All-season tent design inspired by history of Icelandic shelters

Any preparations to visit Iceland would not be complete without gear from the country’s heritage outerwear brand, 66 North. Originally founded in 1926 to clothe fishermen, as well as search and rescue teams in the North Atlantic, 66 North’s array of cold weather staples, which range from wool base layers to waterproof jackets, have become essential for combating Iceland’s extreme climate.

Tent design by 66 North and Heimplanet

Embracing the extreme takes on new meaning with 66 North’s latest release – a tent made in collaboration with the German camping gear innovator, Heimplanet, marking its first foray outside of clothing. Its geodesic dome structure is a signature feature of Heimplanet’s existing The Cave tent. Boasting an inflatable framework and constructed with ten crossing points, the tent’s reinforced structure is matched by high-quality weatherproof materials to stand up against wind, snow and rain.

The collaborative iteration with 66 North showcases a bright orange hue – a reference to traditional emergency shelters, located all over Iceland, as well as a larger size to contain up to four people. A single pump easily inflates the spacious tent in under a minute, which means setting up base camp is more pain-free in all four seasons for both adventurists and nature lovers alike.

Photographer and outdoorsman Benjamin Hardman, who took these images, was actively involved in the development of this collaboration. He says, ‘With Iceland being home to some truly unrelenting weather that can hit you like a tonne of bricks without a moment's notice, having strong and reliable equipment is key. With this in mind, I had a dream to build an Icelandic weatherproof edition of The Cave. In other countries, it can take a whole year to experience all four seasons, but here you can see them all within one day. With a four-season Cave, fitted out with a fully weatherproof construction, a larger floor plan for my camera gear, and space for a team of two or three people, there is potential to elevate the highland camping experience even further.’

He continues, ‘Brainstorming with the team at 66°North, we spent some time looking into the history of shelters in Iceland. With storms so powerful that buildings can literally be shifted from their foundations, storm shelters are an absolute must here, especially in remote locations around the country. We realised a common thread amongst the shelters: their eye-catching orange exterior. There is a special one that sits on the shores of Hornvík in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. It stands in strong contrast to the sweeping valley of green summer hues and stark white snow of the winter. No matter the season, you’ll always find it.’

Watch: the all-seasons tent by 66 North and Heimplanet

INFORMATION

The Cave XL 4-Season Tent, $1,125, and pump, $40-$70
66north.com (opens in new tab)