This week's gadgets
Clean Bottle Runner
Clean Bottle was featured here previously: what makes it unique is that the bottom unscrews, letting you clean it thoroughly. The Runner is a new accessory, a non-slip strap that holds the bottle and so makes it easy for runners to hang on to it while they are cranking up the pace. At the front, a water-resistant clear pocket allows use of a touch screen smartphone and a second little pocket at the back is perfect for a key, an emergency euro or two (aren’t they all?) or even a pouch of energy gel if you’re something more than a casual jogger. And 10 per cent of profits are donated to charity – if they will ship you one. It’s not clear how easy that might be.
Clean Bottle Runner $24 from cleanbottle.com
Guide 10 Plus Mobile K
Its name sounds like it was created using a Bowie-style random word-cutting exercise, but this ultra portable solar charger can not only juice up a phone or other USB powered device, it also recharges a set of AA batteries, which come as standard, so all sorts of other travel electronics can get their fix. Indeed, it has its own built-in LED torch to make life a little brighter.
It’s from Goal Zero, which specialises in off-grid, off-the-beaten-path power generation, including a massive 1,200W solar generator that can supply major appliances. This model has more modest ambitions, but its fold-up portability to something not much larger than a wallet gives it bragging rights in the packing stakes. And the mono-crystalline solar panel is said to be the most efficient on the market at 6 x 10 x 2 cm.
Guide 10 Plus Mobile K $129.99 from goalzero.com
Unit Portables
When they’re not hogging thriller bestseller lists or surging ahead economically, this is the type of luggage system – and it is a system – that Swedish designers knock out. Coolly understated, but smartly detailed and with an idea underpinning it – that you can customise luggage to your own spec from various Unit Portables. This Overnight combo, for example, features Units 05, 06, 07 and 08. The numbers refer to different bag types. This set decodes as a large holdall, a see-through mesh toilet bag, a computer sleeve and a cable pouch. Strips of looped heavy duty webbing inside and out allow for each Unit Portable, em, unit to be attached using solid poppers.
Unit Portables (this set €99) from unitportables.com