by Matthew Priest
22.11.2009
Christmas is upon is. We know this because our television sets are constantly being bombarded with adverts telling us so. But don’t worry if you are struggling for ideas for pressies; here at WideWorld, we've asked experts to do the dirty work for you.
The panel
Vikki Ahern, a boutique camping expert and the founder of the festival boutique shop: Marsh-mellow (www.marsh-mellow.co.uk)
Thomas Shambler, is the Features Editor and product reviewer for the Dubai arm of gadgets magazine Stuff, in Dubai.
Kerry McCarthy, is the Gear & Race Editor for Britain’s leading running magazine, Runner's World.
The products
Olympus Mju Touch-6010
£290
www.olympus.com
“If you thought adventure photography was tough, you’ve seen nothing yet,” says Thomas Shambler. This little ditty is the answer to both the clumsy travellers and the adrenaline junkie who goes that extra bit further for the perfect snap. “It’s a pretty good camera, packing a 12mega pixel sensor and 3.6in wide optical zoom,” says Shambler, “But its durability is where it really shines. It’s shockproof to drops of 1.5m, waterproof to the watery depths of 3m and freezeproof to -10°C.” Olympus have developed a camera that is bordering on indestructible.
Whiz Freedom
£11.95
www.whizproducts.co.uk
Now what Christmas would be complete without a novelty, yet brilliant, gift? The Whiz Freedom answers the age old query that women have about going to the toilet in the great outdoors. “It’s brilliant because it gives women the freedom to pee where ever they are, just like men, adventurous women of all ages will appreciate this gift,” beams Vikki Ahern. But don’t worry ladies, the Whiz freedom is anti bacterial and machine washable AND can subtly be stored in your purse.
Newton Running’s All Weather Trainer
Whether you are marathon training for April, or just gearing up for the inevitable new years’ resolution to get in shape, make sure you take these things seriously. The new technology behind Newton running’s shoes has become extremely popular in the US and is making its way over this side of the Atlantic too. “I’m very impressed with them,” says Kerry McCarthy, “they are built with lugs in the forefoot of the shoe, which promotes forefoot running. This is in contrast to the standard trainer that focuses on people landing on their heels, which isn’t biometrically efficient. The All-weather shoe is perfect for winter time running, but Newton also offer different shoe types depending on how efficient or not you are or even if you are overweight or not.”
The Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink
£11.95
www.seatosummit.com
Everything but the kitchen sink? Why does the kitchen sink always miss out on the away trips? “This has been a huge hit and it’s such a great gift,” says Vikki, “as well as being hilarious as a gift it’s actually really practical and will undoubtedly be used again and again. It has multiple functions; dog bowl, washing up, washing hands, storage.... and best of all it packs into a tiny little bag.” Shame on you kitchen sink excluders!
Garmin forerunner 405 – speed and distance monitor
£229
www.Garmin.com
“The trouble with a lot of GPS watches is that they all look like something out of StarTrek. Where as the forerunner 405 could pass off as a normal watch,” says Kerry. But don’t get the wrong idea, just because it is subtle in look doesn’t mean it is any less brilliant. In fact the forerunner 405 is one of the most accurate GPS watches around, so forget your worries of going off the beaten path, with around 24 satellites monitoring and updating it every second, you’ll never be lost again. “One of its biggest advantages is that it you can transfer files onto it wirelessly from your PC. Just plonk it down anywhere within three metres from your PC and it can transfer files via Bluetooth. Its tech-y enough for athletes but it is also simple and sleek enough for beginners with a bit of disposable income to cope with it without feeling intimidated,” explains Kerry.
Keith Haring-designed Sigg Water Bottle’s
£12.95
www.mysigg.com
Us outdoor-sy types know how vital maintaining the environment is so we can keep doing the things we love. That’s why our next treat would make a great gift. The SIGG water bottle not only looks really cool but as it’s made of aluminium it is ecologically sound, reusable and ultimately recyclable. “What I love most about it is that it comes in a range of designs that will appeal to your design conscious taste, and it has a variety of carry straps” says Vikki. It’s the perfect ‘pat yourself on the back for saving Mother Nature’ present.
Casio G’zOne Boulder
Casio is almost unparalleled when it comes to durability but sometimes you have to wonder where they get the names from. “This mobile might have a silly name, but you wouldn’t say that to its face,” says Thomas Shambler, “again they have excelled at creating a hard-as-nails handset that is drop-proof, dunk-proof and smash-proof. Nestled between this tough frame lies some decent phone tech too, it has an acceptable 1.3MP camera, digital compass and Bluetooth for hands-free adventuring. It’s also handy in a jam, the G’zOne comes with a location enabled emergency system that will dial the ambulance and send your GPS coordinates.”
Suunto x10M watch
£335
www.suunto.com
Time keeping has come on a long, long way since the invention of the sundial. Technology now offers gadget hungry travellers so much more than Mickey Mouse with analogue arms. Thomas suggests that Suunto’s X10M packs all the outdoor essentials. Despite its rather hefty price tag, this beauty is equally suited for a jaunt round the park or a jump from an airplane. “The X10M has every sort of metre imaginable: an altimeter, a barometer and a thermometer, as well as a digital compass to boot. Using its GPS credentials and the built-in Trek Manager, you can pre-plan your excursions in advance, and its 500GPS waypoints will guide you back on the beaten track if you’ve managed to get lost.” The X10M even plays well with Google Earth, so you can plot your adventures in uncharted territory and show off to your mates.
Salomon XT Wings Warm 1/2 Zip Tee
Winter is cold. Yes, this may sound like the understatement of the century but you’d be surprised by how many people forget to wrap up warm! French company Salomon bring with it over 60 years of winter clothing expertise and blend it with stylish looking pieces that wouldn’t look out of place on the high street let alone the mountain side. “Salomon offer cool looking designs that are functional in terms of having flat locked seams that cut down irritation, whatever outdoor activity you’re doing,” says Kerry. “The best part of Salomon’s running wear is that they make it fitted enough to look cool but still baggy enough to hide the few extra pounds that you might be hiding.”
The Free Loader
£34.95
www.solartechnology.co.uk
Once and a while a product comes across that you is applicable for practically anyone you buy it for. The Free Loader is a portable multi-charger that can store solar energy for up to 3 months. Vikki explains its versatility as a present, “everyone will love this gift from dad, who’ll be able to charge his digital camera, to mum, with her slightly ancient Nokia, to Uncle Bob’s fancy new PDA, to Little brothers DS Lite.” Don’t worry about compatibility problems; the free loader comes with 11 adapters, which will pretty much charge all things portable. It is not only a great gift but has to be one of the handiest little gadgets on the market.
Ear Mitts
£9.68
www.earmitts.co.uk
A personal favourite item on offer during this year’s winter season is the Earmitts. Because these beauties are bandless, it allows much more flexibility than the standard pair of earmuffs (and no they wont mess up your hair). They are comfortable, fun and, probably more importantly, they actually keep your ears warm. Because they are one-size-fits-all, they will fit comfortably over most ear sizes and therefore are the perfect gift for your outdoor-sy friends, whether they prefer snowboarding, hiking or just find that they have cold ears during the night.
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