If fresh water is in short supply while you’re camping, you can still keep your teeth clean and healthy. Gill Hook has a brush with ion power!

If you wake up in your tent feeling like a bear slept in your mouth but there’s no fresh water for miles, you’ll feel pretty smug if you’ve got the hyG toothbrush with you. This nifty little device needs neither water nor toothpaste to clean teeth and gums thoroughly – and the makers say it will even get rid of plaque.

All you need to do is wet your thumb and place it in contact with the metal plate on the handle, then brush your teeth as normal. And it works – my teeth felt really clean and there even seemed to be a minty, toothpaste-like aftertaste.

So how does it work? The hyG uses ‘iontophoretic’ action: there is a strong attraction between teeth and plaque, so the brush reverses the polarity of your teeth from negative to positive. Since plaque is positively charged, it is repelled from the teeth and onto the negatively charged toothbrush. Got that? There may be a test later…

Washbag wonder

The hyG is slightly heavier than a normal toothbrush because of the battery, which the makers say will last three to four years – there’s even a button on the brush to test the power level.

Other than that it looks just like any other toothbrush, so just sling it in your washbag and, with your sparkling pearly-whites and fresh breath, you’ll be the envy of fellow campers.

Product information

The hyG Ionic toothbrush costs £9.99 and is available from Waitrose stores and independent pharmacies, health food shops and dentists. It’s also available online from Amazon.

Ending soon on Ebay

Ion Ionic Toothbrush -May Reduce Plaque, Bacteria - RED

US $14.95 End Date: Saturday Jul-31-2010 0:21:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Ion Ionic Toothbrush -May Reduce Plaque, Bacteria- AQUA

US $14.95 End Date: Saturday Jul-31-2010 14:04:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

- Gill Hook is a freelance journalist and can be reached via www.gillianhook.co.uk

Hy G Ionic toothbrush review is from Campr - Everything Camping

Boots are an essential part of your camping kit, whether for the campsite or the hills. Gill Hook puts her best foot forward to test the latest from Keen.

A couple of years ago I spent a small fortune on new walking boots only to find they rub my heels, cramp my instep and make my feet ache after five miles on level ground.I missed my old boots, which had been like slippers. But now, I may have found a replacement in Keen’s Targhee mid-cuts, which were comfortable from the minute I slipped them on.

And it wasn’t a fluke: hubby was trying out the American firm’s Oregon walking boot and was equally impressed with their comfort factor straight out of the box.

How they look

Both pairs of boots look good too: the uppers are a mix of leather and fabric and are lined with the firm’s own brand of breathable waterproof membrane.There are contrasting laces; a reflective ‘ribbon’ threaded around the boot that is part decoration and part functional; and at the front is Keen’s trademark ‘bumper’ protective toe box.

The carbon rubber soles are stiff but with a bit of ‘give’ for comfortable walking, and underneath the 4mm multi-directional grooves give good grip. However, the laces on the Targhees are rather thin and the hooks for them at the top of the boot are small and feel flimsy, making me reluctant to tighten the laces in case either snapped.

Hubby’s concern was with the ‘ribbon’: it crosses the back of the heel and could snag on a rock or branch – and if breaks, you’re in trouble because it helps to hold the laces in place.

Time to test

We tested them initially with a light stroll around the wooded grounds of Haigh Hall near Wigan and all went well – no blisters, no leaks and no aching feet. But one walk does not a boot make, so we decided to try them around Grasmere in the Lake District where there is a better mix of terrain.

Alas, halfway around the lake, hubby discovered that one of his “seriously high tech three-season” Oregon boots leaked! This was only their second wear and the weather was damp but not monsoon.

The leak wasn’t major, but having wet feet – whether on the hills or in the campsite – is just not a good thing.

Verdict

Although the comfort and styling made us initially keen on Keen, the leak has made us cautious so we’ll save them for walking in better weather.

Product information

Keen Oregon (rrp £129.99) and Targhee mid-cuts (rrp £99.99 – also available as a low cut model for £89.99).

See www.keeneurope.eu for details.

Buy now on Ebay

Awesome LN Keen Targhee 8 9 Gray Pink Fall BTS

US $14.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Jul-31-2010 8:35:00 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

KEEN Targhee II Mid - Hiking Boots

US $64.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Jul-31-2010 10:32:07 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

- Gillian Hook is a freelance journalist. For more information see www.gillianhook.co.uk

Keen Targhee and Oregon Walking Boot is from Campr - Everything Camping

Want to make your commune with nature a bit more homely? Gill Hook looks at two products aimed at doing just that. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin…

We’ve all faced the prospect of using public toilets that are, er, less than desirable, whether they’re on campsites, at events or on the high street.

Now tissue maker Andrex have come up with a double whammy of products designed to make your visit possibly more comfortable and certainly more hygienic. And, purely in the name of research for campr.co.uk, I tried them out at the recent Southport Airshow, where the toilets were portable and the queues were long.

Very long.

Spray away

First up is the On The Go antibacterial spray, which Andrex says is the UK’s first ever portable 50ml spray that guarantees to kill 99.9% of bacteria. You can use it on your hands and also on any surfaces you want to disinfect such as the loo seat and door handles.

Despite the distraction of the cubicle shaking as a Eurofighter Typhoon thundered overhead, I noticed the spray has a pleasant smell but that it leaves a slightly sticky residue on your hands – but better than what could be there!

Andrex have also brought out an On The Go 55-sheet loo roll that has no cardboard core and is rolled inside a plastic, re-sealable, pocket-sized pack.

Handy Size

I have to admit that at first I wasn’t sure there was any advantage to this – who needs a special toilet roll? And it was a little tricky to get the sheets out if you lost the end!

But, watching the magnificent Vulcan fly past, it occurred to me that the roll’s handy size means you can stuff it into your bag/rucksack/car for emergencies, and because it’s wrapped in plastic it won’t go soggy in the rain.

And, faced with the prospect of using a public toilet where the tissue doubles as sandpaper, you’ll be the only one walking out with a smile.

- Gill Hook is a freelance journalist. For more information, go to gillianhook.co.uk

Product Information

Andrex On The Go toilet tissue, rrp 99p. Andrex antibacterial spray, rrp £1.99.

Buy now on Ebay

Available from Boots and most supermarkets.

Andrex On The Go antibacterial spray and toilet roll review is from Campr - Everything Camping

“Loaded with excellent products to help keep you warm and safe. An ideal piece of kit for expeditions, backpacking & camping.”

This was the description printed on the side of the container/bottle for the “Bottle Survival Kit”. First impressions, it looks like a great idea, well packaged and stuffed full of goodies and gadgets, every campers dream, right?

For your £10.99, you get the 800ml bottle, emergency poncho, emergency silver blanket, 4pcs pen knife, glow stick, expandable traveller’s towel, 3 in 1 survival tool (whistle, compass and signalling mirror), waterproof matches and a carabiner/LED/compass.

Will it save your life?

So, is this the piece of kit that will save you in a life or death situation? No. It’s more of your ‘Bottle of really useful stuff that you might use occasionally’ kind of kit; but that wouldn’t look anywhere near as cool on the packaging, so “Bottle Survival Kit” it is. In all seriousness, it contains some pretty cool gadgets for the money, so it’s definitely worth a second look.

Ok, so the nitty gritty, the bottle is easy to get into, everything pops out nicely, but then the poncho and the blanket are secured with a cable tie. “Not a problem” you think, because the kit comes with a trusty 4pcs penknife! Only, the knife is too dull to actually cut the plastic cable tie. If you can get the cable tie off with damaging the blanket or poncho, then you’re pretty much set. Everything else is nice and simple.

The kit

The Contents

I particularly like the 3 in 1 survival tool as, along with the whistle, compass and signalling mirror, it’s a little container great for keeping small pieces or paper, pencil etc. in and can be held around the neck. A great idea if, like me, you’re out with a DofE group and need to leave them notes.

The “Snap & Shake Light Stick” boasts an impressive [up to] 12 hours and comes with a hanging hook and lanyard; a useful addition to keep in your rucksack in case you ever get caught needing something quickly that will last a while.

The waterproof matches were ceremoniously thrown into a bucket of water, and with a quick wipe down on the front of my tee shirt, struck up first second third time; still, pretty good when compared with your alternative of flint & steel.

The expandable traveller’s towel is a great idea, it’s only 5cm wide, but when submerged into water, unravels into a handy little wash cloth. Of course, it’s a onetime deal, so you won’t ever get it like that again.

Survive or skip?

The reality is, you’d buy this, the kit as a whole would get broken up, some of it used, some of it not. It’s small enough to slip into your rucksack without much trouble, and it’s always there if you need it.

All-in-all, it’s a clever idea, and a reasonable price to boot. Gelert is known for delivering equipment at the more pleasant end of the price scale while providing stuff that works; if that’s what you’re looking for, this won’t disappoint.

Product information

The Gelert Bottle Survival kit is available direct from Gelert, Amazon or all good camping retailers.

Buy now on eBay

NEW 16-in-1 Survival Kit Gear Emergency Camping Bottle

US $18.99 End Date: Friday Jul-30-2010 21:40:07 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $18.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

6-in-1 Mini Outdoor Survival Kits Camping Tool HUI-5800

US $2.98 End Date: Saturday Jul-31-2010 0:34:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $2.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

James Lane

Gelert Bottle Survival Kit is from Campr - Everything Camping

We’ve combed the internet to bring you these five “essential” camping gadgets, if you have a camping accessory you can’t live without let us know in the comments below. The best suggestion will win a Campr Camping Essentials Pack!

We love gadgets

Some people love to go camping to get back to nature, feel the grass under their feet and experience something of the life our ancestors lead, whilst some people like recreate their living room in a field. Both approaches have their attractions so if you’re a lover of modcons you’ll be pleased to know you don’t need to leave the kitchen sink at home any more. And if your a rustic camper whose tired of squatting in bushes you should really take a look at the Shit Box.

The Folding Kitchen Sink

Folding Kitchen Sink
Fastidious about dirty dishes? The latest in folding camp technology is the pop-up kitchen sink. It’ll hold up to 10 litres of water and won’t spill a drop due to it’s stainless steel stiffening ring. If you don’t fancy taking the domestic chores with you it’ll double up as the world’s smallest bath.

Gelert Solar Shower

Gelert Solar Shower
Probably the worst thing about festivals is that feeling on day three when you roll out of a sticky tent in the clothes you fell asleep in with the only prospect of a wash some kind dirt of bath being ran by Oxfam. Well, feel filthy no more! Simply fill the pocket shower with water and allow to warm in the sun for a few hours. Tie it to a handy tree and you’ll have over 8 minutes of watery bliss.

The Shitbox

The Shit Box
The charmingly named Shit Box doesn’t require too much description. It’s a box you can satisfy the call of nature whilst satisfying the call of the wild.

If you follow me.

The Freeloader Pro

Freeloader Pro Solar Charger
After seeing the queues for the Orange phone charging tent at Glastonbury this year there must be a lot of frustrated mobile owners out there. Dodge the queues and save the planet by harnessing the power of sun with the Freeloader Pro Solar Charger. It’ll charge most gadgets in 1.5 hours, enough for 2.5 ciders at least.

The Notebook BBQ

Notebook BBQ
If you want to upgrade your disposable BBQ habit in 2010 the Notebook BBQ is a great way to avoid singing the grass whilst looking stylish. It’s folding ‘notebook’ mechanism makes the Notebook easy to store and carry, perfect for an impromptu chow-down.

Finishing soon on eBay

HotSpot Portable Notebook Charcoal BBQ Grill Folds Easy

US $39.95 End Date: Saturday Jul-31-2010 8:25:41 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $39.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Charcoal BBQ Grill HotSpot Notebook Charcoal BBQ Grill

US $39.99 End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 16:48:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $39.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

5 incredible camping gadgets is from Campr - Everything Camping

In recent years the range of tents has exploded with even high street stores offering specialist types such as teepees and geodesic domes.

Tents have dramatically fallen in price with supermarkets offering some incredible deals, so it’s now practical for even the casual camper to own several tents for every outdoor eventuality. From small and cheap dome tents to luxury palaces with several bedrooms, tents offer a compact and cheap means of camping.

Most camping stores have a good selection so it’s worth visiting to get a sense of the various sizes. To score a real bargain you should check out online stores with high street stores such as Milletsoften cheaper than in-store. You risk not seeing the tent up before you buy but the savings can often outweigh this inconvenience. eBay is a great source for second hand bargains, take a look at old scout or army surpless tents, they are cheap and made from proper canvas.

The Campr roundup:

Dome

Great for backpackers and festival goers, the lightweight dome tent is easy to carry and pitch.

The dome tent is available in sizes ranging from 2-person tents with limited headroom to 6-9 person tents with headroom exceeding 180m.

Ridge

The traditional triangular tent is sturdy and offers ample headroom. However they can be trickier to pitch than dome tents and the sides are unsupported.

Pop-up

A recent innovation, the pop-tent is built of flexible hoops so when unpacked it immediately springs into shape. Pop-up tents are generally single skinned so best for summer use and beware, they’re much harder to get put down than put up!

Geodesic

Similar to dome tents but with 2 or more extra poles which help support the basic shape and minimise the amount of unsupported fabric. Geodesic tents are much sturdier in high-winds and extreme conditions.

Teepee/Pyramid

The teepee or pyramid tent is triangular in shape and easy to erect with a central pole. They are also extremely chic with many campers opting for them as something different.

The Campr guide to tents is from Campr - Everything Camping