Gadgets: Making travel easier

LoopRope
Using heavy duty 6mm looped shock cord, LoopRope is crimped at intervals to create a chain of stretchy loops, making it easy to attach and secure luggage or camping equipment. Inspired by a simple rethink of bungee straps, loops can be stretched around corners and threaded through handles. And instead of hooks, LoopRopes comes with strong dual carabineers, which add flexibility. From about $20; see looprope.com

Baladéo Float Knife
From fishermen to sailors to adventurers of all sorts, the outdoors specialist Baladéo has designed an easy answer to the danger of losing your precious penknife to the bottom of a lake or river. (And you can be sure that would happen when you might need it most.) The body is made from cork and so the Float, well, floats. Weighing just 50g, it is 105mm long. €15 from baladeo.com

Snolo Stealth-X Sled
Looking for all the world like something Q might give James Bond, the angular Stealth-X is far from a toy. This sleigh is capable of hitting up to 65km per hour, so you're rocketing downhill. Made from super-strong, super-lightweight carbon fibre, it can steer with the front ski runner, and it can be stopped snowboard-style with a leaning turn. The last big snow saw all manner of improvised sleds from roasting tins to paddling pools, so this would take your game up a notch (and ramp up your likelihood of an A&E visit too perhaps). Handmade in New Zealand. $2,550 from
snolosleds.com

Tom Kelly
betweenideas.blogspot.com