This weekend Cape Town hosted an impressive outdoor show (I’m a journalist so this can’t be biased) and there was plenty of cool stuff to see. Here’s the great gear scoop.
Travel John
Although it was sitting in the shady corner of the Camp And Climb stand, this little package caught my eye. Not only does it have a fascinating logo, it’s a novel idea that you don’t come across very often.
Travel John - portable urinal for those who need to go on the go.
The Travel John is a disposable urinal that you can take with you anywhere. I can’t really picture the ideal situation you’d need to use one in, but the concept is pretty neat and I was appreciative of the humorous nature of it. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself on a long drive and you can finally follow through on your threats to go there and then when the driver refuses to stop.
Basically it’s a tiny bag to relieve yourself in that reseals and swells up into a throwaway package. It is leak-proof, odourless and unisex – all the features you’d look for in such a ‘parcel’.
Costs R60 for three from Camp And Climb situated in Cape Town. 021 510 8112 or [email protected]
Braai-jacks
These unassuming little braai sticks can do wonders for your travel kit. Instead of packing in a big braai set filled with lots of paraphernalia, you simply pack in a small Tupperware.
Braai-Jacks
Braai-jacks do exactly that – jack up your braai grid. They are made from flexible metal and simply snap onto your braai grid acting as legs. No need to go searching for the right-sized rocks, bricks and stones to hold up your meat.
Although the legs themselves are fixed and can’t be adjusted, they can act as a support to stand your grid up sideways if you want lower temperatures for your meat.
The set costs R150. Enquiries 082 453 1444 or find more info on Facebook.
drinC Tank
The drink filter bottles have been around for a while offering an on-the-go clean water solution for any outdoor enthusiast. The filters have all the right credentials and do a great job of purifying water from any source. The company has even been involved in an ongoing project in Natal working in rural areas to help provide cleaner water for those without adequate filtering facilities.
Drinc Tank soon to be retailed in South Africa
The newest addition to the drinC range is a bigger version of the small bottles – a hang-up water tank that filters large amounts or water. Whereas the bottles are better for adventure activities that keep you on the move, this larger filter bag is great for campsites thanks to its bigger capacity. If you prefer locations that are more wild than most with few facilities, this might be the water solution for you as it’ll save you on storage, while delivering very necessary clean water.
The bags haven’t been released in stores yet and set to be retailed for about R600
Maize in a Minute
With winter around the corner it’s almost time to make that comforting turn to porridge. Maize in a Minute promises you won’t be denied that homely feeing even if you’re slumming it outdoors.
Maize in a Minute
I’m always sceptical of things like this, small powdery sachets promising so much, but this one tasted as good as the real thing. Exactly like an infomercial, you simply add hot water, stir and enjoy! It tasted delicious with some milk and sugar without any powdery trace to give away the convenience.
They come in small sachets that will easily fit into your backpack or a bigger package to pop into your kitchen camping box.
Costs R10 for four sachets or a 500g bag for the same price.
Flej
This is a small thermal coffee cup with a difference. After some great success at the Design Indaba and awarded with the Best Gadget 2013 at the show, the newly launched Flej is set to do pretty well. The Flej acts as both a storage container, coffee filter and cup so you can brew up some beans wherever you are.
The full Flej set available in camo or pink
It is a good size for a cup of coffee and small enough to tuck into a backpack. When I said it was a cup with a difference, there was no kidding about. Although it took two years to perfect, the cup includes a stirring mechanism in the shape of a small button under the cup that swirls your coffee simultaneously stirring it.
It’s pretty cool.
Costs R195 and R25 for postage in South Africa contact [email protected] or visit the site
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