Alpha Outpost Subscription Box Review – May 2016

Alpha Outpost is a monthly subscription box packed with preparedness and survival gear.  The box is veteran-owned and run, and every box is made with input from current or former special forces or clandestine services operators.   Not every box is your typical survivalist fare — some installments show their sense of humor, offering “survival” support for more commonplace scenarios, like date night.  This month’s box has very broad appeal — it includes a stocked dopp kit!  The box is instantly recognizable when it shows up on your doorstep.  It’s branded on all surfaces with slogans and a cool topo map graphic.

The theme for this installment is “the Dopp Kit.”

A list of retail value is also provided.  The total this month is a little over $100!  The price estimates are rounded, but they seem to be fair approximations of retail price — lots of value in this box!

Everything in my May Alpha Outpost Box!  I was really impressed by this installment — several high-quality items that are immediately useful (not just stowed for contingencies).

Alpha Outpost Cap:  This ball cap is a classy dark black and has an embroidered logo on the front.  I like it alot — the logo isn’t jarring, and the cap is a modest color and not camo (fine for the woods, but the opposite of inconspicuous in an urban environment).

Alpha Outpost Patch ($3):  This hook and loop patch has the AO logo in white embroidered letters.  The mate to this hook and loop pad is on the dopp kit itself, but the patch can be worn on any looped pad.

The hat has an adjustable strap that fastens with hook and loop.  I like the classic styling — no trucker mesh or cheap post and hole size adjustment.

The box came with The Dopp Kit Grooming Manual in a binder.

The binder has tons of content, presented in a no nonsense, but humorous fashion.  It covers the basics of good grooming and hygiene, with some helpful guidance on getting the most out of the items in the kit.  I thought it was really cool that they went so far as to include a tutorial on stropping, or honing a straight razor on leather.

Duke Cannon Soap ($8):  This is truly a “big ass brick of soap!”  Holding a bar of Duke Cannon is much like holding a full beer can, both in size and weight.  It’s a very effective soap, with real oats sprinkled throughout for added grip and scrubbing power.  Duke Cannon supports the military through donation of a portion of proceeds, and they even performed the testing of the bar on some grunts for product improvement purposes.  They make a black bar of soap that I liked well enough, but it left a dark film all over the basin — this is much better.  It has an intense mint aroma that is really invigorating. Smells like productivity!

Alpha Outpost Soap Pouch ($3):  Sized to fit the Duke Cannon bar, this extra large mesh pouch is a durable, grippable, and much more masculine alternative to the loofah.  A drawstring holds the soap inside the pouch, and the texture of the mesh both provides an exfoliating surface and encourages sudsing.

Toe Nail Clippers ($8):  These are heavy duty, with a very solid feel.  Styled like a combat knife, the lever has cutouts for grip and to remove weight.  The finish is a matte stainless, a bit less slippery and more functional looking than your typical polished finish.

Finger Nail Clippers ($6):  Nearly identical to the toe nail clippers but for the smaller size, these clippers are sharp and very sturdy.  I was really impressed with the pair of clippers, as they are heavier gauge than my favorite pair at home that I’ve guarded jealously for over a decade.

Professional Barber Scissors ($10):  These are nice and thick, with actual cutting power.  The blades make that telltale swishing sound when you snip, telling you that the blades are very true and aligned to brush past each other very precisely, giving a clean cut.  The blades are attached with a bolt and nut for ease of cleaning.

Metal Comb ($12):  Very heavy duty, with a wipe clean finish, this comb should outlast your hair.  Much thicker than many metal combs, the thick tines are unlikely to bend or misalign without purposeful, tool-aided tinkering.

Alpha Outpost Straight Razor ($15):  Shaving with a straight razor has a cool factor and cultural cache that the safety razor will never match, and a properly maintained straight razor can provide the gold standard of close shaves for decades.  The very thick tang tapers concavely to an ultra thin edge (it even rings when brushed against).  The blade swings into the handle for stowing.

Huckleberry Beard Company Pre-Shave Oil ($10):  Made from high-quality plant-derived oils and botanicals, this treatment moisturizes, tones, and lubricates your face to protect it during shaving.

Alpha Outpost Face Towel ($5):  This microfiber towel bears the Alpha Outpost logo.  Soft and absorbent, it makes a good shaving towel or face cloth.

Waterproof Dopp Bag ($20):  Shown here with the Alpha Outpost hook and loop patch attached, the Dopp Kit itself is very impressive.  Made of thick waterproof canvas, the kit has reinforced trim added at potential wear points.  The exterior flap has a zippered pocket.

The interior has a large mesh pocket and two sleeves that secure with a hook and loop closure.

Yet another pocket is underneath the exterior flap.

The pack can be carried in numerous ways.  There is a padded handle at the top, stretch straps for lashing or looping webbing, a set of rings for carabiners or lashing, etc., and snap-down webbing for attaching to a hip pad or similar belt.  

Finally, there is a shoulder strap for hauling it solo and hands free.  It doesn’t look overtly feminine, even on a female mannequin!

We’ve had a fairly positive take on this subscription since we first received it, but this edition definitely wowed us with lots of practical items and high value.  This box is put together by guys who know their trade, and they consult with guys who are even more bad-ass to make sure you receive the same level of gear and advice the operators themselves rely on.  I like the way the themes and gear varies month to month, with some being more tactical and field-practical, and others being lifestyle-leaning offerings to keep things fun.

Visit Alpha Outpost to subscribe or find out more!