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Jørund Eggen
Life on five square meters
There are many who dream of it—the freedom to do exactly what you want and take each day as it comes. But what are you really willing to sacrifice to gain that freedom? We met Jørund Eggen, who has chosen to live the “vanlife,” a lifestyle that more and more people in Sweden are beginning to embrace.
It’s becoming increasingly common to hear about people living vanlife—but what does it actually mean? Vanlife has its origins in surf culture in Australia and the United States, but in recent years it has spread to other parts of the world. In short, it’s about people living and traveling in a converted van. It’s a movement that has gained significant traction, especially among younger people. Jørund believes this is partly because it’s much cheaper than buying, for example, a motorhome, but also because it’s easier to find places to stay.
“Especially in southern Sweden, it can be difficult to find the real hidden gems, since people are often directed toward campsites. But as soon as you head further north in both Sweden and Norway, you’ll find large parking areas and beautiful mountain passes. Then you can camp right in the mountains and drink water straight from a mountain stream.”
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Living the vanlife often means embracing a very bohemian and minimalist lifestyle. People who choose this way of living are usually active individuals who thrive outdoors, and for Jørund, the step into vanlife wasn’t a big one. He had previously spent extended periods living both in a tent and in smaller vehicles. His most recent home was a tent in Spain, where he lived for four months while spending his days climbing.
“Last year I had a motorcycle and a tent, and that was really all I wanted again this year. But it’s a bit easier to sleep in a car, and you can bring equipment for more activities—especially for the winter season. In the car, I can bring skis and all the gear I need.”
A look inside Jørund’s van clearly shows his passion for the outdoors. Inside, you’ll find climbing gear, a bike, hiking equipment, a tent, and a slackline. However, the van is not yet insulated or particularly built out. There’s a sofa that can be converted into a bed, and a hammock hangs from the ceiling.
“At first, I planned to fix up the van right away, but then I realized there was no point in spending my summer doing that when I could be climbing and doing other things instead. It works just fine as it is. But now that autumn is approaching, I’m going to get some help from my dad and start working on it. I’m planning to insulate it and panel the interior.”
A search for vanlife on platforms like Instagram returns millions of results. You’ll find creative solutions showing how people have built and designed their vans, with everything from large motorhomes to smaller vans. And when people living the vanlife meet, the van itself often becomes a major topic of conversation—discussing different setups, vehicle sizes, and fuel costs.
“I chose a slightly smaller type of vehicle. I went from having a motorcycle to wanting a van, but I didn’t feel the need to go for the biggest or most extreme option right away. I wanted something large enough to stand in, sleep in, and cook in. Maybe in the future I’ll get something bigger.”
Jørund works as a paramedic, which allows him to work intensively during certain periods and then take extended time off. Since graduating in 2016, he has worked an average of 4–6 months per year. The rest of his time is spent on climbing, skiing, and other outdoor pursuits.
However, there are downsides to living in a white van. In addition to sacrificing certain comforts, you may also encounter suspicion and questions—especially in areas where vanlife is less common.
“Unfortunately, there have been some thefts involving large white vans on farms in northern Sweden. I’ve been stopped a few times and questioned about what I’m doing and why I have so much stuff in the van. It’s different in places like Lofoten, Åre, or Narvik. There, it’s very common to see young people living the vanlife. People understand it, and instead you might get a thumbs-up from random strangers.”
When it comes to comfort, it’s a frequently discussed topic. Should you have a toilet in the van or not? A shower? Running water in the kitchen? So far, Jørund hasn’t found it to be a major issue living without running water. He washes by swimming in lakes, and for cooking, he fills up water containers.
“Sure, things like washing dishes can be a bit inconvenient at times, but as long as you plan a bit, it works out.”
Jørund doesn’t believe vanlife is for everyone—but he encourages those who dream about it to give it a try. His advice is to start with a smaller vehicle, just as he did, to see if it suits you. Instead of investing heavily in building out the van right away, you can test the lifestyle first and then gradually add what you need as your needs grow.
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Even wardrobe space is limited. Jørund doesn’t remember exactly when he first came into contact with Woolpower, but wool garments have been a part of his life since childhood.
“Back then, merino wool wasn’t as common, and I remember that damp, itchy feeling that some wool could give.”
That itchy wool left an impression, and for a while Jørund switched to synthetic base layers. But after some time, when he began going on longer mountain trips, he felt that they didn’t meet his needs.
“When you go on a mountain trip, you try to pack as light as possible, and often you wear the same base layer for a week or more. After just a few days in synthetic base layers, you’d hardly dare open your sleeping bag because you knew the smell of sweat and old plastic would make you feel sick. My time with synthetic base layers was very short, and I started favoring wool quite early.”
With limited living space, every purchase is carefully researched. High on Jørund’s list is reliability and high quality.
“The fact that your products are developed for the military and that you supply them gives a sense of trust. They’re a group of people with completely different demands than outdoor enthusiasts might have. It makes you feel like you can rely on the quality in a completely different way.”
About Jørund
Profession:
Paramedic
Age:
33 years
Favorite Woolpower garment:
In general, I really like Ullfrotté and how it feels against the body. If I had to choose one item, I’d say the reinforcement jacket. But if I could only pick a single garment, it would be the Full Zip Jacket 400. It works for everything, and I use mine all the time.
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