K9 Sport Sack Air Dog Backpack
No, it’s not a rucksack for your dog to wear – though some may regard that as no less a daft an idea than its intended use – the vet-approved K9 Sport Sack Air is designed to carry your best four-legged friend travelling, trekking or cycling. There’s a ring inside to attach to the collar and the sides are completely ventilated to avoid overheating. Of your dog that is, you’ve got to look after your own cooling. There are side pockets for a bottle or lead, foam mesh straps, a whistle clip and different sizes for different breeds, up to about 50cm (20”) tall. Of course, your dog can also walk which they often enjoy.
$70 (€66) from k9sportsack.com.
Sun King Pico Solar Lamp
From Greenlight Planet, a social brand that designs and makes solar products for off-grid travelling and living, the Pico can give 70 hours of illumination from a single charge. The LED lamp head detaches from the stand for use other than as a writing or cooking light source. There are different light level modes up to 25 lumens. It's dust proof and water resistant. For those in the developing world where the Pico offers a practical solution for families, but the up-front cost might be prohibitive, there's an EasyBuy instalment payments scheme which costs only 15c a day.
Otherwise $20 (€19), see greenlightplanet.com.
Tefal Handheld Garment Steamer
Tefal’s DR8010, to give it its gloriously memory-resistant product number, is a portable steamer which might appeal to a particularly fastidious class of traveller. Handheld and packable, it’s perfect for a post-luggage wardrobe refresh. About the size of a compact hair dryer, it heats up in 45 seconds, with 1500W of output, and comes with a fabric brush and steam cover. Don’t let standards slip.
€60 from littlewoodsireland.ie.
@tomtomkelly
