On Sale: Used & New Gear from the Kit Test Archives

Preface

We thought we'd try something a little different.  In the past we've handed ex-Kit Test items over to GP-Net and they've photographed them and processed the images for our Kit Test Clearance pages on SYSTEM.  However, this entails quite a lot of work for individual items and it costs us money and GP-Net time. So, we thought instead we'd try and save some money and pass those savings onto customers.

Since many of the items for sale have been reviewed and photographed as part of our review, we thought we'd outline all the details in this post and just use stock images on our product page on SYSTEM with a link back to here for more detailed information.

Items we don't sell via this method will likely get the old photo treatment but because of that may end up a little more expensive due to the aforementioned service costs. Many of the items on sale were either top-rated or were going to be until the manufacturer discontinued them (often just as we had or were about to review them).

We'll add to this page over time and we'll pin it so it's always near the top.  If new items are added it will jump back to the top spot so you can see if something's changed. 

Note: In the table below you can click on the SYSTEM code (used on the "version drop down" on the SYSTEM product page) and that will jump to the relevant item on this page. All the products are/will be available for purchase in our SYSTEM store which is linked to from the button below the tables.

A mini experiment - we'll see how it goes.  Here are the items we've recently added:
 

Equipment

Clothing Accessories

Available on SYSTEM

Scramble Kit Test Items

A Quick Note On Cleaning, Re-Proofing & Warranty

We use a professional Miele machine to clean clothung accessories for re-sale. All garments are washed on a short / gentle 30 degree / cool cycle. After cleaning and air-drying (don't use tumble dryers on outdoor gear), any items that had a DWR coating are re-proofed with a spray-on Nikwax DWR.

Sometimes, if the product came with voluminous product care labels we may have removed them to save weight and fuss.  They aren't necessary, pretty much all outdoor gear should be washed cool and should not be heat dried on radiators or in tumble dryers.    

All the products available for sale here come with a standard 1 year warranty (basically the same consumer rights as if you'd bought new).  As per normal, all the order fulfilment and processing is done by our friends over at SYSTEM.

Any questions, feel free to contact us directly from the footer form on each of our pages or you can contact SYSTEM from their contact page.
 

Blue Ice: Dragonfly 18L (2024) 210D Nylon 6.6 Climbing Pack

Summary

SYSTEM Drop-Down Code:  BIE-A01
Price: £54.00 (RRP £90.00) - 40% off
Capacity: 18L
Item Weight: 410g (380g w/o foam panel)
Colour: Red (Red Clay)
Use:  n/a
Condition:  New with tags (tag removed when weighed and re-attached)
Scramble Review:  [ Archived ] Blue Ice's Dragonfly 18L Packable Backpack (pre-2019)

Supplemental Info

The Blue Ice Dragonfly was our top pick in our legacy "Lightweight (<400g) ~20L Pack (+ Side Pouch)" category (see this post as to why we removed this category).  Between 2019 and 2022 Blue ice made a bad decision and drastically reduced the material weight making the Dragonfly ultralight but overly fragile for mountain use. We wrote to Blue Ice highlighting the error of their ways (it's likely we were not alone) and fortunately Blue Ice listened and made a U-turn in 2023. If we still had our "day pack" category, it's highly likely that the current Dragonfly (this one) would edge out Mountain Hardwear's lighter UL20 and still be our top pick.

Blue Ice have made a few changes to the Dragonfly. The major difference between the latest models (i.e. this one) and the older pre-2019 models that we used to recommend and sell, is that they now use 210D ripstop nylon 6.6 (a very tough, high tenacity nylon) all over.  Whereas, the pre-2019 (v.1 and v.2) Dragonflies used 420D riptop Cordua for the base and face of the pack and a lighter 100D HT nylon at the sides. To be honest, it's a toss-up as to which is better: weaker sides and a stronger base vs all-round solid protection.  210D nylon 6.6 is pretty tough fabric and likely the right compromise for small climbing packs like the Dragonfly.

This is what we wrote about the original Dragonfly back in the day and it largely carries over to the new version (though we miss the full length daisy chain webbing on the pre-2019 versions):

Blue Ice, in excluding anything non-essential, have created a minimalist masterpiece: A durable, lightweight, sublimely functional, fuss and gimmick-free, highly versatile, top-loading climbing pack.

Specification & Features

You can find our more about the latest Dragonfly from Blue Ice's YouTube video. Below we've outlined just the specs.

• Materials: 210d High Tenacity Nylon ripstop main fabric - PFC free, Bluesign approved material.
• Secure dual ice axe carry with laminated pick tunnel.
• Asymetical stretch pockets for on-the-go access.
• Low profile air-permeable shoulder straps.
• Removable waist belt.
• Integrated rope carry system.
• Dual access accessory pocket with key clip.
• Water resistant YKK external zip.
• Removable high density Atilon frame sheet.
• Permanent, fluorocarbon-free weather shedding face coating.
• Hydration compatible.
• Helmet carrier compatible.
• Volume: 18L
• Dimensions: 51*24*20 cm
• Stated Weight: 415g / min 325g stripped
   

Blue Ice: Dragonfly 18L (V2,~2018) 420D Cordura Climbing Pack

Summary

SYSTEM Drop-Down Code:  BIE-A02
Price: £48.00 (RRP £80.00) - 40% off
Capacity: 18L
Item Weight: 370g (340g w/o foam panel)
Colour: Grey
Use:  n/a
Condition:  New with tags (tag removed when weighed and re-attached). Some signs of long term storage (minor creases), but it's a tough pack and these will disappear with use. 
Scramble Review:  [ Archived ] Blue Ice's Dragonfly 18L Packable Backpack (pre-2019)

Supplemental Info

The Blue Ice Dragonfly 18L (v.1 and v.2, which is this one from 2018) was our top pick in our legacy "Lightweight (<400g) ~20L Pack (+ Side Pouch)" category (see this post as to why we removed this category).  Between 2019 and 2022 Blue ice made a bad decision and drastically reduced the material weight making the Dragonfly ultralight but overly fragile for mountain use. We wrote to Blue Ice highlighting the error of their ways (it's likely we were not alone) and fortunately Blue Ice listened and made a U-turn in 2023.

This version of the Dragonfly (pre-2019, v.2) uses, for such a light pack, a very tough 420D riptop Cordua for the base and face of the pack and a lighter 100D HT nylon at the sides. We noted the following upgrades in our review:

"v.2 of the Dragonfly was released in 2017 (pictured below right) and came with a number of improvements. Overall, a tidier package with less exposed cord and strapping to get snagged. An improved opening provided a little more protection and the AeroLight breathable back panel was a major plus, resulting in a less sweaty back. The re-design and simplification of the rope attachment system was also a plus."

This is what we wrote about the original Dragonfly back in the day and it largely carries over to v.2 :

Blue Ice, in excluding anything non-essential, have created a minimalist masterpiece: A durable, lightweight, sublimely functional, fuss and gimmick-free, highly versatile, top-loading climbing pack. One which packs away to something the size of a paperback, and can double as an easy access side pouch (for larger packs). An absolute gem indeed, and Scramble's top pick in the ~20 Litre Pack category.

Specification & Features

• Removable foam back panel
• Removable hip belt and sternum strap
• Highly breathable shoulder straps
• Rope carrying system
• Carrying system for collapsible ski poles Ice
• Axe loops and attachment points
• Hydration bladder-compatible
• Stuffs into its own pocket
• One zipped pocket for safely storing smaller items
• 420D rip-stop CORDURA® with a PU coating and DWR finish and 100D high-tenacity rip-stop Nylon
• Back AeroLight
• Volume 18L
• Weight 360 g
• Designed in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
• Made in Vietnam
   

Last Updated: 03/06/26