Well Soak My Map Print-Out...

Well, soak my map print-off in a hot bath... And, erm, watch the ink run. But now, those Memory Map fellas have the answer in the form of 100 per-cent waterproof paper.

It means you can print your Memory Map or other mapping software maps and route confident in the knowledge that it won't disintegrate at the first sign of rain and leave you holding a fistfull of soggy uselessness.

The Toughprint paper is available for use in either laser printers and photocopiers , or inkjet printers, and comes in A4 size. We have a sample sheet here and not only does it seem to live up to its totally waterproof claims - the manufacturers say it's been soaked for an hour in water at 40 degrees C, so safe for bathtime use then - but it's also stretchy, tough and difficult to tear, though it will stretch. If you do nick it though, it tears relatively easily in a continuous line.

The print doesn't run either and it weighs pretty much the same as normal paper, which makes it an attractive alternative to bulky and weighty laminated maps and cases. You can also add your own notes using a pen.

If there's a snag, it's that a pack of 25 sheets of A4 costs a cool £14.95, so you'll want to get your print settings right before hitting the 'OK' button - you can print on both sides though, so that's enough for 50 A4-sized map extracts. There are two different types, one for inkjets and one for lasers.

More information from www.memory-map.co.uk or www.toughprint.com