* REI Ski CarrierAt first glace, this looks so basic, you'd hardly believe it could ever be described as a gadget. But it's as useful a strip of nylon webbing as you might travel with this winter. Okay, a low base perhaps, but the REI Ski Carrier does what it says on the strap.
The two shorter bands have strong Velcro panels (or what Americans refer to as rip-and-stick) which you just firmly close-over around your skis and poles – and then use the long main strap to carry the lot. Simple as that. You can sling it over a shoulder or carry it in hand.
So no more undignified wrestling with your gear after you’d showed such style on the slopes. Or if our cold snaps continue, your trip to the local shops.
It’ll fit most ski adult skis and REI has a kids’ version too. Of course, that doesn’t mean your guys will actually carry their own skis. The gadget to fix that hasn’t quite been developed.
CostREI Ski Carrier, $12 (€9) from rei.com.
* Garmin Forerunner Heart Monitor GPS WatchGarmin, which we are relentlessly urged by jingle to buy, also make fitness and outdoor GPS-function watches in addition to the familiar in-car and hand-held sat nav models. The Forerunner range is largely for the runner and triathlete. And largely, they're very large – and rather unwatch-like. In contrast, the Forerunner 405 is seriously neat, certainly comparable to most chronographs, and it has a couple of smart tricks up your sleeve.
Buttons are kept to a minimum – just two for the basic start/stop and laps – with the bezel around the rim being a touch-sensitive controller for the rest of the many menus. It’s GPS enabled, so it’ll accurately lock and track your position and route – which you can download to your computer later and map your run. Though Garmin could do with integrating its own mapping with the Forerunner. A cool touch is that you can do this wirelessly, thanks to an included USB ANT stick. It’ll save you sweating all over your laptop.
The other key feature for this particular model is the heart rate monitor. You also pair this wirelessly with the watch, strap it to your chest and you’re away, with your pulse fed for easy viewing on your wrist. Frankly, it’s the sort thing to get this gadget geek’s heart racing. It recharges by USB connection and you’ll get about eight hours use fully topped-up.
CostGarmin Forerunner 405HR, €299 from mysatnav.ie.
* CRKT Eat'N ToolThis gizmo's name looks more like a bad Scrabble hand or some arcane texting shorthand. It's a rival to the hiker's friend, the Spork — that's a cross between a spoon and a fork for the uninitiated. Though in all honesty, I've never seen any Sporks being produced on an Irish hillside. Still, they make for good pressies. The Eat'N Tool is for, well, eat'n with and a bit more besides. It's got a touch of Swiss Army syndrome.
Made from a good grade steel, there’s a spoon and fork needless to say, but also a bottle opener, a screwdriver and a trio of different diameter metric nut sockets. Those are in case you have to do a bit of self-assembly on the hoof.
And, of course, the signature feature of the more gadgety side of outdoor gear, a carabiner to clip it to your rucksack.
All in all, it’s an intriguing looking bit of kit, not to mention the spelling, and well-designed, lightweight and tough. Moreover, it’s a certain conversation starter at any weekend walk as the hang sangers are being unwrapped.
CostCRKT Eat'N Tool, $6.99 (€5.30) from crkt.com.