THERMO-POT:This new design by Anglo-Swiss design consultancy, Black + Plum puts others in the ugly camp.
With a gorgeous stainless steel body, it's effectively a wide-mouthed vacuum flask for keeping soups, stews or noodles piping hot. Plus, it comes with its own spoon, though you could easily slurp directly out of it. This snaps to the side of the Thermo-Pot, held in place by a couple of powerful magnets. The manufacturers say it'll keep the contents hot for up to six hours. 500ml Thermo-Pot, €36, black-blum.com
THERMACELL RECHARGEABLE HEATED INSOLES
The advantage of heated insoles, apart from the obvious toasty tootsies, is that they can be used in more than one pair of boots or shoes. ThermaCells are rechargeable, with a thin, Lithium-ion battery hidden away in each insole, so they're cable-free. And they can last a full five hours, the manufacturers claim, and take up to 500 recharges. ThermaCell rechargeable heated insoles, around €150. See thermacell.eufor European stockists
WHEELBLADES
Invented by a Swiss quadriplegic Patrick Mayer who injured himself snowboarding, Wheelblades give wheelchair users a better chance of getting around in the snow.
Just like a snow shoe, these spread the weight to stop sinking, while channels on the bottom compress the snow for increased traction and stability as you go off-piste on a footpath near you.
Wheelblades simply clamp to the wheels, almost like a ski bindings, and you can get a single or a pair depending on the chair's needs, and its user's sense of adventure. Wheelblades, €87 for one, from wheelblades.ch