Various Brands (Scramble Kit Test Bargains)

Scramble's Kit Test Bargains

Scramble run two intensive kit tests per year (see here). They wanted a single place to off-load individual items from old kit tests, so we made this page: The Scramble Kit Test Bargain Bucket.

Because Scramble don't have a limitless budget they do a great deal of research before items are even selected as possible rivals for pre-existing recommendations. All items listed here were genuine "best-in-class" contenders and will likely serve their new owners very well indeed.

Scramble's editor has written a note for each item, stating its precise condition, usage and any background information that may help customers make an informed purchase.

We've reversed the product list below, so new additions come first.

Warranty & Returns

Scramble are very confident in their kit test products and have offered a full 1 year guarantee. If any of these products fail within the warranty period simply return the item for a full refund. In addition if the product is not to your liking simply return it as you would a new item (see our Returns Policy).

Finally, all product images are of the actual items for sale (they're not stock images).

We'll hand it over to Scramble ...

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT // Compressor 3/4 Pant (Insulated Over Or Under-Trousers / New With Tags): £60.00

Drop-Down Code: MEQ-A11

Price: £60.00  (RRP £120.00)

Size: Large (32"-34" waist, alpine fit), Inside Leg = Regular (31" / 79.5cm)

Item Weight: 270g

Insulation: POLARLOFT® insulation (80g/sm)

Colour: Black

Condition: New with tags

Manufacturer Product Page (for product details): https://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/products/compressor-3-4-pant

PRODUCT INFORMATION

When we're testing an item we'll often purchase a number of them for Scramble team members to test. In this case we over-bought and this item wasn't required. As such it's in brand new condition with tags still attached.

Ultimately we ended up going with another ME product which we're currently testing (the 3/4 Kinesis Pant) which doesn't use traditional fill insulation, consequently they aren't as warm (or wind-resistant) as the Compressors, but they are a little lighter and slightly more versatile.

The Compressor 3/4 Pants are a superbly finished high quality item from Mountain Equipment, ideal for winter activities like ski-touring and mountaineering where boots cover much of the lower leg, but also suitable for camping in sub-zero conditions over thermal leggings or for those wanting to supplement a lighter-weight sleeping bag without adding a great deal of weight.

For those intending to use them as over-trousers we'd recommend sizing up, so a 32" pushing a 33" waist should be okay. If you're winter camping and want these to go over just thermals, these should fit between 32 and 34" waistlines. Also, they're a reasonably slim fit and so if you have muscular, bulky thighs and glutes, again these will fit users with a 32" (possibly 33") waist (the modelled pictures give some idea - these are not loose fitting).

Specification

• Helium 20 outer fabric is exceptionally lightweight and windproof
• POLARLOFT® insulation [80g throughout, same as ME's Rampart Jacket]
• Full length 2-way YKK® moulded side zips with rear insulated baffle
• Fully elasticated waist with double press-stud closure and zipped fly
• Zipped rear pocket
• Packs into rear pocket with twin carabiner carry loop

KEELA // Neutronic Smock (Windproof) : £18.50

Drop-Down Code: KEE-A07

Price: £18.50 (RRP £44.95)

Size: Medium (40 - 42" chest)

Item Weight: 115g

Colour: Electric Blue

Condition: Very Good to Excellent (~20 Days of Outdoor Use, long term storage, cleaned and re-proofed. A few very minor marks on the arm as pictured, but no obvious wear and tear)

Manufacturer Product Page (for product details): https://www.keela.co.uk/neutronic-smock-jacket.html

PRODUCT INFORMATION

A definite candidate for best wind-top, but we eventually agreed to go with a hooded item instead. Keela's Neutronic is a little heavier (by 21g) than our final choice (the Mizuno which is pushing at the limits of ultralight in our opinion), but the Keela is a bit tougher and due to its fabric isn't at all clammy. The Neutronics have a lot going for them and if you don't need a hood, then they're an excellent choice (would be ideal for trail runners and fast and light scramblers).

KEELA // HW (Heavy Weight) OP Softshell Trousers (Modified) : £28.50

Drop-Down Code: KEE-A01

Price: £28.50 (RRP £79.95)

Size: 34" Waist, Short Leg (30" inside leg). Would fit 32" to 34" waist, ideal fit for 33"/34" waist.

Item Weight: 580g

Condition: Excellent (~20 Days of Outdoor Use, cleaned and re-proofed) / Professional Modifications (see description)

Manufacturer Product Page (for product details): https://www.keela.co.uk/hw-op-trousers.html

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Keela's HW and LW OP Trousers are designed for and used by mountain rescue teams and some mountain service personnel. They're kind of a "pro version" of Keela's Scuffer Trousers. The HW (Heavy Weight - similar weight to Mountain Equipment's Mission Pant) variant was a strong contender for our Winter Softshell Trousers, but it was seriously let down by something so minor it was hard to believe. The shockcord that Keela used was of peculiarly poor quality. Strangely this wasn't the case for their LW option (below). We got our first version replaced but its replacement was the same. Everything else about the HW OP trouser was superb and you can find our more on Keela's product page. We had a spare 34"W with a Regular leg and sent it off to one of our manufacturing partners and they shortened the leg and replaced the cord with simple paracord ties.

This completely solved the problem and now they have a durable fastening mechanism which when set for a particular boot can be left alone because the OP trouser have excellent ankle zips which run from the knee to the ankle. However, we simply couldn't recommend a product that required professional tailoring before it was fit for purpose.

The result of our experiment is perhaps what Keela should have done in the first place. These are now a great pair of trousers and certainly fit for purpose. Note: the thigh pockets are a centimeter or so lower than the equivalent 34/Short pair as bought new.

We've subsequently moved toward a simpler "base" winter-weight trouser which can be adapted depending on conditions.