Gadgets and travel accessories

Waterproof e-reader

If you’re going to invest in an e-reader for your next adventure, let it be the Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2. You can take the waterproof device to the beach without worrying about it getting wet, and read it in direct sunlight thanks to the anti-glare display. If you’re reading at night, it has ComfortLight PRO to reduce blue-light spectrum so you can read without it affecting your sleep (also ideal on planes). It lasts weeks without a charge, and stores up to 6000 e-books, which sure beats lugging a stack of hefty paperbacks around every time you travel. About PGK609; amazon.com. For the eco-conscious traveller who cringes every time a disposable coffee cup is placed in their hands, a keep cup might be the ideal travel companion. Made either from lightweight plastic or surprisingly durable fully tempered soda lime glass, they come in three different sizes and with a rainbow of coloured lids and bands. Our favourite is the classic Brew Cork Edition with a natural cork band, made in Portugal using waste production from wine cork manufacturing. From about PGK28; keepcup.com Zip your phone into this Faraday cage leather carry-all and its diamond-pattern shielding will ensure no wireless signals get in or out. Like a bodyguard for your phone, it means that no GPS tracking, no cell-tower pinging and no electromagnetic radiation will come your way, and that nobody will be able to intercept your credit card information. Made with top-grain cow leather, with internal credit card slots and passport holder, it’s as stylish as it is protective. Comes in medium, large and extra large. From about PGK320; silent-pocket.com. Finding hats that look great and are also functional isn’t always the easiest task. Happily, Canadian outdoor brand Arc’teryx has nailed it with the Escapa trucker hat. The good-looking design is made from breathable, quick-dry nylon fabric to help regulate temperature, and has a stretch mesh back for a secure fit, meaning you’ll stay comfortable whether you’re hiking, running, beaching, or just cruising around town. Comes in black, blue and red. About PGK127; arcteryx.com.

Smart watch

Samsung’s new Gear Sport is one of the best smart watches on the market, being just as powerful as your average fitness tracker but much better looking. It lets you take calls, chat with Bixby (Samsung’s version of Siri), control your smart-home devices, track workouts (even in the pool since its fully waterproof), play your Spotify playlists, use Samsung Pay, get all your notifications and more. It charges for up to four days, is available in black or blue, and is compatible with any 20mm watch strap, so you can dress it up or down as you wish.

About PGK960; samsung.com.

Travel T-shirt

If you’re not yet a merino wool convert, let this be the tee that does it for you. Icebreaker’s Tech Lite Short Sleeve Crewe uses merino wool fibres wrapped around a nylon core, making it super durable while also doing that magic merino thing of staying clean and smell-free for days. The design is versatile enough to take you from the office to the mountain top, and comes in black, navy, light grey and red. About PGK228;

icebreaker.com.

Reusable water bottle

You can think of the Memobottle as a healthier version of a hip flask. The slim, reusable water bottle uses BPA-free plastic, and its elegant flat design makes it ideal for slipping into your briefcase or jacket pocket. Coming in a range of sizes, with a choice of lid colours and accessories, including leather sleeves and copper-plated desk stands, they’ll keep you looking stylish while staying hydrated.

From about PGK100; memobottle.com.au.

Handsome hankies

Every good gent needs a good hanky in his pocket, and it’s even better if said hanky is handsome enough to also function as a pocket square or neck tie. Hanky Folk make certified organic cotton plant-dyed hankies, in either a solid indigo or a selection of fun tie-dyed patterns, that are all handmade in small batches by two Indonesian families, meaning no two are exactly the same. About PGK33 each; hankyfolk.com.

Translation earpiece

Pop the TranslateOne2One earpiece into your ear, and have the foreign conversation you’ve been desperately trying to untangle translated efficiently for you within seconds. This language barrier buster, created by Australian technology start-up Lingmo, translates into eight languages including Chinese, Spanish and French, but we’re still waiting for Tok Pisin. It works without Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so you can use it anywhere in the world, no matter how remote your next international business meeting is. About PGK890 for a two-piece pack; lingmo.global.

Lumbar pillow

It’s impossible to deny the benefits of travel, but there are also indisputable downsides. One of them is sitting in one spot for lengthy periods in uncomfortable airports, planes and cars. Enter the Tempur-Pedic Lumbar Cushion, which is ergonomically designed to support your mid and lower back, making sitting for those interminable stretches much more bearable. It’s also lightweight, easy to pack, and comes with a machine-washable cover. About PGK285;

tempurpedic.com.