Tiny teardrop camper offers a warm cocoon for rent in Iceland

One of the most difficult aspects of camping is the cold; nothing ruins the great outdoors quite like a bone-chilling, sleepless night in a tent. The problem becomes acute if you want to travel in off-the-grid destinations like Iceland, where the beauty of the island’s 830-mile Ring Road is unsurpassed but conditions can make camping unpleasant.

Reykjavik-based Mink Campers have constructed a tiny camping trailer with everything you need to survive—and thrive—in the Arctic circle. Designed by the Swedish design consultancy Jordi Hans Design and available to rent for vacations, the Mink Camper lets people explore Iceland’s hot springs, mountains, and famous geysers.

You enter into the Mink through a round door that feels a bit like a boat porthole. Inside, a queen size mattress sleeps two and each camper comes with Scandinavian linens, a duvet and pillows, a Webasto heater, and a Bose sound system. LED lighting helps you navigate the Arctic Circle’s notoriously dark winters, and the interior also boasts USB charging for your devices.

Courtesy of Mink Campers.

The best part? A huge glass skylight panel opens up when you’re laying down on the bed. Whether you’re stargazing or checking out the Northern Lights, this feature no doubt makes the micro-sized teardrop feel much more spacious.

Finally, a rear door reveals a simple and sleek open-air kitchen complete with cooking tools, a gas stove, chairs, a table, and an illuminated LED ice chest. Solar panels on the roof keep the Mink’s battery fully charged, and travelers won’t have to worry about navigation thanks to a GPS tracker.

The Mink’s 15” allow rims, steel chassis, 30 cm of clearance, leaf-spring suspension, and lightweight towing makes it tough enough to travel off pavement and able to withstand Iceland’s harsh winter climate.

Originally designed in 2015, Mink began renting out the campers in Iceland this past summer. Prices range between $147 per day for just the Mink trailer to about $330 with a tow vehicle included. According to New Atlas, the company hopes to franchise out to other tour and rental operators in Europe, Canada, Norway, and the Western United States. The Mink Camper is also available for purchase in Iceland for €14,000 (approx. US$17,400).

Courtesy of Mink Campers

Courtesy of Mink Campers

Courtesy of Mink Campers

Courtesy of Mink Campers

Courtesy of Mink Campers