This week, outdoor subscription box company Cairn introduced an even more personalized service. Called Kitted by Cairn, after creating a profile, you get paired up with your own Gear Guru who curates and advises on individual product selections that are then sent to you to try before you buy.
Launching initially as a beta program, Cairn hopes that Kitted’s data driven model delivers a better curated product selection that is well-suited for each member’s outdoor needs and aspirations. With each kit you receive, the more personalized the product curation becomes.
“Consumer habits have evolved, driven by younger generations who not only want curation, but who also desire a custom shopping experience,” said Jared Peterson, Cairn co-founder and co-CEO. “Kitted by Cairn brings a custom experience to the outdoor industry already seen in so many other industries such as fashion, food, and beauty.”
Kitted’s beta service offering begins by completing a profile about sizing, budget, activities, preferences, and skill level. From there, your Gear Guru will create a custom kit shop for you to unlock online, featuring a selection of apparel and gear tailored to you.
Much like Stitch Fix, you have the opportunity to select and test the products in your kit before committing to purchase. You have five days to review and select up to five products you want in your kit, and a customized collection is then shipped to you for a 14-day testing period. You keep what you want and send back what you don’t.
You pay a curation fee of $25, which is then applied to any purchase from the kit that exceeds $100. Any unwanted products, as well as pre-loved contributions for the Gear Up, Give Back program, can be returned with a prepaid shipping label at no additional cost to you. The Gear Up, Give Back program repairs your unwanted gear and sells it through The Gear Fix, with net proceeds donated to The Conservation Alliance.
Brands already included in the Kitted program include Black Diamond, Marmot, Osprey, Big Agnes, and MSR. Kitted will be limited to 300 members during this beta launch, and Cairn will roll out the program with a product assortment for car camping, backpacking, and hiking with additional activities phased in over time.