein on my adventures, and after trying the Zesty Pepper flavor from my Cairn, I can’t wait to test out the other three flavors. I could easily see having two at a time as a mid-hike snack.

Clif Bar –Nuts & Seeds (Non-Meat Eaters Only), Berry Pomegranate Chia

Clif Bar’s been on the energy bar scene since 1992. From the original Clif bars to Luna bars, Builder’s protein bars, Mojo bars, Clif shots and more, they’re a well-known fixture in the outdoor community. The Nuts and Seeds bar is a new flavor and was included in the non-meat eaters Cairn this month. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and little bit crunchy. Almonds, peanut butter, and oats are the most noticeable ingredients, and sunflower and pumpkin seeds help round out the mix.

Berry Pomegranate Chia is also a new flavor, and if you’re a dried fruit fanatic, you’ll love this one. Between the strawberries, cranberries, pomegranates, and chia seeds, you’ll get plenty of fiber without losing out on flavor. The Berry Pomegranate Chia bar is included with all Cairns sent out in May.

What are you most excited about in the March box? If you’re not a Cairn subscriber, which item would you most like to try? Leave a comment!