Gadgets: making travel easier

Nike Free Hyperfeel
The growth in barefoot running has prompted a whole sub-genre of running shoe for a near barefoot experience. Nike's new Free Hyperfeel runners are perhaps the closest thing to a second skin for feet: you might be tempted to pull your socks over them. The upper is a single Flyknit piece (yes, knitted) and there are only six other parts to the whole shoe (compared with more than 50 for the average trainer). With a super-flexible sole, you sense the ground with the minimum of filtering. Extremely light at just 160gms and with 90 per cent less manufacturing wastage than previous Nikes, they're the barest of barefoots.
Out in September; pre-order for $174 (€131) at nike.com

Minibru
If you love a proper coffee, Minibru might be useful for a java brew-up on the move. Remove the inner sleeve and fill the mug with your favourite ground coffee to the mark. Top up with boiling water. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, put in the filter and slowly press it down, cafetière style. Hey presto, a fresh brew, though the drinking experience is slightly odd thanks to the double layer. The glass mug can go in the dishwasher, rinse the rest. Comes with a spare gasket.
$19.99 (€15) from thinkgeek.com

PackTowl RobeTowl
To avoid a wardrobe malfunction with your travel towel, PackTowl's new RobeTowl offers drying in a robe. Made from a lightweight, ultra-absorbent fabric, the hooded RobeTowl makes for a more secure dash from the campsite shower. It can absorb up to four times its weight in water and will virtually wring out dry. Part of outdoor specialists Cascade Designs' brand stable, PackTowl is based in Seattle and Cork.
€75 from good outdoors stores soon, cascadedesigns.com

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