Fashionistas and hipster would argue that their clothing is as valuable as a life.  Tumi seems to agree as their latest line of luggage, the TEGRA-LITE, utilizes body armor.

The material is called Tegris, a polypropylene thermoplastic composite material created by Milliken.  It’s long been used in body armor, NASCAR cars and protective equipment for NFL players.  At the end of the day, Tegris can takes a serious licking without all the added weight generally experience with hardside cases.

Tumi, who acquired the exclusive world wide rights to this material, sells the cases starting at $595.

When a natural disaster hits, you best be ready. That means stocking food, water and other necessities.  However, there probably isn’t much you can do about your power grid.  Sure, a battery would suffice, but inevitably that source of fuel will eventually run dry.

The BioLite Campstove is a brilliant solution that solves a whole host of problems.  It’s great not just for emergency scenarios, but for those that like to camp.  At first glance it looks like your garden variety portable stove.  And don’t get us wrong, it is.  But instead of using a petroleum based fuel source, it works with twigs, pine cones, pellets and other biomass, such as pine needles or leaves.  And while you cook your dinner, or boil off that bacteria laden water, you can also power up your phone or just about any 5V gadget thanks to the built-in USB plug.  You see, the BioLite is able to convert thermal energy into electricity, and while it will take a fair bit of twigs to fully charge your iPhone, it most certainly is a great resolve for those in a pinch. The whole system packs down into a some what portable  8.25 x 5″ shape  and weighs 2lbs.

Expect the BioLite to ship sometime soon, though you can reserve one now for $129.

Riverboats are hardly a desired destination.  Thanks to the M/V Aria that is all about to change, or did change in April of 2011 when this astonishingly, awesome river boat set sail.

Don’t be fooled by M/V Aria’s 147 foot length – it can accommodate up to 32 passengers.  That boils down to 16 cabins and a set of amenities fit for a king.  And by king we mean 240 square feet of opulence complemented by a giant picture window in each cabin that greets guests every morning with a panoramic view of the Amazon river.  Those traveling in a pact, or a family, can find extra space by opting for the 4 room suites that can be interconnected, which provides almost 1000 square feet of space. Other amenities include air conditioning, private baths, luxury toiletries, fine linen bedding, an outdoor jacuzzi, indoor lounge, exercise room and more.

Expect a one night stay to set you back about $1000-$1500.

Even though our gadgets are fully charged, they’ll often continue to draw power.  This is not only a tax on your power bill, but isn’t environmentally friendly.  The resolve?  Score yourself a power strip that eliminates this shortcoming.   However, a power strip is hardly practical if you’re on the road and only have some much storage space in your pullman suitcase.

Enter Bracketron’s Mushroom GreenZero and Stone GreenZero wall chargers.  They’re pocket sized devices built to charge your portable device.  Both models feature a USB port and will automatically shutdown once your smartphone or tablet is fully charged.  The Mushroom model features a mushroom inspired cap that when pressed by your hand or foot, initiates charging.  The Stone is the smaller of the two and includes a small power button – it’s designed for those who are traveling, but either model should suffice.

Bracketron will sell a few different versions of both models with variable pricing depending on what cord is needed for your device.  The price will range from  $24.95 to $34.95 – the top price reflects a version that includes an iPhone cable.

Here in the western world we enjoy drinking water direct from our taps, while those in other parts of the world struggle, if not die, since they can’t gain access to fresh, clean drinking water.  It’s a sad thought and makes you realize how much we take for granted what most generally feel entitled to.

The SteriPEN Freedom probably can’t save the world from dieing of thirst, but if you head to a foreign land where drinking water can be more dicey than chugging down a liter of vodka you’ll probably want to carry around this apparatus.

This pocket sized device charges via micro-USB and can sterilize up to .5 liter of water, destroying over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and protozoa such as giardia and cryptosporidium.  One liter of water can be sterilized by treating it twice, though it’s not clear if more than a liter can be treated in one container.

The SteriPEN is automated to operate for 48 seconds, which is obviously how long it takes for your water to go from indigestable to drinkable, or so one would hope.  It weighs just 2.8oz – about half the weight of most smartphones, so carrying it around in your pocket shouldn’t be an issue.  Each UV light, which is the tech that disinfects the water, will last for up to 8000 .5 liter treatments then you’ll need to replace it.

The SteriPEN Freedom should go on sale soon for $119.95.

Mind blowing.  That’s how we feel when we lay eyes on the Sovereign, a 100 meter luxury yacht from Gray Design.

Clearly targeted at the uber rich, this yacht boasts a an assortment of features that is fit for any sultan, king, queen or monarch.  The mast contains a wind turbine that collects energy along with an array of solar panels that cover the roof to help power the lighting system and juice up the on board battery system.

At the aft an infinity pool circulates around a reinforced glass helicopter pad.  Take a night time dip and the edges light up, bathing you in a warm glow of opulence.  If that doesn’t satiate your swimming needs, or soothe your wary muscles, a jacuzzi sits at the bow and can be covered by a retractable sun cover.

The Sovereign’s design uses just three floors thus maintaining the yacht’s sleek low profile.  The owners suites extends from the aft to the bow and includes an atrium located under the glasshouse beneath the pilothouse.  Up to 10 guest suites can accommodate up to an additional 20 people on board this mansion on the water.  Adding to its rich accommodations are a nightclub, cinema, gym, library and a beach club which looks up through the floor of the helipad. For some additional cash, Gray Partners will toss in a custom built limo that parks alongside the seaborne tenders.

The Sovereign’s top speed is 30 knots, which is derived from 3 MTU engines.

If you’ve fallen asleep at the airport, waiting for your plane to be de-iced or your layover to connect, then you know how uncomfortable the experience can be. And by uncomfortable we mean back wrenching, not to mention the fact that you gotta be extra vigilante about your laptop and other carry-on items – Airports are a thieves’ paradise.

If you happen to be flying into Moscow you can catch a quick nap in a freshly made bed without having to hoof it to a hotel or throw down for the business class lounge. The Sleepbox contains two beds and can be rented for a little as 30 minutes or for several hours depending on your level of exhaustion. Inside are a set of fold out tables, LED reading lamps and outlets for powering your laptop or charging your smartphone. And since the door presumably locks you won’t need to worry about your stuff disappearing while you snooze.

The box is made from ash-veneered MDF. The prototype version was manufactured from plastic and incorporated an automated bed making system. Both didn’t make it into the final version, and although we’re not sad to see the synthetic material disappear, the automated bed system, while not as lush as hand laid linens, would have warmed the cockles of our geek hearts.

So if you happen to be flying into, or through Aeroexpress terminal of Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow, Russia, check it out and let us know what you think.

Mile high club in training anyone?

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The Adastra Trimaran super yacht might appear to be of racing pedigree, but it is in fact built for the Mardens, a Hong Kong based family who clearly have more money than they know what to do with.

Unfortunately, we don’t know the price to manufacturer the 139 footer, but it’s designed and built by John Shuttleworth Yacht Designs.  Time to completion is 5 years (update: it’s been in the design phase for 5 years, so hopefully it will set sail in the next few years), and from what we understand this is the first year, so we’ll have to wait until 2016 to see it in the flesh.

Update: The Adastra will launch this January.

The yacht’s hull is crafted from glass & Kevlar foam, while the rest of the boat is constructed from carbon fiber and honey comb panels, equating to an ultra light weight ship that should result in fuel efficient cruising, all things relative of course.  The design also calls for carbon fiber to be used throughout the boats interior and fixtures resulting in additional weight cutting.

On the inside the Adastra includes a saloon, main deck, dining room, lounge, garage, bridge and navigation station with master cabin and two guest cabins.  On the outside there is a large sun bed at the front, which is complemented by a sofa and bar at the aft of the ship. The vessel can accomodate up to 9 guests and 6 crew, all the while cruising at a speed up to 22.5 knots.  Total range, at 17 knots, is 4000 miles.

The Adastra is currently under construction at McConaghy yard in Zhuhai, China.

Football season has officially commenced! It’s time for fantasy football, Saturday college games and hanging with the boys (or die-hard football chicks who know what’s up). But best of all, it’s time for some tailgating! Whether you more of a college football fan or a die-hard NFL devotee, it doesn’t get any better than going to a game and getting your pre-game party on. To help make your tailgate celebrations even better, we’ve compiled a few things that every party should have!

7. 12 –Volt Oven

The ability to cook using your car’s cigarette lighter socket is a genius idea, which makes oven the perfect tailgate companion. It’s a great accessory for when the BBQ is packed and you need to heat up something or even for after the game when you want to grub on some left over food.

6. All-In-One Beach Party Chair

As a chair that has it all, you’ll never want to loan this baby out to anyone! Not only can you sit on it, but it also functions as a cooler and has wheels so you can carry your seat and your beer wherever you party.

5. Portable Gas Powered Blender

When beer gets old, mix up your favorite drink with the portable gas powered blender. Whip this baby out, fire her up, and control the mixing with the twist grip throttle to make one hell of a margarita!

4. Brennwagen Grills

Anything on wheels is better, which is what makes this grill your go-to BBQ for all your tailgating needs. But not only is it portable, but Brennwagen Grills are also very study and features high-end luxuries like isolated drawers for meat and drinks, stainless steel construction, integrated thermometers, drum brakes, and height-adjustable grill units.

3. Tundra Midnight Rider Tailgater

Tailgating is fun, but packing all the necessities to do so isn’t, which is what makes the Tundra Midnight Rider Tailgater so awesome! It’s packed with everything you need to get the party going like a 42-inch flat screen, Kicker sound system, an electronically operated tonneau cover and a pull-out Grill N Chill which features a cooking space with countertops, infrared barbeque, beverage tap and ice chest.

2. Dish Network Tailgater Portable Satellite

While you’re tailgating, you’ll gonna want to keep up on the other games, which is why Dish Network came out with their Tailgater Portable Satellite. Thanks to them, you’ll never have to miss a live broadcast of a game since this thing travels with you.

1. Cruzin’ Cooler

Not only does it store all your beer, but you can also ride this Cruzin’ Cooler! It’s light-weight, comes in various sizes and colors and is available in electric models, with up to a 10 mile range on electric models and 30 miles on the gas models.

Yup, this is yet another dock to charge your iPhone or iPod.  Technically it’s not compatible with the iPad, probably due to weight concern, but if you get one you’re more than welcome to try it out.  Just don’t blame us if your tablet takes a nose dive.  Putting aside its one shortcoming, the MiniDock from Bluelounge might have a worth while place in your arsenal of iPhone accessories.

Charge your iPhone in the kitchen?  Ever spill anything?  See where we’re going with this?  It will keep your precious iOS device off the counter and away from spilled water, sauces and whatever might seep its way into your handset.  The same could be said for those of you that spend a fair bit of time in a hotel room and find yourself plugging your iPhone into the socket, only to leave it on the floor, in harm’s (foot’s) way.

It’s small and light weight, so it won’t weigh down your already overstuffed bag.  They don’t include an AC plug, so you’ll need to use the one provided with your device, but logic tells us that’s why it costs just $19.95, before shipping and handling of course.

They sell 3 different versions.  One for the UK, one for the US and one for the EU.  They don’t make any guarantee that it will be compatible with a bumper or case, but nor do they say it won’t work.

Sleeping on the streets has to be a horrible experience.  We’ve never had to resort to such activity but if we did we’d probably try and make the best of it.  Perhaps the best way to look at this circumstance is to consider it an extended camping trip (our hearts and thoughts are with the homeless).  So building a shelter, carrying a can of sterno for cooking and water filter are just a few of the necessities that you’d find in our backpack.  But carrying around a full on tent isn’t a practical means of shelter in today’s urban jungle.  That’s why Tony Clark’s charity, Swag for Homeless, distributes these Backpack Beds to Australia’s homeless.

It’s made from a lightweight, fire-retardant, weatherproof, mildew-repelling UltTrex Lite fabric that covers a 6-foot 2-inch insulated foam mattress that sports a space blanket backing for added warmth.  For rainy days, or burning hot sunlight, there is a cover that can be tied up to create a shelter and it’s waterproof up to “5500+ mmH2O,” which is the equivalent of 5+ meters of water resting on it.  All of this quickly and conveniently rolls up into the included backpack, weighing a total of no more than 4KG (about 9lbs).

If you want one, you can purchase the Backpack Bed, which won the German 2011 Red Dot “Best of the Best” award, for $68 AUS on the Swag for Homeless website.  All the proceeds go to helping those without a home.

Breathtaking doesn’t even begin to describe this underwater bedroom.  It’s a stunning display of not only engineering, but nature, and a very rare glimpse at that – something we all take for granted.  But with the right amount of cash, presumably a sh*t load of it, you can sleep in this bedroom of the sea.

This slumber chamber was originally a restaurant.  It’s located at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort.  However, they converted it into private suite, which includes a private champagne dinner for two as well as breakfast in bed. But who can think of eating with a view like this?  A glass case 16 feet below the sea’s surface encloses the bedroom providing a 180 degree view of the aqua habit.

The rest of the resort, which is above sea level, isn’t too shabby either, boasting 50 luxurious water villas, 79 exotic beach villas and 21 fabulous spa water villas with private treatment rooms.

None of it can be cheap, but you can bet your ass that the underwater bedroom will cost 3-5 fold whatever the above water versions costs.

As green cars start to take over the automotive market, it was only a matter of time before it reached the skies. Although we are still a long way from having an environmentally friendly 747, the Elecktra One from PC-Aero will have aviation enthusiasts excited to go green! The German-based company replaces the need of jet fuel thanks to the electric plane’s 13.5 kw electric engine. According to the company, the plane can fly for more than 3 hours on one charge and can cruise the deep blue skies at 100 mph with absolutely no CO2 emissions. Other features include: low noise, low operating costs, and a very attractive design. Engineers say that it only produces one fifth of the noise that a regular aircraft producers and one half of the noise that traditional ultralight planes make, which equates for quieter skies.

It’s made of light fiber composite so to maximize efficiency, with the battery only weighing about 440 pounds. But since it’s designed to be light, there’s not much room for guests on Elecktra One since it only seats one person, with a cargo weight of 220 pounds (and that’s with the pilot included).

So you must be wondering how you charge Elecktra One’s motor, right? Well, when purchasing the green aircraft, you also get its solar-powered hanger. The roof of the hanger is decorated with photovoltaic cells from SolarWorld (the largest U.S. manufacturer of solar panels) that provide power with zero emissions.

The plane has already been tested (its maiden flight was back in spring of this year) and it’s been given the green light to go into production, which is scheduled for sometime later next year. The price tag on such a machine is estimated to run about $145,000, including the plane and its solar-powered hanger. It recently won the Lindbergh Prize for Electric Aircraft Vision award and is a highly anticipated aircraft that is paving the way for our future in the sky!

Packing your bag for a trip is a bit of an art in upon itself.  Some are good at, other excel to the point of only requiring a carry-on for a weeks vacation, while others struggle to make their socks fit.  Shoes, however, are probably the biggest crux of any packing job, and while we hate to sound sexist, women can probably attest to this factoid…or do we mean stereotype.

Timberland’s Men’s Radler Trail Camp is a light weight shoe that zips into itself.  Odd, we know, but it’s actually quite practical when you think about it.  Timberland points out that you’ll save on space, but if you’re like us when we go to the beach, or in this case trail running, you end up with debris and sand wedged into the inside of the footwear.  The last place you want this is in your bag, be it a suit case or a backpack.  By zipping these water resistant shoes up you should keep it contained, at least until you get home and hose them down.  It’s just too bad they don’t have a built-in carrying case to stop the muddy soles from making contact with your precious white t-shirts.  But who knows, maybe that will end up in iteration two.

You might also take interest in the fact that the can be easily attached to the outside of a pack via carabiner when folded and zipped up, feature a removable fleece inside and DWR (durable water repellent) treated ripstop fabric.

Timberland sells the Men’s Radler Trail Camp shoes for $65 and they’re available in orange, red and black.

Travel can be such a drag.  Layovers, unruly passengers, cavity searches and not to mention seats that are best suited for those without bones or a sense of pride.  It’s all the crap we have to deal with when it means getting from point A (your home) to point B (the in-laws).  But for $34.99 you can achieve a greater sense of relief, or at least comfort.

The Evolution Pillow takes those horrible neck pillows, to what else, the next level.  It does away with the inflatable ring and replaces it with memory foam ,the stuff NASA uses for their now defunct space missions.  A special head stabilization support prevents your head from flopping over onto the shoulder of your new single serving friend, while a duplex slide-lock locks it into place and provides additional support.  If you’re a bit timid about radio waves, the latter feature, a media pouch for your iPod, is probably gonna make you cringe a bit, but nobody says you have to use it.

They’re quick to point out that you can use it in a variety of formats, such as laying face down, sort of like a massage table.  The cover is removable and machine washable, plus they’re tossing in a pair of memory foam ear plugs.

Sure, you could just toss the good old camping pot onto the fire and heat up some water, but that would be so darn pedestrian.  Plus, the water would hardly stay hot after removing it from the heat source.

The Pack-away Kettle is fully collapsible and as a result can fit into the tiniest of spaces.  The bottom is made of stainless steel so it shouldn’t wear over time, though we do have our concerns about the flexible portion since it looks like it could melt if placed into an overzealous fire.

The Pack-away Kettle comes in a variety of colors (red, blue and green) and costs 29 UK ($46).

A water bottle is paramount when hiking the long and windy trails of any mountainous range.  Fold in a doggy in tow and you’ll need to lug along a separate apparatus – dogs can’t chug like us humans – to make sure you pooch stays well hydrated.  That is until now.

The K9 H20 water bottle is BPA free and comes in sizes ranging from 9.5oz to 25oz.  There are also a variety of colors to choose from, ranging from black, to purple, to yellow, to green and more.  But the mainstay of this product is the patented lid, which is specifically designed for a  dog’s natural drinking style; tongue lapping.  The bottle is designed to fit cup holders, bicycle water bottle mounts and other apparatuses.

The K9 H20 water bottle can be bought directly from the manufactuer for $17.95 – $19.95.

Just because you go green doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. As more hybrid and electric vehicles become available, consumers want to be eco-friendly and still remain fashionable. For those who like the look of Harley-Davidson comes the Orphiro Electric Motorcycle.

As a fully electric bike, the Orphiro Motorcycle not only features a very classy design, but it also provides a comfortable ride for those who prefer to hit the streets in a two-wheeled vehicle. Designed in Holland, the widebody green bike runs off of Li-ion batteries and a motor that boasts a grand total of 72 volts. The five batteries are actually concealed behind its smooth exterior covers, while a center console show the speed and distance.

While it still looks nice, don’t expect the power of a Harley since the Orphiro has a top speed of only 75 mph, but being able to cruise for about 60 miles without having to fill up on gas just might make up for the lack of “oomph” in the speed department. Expect to see some of these rides hitting the pavement come September!

Head off into the wilderness for a weekend retreat and you’ll probably be packing relatively light.  If your destination includes a body of water chances are there will be a canoe on the back or roof of your car.  But that’s hardly practical, especially if you can’t drive to the body of water.

Enter the Adhoc canoe.  It weighs just 4.1kg (about 9lbs) and folds up to fit inside an average sized backpack.  The frame is made from carbon fiber, which means that it is both strong and lightweight, while the skin it’s crafted from Aramid, the material used in body armor and racing sails.   According to its designer, Tsor Design’s Ori Levin, the Adhoc Canoe can be assembled in as little as 5 minutes.

No word on when it will go into production, but we can only hope it doesn’t cost much more than your average canoe.  However, since the design calls for carbon fiber and a synthetic material that probably ain’t cheap, we’re assuming it will be expensive, at least to the average consumer.

A bike that shifts gears using your mind…ludicrous, right? Think again. Toyota Prius Projects teamed up with Boston-based Parlee Cycles to do a 10-week build and actually created a concept bike that shifts gears at only the thought. Parlee Cycles’ involvement is part of a series of design and technology projects from Toyota that are supposed to help extend the Prius brand to other realms besides hybrid cars.

Drawing on the Prius’ performance and drivability, Parlee created “an aero road bike” that they called “PXP.” The foundation for the PXP was to include features from a time-trial bike with that of a road bike so that the end result would be designed for both performance and distance. To provide it with such aerodynamic ability, carbon fiber was used to minimize weight even though it’s not the most environmentally conscious material on Earth. But Parlee still practiced conservation (something that Prius stands for) by reusing all the scraps that weren’t used. Parlee then added a seat that was fitted with a wireless transmitter that would allow rider to shift the bike’s gears using a smartphone.

Once the bike’s frame was made and the seat’s transmitter worked properly, the team enlisted DeepLocal to help with the advanced technology part. They came up with a “neuron helmet” that uses electrodes to pick up neuro-electrical activity, which then signals an electronic gear shifter that’s mounted under the bike seat to switch gears at only the mere thought of having them switched. But, of course, it’s not something that will happen on the first time. With training, the person riding the PXP bike can learn to properly shift up or down with just the thought. But what the bike doesn’t go into is what happens when outside factors start to impact the user and their thoughts, so there’s a lot that still needs to be developed and addressed to really achieve a mind-reading bike.

For the 10^th week of the project, the group tested their final product, which successfully worked. While they achieved their initial goal, the bike is far from being mass produced for consumers, with no plans on releasing anything like it in the near future. But you never know with technology these days!

Toyota also involved John Watson, of renowned cycling blog of ProllyisnotProbably, to cover the build on his site. Read about each week on ProllyisnotProbably.com! All photos by John Watson.