G-Drive mobile special edition
Whether you're having to take work away with you on the hols or you're having to haul data for your job, G-Technology has a special edition G-Drive worth checking out for portability and looks. The usual call of film-makers and video editors, this is more prosumer, with a 1TB drive inside a solid aluminium case and powered off the USB bus (no need for a separate power cable). It's neat enough to slip in a pocket and weighs in at little more than a smartphone at just 163gms. €69.95 from apple.com/ie
Grayl water filter
Between environmentally conscious designers fretting over the proliferation of plastic bottles and the growth in off-the-beaten path adventure holidays, every season sees lots of new portable water filtering ideas. This is Grayl, which works like a cafetière. You fill the aluminium outer cylinder with "impure" water, then push down the purifier and filter into it, so only clean water filters into the inner container. Screw on the cap and sip away. It's claimed to remove 99.999% of bacteria, protozoa and viruses. Each filter/purifier lasts for 300 uses. $110/€80.35 including purifier (less if just filter) from thegrayl.com
Blundstone canvas boots
Legendary Aussie boot-maker, Blundstone has launched a range of canvas boots in addition to the traditional waterproof leather versions, so devotees can stay loyal in warmer climes. Breathable, packable and light, but with rugged soles, they come in range of distressed canvas options. And the removable inner sole is antibacterial, antifungal and mould resistant. $115/€84 from zappos.com
