Travel Gear: Sandless Beach Mat

Daily Mail: It's the most unwanted souvenir you may take home from a trip to the beach - the sand. But for those fed up of finding sand in their sandwiches - and in more uncomfortable places - help is at hand thanks to a hi-tech beach mat.

The mat - the design of which was originally developed for military use. It is made from a state-of-the-art material that filters out grains of sand. It was first created for the Armed Forces to keep off the dust when helicopters land and take off.

Now the £40 ($64) invention is available to buy online to ensure beach-goers no longer have to suffer grit in all the wrong places.

The 'Sandless Beach Mat', measuring 36 square inches, is made from two layers of 'patented woven polyurethane' that filter sand to the beach as soon as it falls onto its surface.

The material, which is available in orange and blue, acts as a one-way filter so grains stay underneath the fabric. The mat also eliminates dirt, dust, and water, ensuring an always-clean surface. Each corner has a metal ring so it can be grounded with a stake and it's small enough to fold into a travel bag.

Trish Hammond, a spokesman for U.S. online shop Hammacher Schlemmer, where the product is available, said: 'The rip-stop polyurethane construction resists splits and tears. The bound edges will remain flat and the mat won't absorb moisture, preventing mould and mildew.'