The squiq Traveler has been awarded the German Innovation Award 2026 in Gold – and honestly, it doesn't feel like a trophy cabinet moment, but rather a confirmation. For the idea of rethinking car camping in a way that truly works. Simple. Fast. Without compromise.
What was awarded – and why the German Innovation Award matters
The German Innovation Award is presented by the German Design Council and is one of the most prestigious innovation awards in the German-speaking world. The jury evaluates not only the design but, above all, the utility: Does the product solve a real problem – and does it do so better than existing approaches?
The squiq Traveler was honored as a Gold Winner in the Travel, Sports & Outdoor Goods category. The justification hits the nail on the head: a modular trunk extension with camping boxes that makes car camping suitable for everyday use – without permanent modifications, without compromises in daily life.
The system can be installed and removed in just a few steps. You drive to work in the morning, to the mountains in the evening – the same car, the same trunk, completely different use. No vehicle conversion, no permanent alteration, no dependence on a second car.
Born from real travel experience – not from the drawing board
Behind the squiq Traveler isn't abstract product design, but a very concrete problem that founder Jens Hochthurn himself knew: those traveling with a car and a roof tent struggle with chaos in the trunk, a lack of structure, and cumbersome access to equipment.
"Many people want to travel flexibly but don't want to drive a large camping vehicle in everyday life or have their car permanently modified. This is precisely where the squiq-Traveler comes in: it makes traveling with a car and roof tent more comfortable, more structured, and more suitable for everyday use." — Jens Hochthurn, Managing Director SQUIQ GmbH
Especially in combination with a roof tent, a system emerges that truly fits together: the tent provides the sleeping area, while the squiq Traveler organizes the trunk underneath. Whether it's coffee in the morning, dinner on the trail, or a quick stopover – the Traveler is storage space, a shelf, a dining table, and a camping kitchen all in one.
Made from renewable wood materials and recyclable aluminum – developed and produced in Germany.
Want to see the squiq Traveler in action? Click here for the video.
Camping Innovation 2026 and what it means for you as a car camper
An independent jury evaluated the squiq Traveler – and chose gold. For you, this means you no longer have to wait for the right solution. It's here.
More order in the trunk. Camping boxes lock into the system and won't slide around. Your equipment is within reach – without having to rummage through everything.
More comfort on trips. The squiq Traveler turns any everyday car into a well-thought-out camping setup. No roof tent chaos, no half-hearted solution with loose boxes.
More flexibility. The system is modular. You build what you need – and take everything out again when you don't need it.
The award confirms our approach: Car camping shouldn't feel like a compromise. It should work – for the spontaneous weekend just as much as for the big summer road trip.
modular trunk extension - awarded at the right time
Peak travel season is beginning. Anyone who wants to secure their setup before the first big trip is in exactly the right place now. The squiq Traveler is not a product that ends up in a drawer – it's out there, on the road, in trunks that were previously just trunks.
For us, the award is not an endpoint. It shows that the approach is sound – and motivates us to further develop the system. More module options, broader vehicle compatibility, even better everyday usability. We're working on it.
Check out the award-winning squiq Traveler – and see for yourself what a modular trunk extension can do for your next trip. Not sure if it fits in your car yet? The Compatibility Check gives you clarity in just a few clicks.
Discover it now - to the squiq-Traveler!
