Compiled by TOM KELLY
Ray-Ban Aviator Flip OutGiven that they were developed before second World War for US pilots by Bausch Lomb, Ray-Ban Aviators are so much a classic, you'd think that any idea to improve them would be needed like the proverbial bicycle for a fish. But these Flip Outs (not the most reassuring name admittedly) might just have a point.
You get Ray-Ban’s iconic frames, but thanks to their Light Ray smart materials technology, with a flexible titanium alloy, these are lighter, yet stronger and tougher – all good – but with three pairs of interchangeable lenses too. Oh yeah.
These are UV-protected of course, with mirror, grad and polarised versions available in a range of base colours. And all can be flipped in and out with the minimum of fuss, however feel properly secure when they’re in. So it’s three looks and three specs of shade in one.
Also in the less iconic, but equally classic Caravan frame.
Cost€208, from Sunglass Hut shops
Pose Poseable Camera BagThis feels like a clever little idea with real legs. Or rather, without legs. It's a neat, zip-up camera pouch for a compact digital, but one which doubles as a poseable grip for the camera. The insight its developers, Quirky – more about them below – are trading on is that the easy portable pocketability of a small digital camera is completely undermined if you start heaving around a mini-tripod or a mount, both handy for self-timer shots or in low light.
So here’s the Pose’s simple innovation: there’s a camera attachment in the bottom of the bag and its sides have bendy metal wires integrated within them.
You fix your camera in, wrap it round whatever you want to brace it to and click away. Bingo, a hands-free, steady, mountable camera. The Pose itself is suitably robust, with a water-resistant rubbery finish on neoprene that also gives it extra grippiness.
Back to Quirky. They’re trying to get this new product off the ground with a fairly novel offer: pre-order it now for $24 (€15) and if they get 1,000 orders, it’ll go into mass production for a RRP of $30 (€21).
Cost$24-$30, from quirky.com
Soma AirBag Surfboard CaseWith more than 50,000 surfers here and our growing reputation for big water such as Aileen's and Prowlers, expect to start seeing more of these on the airport carousels.
Soma’s AirBags are something of the Birkins of surfboard cases. But it’s not about looks, it’s about performance.
Thanks to its rows of air-filled ribs, the AirBag is able to take quite a beating without the board shipping any damage. Check out the video on Soma’s site (I’ll also post it on Between Ideas) as they give it some rigorous testing, shall we say.
The case’s construction is suitably hi-tech with single sheets of high-grade polyester seamlessly sonic-welded to avoid stitching weakness. And the air columns deflect and dissipate bumps and bangs en route much better than traditional foam.
Of course, the boards have to face their biggest challenge too. Not the massive rolling walls of Atlantic out off the west coast – baggage handlers. They certainly know how to mete it out. So pack well before you board.
Cost£139.99 (€159.13), from boardshop.co.uk
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