Gear

By Lylah M. Alphonse, Globe Correspondent, 12/30/01

Pressing matters

This lightweight travel iron by Rowenta is also a vertical fabric steamer, so you can get the wrinkles out of your clothes without having to actually press them. It's available for about $40 at Sharper Image and Macy's stores; through the Chef's Ingenuity catalog (888-944-9888); and online at www.chefscatalog.com, www.sharperimagebest.com, and www.macys.com.

Battery-free sound

The Freeplay 360 AM/FM radio doesn't require batteries – if the sun is shining. The radio's solar cells need only catch the light. Too dark to use solar power? Crank the handle 60 times for about 30 minutes of news or music. The radio weighs about 2 pounds and is 4 by 81/2 by 3 inches deep. It can also be plugged in when you have a power source handy. It costs $50 at Sharper Image stores, through their catalog (800-344-4444) and on their Web site (www.sharperimage.com), and about $70 online at www.excaliburenterprises.com, www.allthingssolar.com/smallradio.htm, and www.kador.com/radio.htm.

Nothing to yawn over

You can't do much about the narrow seats and shallow legroom on planes these days, but you can minimize that ear-popping discomfort. EarPlanes pressure-regulating earplugs were developed by Cirrus Healthcare Products LLC in conjunction with the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles. Available in sizes to fit a child's ear as well, EarPlanes cost about $10 for two sets of plugs. You can buy them at CVS, Walgreens, Osco, Kmart, and Wal-Mart stores, online at Aeromedix.com (telephone 888-362-7123), and www.magellans.com, or through the Magellan's catalog by calling 800-962-4943.

Added mileage

Don't have enough frequent flier miles to get where you want to go? Need just 100 more to get that upgrade? Now you can buy some for yourself – or give some as a gift – at www.miles4sale.com, or telephone 866-630-8717.