April 29, 2026—Milwaukee, WI—TRAVOCA, a brand that crafts elegantly rugged gear for overlanders and outdoor enthusiasts, proudly announces that its Rigel Dual Zone eCooler has been awarded the 2026 Red Dot Award for Product Design, one of the most prestigious distinctions in design excellence worldwide.
Established in 1955, the Red Dot Design Award recognizes the best designs in the world, with a focus on three disciplines: Product Design, Brands & Communication Design, and Design Concept. Every year, an independent jury evaluates thousands of entries from across the globe based on four key principles of good design: the quality of function, the quality of seduction, the quality of use, and the quality of responsibility. Product Design entries span 52 categories, from fashion and accessories to appliances and furniture, with jurors testing, discussing, and assessing every entry in search of overall design excellence.
The TRAVOCA Rigel Dual Zone eCooler is a portable 12V fridge/freezer designed for outdoor use, with a unique aesthetic inspired by nature. Conceived by a professor of outdoor product and industrial design, the Rigel has an elegantly rugged look and a woodsy green exterior crafted from cold-rolled steel. The rounded corners and customizable bamboo panels offer a stylish and functional nod to the classic Woody station wagons and panel vans, evoking the nostalgia of adventurous road trips that are increasingly popular in the overlanding and camping markets.
“It is an honor to receive the distinction that the Red Dot Award has given,” said Dave Gibson, Professor of Outdoor Product and Industrial Design and designer of the Rigel eCoolers. “From the very beginning of this project, we wanted to go beyond just adding another product to the mix, to create something that stands out in an important way within one of the most interesting and emerging outdoor markets. The overlanding category is relatively new and hungry for great design, and we feel Rigel has set a new standard for products in this field.”
Beyond its striking appearance, the Rigel delivers category-leading performance thanks to Vacuum-Insulated Panel (VIP) technology, the same approach used in premium tumblers and double-wall vacuum flasks, and a premium Toshiba technology compressor. Every size in the Rigel lineup includes dual zone cooling, giving users the flexibility to store fresh and frozen goods simultaneously. The insulated lid opens from both directions and can be fully removed, ensuring accessible and convenient food and drink storage in any configuration.
Winners will be celebrated at the Red Dot Gala in Essen, Germany, on July 7, 2026, and award-winning products like the Rigel Dual Zone 12V fridge/freezer will be presented across multiple platforms, including the Red Dot Design Museum Essen, worldwide exhibitions, the Red Dot Design Yearbook, and extensive online and social media channels.
The Rigel Dual Zone eCooler is available now at travoca.com and through select U.S. retailers. For more information, contact Suzanne Hermann at suzanne@darbycommunications.com or info@travoca.com.
ABOUT TRAVOCA
TRAVOCA empowers outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers with elegantly rugged products that enhance every journey, from the backcountry to the backyard. Our gear combines timeless design and reliable performance to bring people together, making outdoor living simpler, more connected, and more memorable. At TRAVOCA, we believe the best adventures are the ones that spark connection—around the fire, at the table, or under the stars.
{Dover, NH — April 27, 2026} —