It is only in the prototype stage at the moment, but I can see this design being useful for outdoor furniture or as a space-saving alternative to sleeper sofas. Speaking of alternatives, it takes the idea of a couch fort to an entirely new level. [Philippe Malouin via Dezeen and Core77]

During warm weather, the coat can be folded and strapped around the wearer as a backpack for easy transport. When it's time to set up camp, the interior lining can be stretched out and pegged—creating a private, protective cocoon. Again, it's only a concept at this point—but I've watched enough Suvivorman and Man vs. Wild to know that something like this could be useful in the real world. [Coroflot via Core77]

Amusingly enough, the device comes in four different varieties: The Planet Rambler backpack, The Planet Business shoulder bag, The Collapsible compact carry bag, and The Junior for small DVD players (and possibly UMPCs). Don't get me wrong, Its not that they are completely ridiculous—in fact, LapDomes could be quite handy. It just looks completely ridiculous. But hey, at least it is better than this thing. Available for $24.95 to $79.95. [Product Page via Geeksugar]

Ah yes, Beck's rhinestone Nudie Suit, queueing to file my copy from the only place with an ISDN line on the site (there is no mobile coverage at Glasto, gadge fiends) a conversation with Bobby Gillespie about how rock-n-roll gumboots were, another one with John Peel on how his wife had packed his daughter's boots instead of his and how he'd had to buy a new pair from an enterprising young man who was selling them alongside Es, trips and whizz.

And I remember wrestling with my tent in the evening gloom, and swearing to myself that no amount of fun was worth the heartache of putting up the Nylon Thing That Was To Be My House For The Next Four Days.

When I saw the Morpho tent, I felt sad. Why, laydeez and gennulmen, was this thing not invented a decade ago, when I was young, green and impractical? I would quite happily have forked out $400 (excluding pump) on something made out of booger-green man-made fibres and air. No tent poles, you see. No tent poles, no tripping— over strings, that is—no arguments, no mud leaking into the Nylon House. No hassle. Festival fiends, the future is Morpho.

– Ad Dugdale

Product Page [Sierra Trading Post via Product Dose]

It's $230, and has an eight-hour battery to power the LEDs inside. All you need to do is keep the solar panels set up during the day when you're out doing whatever it is people do when they're camping. Poop in the woods and look for leaves to wipe with, presumably. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Eurekatent via Travelizmo via Uber Gizmo]

The tent can fit four, and be configured as a roof-top or trailer-top tent with a ladder. No word on pricing, but this thing looks like a lot of fun. –Noah Robischon

Campa USA [Product Page]

This two second self-pitching tent takes the theory of those car window shades that are so hard to close and expands, dramatically. Quechua's tent comes folded up, but when you toss it into the air—preferably not straight up—it deploys into full tent form before it hits the ground. All you need to do is stake the corners. Nifty.

Cleanup is also easy, but takes a bit longer than two seconds. If it weren't for the mosquitos, ants, bears, and our hatred for the outdoors, this might make us go camping.

The two second tent goes for around $83. The last time we pitched a tent in two seconds was back when we were fourteen and Mrs. Donaldson bent to pick up some chalk. – Jason Chen

Product page [Quechua via Gizmag via Sci Fi Blog]