What happens when Apple and Nike combine forces?

Travel Gear: A marketeer’s fantasy watch, a secure backpack and one tough walkman

With the Apple Watch Nike+  you get Apple Watch hardware with Nike’s coaching and motivational messaging
With the Apple Watch Nike+ you get Apple Watch hardware with Nike’s coaching and motivational messaging

Apple Watch Nike+

It's a marketeer's fantasy wedding: Apple and Nike, two iconic brands, with strong aesthetic visions partnering on a piece of wearable tech. This is effectively Apple's Series 2 watch plus what they call "deep integration" with the Nike+ Run Club app. So you get Apple Watch hardware with Nike's coaching, motivational messaging and sharing among a kindred community. The Series 2 means in-watch GPS, heart monitor, 50m waterproofing and a brighter Retina display. And there are plenty of tasty customising options to stress your budget with various straps, casings and accessories – though I'm not convinced the virtual "fist bump" feature will be a big sales driver here.

€440 from store.nike.com

Tough and compact, the Sony all-in-one walkman has  got a lightweight, wrap-around headband you can even wear in the pool
Tough and compact, the Sony all-in-one walkman has got a lightweight, wrap-around headband you can even wear in the pool
The Bobby  has cut-proof fabric and secret pockets to keep items like cards or tickets safe
The Bobby has cut-proof fabric and secret pockets to keep items like cards or tickets safe

Bobby anti-theft backpack

The Bobby  has cut-proof fabric and secret pockets to keep items like cards or tickets safe
The Bobby has cut-proof fabric and secret pockets to keep items like cards or tickets safe

The standard backpack is something of a pickpocket’s delight, with its inviting zippers thrust out behind you. So it’s no surprise some bag designers are putting rucksack openings on the strap side, against your back, away from prying fingers. The Bobby goes a bit further in its anti-theft strategy, with cut-proof fabric and secret pockets to keep items like cards or tickets still within easy reach. And it’s staying on trend with the option of a power pack to keep electronics charged through a built-in USB port. Padded compartments inside can be customised to reflect degrees of storage geekery.

€90 from xd-design.com

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Sony all-in-one walkman

Tough and compact, the Sony all-in-one walkman has  got a lightweight, wrap-around headband you can even wear in the pool
Tough and compact, the Sony all-in-one walkman has got a lightweight, wrap-around headband you can even wear in the pool

For the work out or the great outdoors, Sony’s new all-in-one walkman series is IPX6 waterproof and dustproof, with NFC one-touch easy pairing and Bluetooth to keep you connected. Tough and compact, it’s got a lightweight, wrap-around headband you can even wear in the pool. The ambient sound mode means you can still take in your environment, say if road-running, and its quick charge three-minute power-up is enough for an hour’s playing.

From around €150, see sony.ie