Canon Powershot SX230 with GPSThis is a great addition to the compact megazoom roster, with punchy colour repro and a bunch of functionality and shooting modes to make any casual camera nerd button-happy.
You can go from an “Easy” mode, with limited controls and lots of auto, through “Smart Auto”, which does what it says to full manual options. Basically, it’s point and squirt to the nth.
Moreover, it’s got an integrated GPS-receiver, so geo-tagging your snaps is a snap, even allowing you to accurately log your route on Google Maps. Perfect for the adventure holidayer who wants to know exactly how lost they are. Of course, this latest Powershot also tracks your progress along a downtown strip. Oh, that’s where where you got the tattoo . . .
And emphasising the SX230’s outdoors credentials, there’s an optional waterproof case, which lets you dive to about 40m, so it’s a lot more serious than the compact waterproofs. Looks it too, like a DSLR with transparent innards. Still it works and even features an underwater mode and flash diffuser plate for proper underwater shooting.
With HD video, 12 megapixels, 14 by optical zoom.
Cost€299 RRP, in good camera shops everywhere
Kanz Field KitchenIn fairness, we're really playing catch-up when it comes to campfire cooking. In fact, have we even started? A couple of decades of outdoor festivalia certainly hasn't clued us in to any great extent. All we burn there are our tents after the weekend. Still, we're embracing the wilds like never before, so here's a benchmark for outdoors self-catering. This is the K120C Field Kitchen from Kanz. It's what Americans might call a "chuckbox". I can't see that monicker catching on, but like, who knows? It's a portable kitchen for the campsite chef, fashioned from Baltic Birch plywood and marine-grade aluminium. And damn fine looking it is on the back of it. It all folds up into an easy-hauling case.
This version comes with a two-burner dual-fuel stove, but you can also get it unaccompanied and choose your own cooker locally. There’s shelving and workspaces, and the whole unit is part of a system – love those – with all sorts of add-ons such as fridges, pantry boxes, cookware, etc. (The pantry boxes are bear-proof in case you’re wondering.)
Weighs around 12kg when empty.
Cost$695 (€493), from kanzoutdoors.com
Bergmönch ScooterMany a hillwalker will tell you that coming down a mountain, though quicker than climbing it, is often harder on the legs. Knees and thighs all suffer. Even toes can pay the price. Cue the Bergmönch, a integrated scooter and rucksack. You carry it uphill on your back as you would a regular backpack. On the top, just fold it out, tighten a couple of bolts and you're off downhill at a spin.
You may have noticed this is called a “scooter” rather than a bike. No saddle, no pedals, you see. This is gravity drive. You either stand on a couple of struts at the back or kneel on the padded section which is the rucksack. Hence the name: Bergmönch or “Mountain Monk”, because you kneel your way down.
Now I can see some of the believers among you and perhaps some of the more secularly-focused thinking that praying might not be such a bad idea during the decent. What’s the German for “hairy” I wonder?
But the Mountain Monk is actually incredibly stable thanks to its larger front wheel and low, rear-weighted centre of gravity. Oh, there are disc brakes too, of course. And should your nerve fail you, you can always pack it up again and go on boot.
Weighs less than 10kg.
Cost€1,499, from a limited selection of suppliers, see bergmoench.com/En/Dealers