Travel Gear: monitor your UV exposure; a mobile printer; and an elliptical trainer

UVA+B SunFriend

Lathering on the oil to cook nicely isn't quite sun-bathing protocol any more: we're all factoring up our protection. The Sunfriend is a customisable monitor for UV exposure, so you'll know when you're at risk of damage before it's obvious. It's waterproof and offers 11 different skin-tone settings. An LED display flashes when you've reached an optimal daily dose of sunshine as the idea isn't to ban sun-bathing, but to allow a "healthy" blast to boost vitamin D production. Us pale skins meanwhile should stay firmly 50ed. $50 from sunfriend.com

Polaroid Zip Mobile Printer

There's an intrinsic pleasure in actually holding a photograph in your hand and not just swiping casually through hundreds without a second glance. Hence the emergence of a few efforts to allow printing direct off your smartphone. Polaroid was once the generic for instant photos, so the brand name is still a draw for those of a certain vintage. Its Zip printer uses Bluetooth or NFC (near field communication) to connect to your phone and will print a 2" x 3" shot in about 60 seconds. It uses Zink paper impregnated with dye crystals, so no messy ink or toner. €169.99 from connscameras.ie

Stamina Elliptical Trainer

You probably won't take this on your holidays, but if you're determined not to miss a moment's opportunity to keep training, welcome to the Stamina Elliptical Trainer. Compact, portable and lightweight, you can stick it under a desk or table and get that cardio pumping while you work. Of course, what your work-mates or friends are going to make of you pedalling away furiously in situ in a sweaty lather, well, maybe that's the price you pay for the body beautiful. €108 from fancy.com

Tom Kelly is on Twitter @tomtomkelly