Gear changes I’m making for the Iceland crossing

Introduction

After touring the GDT in 2025, we learned a lot about the team and what works for us. We had our gear pretty tight for the budget we had, but we decided to change and improve a few things for this hike (The Island Traverse). Also, with the conditions a bit windy and wet in Iceland, some gear choices have been made with that in mind. The weight of our packs won’t be the lightest, but should hopefully accommodate the hike and some of the extra gear we need for the harsh conditions. We will continue to improve as our hikes progress!

Large tent

If you’ve read my first post, you’ll know that we changed our tent from a Durston Check out my first post (Am I Packing Up My Fears?) to see why I made this decision. Lord knows I wouldn’t carry a 2kg tent just for fun!

down jacket

The down jacket I wore in Canada was cheap and heavy. It was a Vinted purchase (second hand) of a Mountain Equipment Lightline jacket. 740g of warmth and reliability. It was very warm and sturdy and I had no complaints when I sat in camp on a cold night. But it took up a lot of space in my backpack and was too heavy for hiking in summer temperatures. I made the change to a RAB mythical g. 1000fp goose down, 277g. It lightened my backpack and I’ve been very impressed so far. My only concern is that the higher fill power won’t survive as well in Iceland’s wetter climate. I usually keep it inside a liner and wear it under my raincoat. Only time will tell if this will be a problem.

Shoes

For the GDT, I switched to trail runners and will never go back. I know this is something most hikers have already discovered, walking trail runners, but they are very few and far between in the UK. I hiked Altra Lone Peak 9+. I liked them but I wasn’t too impressed with the durability. Likewise, I found that after a few hundred miles the support was almost completely gone. Of course it’s a great shoe, but not for me. I switched to the Topo Athletic Traverse. I also use them in my daily work, so I have to use them quite a bit. They seem much sturdier, offer better support, and also seem to dry faster. So far, so good. Let’s see how they endure the journey. Also, I’ll be pairing them with gaiters to try to keep some sand out, not sure how well that will work but it’s the thought that counts!

trekking poles

Now I have made a very small and somewhat insignificant change. I stuck with Black Diamond and aluminum trekking poles. I trust them and I like them. The only change I have made, since my budget has increased slightly, is for slightly nicer, lighter ones with a cork handle. Growing up, I spent a lot of my time fishing and I always remember being told to use fishing rods with cork handles to keep my hands warmer. Especially in the wet. Let’s hope that theory is correct, as there will be a cold, wet wind blowing in Iceland, which could be hard on the hands.

Package (More or less…)

I’m not sure I’ve changed my package yet. A backwards way of saying I’m undecided. There is still one key factor that we haven’t quite figured out yet. Our replenishments. Our second resupply is still a bit up in the air as the bus company may not be offering routes to the cabin. So our second haul of food could be 6 or 11 days. Needless to say, I’m praying for 6.

Anyway, I used the Durston Kakwa 55l on the GDT and loved it. I still do it and I won’t let it go. So much so that I will be getting the 40 liter version which I will use if we get that 6 day replenishment. I found the 55l to be a little big for me on the GDT, but great for longer transports of food and water. I’ll be purchasing the 40L regardless of what happens with our resupply in Iceland, as it will likely become my primary backpack of choice for summer and shoulder season hikes.

My Kakwa 55 in the GDT

Sunshine Hoodie

The sun hoodie I’ve been wearing for some time now is the Black Diamond Alpenglow. It worked really well for me across the UK and I used it at the GDT in 2025. The only slight issue, which I didn’t really realize was an issue until recently, was its lack of breathability. Miranda wears the Fjallraven Abisko Sun Hoodie and after realizing how much better it combats moisture from sweat while walking, I had to try it. I found the Fjallraven to be more breathable, dry faster, and fit my body shape better. Plus, with more features, thumbholes, and an all-around better fit, what’s not to love? I’ll be giving him his first big outing in Iceland, not that I’m expecting much sun, so we’ll soon see if the move was the right decision!

Black Diamond Alpine Glitter

water bottles

The water bottles were a pretty easy change. Like most people, we used to use smart water bottles. Perfect size and shape for the side pockets of our backpacks, in addition to being economical and lightweight. Plus, our Sawyer Squeeze would fit them…more on that later. However, we HATE unnecessary waste, so we wanted to switch to something reusable but similar. Something more sustainable. We simply switched to the Cnoc Thru bottle. One liter, same thread size and very similar dimensions. Anyway, it’s just more durable and reusable. I can guarantee these will stay in the package from now on.

water filter

We have been using Sawyer Squeeze filters for some time now, including on the GDT. Once again, it has done us very well. We have not had water filtration problems as such, but we have had minor problems with use. On longer trails, namely the GDT, we found that with a smart water bottle attached, the seals broke frequently and often didn’t seal properly at all. Additionally, we encountered sediment-laden glacial rivers, which quickly became clogged and required backwashing, so we had to carry a syringe and wash it frequently. In particularly poor water areas, even backwashing was barely sufficient. Flow decreased significantly in week 3. However, our friends we hiked with used Katadyn Be Free and found very few flow problems. Plus, it seemed much easier to clean the filter. Just a rinse. I know there are some minor issues with the silicone bottle holes, but we’ll see how it works in Iceland.

Conclusion

We have both made some minor adjustments to our team for Iceland. These are really minor changes that are nothing more than tweaking our equipment to make it work for us. Just because we changed something doesn’t mean it’s not a great kit. Some changes were purely personal preference, others to adapt to Icelandic conditions. There is a chance that we may even change again. I find myself a bit of a perfectionist and could easily see myself constantly shifting gears and never being 100% happy. But these changes have been achieved not only from research but also from personal experiences. If you have any questions about making gear decisions, leave a comment below or message us on Instagram. I’ll be sure to say if these changes were good after the hike and what we will or won’t keep!

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