iMainGo X Portable SpeakerFrankly, there is no shortage of portable speakers out there to bring with you on your travels. Some have even featured here previously, but the iMainGo X will bring something new to your party.
For starters, it looks more like a camera case than speakers, with a soft outer made from water-resistant Neoprene. You actually put your iPod or other MP3 player inside it, so that it’s protected from casual abuse and a bit of wet too. Simply plug in the standard 3.5mm jack, zip it up and crank it up. You can get at the touchscreen through a transparent window.
Of course, the main requisite for any speaker is some decent sounds and the iMainGo X delivers on those. Moreover it’s got a pair of headphone jacks on the outside too, so you can daisychain a couple of portable speakers for an improvised sound system. Now that isn’t to say you’ve the wattage to merit the cops calling to close you down, but it would be enough to start circling a few handbags.
There’s a mic-in slot too, in case some fellow traveller fancies throwing an impromptu gig and needs a mini amp. (Though best not to mention it till you’ve actually heard them.)
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery included.
Cost£59.99, (€69.20), from amazon.co.uk.
Thunderbolt Softshell JeansAnother week and another brand launching technical clothing with street styling. These are Softshell Jeans from a new US company, Thunderbolt Sportswear in Oregon.
With water resistance and breathability – the twin peaks of outdoor wear – it’s about the fabric. In this case they use a textile called Schoeller’s Dryskin with “NanoSphere” finish. Well, you’d never buy them without it, would you?
The fibres are coated with millions of nano-particles that they claim emulate a plant’s surface and make them highly dirt repellent. Now, we’re talking: self-cleaning jeans! Makes them water-repellent too, but with classic jeans styling detail. (Classic being straight leg, five-pocket, double-stitched seams, brass zipper.)
And while not stretchy in a stretch-denim way, they have a really comfortable amount of give that makes them good for hiking or even climbing, and just the wardrobe for long-sitting journeys too.
Cost$188 (€132), from thunderboltsportswear.com.
AirspressoI can't help the nagging suspicion that the name came first here and they've retro-fitted a product idea back into it. Not all the thinking is quite joined-up. And the idea? To have an espresso maker that uses the air pressure from a bicycle pump instead of steam.
So you’re after grinding out the first 30km of a Sunday morning run when everyone pulls up for a break – and you’re able to pump out a quick espresso shot with the Airspresso. On the face of it, not a bad thought.
Except you will need to have a flask of hot water too or boil up a quick pot. And bring your favourite ground blend. Now’s the easy bit, when you whip out your anodised aluminium Airspresso-maker and with a bit of elbow grease, you’re ready for a freshly-expressed caffeine hit.
Until the less palatable question comes up of just how much your shot actually costs . . .
CostAUS$180 (€128), from mycuppa.com.au