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.

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 ...

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.

SNUGPAK // Sleeka Elite Reversible : £42.50

Drop-Down Code: SNU-A05

Price: £42.50 (RRP £99.95)

Size: Medium (stated 40 - 43" chest).
Those with 40 - 41" chests would have enough room for added light insulation (such as a down gilet or thick pile fleece) underneath. Snugpak tend to size a little large.

Item Weight: 884g

Colour: Main = Olive Green, reverses to Black

Condition: Excellent / Mint Condition (~10 Days of Passive Outdoor Use, long term non-compressed storage, cleaned and re-proofed, looks new)

Manufacturer Product Page (for product details): https://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/clothing/sleeka-elite-reversible

PRODUCT INFORMATION

A while back we were testing whether we could radically lighten our sleeping bag load and supplement the insulation shortfall by beefing up our insulated clothing. The tests failed and we abandoned the idea. A few of the items that were used in these tests haven't seen the light of day since. The Snugpak Sleeka Elite is a tough, fully reversible, insulated jacket for wet and sub zero use (-5 to -10C). We don't rate it for active mountain use (it's too heavy and bulky), but it would be ideal for anyone who works outdoors or has to remain static in freezing conditions and wants a very durable, no-nonsense, quality insulated jacket (military personnel, fishermen and farmers all come to mind).

BRITISH ARMY // Insulated "Softie" Over-Trousers : £14.50

Drop-Down Code: BAR-A06

Price: £14.50

Size: Medium

Item Weight: 487g (incl stuff sack)

Size: Medium (32" - 36" waist as over-trousers - 34" stated, 32" inside leg)

Colour: Main = Olive Green, reverses to Sand

Condition: Excellent / Near Mint Condition (~7 Days of Passive Outdoor Use, long term non-compressed storage, cleaned and re-proofed)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part of our minimal sleeping bag test. These genuine issue insulated over-trousers would be useful for those that are static in freezing conditions and require durable, no-nonsense sleeping bags for the legs or want to supplement a lighter-weight sleeping bag (military personnel, fishermen, farmers, bushcraft, winter camping etc.).

• Includes issue stuff sack (packs down to 15 x 20cm approx)
• 2 side pockets
• Material: 100% ripstop nylon outer, 100% polyester inner lining
• Full length side zips for easy access
• Lightly elasticated waist with large button closure

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).

SNUGPAK // Rocket Pouches (Set of 2, 15L each) : £16.50

Drop-Down Code: SNU-A08

Price: £16.50 (RRP ~ £35.00/£40.00 *, see below)

Item Weight: 205g per pouch

Colour: Black

Condition: Very Good / Excellent (~30 Days of Outdoor Use, long term storage, cleaned). The overall condition of these pouches is excellent, however there are a few stray threads and some very minor signs of wear so we've marked their condition between Very Good and Excellent.

Manufacturer Product Page (this item is not normally sold separately so we've linked to a product that features them): https://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/rocketpak

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Firstly, for the RRP (*) we've made an estimate based on a few similar products such as Karrimor SF's Sabre Pouches (~ £50+). These PLCE compatible pouches will work with most military style packs and combined with a PLCE yoke  from Snugpak, Karrimor SF, British Military, can be configured as a 30L day pack. We mainly used these with the Karrimor SF Predator 30L.

• Material: 600D Heavy Duty Nylon
• Capacity: 15L (per pouch)
• Dimensions: 40cm(H) x 21cm(W) x 18cm(D)
• Weight: 205g per pouch
• Female QR buckles (25mm) for easy attachment
• Chunky YKK Vislon zippers for secure attachment to compatible PLCE packs (or to each other as per Yoke System)