Montblanc Augmented Paper
Montblanc may have more than 100 years of craftsmanship under its nib, but it is keeping its options open. The luxury brand's new Augmented Paper puts it at the pointy end of digital writing. It is more than "paper", it is a system with a soft Florentine leather notebook, a special Montblanc StarWalker pen, cables and an app. Write on the notepad, and your musings in ink are captured digitally. It stores up to 100 page of digitised handwriting internally, with Montblanc recognition software translating it into text to be accessed on a tablet or phone. There are cheaper digital writing options, just as there are cheaper pens, but that little white star at the top can trigger a powerful desire.
€670, from weirandsons.ie
Bandito Lifestyle Roll
This is Ground has a range of leather travel goodies with an artisan finish, and 21st century functional styling. The Bandito Lifestyle Roll is a fresh take on what would have been a familiar way to carry documents pre-book: roll them up. It has slots for everything from pens and memory sticks to glasses and cables. There is even a zipped pocket for odds and ends. (Oh and if you don't know the secret of super-efficient packing by rolling, do look it up, and get another 20 per cent in.)
€80, from thisisground.com
Saucony Razor + Ice Winter Runners
Outdoors sole-specialist Vibram has created a revolutionary Arctic Grip rubbery sole that it claims "can make ice obsolete". Now that's big talk. Basically, its new flexible sole is somehow super-sticky on ice and snow. Saucony's winter runners use it to keep cranking out the miles, even as it gets icy underfoot. The uppers are stretchy, ankle-high and ultra-thin, with a zip closure. Underneath is Arctic Grip.
€160, from saucony.com
@tomtomkelly
