Bear Grylls’ guide to wearable tech

Survival expert, TV personality and now adventure product designer, Bear Grylls talks us through the wearable tech he couldn’t bear to be stranded without

On the clock

Luminox Navy Seal Colormark Chrono 3180 Series (around £355)
I love this particular Luminox. It’s designed to withstand extreme conditions, is waterproof up to 200 metres and scratch-resistant – perfect for my line of work. Operating in the dark is always tough whether you’re in a jungle, a cave or in the back of a Chinook helicopter, so a watch with strong night visuals is an invaluable piece of kit. It’s also light and, as they say on adventures, every gram counts.

Lens flair

Bear Grylls video eyewear glasses (£149.99)
It took us a while to develop these camera glasses, but the technology is finally here. They’re both protective eyewear and can capture those incredible moments when having a camera to hand is physically impossible. The touch controls are built directly into the frame, allowing the user instantly to begin recording video at the touch of a button. I couldn’t imagine setting out on an adventure without them now.

Keeping contact

iPhone X (from £47.95 per month)
This job means I get to travel to remote locations almost on a weekly basis, but when you have a young family, maintaining a connection to home is vital. I also use the map and GPS function where I can, and the notes feature is great on long flights for jotting down ideas.

Magnetic attraction

Gerber Bear Grylls Compact Compass (£19.99)
I rank navigation as one of my top survival priorities, and you can’t ever rely 100 per cent on technology to do it for you. Being able to use a compass is a skill that has saved me innumerable times – GPS batteries die fast in sub-zero temperatures and phone reception is non-existent in most jungles. In those moments, a simple compass will be your best chance of navigating. It works rain or shine, light or dark, without batteries – all you need is basic skill to use it effectively.

Stay cool

Bear Grylls 3-in-1 Solar Water Bottle Light (£13.50)
This is a smart multi-purpose tool, and one I always take along on an adventure. It has a clever solar panel on top that charges the power bank, and LEDs hidden in the lid. I’ll drink up, then stick it out in the sun to charge. At night, it can be a great light source, or provide some extra juice for my phone in an emergency.

Shop Bear Grylls’ online store for more adventure tech here