Crumpled City Maps
The sat nav may get you there, but if you’re on foot in a new city, you’ll need a map.
Of course, nowadays this is one of the integral functions of the smartphone – with iPhone about to replace Google Maps with its own version as a standard app because mapping is so important.
On the other hand, you can go analogue with a Crumpled City Map which takes on the ancient art of map folding and rolls it in a ball. Perfect. No wind-buffeted profanities. No I’ve-almost-got-it origami. Just look where you want to go and stuff the map back in your pocket or bag.
Moreover, Crumpled City Maps are 100 per cent waterproof and super-light. The idea isn’t new: second World War pilots had escape maps printed on silk for durability and ease of concealment. These ones let you escape your phone.
Available for major cities worldwide, though apparently no Irish cities yet. Designed and made in Italy.
Crumpled City Maps, €11 from palomarweb.com
Eton Road Torq
Here’s a handy luggage throw-in if you’re self-driving this summer. It’s a self-powered, wind-up torch and emergency beacon on its own little fold-out tripod. A minute’s elbow grease will give you 15 minutes of directable LED torchlight and a flashing red beacon. Enough time to change a wheel, say, if you can.
More paranoid, risk-averse types can pre-charge the Road Torq using the car adapter.
It’s part of an emergency product line which Eton produces for American Red Cross, and you can even download its emergency preparedness guide from the website. Did someone say paranoid?
Eton Road Torq, see etoncorp.com, £35.95 (about €45 ) from amazon.co.uk
Swims Loafers
When it comes to poolside footwear, some guys just can’t hack the flip-flop, Crocs are as divisive as the Roy Keane Saipan debate and Birkenstocks may just be too inner hippy.
Swims Loafers are the stylish offspring of the galosh and the loafer deck shoe. Their uppers are mostly a tough rubber compound, with an antibacterial mesh lining and an extra-grippy, non-marking natural rubber sole.
The shoe itself is hand-sewn, with gills all around to let the water run out and air percolate in.
The loafer is just one of a range of shoes and outer clothing from a weather-conscious Norwegian who found New York didn’t offer a galosh he could trust.
So he designed his own. With or without laces.
Swims Loafers, from about €120 at mrporter.com