Transport & outdoors

The traditional lighter done right and the most reliable flame, but not nearly as good value as the plasma arc lighter.

Matches that stay lit when wet and are great for the price, though they were dropped in favour of the Pyro Putty lighter.

Cheap zip-tie stitches that close small wounds without skill and were kept for minor cuts.

A rechargeable plasma lighter with built-in fire-starting putty that he found the best lighter and kept over the matches.

Absurdly bright and overkill for nearly everyone, but it does what it claims and he wanted to keep it.

An interesting hybrid, but less convenient than a cheap lighter and awkward for starting a real fire.

Shown briefly while buying, with a quip about just using the tap.

Removes about 98% of the mud from pond water; not perfectly clear, but he'd keep it as a potential lifesaver.

A powerful, clean magic-wand fire starter that he liked, but it needs mains power and suits a home barbecue rather than an expedition.

Compact and clever, but too much of a gamble on sunlight and the food came out chewy, so it didn't make the inventory.

Attractive hardware with a nice knob, but it was only a controller for the phone app, needed a subscription, was repeatedly discounted and…

The most polished, refined electric scooter he has tried, with strong acceleration, 55 km range and a puncture-resistant tyre.

The launch was awkward after the supposedly bulletproof glass broke twice on stage, though people are still excited about it.

A pretty standard e-scooter that is fun to ride but has few standout features; scored 6 out of 10.

A survival whistle that generates three tones at once to carry over greater distances.

Two 3840 Wh Anker Solix batteries power the giant phone and can be swapped when one runs out.

Surprisingly impressive shoes that let you walk at running speed, rated 8 out of 10 for people who have to walk a lot.

Arun finds it a neat way to turn heat from a fire you are lighting anyway into phone charge, and it works, though he gives no formal verdic…

Works like an AirTag but its card shape suits a wallet far better.

Used as a tech organiser (a toiletry kit repurposed); the material and zips feel high quality.

He has recently come round to key organisers and likes how the keys swivel out.

A leak-proof insulated bottle with a comfortable lip and rubber base.

The best of around 15 backpacks he has tried, thanks to its weather resistance, many pockets and flat-opening compartments.

The standard-size Bellroy wash bag holds his toiletries as part of a grab-and-go travel setup.