Must-haves for summer roadtrips – check out our 8 tips for the road!

Summer is the best time for hitting up the road. Design Stories team has handpicked eight products to level up your summer road trip, turning it into an unforgettable whirlwind of fun and joy. So, what are you waiting for? Fuel up, buckle up and get ready for your new adventures!

Handmade happiness

Mifuko's spacious Iringa market basket can hold all the must-haves for your trip. The durable bag is made from natural milulu grass and features short, leather handles that give the basket a lovely finishing touch and make it easy to carry around. The beautiful and unique Iringa baskets are handmade in Tanzania, and every piece is signed by its weaver.

• Mifuko's Iringa market basket >
• All products by Mifuko >

Sip 'n' go

Stelton's delightful To Go Click thermo cup is the perfect partner for even longer car journeys as it keeps drinks hot for 2 hours and cold for 4 hours. The sleek, practical design of the mug allows you to drink from all 360 degrees as if there was no lid –just like sipping from an ordinary coffee cup.

• Stelton's To Go Click thermo cup >
• All products by Stelton >

Hangry no more

Growling stomach? Check. Cranky mood? Check. But fear not! You've got the ultimate hunger-busting weapon in your bag: the Food à porter lunch box, filled with all your favorite snacks! Designed by Sakura Adachi for Alessi, the colorful lunch box is a joyful interpretation of Japanese bento boxes. The capacious Food à porter box consists of three containers and two silicone-sealed lids that allow you to pack various types of foods together.

Ps. Here's a little tip for making lunchtime perfect: don't forget to take Alessi's Food à porter cutlery set with you, too. It's a clever solution for snacking with style and cleanliness. No messy fingers here!

• Alessi's Food à porter lunch box >
• All products by Alessi >

Dive into luxury

A towel is always a good idea to grab with you: it's not just for drying off spilled drinks (oops!) from the car's seats but a crucial companion for those spontaneous swimming escapades. Tekla's thick, striped bath towel is the one to choose – a luxuriously thick terry towel is made of combed organic cotton which makes it extra soft, extra smooth, extra durable, and also quickly drying after your little dip.

• Tekla's bath towel >
• All products by Tekla >

Lost in the whimsy wonderland

Published by Orion Publishing, Accidentally Wes Anderson is a breathtakingly beautiful photography book inspired by the whimsical aesthetic of film director Wes Anderson. Packed with distinctive architecture, stunning landscapes, and delicious pastel colors, we recommend this book for backseat passengers, especially on those trips when the scenery outside the car is just an endless motorway and boring grey asphalt.

• Orion Publishing's Accidentally Wes Anderson >
• All books published by Orion Publishing >

Get ready to roll

Have all the books been read, the different colored cars spotted enough and the scenery admired to the fullest? If all the other activities are nearing their end, it's time to dig out the games. HAY PLAY Yatzy will delight the passengers with its vibrant colors, charming graphics, and retro-inspired packaging, designed by Clara von Zweigberg. Lose the track of time as the dice are rolled!

• HAY PLAY Yatzy >
• All products by HAY >

The ultimate roadtrip recharger

No matter how much fun you have on the road, sooner or later you'll start to feel exhausted. Lapuan Kankurit's charming Jäkälä pillow was originally designed for saunas but is versatile enough to serve as a travel companion on your journeys. Made from ecological linen and organic cotton, the Jäkälä pillow is filled with polyester fleece that feels soft under the chin when you drift off to sleep against it.

• Lapuan Kankurit's Jäkälä sauna pillow >
• All products by Lapuan Kankurit >

Pedal your way to adventure

Don't forget that you can also take a road trip by bike. Pelago Bicycles' stylish Brooklyn bicycle is your trustworthy and hassle-free company on the road. The bicycle features a curved steel frame, three gears, rear coaster brake, and front rim brake that guarantee a comfortable ride through urban jungles and short excursions alike. Hop on, hit the road, and feel the wind in your hair!

• Pelago Bicycles' Brooklyn bicycle >
• All products by Pelago Bicycles >

See also:

• What's new at Finnish Design Shop >
• Finnish Design Shop's Summer Shop >

Text: Susa Pääkkönen Images: Manufacturers