Gadgets: things to make your journey better

Under Armour FTHR Shield TRC Storm Running Shoes
Frankly the name's long enough to leave you breathless before you've even tied the laces. A specialised shoe for trail running, it features a distinctive high ankle for a snug fit and mountain bike-inspired gripped sole. With proprietary P2i fabric in the uppers, they're breathable and water repellent. And in bright orange, possibly right at home on the club floors of Europe too. €140 from
underarmour.com

myFC Powertrekk
If you're travelling off-grid, out of the sun and out of charge for your mobile phone, the Powertrekk might just be the gizmo to get you going. From Swedish fuel cell technology innovator, myFC, this is claimed to be the first water-activated charger. You simply put some water in the reservoir, add what myFC call a puck, close it over and within minutes it'll be charging the internal battery or you can power from it directly. The output's only sufficient for phones or other low energy devices as yet, but it's a first step to a different type of portable charger. Unfortunately, being an early adaptor can carry something of a premium.
About €200; available this summer, see myfuelcell.se

Boatpack
Let's face it, car roof boxes are ugly but necessary if you're thinking about a family self-drive break. Boatpack's an idea designed and built in the UK which adds a bit of fun to the functionality, with the lid doubling as a boat. Offering a hefty 650 litres of storage inside a double-skinned, Acrylic-capped ABS body, it's got a wooden seat and fold-up oars too. You can even fix an electric motor.
AUS$1,500 from boatpack.com.au