testing out
for Gore-Tex & Goldwin, produced by Akkvart
"Pack your bags, we’re flying to Iceland." When that message came through, we could hardly believe it. After countless talks and daydreams about exploring this magical land of glaciers, volcanoes, and black sand beaches, we were finally going! We’d just wrapped up a week in Paris for a project, and from there, it was straight to Reykjavik. Leo Thomas (@theolator) was coming along too, so we knew adventure (and plenty of laughs) was guaranteed.
When Groceries Cost as Much as Gold
After landing in Reykjavik, we picked up our rental car and headed to the nearest supermarket. The drive was full of laughs, as Leo gave us some advices, including one about a must-visit grocery store with a massive, oddly menacing pink pig logo. We thought he was joking—until we saw it. Needless to say, we lost it. But the laughs stopped pretty quickly when we saw our receipt.
We’d filled our cart with eggs, dried fish, Skyr in various flavors, some licorice, fruit, and water. A whopping 90€ later, we were slightly traumatized—and broke. To shake off the shock, we hit up a nearby gas station for a coffee, which, at 5€, was honestly terrible. Iceland wasn’t going easy on our wallets.
Fog, Ice, and Pink Floyd
With snacks and caffeine on hand, we were ready for our four-hour drive to the cabin we’d booked. As the city lights faded in the rearview mirror, we drifted into a kind of road-trip trance, Pink Floyd playing as we drove through endless fields of snow with barely another car in sight. The silence was perfect. Then Leo mentioned recent volcanic eruptions and how we might just get a chance to see one. With that exciting (and slightly alarming) thought, we drove deeper into Iceland’s wilderness.
Around halfway there, we stopped at a gas station that glowed in the dark landscape like a tiny beacon of warmth. As we filled up on windshield washer fluid and gas, the weather turned... dramatically. Roads became icy, and visibility went from clear to TV-static levels of whiteout. By the time we arrived at our cabin, all we wanted was warmth, food, and a good night’s sleep.
The Blue Lagoon, Naked Tourists, and Wet Feet
An alarm went off at 6:00 a.m. After a quick breakfast and pep talk, we were off to our first stop: the famous Blue Lagoon. By 10:00 a.m., the sun had finally risen, casting a surreal, golden glow over the landscape. Few tourists were there yet, so we had our cameras out in no time, eager to capture every icy detail.
Our first sighting? A curious little seal. Our second? Two tourists who stripped down to sit in the steaming water, drawing a small crowd of giggling onlookers. The rangers, however, were not amused, and honestly, we were a little horrified too.
After a few hours in the snow, we had to retreat—our feet were frozen solid. Leo, the most experienced of us, just grinned, fully prepared with his fancy waterproof boots. Warmed up and slightly drier, we headed out again, this time on a mission to Stokksnes to catch the sunset at the iconic Vestrahorn. Unfortunately, clouds had other plans, but the dramatic mountain scene was worth every kilometer.
Blue Lagoon
Vestrahorn
Nature at Its Wildest
The next morning, we woke up early and hit the road, hoping to reach Reykjavik to meet up with the rest of our crew. Only then did we realize what we’d missed the first time around—a guardrail-free drive along a mountain pass that, in the daytime, seemed like an entirely different world. We had one last stop on the way: Black Sand Beach. Due to high waves and wild winds, we had to change plans and stick to the official viewpoint.
Massive red flags warned of hazardous conditions, which, of course, only encouraged one of us (you know who you are) to try getting a close-up shot of a distant rock tower. Naturally, just as he was perfectly framed, a towering wave appeared out of nowhere, soaking him up to his hips and proving once and for all that those Gore-Tex pants really are waterproof. By the time we all stopped laughing and dried him off, it was time to head back to Reykjavik, freezing and happy.
Blacksand Beach
The Crew’s All Here
By evening, our team was complete. Akkurat, who had organized the trip for Goldwin & Gore-Tex, welcomed us all in a cozy local restaurant. Reunited with Liam, Louis, and Louie, who we’d just hung out with at Paris Fashion Week, we knew this trip was about to go from good to epic. With an early 6:00 a.m. call for our next adventure, we kept the night short but sweet.
A 4x4 Truck, Spiked Tires, and an Icy Wonderland
The next morning, a van picked us up, but sleep wasn’t an option. Our driver, who doubled as a guide, had a microphone, a wicked sense of humor, and stories about the landscape, the culture, and the tourists (mostly the foolish ones). With every story, we could see how much Icelanders love their land and how the rise of tourism brings its own challenges. He quickly sensed we weren’t the typical tourists, though—our crew was full of outdoor pros who knew the ropes.
The drive back took us along the same route we’d covered the day before but in reverse, and this time we were making a crucial upgrade. We hopped into a massive Mercedes Unimog, complete with spiked tires that roared like a plane taking off. Suddenly, we veered off the main road and began sliding over the icy hills of a glacial plain, thrown from side to side in our seats, laughing like kids on a roller coaster.
After what felt like hours of frozen tundra, we finally arrived at the Katla ice cave. Armed with crampons and helmets, we followed our guide into the glacier. When we reached the “Ice Portal,” it felt as if we were standing at the doorway to another world. The sheer size and beauty of the cave were awe-inspiring. The guide reminded us that these caves are temporary—they change and collapse as the glacier shifts. Nature here is in constant motion, reminding us that nothing lasts forever.
The Land of Fire, Ice, and Humility
Since returning from Iceland, the power of that land has stayed with us. In late summer, a tragedy at Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier reminded us of the island’s raw, unforgiving beauty. Iceland is a place where nature’s forces feel alive, where you realize that we’re visitors here, with nature calling the shots.
Iceland taught us to respect the wild, to find awe in its unpredictability, and to feel humble before its power. This trip left us with cold feet, unforgettable memories, and, most of all, a new perspective on the beauty and strength of our natural world.
So here’s to nature, embracing adventure, and packing better boots next time!
Thanks to Gore-Tex, Goldwin and Akkvart for giving us the opportunity to be part of this project.
