Travel Gear: Swing into your game with a golf watch

An easy access backpack, a golfer’s smartwatch and lightweight solar charging


1. The North Face Access Pack
The North Face sticks with "the" even though it remains largely unused in the everyday. And TNF has never been more everyday having navigated a trek from the elevated niche of a technical brand to the less-rarified high street. Its Access Pack is unashamedly urban, with a quick release latch, fleece-lined pockets and a moulded EVA foam body around the aluminium frame and padded laptop compartment. €250, see thenorthface.com.


2. Garmin Approach X40 Golf Band
As the smartwatch market grows, so specialised territories are being staked out. Golf is such a lucrative leisure sector it's no wonder players are looking to it. Garmin's Approach X40 comes preloaded with 40,000 courses globally, like distances to the front, middle and back of greens. It also acts as a digital scorecard, and gives fitness data such as calories burned during your "good walk spoiled". Around €250, available June.


3. Anker PowerPort Solar Lite
There are plenty of solar chargers to choose from and Anker's 5V PowerPort Solar Lite is a popular new option thanks to its lightness and efficiency. There are loops to hang it off a backpack or tent, and it folds up neatly when you need to stuff it away. There are a pair of ports so it can charge two devices at once, though it does not have a built-in battery to store it up for a literal rainy day. €50, amazon.com

Tom Kelly @tomtomkelly