Alpha Outpost is a new monthly lifestyle subscription box for men curated around a different theme each month. Each box “provides the tools and supplies you need to take any situation by the jugular” and is guaranteed to be valued at least twice as high as the purchase price. Alpha Outpost is owned and operated by U.S. military veterans.

The Homespun Chics received this box for review. All opinions are 100% our own. This post contains affiliate links.

---

 

December 2015 Alpha Outpost – “The Gentleman” 

I am SO PUMPED UP about Alpha Outpost! Everyone involved in this company has either served in the military or is a military spouse. I grew up in a military family with both my parents retiring from the U.S. Navy and one of my brothers currently serving in the Army. My husband served in the Marines and is a police detective, so I can say 100% that I really dig this company and am curious to see if the curation is as awesome as the company appears to be.

I received “The Gentleman” box a few days ago, which was originally sent to subscribers in December 2015. This is a brand new company with their first box launched in November 2015.

What Is it?

Alpha Outpost is a new lifestyle box that’s got a great twist, by preparing you for any situations you may encounter, from roadside emergencies to surviving in the wilderness to becoming a dapper gentleman. This is not a tactical box geared for military vets, but instead is designed to be a lifestyle box for anyone wanting to be prepared for anything that comes their way. Be forewarned – the team’s approach, humor, and curation is definitely through guys’ eyes. 😉

The Costs:  Starting at $39.95 per month + $6.95 s/h
(cheaper for multi-month subscriptions)

These costs are right on track with most lifestyle subscription boxes.

Jonathan was hovering when I opened the box and said he was really impressed with the packaging. I completely agree. Part of the fun in receiving a subscription box is the presentation!

This is a huge info sheet with a clean style and very simple guy humor. Be easy on these guys; they’re vets. 😉

Additionally, the box included a packing slip so you know what is supposed to be in the box, including quantities and estimated retail values.

Alpha Outpost Grooming Comb – Value:  $8.97

Note:  I did take inventory from this sheet and realized I was missing the comb in my box. I contacted Alpha Outpost and they apologized and are sending me a replacement! Their customer service is seriously legit.

First thing I noticed was how nicely packaged and secured everything appeared. I mean, this is as snug as a bug in a rug.

Portable Power Bank (mini USB) – Value:  $17.98

This is an unbranded, sleek mini USB power bank that is about the size of a credit card! It comes with a white USB charging cable. This will work great for extensive car rides with Little G and his notorious “blue iPad” (aka Verizon Ellipsis Kids) that his nana got him for Christmas… thank you, Nana, for getting our toddler such an addictive electronic device with a very short battery life.

(Note:  Subscribers with Apple devices simply contacted Alpha Outpost and received a lightning adapter in the mail, free of charge.)

Field Notes Notebook (Stealth Black) – Value:  $3.32

This is an awesome matte black notebook. I love the Field Notes brand. Their notebooks are the perfect size to stick in a coat pocket or to just keep nearby for quick notes, sketches, or phone numbers. This particular notebook has a light grey dot grid interior (instead of lined pages).

Jonathan pointed out that their new Practical Applications section, located on the back page, is hilarious. Duly noted.

Tactical Pen with DNA Catcher – Value:  $13.43

This pen is seriously intimidating. I love pens, don’t get me wrong, but this thing is hardcore. At first I thought the end was for breaking glass, but upon further research, it is actually intended for catching your assailant’s DNA during a struggle. I believe this pen is made from aircraft aluminum, so it’s lightweight despite its outward appearance. The ball point pen cartridge is compatible with standard and Fischer Space Pen refills. Intimidating as this may be, I will probably keep this in my car just in case.

Alpha Outpost Lip Balm – Value:  $3.30

This is a great minty lip balm that is noted on the price sheet to be comparable to Burt’s Bees. I am a Burt’s Bees junkie and can tell you right now… they’re right! For the weaker at heart, please disregard the humor on the tube – these guys are catering to guys. This chapstick is amazing.

The ingredients are almost identical to Burt’s Bees.

ReadyMan Hostage Escape Card – Value:  $12.95

This is a really unique inclusion in The Gentleman box. It is almost a nod to James Bond, right? Dress up to wine and dine, but always be prepared for anything.

ReadyMan was founded by U.S. Special Operations Forces veterans and skilled outdoorsmen. The company creates custom tools to help anyone be prepared for the unexpected in our modern era.  “We offer outdoor survival tactics and gear, home defense techniques & products, exciting content, and powerful information to help facilitate members to be ready.”

Learn more about ReadyMan HERE.

Black Rifle Coffee Company “GFC” Ground (4 oz) – Value:  $4.33

The bag has a 12 oz label, but this is definitely 4 oz. (as stated on the price sheet). I want to mail this to my brother, Jamie, who works with the U.S. Forestry Service on a Hot Shot burn crew. He’s hard core and loves his expletives. A lot. And skulls. And death metal.  I am a fan of coffee though, so we shall see if this ever makes its way to him.  By the way, do you like our mug? (Not included, sorry!) I thought it’d be fitting in this picture. My brother, Joe (Army), gave Jonathan this mug a couple years back and we love it. (Asheville is a notorious peace/love/happiness town.)

Black Rifle Coffee Company is veteran-owned and operated by Evan Hafer. He learned how to roast coffee in Seattle between deployments and has experienced coffee beans from all over the world.

Learn more about Black Riffle Coffee Company HERE.

Interesting Tidbit #1:  Alpha Outpost only advocates outside-branded products from companies run by fellow veterans!

Romario Manzini Polyester Neck Tie (Black) – Value:  $12.95

Satin Handkerchief (White) – Value:  $2.35

This is an incredibly appropriate inclusion for The Gentleman box! Jonathan has some beautiful suits but after talking about it, we realized he doesn’t even have a black neck tie! (What?!) So yay! Thank you, Alpha Outpost, for making him fancy.

Whiskey Glasses (Set of 2) – Value:  $5.04

These are really cool whiskey glasses. They have a textured beaded base and are quite sturdy. These look very similar to the Libbey Nob Hill glasses that I purchased for my brother’s bar down in New Orleans, so I used that cost as reference for the value. Jonathan loves the heft of the glasses and I think they’ll look great on our fictitious bar we have at the house…

Alpha Outpost Custom Whiskey Stones in Carrier Case – Value:  $11.99

I personally love that this wooden case is etched with the AO brand! It adds a nice touch and the box fits the stones perfectly.

Heck yeah! Look at those whiskey stones! I was impressed with the box being etched, but custom whiskey stones really takes it up a notch. Usually I don’t like everything being branded, but the AO detail is nice and clean. Jonathan is stoked because he’s been wanting whiskey stones for a while now. Hooray!

Alpha Outpost was kind enough to create a great menu card to help us poor noobs find our way through making mixed drinks at home! I had to physically hold Jonathan back from grabbing all of the ingredients immediately after opening the Alpha Outpost box.

Alpha Outpost Steel Flask – Value:  $9.25

“A gentleman should be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.”

Aah, a lightweight flask for the every-man (or woman). This flask is super lightweight, sophisticated, and portable. Any dapper man should have at least one flask in his possession!

One thing I really want to point out here is the amount of effort that went into building and packing the December 2015 Alpha Outpost boxes.

Interesting Tidbit #2:  There were only FIVE people working at Alpha Outpost in December who built 2,500 December subscription boxes. If my math is correct, there were 15,000 boxes needing to be built (including the smaller boxes inside) in order to get the December boxes to their rightful owners. That’s some dedication!!

My Thoughts

December 2015 Alpha Outpost “The Gentleman” Total Value:   $105.86

I am just blown away by the sheer attention to detail, quality of items, and overall curation in this box. This is totally a guy’s box, but it’s interesting how many items can be used by women as well. It is extremely special and worth noting that Alpha Outpost is a veteran-run organization who also supports fellow veteran-run organizations. Added to that, this box has an amazing value of over twice as much as what the subscription costs!

Alpha Outpost’s customer service is the best I’ve ever witnessed (Visit Their Facebook Page to see what I mean). Anyone can contact Alpha Outpost about anything and they will receive a personal response from one of the team members to ensure you get your answers.

This was a great first Alpha Outpost box for me.  Each month’s themes are very unique from one another and I am really looking forward to seeing January’s box, “The VEGA” (vehicle emergency go assembly).

xo
Sarah

What do you think of Alpha Outpost?