House of Marley's Roots Rock audio system is a modern-day boombox that's disguised as a stylish bag.
How it works
Crafted from a mix of hemp, organic cotton, recycled plastic bottles and bamboo, it's a slim, eco-friendly version of the 1980s-era portable stereo. While you can plug your music device into the built-in 3.5-millimetre jack, it's designed to work wirelessly using Bluetooth. After 10 minutes spent fiddling with iPad settings and volume control, music streams loudly and clearly through two speakers.
Pros and cons
I love the sturdiness and over-the-shoulder portability, and you get a full day's worth of use without needing to recharge the built-in battery. The fabric cover protects the speakers and dials from sun, sand and water damage; it's also meant to double as a stand. I don't get the hang of the fold and snap technique, however, so just lean it up against something solid.
Final verdict
This is a novel way to carry around good-quality speakers on holiday. Yet it weighs over two kilograms, which makes it a bigger packing commitment than an iPod. $199.99; thehouseofmarley.ca