Crate Club

What's in the box: A curated mix of survival, tactical, outdoor and EDC gear such as fire starters, knives, flashlights, med kits or optics, depending on the tier.

Crate Club is a US subscription service that ships tactical, survival, outdoor and everyday carry (EDC) gear on a recurring schedule. It has four tiers. Lieutenant costs $49.99 a month, Captain $99.99 a month and Major $199.99 a month. General is billed at $399.99 a quarter or $1,399.99 a year. Each tier lists an average retail value above its price, but those figures come from the company and are hard to check independently. The site says its team hand-picks and field-tests the gear, and it names brands such as Gerber, Bushnell, CRKT, Magpul and Sig Sauer. The entry tier focuses on basics like fire starters, self-defense tools and EDC items. Higher tiers add flashlights, optics, water purification and medical kits. Your first crate ships right away, and later crates follow the regular cadence. Members also get access to a community and members-only giveaways. The main drawback is that the company chooses the contents, so experienced gear owners may get items they already have. The upper tiers are also a large recurring expense. The marketing is loud and aimed squarely at a tactical audience. For people who enjoy finding new gear and like surprise deliveries, it is an established option with a clear tier structure.