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Ford has created the Transit Custom Nugget, a custom RV that is more than capable of taking on Volkwagen's dominance in holiday vans. Now all you need is the ultimate cooler and tent. (Spoiler: we've found these for you, too).
Ford Transit Custom Nugget
With casual overseas trips on ice (for now), it’s time to explore closer to home, and if you’re desperate to get away, but not exactly the outdoor type, this official new custom camper from Ford has everything you need. Kitted out by legendary German outfitters Westfalia, the Nugget has space for four adults – two in the pop-top roof, two on the converted seating below – while the L-shaped kitchenette features a two-burner gas hob, sink, pumped water and a 40-litre fridge, plus bags of storage. Up front, Ford’s 8in SYNC 3 infotainment system is voice or touch operated, the Wi-Fi hotspot can keep up to ten devices connected, and there’s an imminently practical 230-240v external recharging point for topping up juice before getting off-grid. As for driving, the two-litre diesel engine (sorry, no hybrid action here) provides 128bhp, or you can upgrade to 182bhp, with a six-speed gearbox of your choice.
Price: from £56,000 | Ford
Saucony Endorphin Pro
Nike might be leading the charge when it comes to next-level running shoe tech, but only Saucony is bold enough to claim its latest carbon-fibre soled trainer can make virtually any runner faster without extra effort. The full-length S-Curve plate sits above the midsole cushioning and under the sockliner, and has been designed to give your foot more pop off the ground. The outsole features enhanced abrasion resistant rubber in key areas to not only give a firmer feel underfoot, but also last longer in real world conditions. To finish, Saucony has used the lightest possible foam for the midsole, which is usually reserved for the brand's elite shoes.
Price: £190 | Saucony
Villa Julia playhouse
Yes, a bedsheet, some pegs and a clothes airer will do the job for now, but when you’ve finally exhausted Netflix Kids and need to avoid a Lord of the Flies style mutiny, might we suggest you send the enfant terrible to Villa Julia for the day. Designed by Javier Mariscal for Magis, this exceptional and reassuringly tough cardboard playhouse has a fantastic modernist asymmetrical shape, huge picture windows and a fake fireplace on the back wall to complete the effortlessly cool 1950s look.
Price: £144 | Magis Design
Heimplanet Backdoor Classic
Admittedly, the rest of the camping world has cottoned on to the benefits of inflatable tents, but for WIRED, Heimplanet still leads the pack with its futuristic geodesic structures, quick pitching and robust materials. The latest design is this four-person, four-season tent boasting two doors, each with their own vestibule, a generous amount of space for both people and equipment, and a ripstop, windproof winter liner, for hardy expeditions in the off season, all pitched in less than 60 seconds. The flysheet is made from a stiff flame-retardant rip-stop polyester that’s impervious to the worst conditions and can survive a 5,000mm water column much longer than you can.
Price: €755 | Heimplanet
Topo Design x So iLL
Topo’s purple patch continues thanks to this stylish collaboration with So iLL climbing which features gear including an innovative climbing shoe that promises to be technical and comfortable, a large chalk bucket with cinch closing and daisy chain webbing (ideal for bouldering sessions and even has shoe storage) and a neat accessory bag. Our pick is the effortlessly cool drawstring Cosmos Pack which echoes the design of the chalk bag, but at 14.4-litres capacity plus webbing for gear attachments and plenty of useful internal pockets.
Price: From $19-$149 | Topo Design
Roarockit Street Deck Double Kit
Whether you’re looking for a project to kill time with the kids, or you just want the signature board your tre flips deserve, this DIY kit gives you the chance to glue up and press your own seven-ply Canadian Maple veneer skateboard deck without the need for any heavy machinery. It works by using a low-volume, high-pressure manual hand pump to suck out the air from a heavy duty vacuum containing glued up veneers and a pre-shaped mould. A range of deck shapes are available, as well as blank veneers for you to shape yourself, and all profits feed into a non-profit organisation called Farskate (farskate.co.uk) which runs skateboard design workshops tailored to vulnerable young people who struggle to learn in mainstream schools.
Price: £170 | Roarcockit
Pelican Fishing Cooler
Pelican makes nigh-indestructible luggage and protective casings for the US Military, law enforcement agencies and emergency services – but it also offers (almost) the same military-spec levels of protection for your picnic. Designed for long days on the water, this cooler has space for 15 cans and 8.6kg of ice that will stay frozen for days, thanks to vast amounts of polyurethane foam. There’s also cup holders for convenience and non-slip feet for when the seas get rough, all protected by a lifetime guarantee.
Price: $149 | Pelican
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
