Kratom Vendors

1836 Kratom: Nothing Outdated Here

This Texan kratom vendor cultivates an Old Western atmosphere perfectly. Their website, packaging, and strain names like “Texas  Red” evoke the spirit of pistol-packing cowboys riding horses through the desert.

You can’t buy from their website, but the vendor map shows you the locations of the several hundred stores across the United States that stock their products. However, widespread availability doth not a good vendor make; instead, it’s the quality of their products.

Dive deep into what makes 1836 Kratom special in this review.

Written by Nigel Ford
Last Updated 9 months ago

Nigel Ford

Medical Herbalist

Nigel is a certified herbalist, avid kratom user, and one of the leading members of our Kratom Vendor Review Board. 

Overall Rating:
4.25

Vendor Rating: 4.25

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $7.99 — $
Verified Vendor

1836 Kratom

4.25 / 5
Ranked 20 out of 190 vendors

1836 Kratom is a step ahead of many vendors in design and delivery, with a highly memorable message and image. Most people agree that their quality is above par, although there is some variability, of course.

The main concern one might have is the inability to purchase their products through their website. You have to either use a website they link you to or find a local store that stocks their products.

Generally, this means you have to pay a markup on their already-high prices. Their quality is good, but most customers agree it’s not as good as it should be for the premium price.

About 1836 Kratom

1836 has pretty much everything you could want from a kratom vendor: consistency, quality, a good sense of humor, the willingness to educate and advocate, and strict adherence to regulations and rules.

The only thing they lack is, unfortunately, also the most important for most people. They’re not an actual vendor but a wholesale dealer, and their site is for businesses, not individuals.

However, there is a way to circumnavigate this since another business discussed below operates as their de facto online storefront.

1836 is first and foremost recognizable by its fantastic website design and packaging. Everything looks like it came straight out of an advertisement produced in the middle of the 19th century. The website is worth a visit just to look at.

Aside from that, the company is clearly dedicated to the safety of its customers. They plaster numerous warnings on their products regarding the safety and proper usage of kratom; they encourage “moderation and consideration when deciding how much and how often to use kratom.”

As a member of the American Kratom Association (AKA) and cGMP-qualified vendor, they are proud to advocate for kratom. With many kratom users present among the staff, they “demand safe products for ourselves, our families, and our customers.”

This means following regulations, ensuring products meet strict quality standards through consistent testing, and that only reputable vendors source their products.

The company regularly donates to the AKA and is highly involved in numerous other programs and charities, such as the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Heart Heroes, the ALS Association, and personal advocates for and fund Dr. Chris Mcgurdy.

Dr. Chris McCurdy is a graduate of the University of Florida and a broadly trained medicinal chemist. He discovered kratom during his 20 years of research, looking for an effective solution to addiction. This led to his discovery of kratom and subsequent rise to being known as the “Top Kratom Researcher,” according to Forbes.

His involvement and advocacy for kratom are a part of this drive to help people struggling with addiction. He spoke in front of the World Health Organization in 2021 and is a large part of why the FDA’s attempt to ban kratom was a flop. Coincidentally (or not?), another Chris McGurdy was born in 1836.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • AKA certified
  • Advocates for kratom users
  • High quality
  • Great customer service
  • Plenty of positive customer reviews
Cons
  • Only sells wholesale
  • Expensive

Top Alternatives

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1836 Kratom Product Reviews

From their line of creatively named powders, 1836 Kratom offers vendors an opportunity to choose quality over quantity. They have a couple of options for each strain but don’t expect much variety to pick from.

Customers can’t order from 1836’s website, but if the store locator can’t find a vendor selling their products near you, click the link for their outlet shop — Crystal River Herbs stocks all their goods.

1836 doesn’t have the largest selection, but they offer top-notch quality. Plus, Crystal River Herbs offers all types of herbal ingredients, from kratom to echinacea, meaning you’ll fill up your herbal cupboard quickly!

Kratom Leaf Powder

Whether or not you are a regular user, chances are you know that kratom is usually sold as a powder. Powders are the most common form of bulk herbal products as they are the easiest to work with. They also serve as a foundation for creating other products like extracts or capsules.

At first, it seems like the product descriptions are either written by amateurs or outsourced to people without English as a first language. This practice is often employed by scammers or people too cheap to invest in their company.

However, the structure of their sentences and specific choice of words shows the descriptions are a calculated attempt to avoid raising red flags with the FDA.

Adhering to the FDA guidelines is paramount for any kratom vendor, though many don’t know how to. 1836 has dedicated the time to finding a writer who can remain creative and fluid with their prose while following the restrictive guidelines.

Since 1836 Kratom sells their products in head shops and stores nationwide, you cannot check prices online. Vendors set prices accounting for costs, but all sources indicate 1836 is expensive. Thus, buying it from a shop will be pricey (think $38-40 for 250 grams).

1836 Kratom Atomic Maeng Da

1836 Atomic Maeng Da seems to be the most commonly-cited strain on Reddit. Even people who aren’t fans of any of the company’s other strains tend to admit that their Atomic Maeng Da was a “bomb.”

The blend is a “full spectrum” Maeng Da, containing red, green, and white. The result is supposedly a perfect blend of energy and pain relief that people can enjoy without worrying about getting too sedated.

There are benefits and drawbacks to the process of mixing Maeng Da strains. Some people find that it gives them brain fog; others find it cancels out the benefits you get from picking one strain (mixing an energetic white with a relaxing red, for example, is counterintuitive).

Nonetheless, just about everyone who reports on Atomic Maeng Da finds these side effects entirely absent. It provides a great energy boost without fogging the brain or counteracting its effects.

1836 Kratom Shangri La La

This blend is almost commendable for its name alone. Shangri La La is described as a “Zenful blend.” However, it’s not made from relaxing reds, as one might expect. I had an afterthought of hyperactive monks dancing in circles when I saw the blend of greens and whites.

The description tells people to expect extreme energy and a sense of well-being. Certainly, the latter is associated with Zen, but generally, you don’t find Zen masters racing around accomplishing mountains of tasks.

1836 Kratom Texas Red

This is another strain fondly remembered by the imagery produced by its name. Texas Red reviews are mixed, and the description might not be the most reliable. But those who like it like it a lot.

Multiple people have written full-fledged reviews for this strain alone and refer to it as some of the best kratom they’ve ever had. Not bad for a brand you can buy in a head shop, but at premium prices, you should expect as much.

Other Strains Offered By 1836 Kratom

There are a few other strains, each with a unique name and beautifully designed packaging.

  • Green Means Go is a supercharged Malaysian Maeng Da designed to provide energy and endurance among athletes and hard workers.
  • Red Bali is one of the only strains they sell according to its original name and needs no introduction; it’s one of the most reliable and sedating varieties.
  • Super Gold is a “balanced blend for mellow cats,” claimed to be the ultimate strain for producing a good mood without making one excessively energetic or sedated.
  • Great White is a strong white kratom; it’s sold in a container decorated with a dangerous shark and dedicated to runners, workers, and anyone in need of exceptional focus.

Kratom Capsules

Kratom capsules are one of the most popular ways to consume kratom. They eliminate the unpleasantness associated with choking on your powder. However, due to the extra effort involved on the part of the vendor, capsules are often more expensive.

1836 stands apart from most other vendors in that they use jumbo capsules that hold an entire gram. Other vendors rely strictly on size double zero capsules that hold 500 mg.

Ultimately, the size of the capsule doesn’t matter, but these extra-large capsules could be a bonus or drawback. Some people will have no problem with them, but others might not be able to swallow them.

Capsules come in the following sizes:

  • A package of 20 capsules
  • A tin of 50 capsules or 150 capsules
  • A kilogram of 1,000 capsules

Kratom Tinctures

Kratom tinctures generally refer to any liquid-based kratom extract and very rarely to actual tinctures, which are alcohol-based extracts. Since kratom alkaloids are already highly soluble in water, there’s little need to make an alcohol-based extraction unless you’re making one at home for long-term use.

Kratom tinctures were notorious for being falsely marketed, but fortunately, the kratom space is cleaning up quite a bit. Legitimate, high-strength kratom liquid shots are more and more common.

There’s no need to worry about quality when buying from 1836. The liquid shots include:

  • Invisible Electric Liquid Suspension contains a total of 430 mg per 15 ml shot, more than 100 mg of which is tested to be mitragynine. It is roughly equivalent to 12 g of kratom.
  • 1836 Fitness is designed to help athletes and gym-goers. Each contains the equivalent of 3-5 g of kratom and 160 mg of caffeine. They come in two flavors: peppermint and cinnamon.

Proprietary Products

1836 Kratom offers a couple of things that don’t fit squarely into the other categories.

  • Candy Apple Caramel Chews. These contain 22 mg of mitragynine and other alkaloids from a full-spectrum extract and are only intended for occasional use.
  • Fighter’s Full Potential. The website says this is the founder’s favorite product. It’s a strong green kratom enhanced with turmeric, cayenne, and cinnamon and would make a mean inflammation-fighting, high-energy kratom experience.
  • Electric Illumination High Octane Dissolvable Chews. These chewable kratom tablets contain a full dose of their strong extract made from white and green strains and are good for focus and energy.

Is 1836 Kratom Legit?

1836 is definitely legit. The parent company, Steding & Sons Mercantile, opened in 2017 and has shown remarkable consistency and dedication to remaining transparent in its business dealings.

1836 remains dedicated to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction, which is evident anywhere you find something linked to them. Whether you’re reading their product catalog, designed with the same attention to detail and creativity as their product packaging, or receiving an email from customer service, they always provide top-notch experiences.

1836 is often found at head shops, though it’s never associated with the typically low-quality “head shop kratom” many people look at with disdain. In fact, 1836 Kratom seems to contribute to a shift that encourages stores to practice better quality control regarding kratom products.

The company’s membership and support of the American Kratom Association are further evidence of its legitimacy. They continue supporting kratom users and advocating for kratom in the USA and beyond.

What You Can Expect To Pay

It’s pretty common to hear people complaining about the price of 1836 Kratom, and there’s plenty of reason for that. The company is top-tier, so they charge a premium price.

The shops have to jack the price even further to profit. This means that you’ll occasionally end up with absurd prices.

Because each store sets the price, we can’t specify what you’ll pay.

Accepted Payment Options

Since these guys are bulk wholesalers, you need to email them and register as a vendor to access the vendor page, where you can place orders.

As an individual, you can follow the link to Crystal River Herbs. They accept a few payment methods. The first one is as an existing e-check customer. To take advantage of this, you must be pre-approved and have experience purchasing from this company.

If you don’t do that, you’ll have to select the option to send them an invoice. This is the only way they can legally accept credit card payments. Once you place your order, you’ll be sent an invoice via email, which you can pay at the click of a button.

You can also pay by cash, which allows you to pay by personal check or money order and mail it directly to the company.

1836 Kratom Coupon Codes

This is a bulk business and doesn’t offer coupons, but you can check with local businesses or online vendors selling 1836 to see if they have any specials.

What Other Customers Say About This Brand

1836 Kratom is one of those vendors that people go out of their way to review so that others can share their positive experiences. While not every report on Reddit is positive, the vast majority are.

One Redditor went as far as providing a live-action trip report write-up on her experience taking 1836 Texas Red. She was underwhelmed for the first 45 minutes and concerned that it wasn’t working. After taking another teaspoon and waiting a bit, she said the effects continued to build stronger and stronger for up to 4 hours.

She concluded by saying it was the best kratom she had ever used. She speculated that since it was tested and contained only 1% mitragynine, something else might be responsible for the feelings of bliss and relaxation.

There has been more than one mention of 1836’s green kratom inducing nausea or vomiting. However, many people complaining about nausea later admit that they probably took too much.

Another user went a step further, making a post to ask if anybody had ever not been impressed by 1836 kratom. “I’m genuinely curious as I want to affirm my theory that there is no matter before I settle them as my favorite.”

Most of the comments agree with people saying that they were blown away by this strain or that. The company is revered for its transparency, quality, and testing. Occasionally, someone will counter the original post by saying they’re not a fan.

For example, in response to the post just mentioned, you/expertcollege8902 says they are “awful! Overpriced, their labs don’t match their packaging and the MIT is so low. I tried everyone that they offer. “

A couple of people agreed with them, but considering there are exactly a hundred comments on this post, and the vast majority are positive, it speaks well of 1836. Furthermore, almost all of the negative comments relate to the price somehow. It’s never said they have bad quality.

When the posts aren’t specifically about 1836’s kratom, people often chime in about their positive experiences with the company overall and frequently praise their reliability and customer service.

Shipping & Returns

Again: bulk vendor. Although there have been stories of people contacting them by email and ordering small shipments, you must ask them for the specifics.

Otherwise, follow the link to Crystal Herbs on their “Buy It” page.

These guys have 1836 products ready to ship to all US states where kratom remains legal. Any orders received before 2:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time are shipped out the same day.

You can enjoy free shipping if you place an order over $100. I made a dummy order to see the regular prices, and it was only $8 for standard flat-rate shipping, despite the zip code I entered being in Alaska.

Best Alternative Kratom Vendors

Fear not if you can’t buy 1836 Kratom in your local area. Plenty of other vendors offer excellent kratom and ship across the United States. Consider trying one of our favorites.

VIP Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $40.00 — $125.00
Verified Vendor

VIP Kratom

4.85 / 5
Ranked 4 out of 190 vendors

Though you don’t need a VIP membership to buy from VIP Kratom, the prices, quality, and packaging make you feel like you’re a part of something special. These guys are known for vetting their sources and only providing top-notch kratom to their customers.

VIP offers friendly customer service, fast shipping, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all orders.

Pros:

  • High-quality
  • Consistent
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Good customer service
  • Fast shipping

Cons:

  • Expensive

Star Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $35 — $95
Verified Vendor

Star Kratom

4.9 / 5
Ranked 2 out of 190 vendors

Star Kratom is passionate about helping our customers find good value. They offer high-quality kratom in both bulk and small orders at affordable prices. The company is known for having some of the fastest shipping in the industry.

Though they don’t have a ton of strains but are consistent and carry all of the staples. Star offers a money-back guarantee on all orders.

Pros

  • Consistent
  • Fast shipping
  • Friendly
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Small selection

Kona Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $45.00 — $115.00
Verified Vendor

Kona Kratom

4.95 / 5
Ranked 1 out of 190 vendors

This company works directly with indigenous kratom exporters, making Kona Kratom a great place to shop. They’re known for their ethical, consistent, and reliable business practices.

Kona has competitive prices, a great selection, and tests everything to ensure the highest quality. Their money-back guarantee ensures you are happy with your purchase.

Pros

  • Has boots on the ground in Indonesia and has relationships with the growers
  • High quality
  • Environmentally and ethically conscious company
  • Good selection
  • Money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Slower shipping than in some places

Final Thoughts: Top-Notch Quality & Prices to Match

1836 Kratom has made such a huge impact that many kratom connoisseurs will seek them out specifically, despite it being ‘head shop’ kratom.

There’s a good reason for this. The company’s dedication to quality control and consistency has raised the bar.

The only qualms people have about this AKA-certified vendor are their price or that you can’t order directly from them. However, they recommend people visit their sister site, Crystal River Herbs, where you can buy their products at a minimal markup.

If you do that, the two most recommended types of kratom seem to be their Atomic Maeng Da and their Texas Red, although the latter is often hit or miss. 

If you want excellent kratom that’s easier to get — and more affordable — check out Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, or VIP Kratom.

Further Reading