Popular Mechanics (South Africa)
FJÄLLRÄVEN VIDDA PRO TROUSERS
IT’S ODD HOW sometimes, when you try on a new item of clothing, it fits perfectly and makes you feel so comfortable that it’s as though you’ve been wearing it for years. These highly durable longs, from tried-andtested Swedish brand Fjällräven, offer up that exact experience.
They’re reinforced in all the right places – your knees, and your butt – and the waterresistant and windproof G-1000 fabric feels tough and long-lasting. There are six pockets (you can never have too many), in different shapes and sizes, for items such as your pocketknife, compass, lighter, maps, cellphone, wallet, and more. The circumference of the ankle cuffs is adjustable, and there’s a built-in hook down there to fasten over your boot laces, helping keep sand and dirt on the outside.
Whether you’re doing DIY work around the house, or trekking 30 km on a trail, the Vidda Pro Trousers will help you to get the job done.
RRP R2 859 arcticfoxafrica.com
HUAWEI WATCH
GT 2e
HUAWEI’S NEWEST wearable is lightweight (40 g), water-resistant, comfortable and tracks everything you would expect it to … and then some. From sleep to stress; there’s even built-in breathing exercises and the ability to measure your blood-oxygen saturation levels.
You also don’t need a Huawei smartphone to use it – the GT 2e works beautifully as long as you’ve downloaded the free Huawei Health app. The initial set-up really is a breeze and customisation is simple, using the bright touchscreen. Adjust notifications’ buzz strength – do you prefer raiseto-wake or to keep the face display always-on? It’s all up to you.
Included features such as the weather, a torch, timer, real-time notifications, and alarm are all accounted for – but the fact that it can automatically track any exercise you’ve started is really nifty. There are 85 custom-workout modes, and if you’re on a bike or going for a run, you can see in-depth data (such as distance, cadence and calories burnt) on the app. Connect Bluetooth headphones if you enjoy training to music, storing your tunes on the internal storage. Did we mention the two-week battery life?
RRP R3 499 huaweistore.co.za
THE BOMA
BRAAI
SOUTH AFRICANS LOVE braaiing together, and the
Boma Braai is one of the better-designed free-standing options out there. It’s accessible from all angles, pretty much giving everyone a chance to get in on the braai action (why leave it all up to one sorry soul?).
Aside from the social advantages, it has a sturdy
8 mm-thick cooking surface, with excellent heatretention properties. There’s a large, central aperture that allows you to add wood while you’re cooking – perfect for carrying on with the festivities uninterrupted.
Depending on your decor preferences, it comes in satinblack mild steel, or rustic COR-TEN steel. The external surface oxidises naturally, enhancing the appearance over time (and your braai area); the infused copper makes it ideal for coastal applications, creating a barrier against the elements and extending the life of your braai.
RRP from R15 000 chad-o-chef.co.za; 011 668 1910
PHILIPS ONEBLADE
SHAVING CAN EITHER be a pain (literally), or no big deal, and it’s likely to be the latter if you’re tackling the task with a Philips OneBlade. Men’s face shapes, beards and skin types all differ, so using a shaver that’s versatile is important. The OneBlade is battery-powered (and also rechargeable, with up to 45 minutes of continuous use), waterproof (for wet- or dry use), and ergonomically designed for easy handling. Give yourself a trim (using the 1-, 3- and 5 mm stubble combs), flip it on its edge for precise edging, or shave in a conventional way (though not as close as normal razors, thereby reducing skin discomfort). You should get up to four months’ use from a single blade. RRP R799 takealot.com
NATIONAL LUNA 1A INTELLIGENT
BATTERY CHARGER
REDUCED BATTERY LIFE is common in stationary vehicles, including caravans, trailers, boats, and motorcycles. Batteries need maintenance to survive, and the longer they’re neglected, the shorter their lifespan.
Many people mistakenly buy ‘trickle chargers’ to maintain their vehicle’s battery, but these units can cause permanent damage if left connected. This is why the use of a multistage charger is critical to battery health, performance, and long-term maintenance.
The National Luna 1A Intelligent Battery Charger is specially designed for both 6 V and 12 V battery-maintenance applications. And thanks to its ‘float-charge’ feature, it can be connected to your vehicle’s battery for an indefinite period, keeping your boat, caravan, trailer, bike or vehicle battery in top condition, thereby increasing its lifespan. RRP R699 nationalluna.com; available at Outdoor Warehouse stores