Adam Harveyon the Kelly Kettle, teh pocket rocket and a new quick-dry shirt.
Billy on the boil
The Irish-made Kelly Kettle can be fuelled by anything that burns, such as sticks and paper, and efficiently heats water to boiling within minutes. Light a fire in the base and sit the hollow kettle on top. Essentially a chimney stack surrounded by water, the large, 1.42-litre kit (www.kellykettle.com, €76) includes a stand that fits neatly at the top in order to cook noodles or boil up a stovetop coffee maker.
I'm not sure about the Kelly company's claim of "carbon neutral green camping", but burning a handful of twigs to make a cup of tea is surely less harmful to the planet than all the packaging and energy that goes into producing gas canisters or liquid camping fuels, and the glow of the contained fire and thin smoke plume make even the lousiest day a little more cosy.
• While the bulkier Kelly Kettle will suit fishermen and picknickers, the Pocket Rocket compressed fuel stove from MSR is less of a load for hillwalkers. It's superlight - just 3oz - and the flame is adjustable, in case you want to sautée instead of simmer (€30, Exposure Sports, Cavendish Lane, Mayo, www.exposuresports.ie). The 4oz refill canisters cost €4.75.
• Now for something to wear while waiting for the billy to boil. Montane's new Balance Shirt (above) is a breathable, quick-dry shirt that can change as quickly as the autumn weather, thanks to flat seams and two-face Polartec material. Worn fleece-side out, warm air is trapped against the body. Fluffy side in, the fabric will wick sweat away to keep the wearer cooler (€50, www.montane.co.uk for stockists).