TRUCCO LUGGAGE

Cramming more stuff into fewer bags has become every traveller’s obsession—which is precisely why I decided to put Balanzza’s new three-in-one, click-together carry-on, dubbed TRUCO, through its paces on a recent trip. The concept is clever: the laptop bag and briefcase also fit underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin where the main carry-on slides in. Reminiscent of Mary Poppins’ bottomless carpetbag, I was astonished that I could get a week’s worth of gear into this nifty three-piece system. All the pieces click together in a jiffy, but the trouble is the plastic buckle system is flimsy. Every day, a buckle snapped. So, by the end of my one-week trip, nothing could be clicked together and, to my horror, I had to check in the carry-on main compartment and schlep the other two pieces onto the flight with me. Beef up the buckle system and Balanzza will be leading the pack with carry-ons. (US$199) - DC

YANTRA MAT

Yoga can fix a lot of ailments. But the mat—what can that cushy sliver of rubber actually do? Try giving you a “great sleep,” “lowering blood pressure” or even providing you with “mental clarity”—or so promises the marketing behind the Yantra mat. Lying on a Yantra mat is like trying to rest on a bed of nails—it’s studded with 8,820 tiny prickly plastic spikes. Did I feel this great whoosh of endorphins or oxytocin that left me in an altered state of deep relaxation? Nope. And did the little spikes stick to my clothes? Immediately. I love the idea of an acupressure mat, but sadly, this is one of those pricey gimmicks that doesn’t live up to its “feel-good” billing. (Starting at $59) - DC

MIDNIGHT SHOT NIGHT VISION CAMERA

For the spy at heart, the Midnight/Shot NV-1 Night Vision camera should be an essential part of your gadget arsenal. Although its specs don’t hold up to conventional cameras (a lacklustre five-megapixel lens, limited settings and no optical zoom), it does capture photos in the dark. When switched to night-vision mode, the lens allows infrared (IR) light to enter, exposing things you wouldn’t normally see. But, with its lightweight build and equally light feature set, you can only get a clear IR photo within three metres of the subject. There's also a lack of independent settings between the two modes. When auto-flash was on in regular mode, then switched to night vision, the auto-flash didn’t automatically shut off, which gave me completely washed-out photos. For the price, it’s not a bad toy for the budding spy or underhanded roommate waiting to capture you drooling while you sleep. (US$150) - AT

SS HALO JERSEY

Whether you’re chugging up a punishingly steep single track or zooming down a mountainside, you want a jersey that’s breathable and comfortable—no matter the weather. Standard Lycra fare may cut it in the summer, but regulating your body temperature in the fall is trickier. Made from lightweight merino wool embedded with shots of Lycra, the SS Halo Jersey is the only cycling top I’ve worn where I’ve never noticed whether I’m warm or cool. Designed by Icebreaker, it’s like wearing a form-fitting thermostat on your skin. Other thoughtful details include the gripper at the hem (prevents drafts), rear cargo pockets, a tire pump pocket and set-in sleeves. Two other bonuses are its classic colours (no need to sport a logo-mad billboard look) and the fact you don’t smell (the natural wool factor) when you unclip and clomp into the bar for a post-ride beer. ($150) - DC