What to know
-
All three gym vending machines stock the same set of items, so you do not need to hunt a specific machine for a specific snack.
-
The vending options mix pure resource gains (energy, hydration) with short-duration climbing buffs like Grip and Grit.
-
Protein Bar is the biggest straight energy refill shown, while Yellow Yak and Alpine Cola are the main hydration picks with buffs.
-
Fruit Jellies are a high-energy emergency option but they cost you hydration, so they are risky if you are already dry.
In Cairn, the gym vending machines are an early, reliable way to trade pocket change for quick energy, hydration, and short buffs that help you climb cleaner. All three machines in the gym share the same item list, so your main decision is what to buy first with limited coins.
The same gym sweep also turns up pocket change and at least one small bottle, which matters because the vending machine is only useful if you can pay and carry what you buy.
Vending machine item list and effects
These are the options shown in the gym vending machines, along with the effects.
| Item | Effect shown | When it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| Protein bar | +30 energy | Best for a simple refill when you want energy with no extra thinking. |
| Raisins | +20 energy | Solid mid-range energy if you are saving coins or spacing out snacks. |
| Pro energy gummies | +10 energy | Small top-up when you just need a bit to finish a section. |
| Yellow Yak | +20 hydration, 2 minutes of Grip | Good before climbing, because Grip improves grip strength so limbs tire slower and can handle more surfaces. |
| Alpine cola | +20 hydration, 3 minutes of Shield icon that corresponds to Grit | A safer pick when you expect environmental damage risk; Grit is described as reducing damage from the environment such as fall or sprinting damage. |
| Fruit jellies | +30 energy, -10 hydration | Emergency energy when you can afford to lose hydration or you have a plan to replace it soon. |
How to choose what to buy first
Your first buys should match what is most likely to end a run in the next few minutes: running out of energy, running out of hydration, or failing a hard sequence because your hands and limbs cannot keep up.
Practical buy orders you can use
-
If you are about to climb immediately: Yellow Yak first for hydration plus Grip, then add a Protein Bar if you are low on energy.
-
If you expect slips, drops, or hard landings: Alpine Cola first for hydration plus Grit, then patch energy with Raisins or a Protein Bar.
-
If you are barely short on energy: Pro Energy Gummies can bridge the gap without spending a bigger option.
-
If you are desperate for energy and do not care about being dry: Fruit Jellies are the big spike, but accept the hydration hit as the price.
How to use the buffs without wasting them
Buffs in this setup are short, so you get the most value when you drink right before the problem, not minutes earlier while you are wandering, sorting inventory, or doing easy moves. Grip is positioned as a climbing-performance buff, while Grit is positioned as a damage-mitigation buff, so you should time them around either a crux sequence or a risky transition like a jump or fast descent.
Step 1
Loot pocket change first so you know your real budget before you commit to any purchase.
Step 2
Buy hydration plus a buff when you are planning to climb right away, because it stacks survival and performance into one slot.
Step 3
Use pure energy items to stabilize after you have your buff drink, unless energy is the only thing stopping you from moving at all.
Step 4
Treat Fruit Jellies as a last-resort lever: it solves energy hard, but it creates a hydration problem you must solve next.
If you want the vending machine to feel impactful, spend coins on the drink that matches the next obstacle, then patch energy with the simplest food that gets you stable. Once you start timing Grip and Grit right before trouble, the gym vending machines become a real part of your climb plan rather than a one-time snack stop.
