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Introducing the KUNGS Winter Range (exclusively at handiworld.com)

Quality ice scrapers and winter accessories for your car

Is the Beast from the East that hit us in March 2018 about to return in the next few weeks? It’s the same old story; some say it is, some say it isn’t, and no-one will really know until nearer the time, if it strikes at all. But if there’s one thing us Brits love, it’s speculating on the weather.

Whether the Beast returns or not, it’s fair to say that the weather will probably get worse over the coming weeks – it usually does! It’s not unusual for it to snow in January and February – indeed in 2018, it was the end of February when the worst of the wintry weather hit the UK, and there was a smaller encore in March. Just because we didn’t have a white Christmas and we seem to have made it into the New Year with reasonably mild weather does not mean we have made it safely to spring just yet.

Whatever the outcome, it’s always best to be prepared for every eventuality. Before the bad weather strikes, you could do these ten things to prepare for winter, for you, your home and for your car.

Photo by Nathan Van Egmond on Unsplash

Tips for Winter Motoring

Our main area of expertise is travel and adventure. While the snow and ice may make your daily travels more of an adventure, when you want to be at work, or doing the school run, it can get a bit tedious and more dangerous. In cases of really bad weather, travel at all can be impossible and the odd snow-day or a day working from home could be for the best!

Photo by Jesse Orrico on Unsplash

For those days where travel is possible but the winter weather is impacting, then good management goes a long way. The Met Office have provided a useful list of vehicle checks to make before a journey, which become more important in times of bad weather. It’s also a good time to check that you have cold weather kit in your car such as a blanket, a shovel, and tyre mats, just in case.

Is it illegal to drive with an icy windscreen?

One question we see being asked is if, as a motorist, you can be prosecuted for not clearing your icy windscreen fully? The short answer is yes you can. While the law isn’t totally clear, it is an offence to cause danger to others. Not demisting your windscreen inside and out, and having snow on your car’s roof which could fly off could potentially cause problems for yourself and others.

Check out this advice from the RAC.

This article has some examples of when motorists haven’t taken care to defrost their cars and have paid the price.

How do I demist my windscreen effectively?

Want some advice on how to demist your car’s windscreen? This article from the RAC is very good and will get you stocking up on shaving foam!

What’s the best ice scraper?

Well, it’s kind of you to ask! While we don’t profess to have tried out every single ice scraper available, we do know that the ones we stock from KUNGS are very, very good. They are designed and manufactured for motorists in Finland, and they know a thing or two about motoring through snow and ice.

Helsinki in the snow, photo by Alexandr Bormotin on Unsplash

KUNGS winter products are designed, tested and manufactured in extreme Finnish winter conditions in their own factory in Kokemäki, Finland. The KUNGS philosophy is to produce the best products in each segment. KUNGS are a growing, family business, and take a great pride of being today the market leader in Northern Europe for car winter accessories.

Have you ever had to drive in Finland? Here are some tips.

We are stockists of KUNGS winter products in the UK. We have four products available, all top quality, and all designed to help you through the wintriest of winters.

1) KUNGS Arctic-IS Ice Scraper

This is an ice-scraper in a glove and we can vouch that it is extremely comfortable and warm. The ice-scraper is ultra-strong, being made from frost-proof polycarbonate, and it includes several features that really add utility to it such as a wiper blade clearing notch. It also comes with a 3-year warranty – you can’t say that about your average pound shop ice-scraper!

Learn more about this brilliant ice-scraper glove by clicking here.

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Do you have an adventurer in your life? Whether your favourite adventurer likes getting out and about in a car or on their trusty bike (or two!), Christmas is a great time to fuel their indulgence for travel and the outdoors. But what do you buy the intrepid adventurer who has everything?

While none of us need more ‘stuff’ in our lives to have to find homes for, gifts which encourage us to get out into the outdoors and enhance our travel experience can only be a good thing. With these gifts you’re giving motivation, inspiration, and the enhanced enjoyment of travel, and while a round-the-world ticket could be an amazing gift for someone, it might need a few more Christmasses before that one can be afforded!

So here’s our guide to realistic but still appreciated travel gifts for Christmas.

Halfords have these very handy Bikehut bike storage tents which are perfect for storing bikes in when on a camping trip. They can store up to three bikes. It’s easy to pitch and has UV protection.

If your adventurer’s choice mode of transport is more four-wheeled than two, how about this car boot organiser? This is a durable storage system with space for all of your adventurer’s treasures (or junk). It also has a built in red warning triangle, which could come in very useful when they get into a tight spot.

Talking of cars, have you seen the winter range from KUNGS? We are one of only a few retailers in the UK selling these top-quality Finnish products – they’ve been developed and tested in Finland, a country that knows a thing or two about motoring through wintry weather. This could be the most money you’ve ever spent on an ice-scraper but with good reason. This gloved ice-scraper is a real boon on cold mornings.

Have a look at the full winter range here >> https://www.handiworld.com/kungs-winter-products/

For the camping lovers, this pop-up emergency camping light could be a key piece of camping kit. This folds down to take up minimal space and can be used as either a lantern or a torch. Don’t forget the batteries!

Last but not least, we LOVE this scratch off map (with flags) from TravelNuts. Scratch off each country as you visit and steadily turn the gold area into a patchwork of colour. How many of these countries is your adventurer planning to visit?Are you well-known for your adventuring? We’d love to know what your loved ones bought you to help along your wanderlust this Christmas.

The summer holidays are creeping up on us now, which means if you’ve got a UK family holiday planned for the long school break then you’re probably starting to get prepared.

As well as packing everything you could possibly need into suitcases, you need to think about how you’re going to prepare your car for the wear and tear long drives can bring with them.

It can be easy to forget that there are certain checks that need doing before setting off on a long journey when the chaos of getting out the door sets in, so allow us to share with you 5 things to remember to do before hitting the road for your UK adventure.

Tyre Pressure

An important check to do before you start packing the car and to continue to do throughout your trip, both checking and adjusting your tyre pressure accordingly will help avoid flat tyres or unexpected disasters.

The AA recommend you check your tyre pressures every couple of weeks when the tyres are cold and we’d recommend doing a check before and after packing up the car to ensure your tyres are safe and ready for the journey ahead.

They also recommend checking for any cracks, cuts or bulges in the tyres when checking the pressure as these are signs of damage and weakness in the tyres and could lead to problems on the road.

Fluid Levels

At the very top of Aviva’s road trip checklist is your fluid levels and we couldn’t agree more with how important it is to check these before you head off.

Brake fluid, engine oil, window washer fluid, antifreeze – check all the fluid levels under the bonnet and top up where required. We’d recommend having spare bottles of the fluids packed away tightly in the boot in case you happen to need them on the go.

Lights

Just because you’re planning your trip to be during the daytime, doesn’t mean you don’t need to give your lights a proper check before setting off.

As well as being something that the police can pull you over for, having a brake light out or a broken headlight is really dangerous when driving, whether it’s a short or long distance trip.

The best way to check all your lights are working is to get a friend or family member to move around the car as you test your brake lights, headlights, fog lights and indicator lights are all working properly and you may want to stock extra bulbs in the car just in case.

Brakes

Whilst you’re checking your brake lights, you want to check your actual brakes too. An essential part of your vehicle and something that needs to be in perfect working order, especially when using a roof box, you need to check your brakes don’t need changing before you head off.

Kwik Fit recommend brake pads are changed when they reach a 3mm thickness or below and describe how you can tell your brakes need attention when you can hear grinding noises when braking, feel the car pulling in a certain direction when braking or the brakes may feel soft of spongey.

If you’re planning a lengthy road trip, it might be worth booking your car into a local garage for a mini service to ensure you’ve done all your checks right and everything is safe and ready to go.

Securely Attach Your Roof Rack and Box

Once you’ve checked your car is in perfect working order, it’s time to prepare it for the load it needs to carry by adding extra secure storage space. Fitted metal roof bars can be expensive and inconvenient when not in use, which is why the HandiRack is ideal for families who love a road trip.

Our inflatable roof rack is small to store and can be fitted to your vehicle in a matter of minutes and is then ready for you to add the HandiHoldall, our 320-litre soft roof box and fill with all your belongings to ensure you’ve got plenty of space to stretch out inside the car.

We hope this little guide has been helpful if you’re trying to get everything in order for your upcoming UK family holiday. If you’re looking to use one of our handy products as part of your travel set up, feel free to drop us an email at info@handiworld.com and one of our team will be happy to help.

Summer is well on its way now which means that day trips to the local beach are just around the corner.

We may not get the warmest of weather here in the UK but when we do get a hot day, our beaches are the place to be and we’re confident that plenty of our customers will be heading towards the coast at some point in the next few months.

Whether it’s an adults-only trip or a family holiday, there are always lots of things you need to have in tow when you head to the beach, so we’re going to be sharing with you all the essentials you can’t forget and our tips for packing everything into the car!

What You Need to Pack

Creating innovative products that are the solutions to common travel problems is at the core of everything we do here at HandiWorld, so when our customers speak, we listen and that is how our newest product has been created.

We have plenty of customers who are real cycling enthusiasts and when they said to us that they couldn’t find a roof box that would fit alongside their bike on a roof rack, we knew there was room for a newer, smaller version of the original HandiHoldall.

Our new 175-litre HandiHoldall is the smallest version of our soft roof bag yet and has been purposely designed with cyclists in mind. Smaller but just as mighty, this petite version of the HandiHoldall is made from the same 250D polyester tarpaulin outer material with dry bag technology and UV resistance for protection from all weathers.

Suitable for fitting to a pre-fitted bike or sports rack alongside your bike, we truly believe every cyclist needs one of our new HandiHoldalls but if you’re not convinced yet, here are 3 reasons why.

1. All Your Essentials in One Place

If you’re the cyclist who likes to head further afield for your biking adventures, you’re probably going to have a lot of kit in tow and it can be difficult to get that all in the car, especially when there’s no space on the roof next to your bike but with the help of the brand new HandiHoldall, that problem is solved.

The perfect place to store all your essentials while you head to your cycling destinations, you can pack your helmet, cycling clothing and shoes, repair kits, bike accessories and more into one super secure, weather-resistant roof bag and know that everything is easy to find in one convenient place and simply secure it next to your bike on your pre-fitted sports rack.

2. Easy to Access

There’s nothing worse than cramming all your essentials into the boot of the car and then realising you need to access something that is squashed right at the back. When you pack all your biking essentials into the 175-litre HandiHoldall, you can quickly and easily access your belongings whenever you need.

Simply stop the car, quickly detach the HandiHoldall from your sports rack and you can easily get in and pull out whatever it is you need without having to pull everything else out too thanks to the new HandiHoldall having 3 points of access, so you’re guaranteed to be able to quickly get your hands on what you wanted.

3. Convenient to Store When Not in Use

When designing the new HandiHoldall, we haven’t just thought about how it will function out on the road but how it will work when it’s not in use which is why we’ve ensured that as with the 320-litre HandiHoldall, this smaller version is convenient to store when you don’t need it.

Cyclists usually have garages full of bikes and equipment, so you don’t want your space filled up with bulky roof boxes which is why we’ve designed the 175-litre HandiHoldall to fold up to a compact size of just 61cm x 17cm x 17cm in its own storage bag when not in use, a perfect petite size for storing in your boot or garage without taking up too much space from your cycling gear.

We could go on forever with reasons why our brand new HandiHoldall is essential for any cyclist but we think these 3 reasons alone are enough to convince anyone. The brand new 175-litre HandiHoldall will be available exclusively from the HandiWorld website for just £120.00 in early May 2018 and will even come with free UK shipping, so you can put it to use in no time.

If you’ve got any questions about the new member of the HandiWorld family, drop us an email at info@handiworld.com and one of our team will be with you in no time.

Roof bags truly are a great investment for big families or people who do a lot of travelling but there are certain safety procedures you have to take into consideration when packing and using one.

The HandiHoldall is our very own soft roof bag, a unique version of a traditional roof box that is lighter, easier to attach to the car and capable of holding up to 320-litres worth of cargo but similarly to all other roof boxes, you need to pack it properly to be safe.

We’re going to be sharing with you our top tips for packing a roof bag securely to ensure you, your belongings and everyone around you is kept safe.

Don’t Go Over the Maximum Capacity

Every roof bag will have a maximum capacity and this is advertised for a reason. For example, the HandiHoldall can be packed with up to 320-litres worth of luggage and belongings and still be closed properly and securely without putting too much pressure on the fabric or fastenings.

Over-filling a roof bag isn’t safe and can lead to damaging your roof bag or even worse, not being able to fasten properly and therefore your belongings not being securely packed away which could lead to problems as you travel.

Every roof bag or box has its own specified capacity and this has been set after rigorous testing, so this isn’t something you want to ignore.

Don’t Confuse Weight with Capacity

As well as having maximum capacities, many roof bags will have maximum weight limits too and these are different things and both have to be considered.

The HandiHoldall may be able to hold up to 320-litres but it has a weight limit of 50kg, which means you need to think carefully about what is best to pack into the roof bag and what would be better in the boot.

Although 50kg is roughly the equivalent of two full suitcases, if you’re heading off camping, you might have lots of sleeping bags, sleeping mats and pillows to transport which although larger, are quite light, so packing these in your roof bag is safe and frees up lots of space in the car.

Don’t Fill with Lots of Loose Items

Although it can be tempting to just throw everything into a roof box or bag loose and then shut it and hope for the best, this isn’t the safest or the best way to pack them.

Not only is this not the best way to optimise the space you have available but it could also cause real problems if your roof box was to come unsecured. By packing your belongings into bags such as the HandiDuffel bags, your cargo will be secure inside of both a luggage bag and the soft roof box, so should it come open, you won’t find your belongings all over the place.

Packing your roof bag with 2-3 larger bags as opposed to lots of little items will also help you balance out the weight to make driving with it on board easier and safer.

Always Use the Recommend Fixtures and Accessories

We’ve all been there, we’ve come to attach the roof box to the car and can’t find the original fixtures to attach to the roof bars but you should never use make-shift fixtures such as bungee cords or ropes.

It can be frustrating but you should always use the fixtures and accessories that came directly from the brand with the roof bag when you bought it or if you’re buying new/spares, you need to buy branded ones again.

These fixtures and attachments have been designed specifically for use with this product and are therefore the most reliable and will ensure your roof bag is attached safely. Using anything else could leave you at risk of not having your roof box attached properly, so you need to always use the original or branded parts.

Ensure Your Roof Bag is Central

More a tip for attaching your roof bag as opposed to packing it but an essential part of the overall process, ensuring your roof bag is positioned in the centre of your roof is key for easy and safe driving.

The HandiHoldall comes with instructions as to how to properly attach to your car, including how to ensure it is central for even weight distribution, so following these instructions is really important for safely and securely attaching your roof bag.

Roof bags are a really worthwhile purchase for all kinds of people and although this may seem like a lot of things to remember before heading off on your travels, they’re all simple, self-explanatory tips that are super easy to follow.

If you’re interested in getting your very own roof bag and would like to speak to one of our team, drop us an email at info@handiworld.com.

We’re heading towards better weather now which means water sports season is just around the corner, so for all kayaking lovers that means it’s time to get back out on the water.

Kayaking and canoeing are hobbies loved by many and any enthusiast will tell you, this pastime requires a lot of kit. The boats alone can set a kayaker back a few hundred pounds, so when you’re spending that kind of money on your gear, you need to pack and transport it with care.

We’re known for being the best in the business when it comes to storage and transportation solutions here at HandiWorld and we’re pleased to say that our products are ideal for use with water sports equipment such as kayaks and canoes.

We’re going to be introducing you to a few key products you need to know about as a water sports enthusiast and giving you some top tips on how to pack for your upcoming adventure like a pro!

HandiRack                                                                                            

Starting with how you’re going to get your kayak or canoe from your house to the location you’re going to be using it, you’re going to need a heavy duty roof rack and the HandiRack is the perfect option.

The UK’s one and only inflatable roof rack, the HandiRack is designed to be convenient to store when not in use, easy to attach and use when needed and strong enough to carry loads of up to 80kg, making it ideal for using to transport your kayak or canoe during water sports season.

Each HandiRack comes with a pack of HandiStraps to attach cargo to the roof rack safely and securely and additional HandiStraps can be bought strap if required.

Whether you have use for a roof rack all year round or just need one when it’s time to get your kayak back on the water, the HandiRack is an affordable and convenient option!

HandiKart

Our very own canoe and kayak trolley, the HandiKart is specifically designed for transporting your boat from dry land to the waterfront quickly and easily and we think its one of the best kayak trollies in the business.

Made using 304-grade stainless steel and state of the art Camba Wheel technology, the HandiKart is robust and practical. Simple and easy for you to attach your kayak or canoe and then easily roll to and from the waterfront, the HandiKart is strong enough to take the weight of your boat but is also compact and convenient to store when not needed.

Say goodbye to that familiar struggle of dragging your kayak or canoe and invest in a HandiKart to do all the hard work for you!

HandiMoova

Now that you’ve sorted how you’re going to transport your actual boat, you now need to consider how you’re going to pack up and move the rest of the kit you’ll need.

The HandiMoova is a purpose-built all-terrain trolley that is designed for carrying up to 60kg worth of cargo, making it the perfect way to transport all your other belongings down to the waterfront.

Whether you load up boxes or individual bags and secure with the provided HandiBungees or pack all your possessions into one of the HandiDuffel bags which are waterproof and will keep all your essentials safe and dry, you can quickly and easily move all your belongings in one trip.

We love water sports here at HandiWorld and we know our customers do too, which is why we’ve worked hard to create a range of products that make kayaking and canoeing trips easier than ever.

We’re all about having more fun with less hassle, so get your hands on these products for a smooth sailing water sports trip!

There are a few essential items you should always have both in the house and in the car and in our opinion, a handpump is one of them.

You never know when something is going to need blowing up either at home or out and about, so ensuring you have a handpump with you at all times will help avoid any chaos or frustration when these scenarios come around.

The HandiPump is a reliable and good quality handpump that although was designed to accompany the HandiRack for inflating both at home and on the go, it could also come in handy for plenty of other situations too.

Beach Toys

Picture this: you’re on the beach with family, you’ve just unpacked all your essentials and are ready to start enjoying the sun when one of your children comes over with a completely deflated water float they want to blow up and take in the sea… sound familiar? We thought so!

Without a HandiPump, you’re going to be spending 10-15 minutes of your relaxing time blowing up the toy manually but thanks to packing the HandiPump in the car, you can have the float blown up in a matter of minutes so you can get back to relaxing.

Paddling Pools

British Summers are known for being hit and miss but as soon as the sun is shining, you can bet that us Brits are already breaking out the paddling pool to enjoy in the garden. The last thing you want to be doing on a hot day is manually blowing up a paddling pool, so having the HandiPump nearby will ensure you can have the paddling pool fully inflated in just minutes, ready to fill up for the summer fun to begin.

Airbeds

Whether you’re on a camping trip out in the open or you’re setting up a temporary sleeping space for guests at home, if you’ve got an airbed to inflate, you do not want to be blowing it up manually. The HandiPump can have an inflatable bed blown up to the perfect density in no time, so you can get on with the rest of your day without worrying about having to keep re-inflating your bed.

Bike Tyres

It’s a known fact that most children love playing on their bikes, so as a parent you don’t want anything to hinder their enjoyment, especially not a deflated tyre. Whether they’re riding around near home or you’ve driven somewhere further afield to head off on your bike ride, having a HandiPump close by will mean that nothing can put a stop to your bike riding fun, not even a flat tyre.

Balloons

Birthdays are great fun and a room filled with balloons might have sounded like the perfect surprise for a loved one’s special day until it comes to blowing them up. Blowing up countless balloons using your own breath may be possible but it certainly isn’t enjoyable! When you use the HandiPump you can simply inflate as many balloons as you desire in no time at all, so you can have all the fun with none of the hassle or hard work.

Say goodbye to that familiar sinking feeling we’ve all had when we see something needs inflating and we don’t have a pump with us by getting yourself a HandiPump and keeping it close at all times.

You never know where your adventures may take you, so being prepared with a handpump is the best way to ensure nothing is going to hold you back.

Have you found another use for your HandiPump apart from keeping your HandiRack inflated and ready for use? Let us know!