Design
Quality of Materials
Value for Money 
Craftsmanship 
Customer Service “Luxury isn’t about buying expensive things. It’s about living in a way where you appreciate things.” – Oscar de la Renta
If you’re a man who lives a curated life, you’ve no doubt heard of Gentleman’s Box.
The brand started as a simple subscription, their classic box doling out matching socks and ties. But as they grew, they created their Premium Box: a supposed elevated experience designed to bring the finer things in life to our doorsteps.
I’ve given Gentleman’s Box two tries on their Premium subscription. So how’d they do? Keep reading to find out.
Skip Ahead
What is Gentleman’s Box Premium?
The Gentleman’s Box Premium experience isn’t just a beefed up version of their classic subscription. It’s a different subscription altogether.
Each box is loaded with four to six items curated around a theme. For instance, the most recent box I got was the Outdoorsman Edition. Each item is meant to make your camping experience a little more luxurious. With a solid knife, roll-up chess board, and an easily-packed hammock (plus a few other things), you’re getting items you don’t always think about but make your trip better.
It’s a quarterly subscription, meaning you get a new box every three months instead of the more common monthly subscription model.
I like the quarterly model because it’s a nice gear boost (usually seasonal, too) but you’re never getting so much that it becomes overwhelming.
Gentleman’s Box Classic vs. Premium
There are a few key differences between Gentleman’s Box Premium and Classic:
- Premium is $100/ box and Classic is $29
- Premium ships every three months, but Classic is a monthly deal
- Classic has a formula, and Premium is less predictable
Both subscriptions have their place. If you like to regularly keep your sock and tie collection fresh, or if you love the small accessories that make a suit pop, then the Gentleman’s Box Classic subscription is a great choice.
Each Classic box comes with a pair of socks, a tie, tie-bar, lapel pin, and usually one or two other accessories. The value is excellent on these boxes, so long as you have a place to wear a tie.
The Premium subscription is more of an “experience in a box.” Because they’re less frequent, they’re curated to help you make the most of the upcoming season.
Gentleman’s Box delivered big value going for quality over quantity, and while some items could have used more attention to detail, this package helps complete the image of the modern gentleman.
The Outdoorsman Edition (Summer 2020)
Given the state of the world in fall 2020, Gentleman’s Box made a smart move and curated a box dedicated to getting us all outside.
This box is loaded up with five items, and unlike the standard Gentleman’s Box subscription, these are less about building better fashion and more about building a well-rounded lifestyle.
Vintage Gentlemen Knife
It’s a good thing Gentleman’s Box puts ample warnings throughout their booklet because the first thing I did when opening my premium box was bust this knife out and start twirling it around like I was trying out for the spirit squad.
This knife from Vintage Gentlemen looks incredible. It’s finished in such a way that it appears to be damascus steel (it’s stainless), so it has that cool marbling/wood-grain effect. The blade is four inches, so it’s a hefty beast.
It comes with a leather sheath that has a belt loop riveted in. Because the knife doesn’t fold in, you definitely want to hold on to the sheath.
It’s sharp and has enough heft to cut off small branches and make wood shavings for starting a fire.
I always love getting a new knife and this makes for an excellent camping companion. Because it’s stainless steel, I’m not so worried about moisture like I would be with carbon-steel or true Damascus.
Eco Vessel Blanket
Eco Vessel is a Boulder, Colorado based brand that places sustainability at the core of their philosophy. The blanket featured in this Premium box is a wool/polyester blend, and it’s big enough for picnics.
Really, that’s my measure of any good blanket: can I peacefully eat cured meats on it without being attacked by ants? How did Eco Vessel do? I’m happy to say: no ant bites, and plenty of cured meats.
I appreciate that Gentleman’s Box also treats their booklet as almost a separate item that holds value on its own.
Beyond helpful tips on how to use certain items, they also include discount codes that help you dive deeper into the new brands you’ve just discovered. For instance, you can snag 30% off anything from the Eco Vessel store using a special code they’ve included right in the booklet.
It’s small things like this that make the box feel more like an experience, rather than a jumble of items.
Gear Scope Parachute Hammock
Oh, man. It’s been so long since I’ve laid in a hammock. You know that feeling when you kick back and a little slice of light shoots through the leaves and onto your face. That’s up there in the all-time best feelings, right next to when your enemy says something mean and then falls on their skateboard.
The Gear Scope hammock is a one-person relaxation-station, but with a 440lb weight limit, you could probably bring your girl in, so long as you’re both ok in tight quarters.
It comes with a built-in mosquito net, which is awesome. It’s hard to relax when you have a squiter buzzing right near your ear. You know what I’m talking about.
I haven’t had a chance to deploy this Parachute Hammock yet—the last time I went out for a hike, a hurricane had just recently passed through North Carolina. When the ground is wet, NC trees will fall over for any old reason, so I wasn’t about to
But I’m really excited about this hammock for my next camping trip. It’s perfect for the mid-afternoon nap.
Baker Rye Co. Charcoal Face Wipes
Gentleman’s Box threw in some Baker Rye Co. Charcoal Face Wipes to help keep your skincare game strong when you go out into the wilderness.
With activated charcoal and hyaluronic acid, these face wipes are pretty advanced. Both ingredients promote deep cleaning, and are especially helpful for guys with oily skin.
Given how much skincare content we have here at TAM, it’s safe to say we’re big believers in the morning face wash routine, but that’s simply not possible when you’re camping. So these wipes will come in handy for the next trip.
Gents Essentials Roll Up Checkers & Chess Game
This is great. The Queen’s Gambit just came out on Netflix and I’ve been binging it. If you’re not familiar with the show, it goes like this: a troubled chess prodigy plays chess really good.
So while I normally act like a savant, having a chess board has been fun.
This Roll Up Checkers & Chess game from Gents Essentials is surprisingly heavy-duty. It’s not some flimsy roll-up board. Both games are played with the same pieces: one side is solid and the other has a chess icon printed on it. They all fit neatly into a compact roll that’s incredibly easy to pack and take with you on the go.
I’ve always been terrible at chess. But now, Gentleman’s Box is giving me a chance to turn my life around. At least with chess.
The Commuter Edition (Fall 2019)
Packaging
The packaging for the Premium subscription is solid. It’s large but still easy to handle.
Fall 2019 featured The Commuter Edition.
Everything was neatly wrapped and carefully placed, and I enjoyed reading the accompanying booklet. I was able to learn all about the individual companies that produced the items in the package. Plus, the note from the founder, John Haji, was a great touch.
Modern Made Man Leather Backpack
The largest item in The Commuter Edition is the leather backpack from Modern Made Man.
Retailing at $169, the price of the backpack is greater than the cost of the Premium subscription.
That’s a good start.
The design is clean and minimalist. I love the strap across the top of the bag and it helps a surprising amount when traveling.
There are three major pockets in the bag—one in the back for a laptop, a main compartment, and a smaller pouch in the front.
The laptop pocket features a dedicated space to stow your computer when you’re on the go. There’s a button-down strap you can secure across the top, which is great for when you set your bag down.
The padding in this pocket is pretty sparse—it feels like a thin layer of styrofoam—so you’re not getting a ton of protection.
The main compartment has plenty of spaces for pens, wallet, cellphone, a book—whatever you need for your daily commute. Modern Made Man put some thought into how this bag would be used and went the extra mile to make sure it was a great value.
The front pouch is just a front pouch. Nothing special. But I like the look and I appreciate the extra space.
I love the leather pulls on the zippers. I took this bag out with me for a workday during one of North Carolina’s first true fall days. After a hot and humid summer, 40 degrees was feeling pretty chilly (the whole state of Washington is laughing at me).
The leather zipper-pulls really made a difference in how easy it was to open the bag. They’re not just for looks.
This leather backpack isn’t easy to adjust on the shoulders. You have to work at it. But I like the silver and leather look, so I’ll take the stiff adjustment hoops.
To be honest, I don’t think I’d pay $169 for this bag. That being said, I’d value it at nearly the cost of a Gentleman’s Box Premium subscription. So just with the first item, I’m feeling like it was worth it.
But that’s just the beginning. There’s still the rest of the box to go.
Armoir Fashion Leather Portfolio
Next up is the Armoir Fashion Leather Portfolio.
This simple leather design has a very rustic appeal to it. There are plenty of places to see the unique leather grain, complete with scuff marks and defects.
I dig the rustic look, and I’ll definitely get a lot of use out of this piece. It does appear to be made from scrap leather, though. The stitching is a bit uneven and the edges are unburnished. Armoir Fashion isn’t sending a fine-finished piece, and a little effort could’ve gone a long way.
The leather portfolio is exactly the reason I like subscription services. It’s a small item that I’d never think to get for myself. But once I see it, I can think of ten different ways to use it. And while it’s not a deal-breaker, I would have liked a little more attention to detail from Armoir Fashion.
Andar Leather Corditos
What the heck are corditos?
I’ll tell you.
They’re awesome, that’s what they are.
The Fall 2019 box packs three of these super simple leather patches that save a world of headache.
I love a simple design that saves frustration. The Andar Corditos are perfect for packing headphones and charger cables. Since I work from cafes a lot, I’m always stashing cords for my camera and computer. These have come in handy nearly every day since I first got them.
I wish I had twenty, but three will have to do for now.
Gentleman Collective Umbrella
The Gentleman Collective umbrella couldn’t have come at a better time.
In my move from California to North Carolina, I didn’t pack an umbrella. It’s crazy. It literally never rains in Cali.
Further Reading: 7 Impressive California Clothing Brands to Watch in 2020
And when it rains in North Carolina, it’s the sort of rain that makes you want to build a boat and start herding pairs of animals.
Still, for the last year, I’ve been totally unprepared. I actually had an umbrella in my Amazon cart but hadn’t hit the buy button yet.
So that’s a total win for Gentleman’s Box. They sent me something I didn’t have and I was willing to buy on its own. A lot of times with subscription services, you’re getting cool items that you like but don’t need. This one was different.
I haven’t personally used my umbrella yet, but you know who has? My wife.
It was a stormy day and she was about to leave for work. She pulled out a paper grocery bag to hold over her head (because she knew we didn’t have an umbrella) and was about to leave. I stopped her. Bam. Umbrella. Such a gentleman I am.
Gentleman’s Box delivered big value going for quality over quantity, and while some items could have used more attention to detail, this package helps complete the image of the modern gentleman.
What Others Say About Gentleman’s Box
Over 450 reviews on Trustpilot average out to over 4 stars—earning them a “Great” rating. 50 Amazon ratings come to the same conclusion.
The Youtube community also has positive things to say about their experience with both the Classic and Premium subscriptions.
One issue that came up is their “call-to-cancel” policy. They claim it’s so they can gather feedback from the community, but it also makes canceling more difficult.
Other unhappy reviewers just didn’t care for the look of the items they were getting. Your best bet is to take a look at previous shipments. If you don’t like what you see, you won’t like what’s coming.
On the flip-side, if you like what you see, you can expect more great things every quarter or every month.
Based on all the online-love, most people agree that Gentleman’s Box offers a great value for the cost.
My Overall Thoughts on Gentleman’s Box Premium
What I Like
I definitely feel like I got more value than the cost of the subscription for both deliveries.
While I’ll get varying degrees of use out of these products, each item held its own. They’re all useful and I’m happy to have each piece.
All the items look cool and fit into my style easily. I love the Vintage Gentlemen knife.
I finally have an umbrella and was able to save the day by giving it to my wife.
What I Don’t Like
The Armoir Fashion leather portfolio could have used a little more TLC. I appreciate the rustic design, but I expect to have burnished edges and consistent stitching on premium quality products.
The “call-to-cancel” policy seems a little outdated. For an internet-native company, I expect to see a streamlined, easy process for handling cancellations.
Who is Gentleman’s Box Premium For?
Gentleman’s Box Premium is a great fit for any guy who wants an easy, consistent way to stock up on lifestyle gear that’s both functional and looks cool.
The Verdict
I don’t know how to say this nicely, but many subscription services come with one cool item and a bunch of other useless junk.
In my first two Gentleman’s Box Premium deliveries, I’m impressed.
Each item held its own, which isn’t always the case. I see myself using each of these items regularly.
I like to keep things simple and classic. Both boxes outfitted me with items that fit my style just right. As far as subscriptions go, Gentleman’s Box does an excellent job with their Premium edition. I just wish they released monthly.
Gentleman’s Box delivered big value going for quality over quantity, and while some items could have used more attention to detail, this package helps complete the image of the modern gentleman.
FAQs
What comes in a Gentleman’s Box?
Each package is different. With Gentleman’s Box Premium, you’re getting five to six “lifestyle” items, like knives, backpacks, leather portfolios, and blankets; all tailored to fit the modern man’s life.
How often does Gentleman’s Box Premium ship?
Gentleman’s Box Premium is a quarterly subscription, so it ships every three months.
