Cabin fever was the word of the year for 2020, especially for those accustomed to traveling whichever chance they got. For them and many others suddenly left without the means to go on vacation, campers, RVs, motorhomes, and even tiny homes became the go-to last-minute solution.
Mink is an Iceland-based company founded in 2015, and its first camper, the Mink Sports Camper, was released in 2019. It was clearly ahead of the game in wanting to offer people a solution that would help them connect with nature in a more intimate way, but without having to completely renounce every notion of luxury.
As per the company’s statement, their goal is to “provide travelers a way to combine the intimacy of camping in nature with the world of luxury travel” because “all good things are wild & free.” In early 2020, Mink introduced version 2.0 of its flagship camper, the Mink 2.0 Sports Camper.
Photo: Mink
All good things in life are free (if we're to believe popular wisdom), but this camper is not - just to make that clear from the get-go. That said, it’s not painfully expensive like many other new products, but neither is it able to offer the same degree of comfort and/or amenities as they do.
Instead, this visually striking teardrop camper stays true to its stated mission, that of offering a middle way to camping and a large-size RV. The Mink is tiny (the cabin measures 2811 mm/111 inches in length and 1511 mm/59 inches in width) and is very lightweight (750 kg/1,654 pounds including the towing hitch), which means even a hatchback could tow it. At the same time, it’s aerodynamic and, thanks to its outstanding design, a truly memorable sight.
Though decidedly compact on the outside, the Mink offers the basics for life on the road. You don’t get a bathroom on considerations of space, but the comparison is with traditional camping – with an added touch of movability. The highlights of the cabin are the panoramic roof and the two lateral round windows that open, allowing you to get the best views of the surrounding environment. Because what good is setting up camp in a wonderful location if you can’t enjoy it fully, at all times?
Photo: Mink
Inside the cabin, you find a queen-size, two-person Therapeutic Bodyprint mattress that beats sleeping on the ground in a tent any given day, with the possibility to add a canvas bunk bed for a kid. With this, the Mink could be the perfect family camper, ideal for week-long trips. The bunk bed can double as storage space when not in use.
Depending on your needs and budget, you can further customize the Mink to add more options. These include a Bose sound system, LED lighting, oil and solar-powered Webasto heating system, Mink signature wool blanket, duvets and pillows, Scandinavian linen and bath towels.
At the back of the camper is the illuminated open-air kitchen. Here, you get an illuminated ice chest, countertop cooking space, and storage space for a variety of items, as well as a USB 12v charger. Expand your budget a bit more, and Mink will throw in a Cube gas stove, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, coffee maker, and thermos flasks. A set of camping chairs and table will further complete the “kitchen.”
Photo: Mink
As of the time of writing, all Misk campers are sold out, but pre-orders for the new line are underway, with a reservation charge of 25 percent of the final cost. Speaking of which, version 2.0 of the camper starts at €14,160 (approximately $17,300 at today’s exchange rate) before VAT and shipping costs, with all the extras being, well, extra. This isn’t cheap by any measure, but it’s still considerably less than what other similar “luxury” products are selling for.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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