(Sweden • Norway • Finland — researched and local-approved)

1) Know the rules that affect your packing

Sweden – Allemansrätten (Right of Public Access)

• Tent 1–2 nights with a small group (2–3 tents) if you don’t disturb or damage and stay well away from homes/farmland. Larger groups need landowner permission. In protected areas, local rules may restrict camping. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency+2Swedish Environmental Protection Agency+2
• Fires: Check the municipal fire-ban status before lighting anything; use designated fire sites when possible. The official Brandrisk Ute (Fire Danger Outdoors) app shows risk levels and bans. MSB+1

Norway – Allemannsretten (Right to Roam)

• Camp on uncultivated land ≥150 m from the nearest house/cabin; up to 2 nights in the same spot (longer in high mountains/remote areas). No camping on cultivated/fenced land without permission. Visit Norway+1
• Fires: General bonfire ban Apr 15–Sep 15 in/near forests (local conditions may allow exceptions at approved sites). lysefjorden.com

Finland – Everyman’s Right (Jokamiehenoikeus)

• Temporary wild camping is allowed if you don’t cause damage or disturbance; follow local rules in parks. RIL
• Fires: When the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) issues a wildfire warning, all open fires are forbidden (this includes disposable grills). Finnish Meteorological Institute+1

Emergency numbers (save these):

• 112 works across Sweden & Finland and as the pan-EU emergency number; in Norway use 110 (fire), 112 (police), 113 (ambulance).

2) The master packing list (with Nordic specifics)

Shelter & sleep

• Tent (4-season only for winter).
• Sleeping bag with EN/ISO 23537 rating; use Comfort as your realistic cold-sleep benchmark (cold sleepers: choose comfort ≈ expected low). c2h3-outdoor.com+1
• Sleeping pad with enough R-value for ground temps (guideline: R<2 warm, 2–3.9 cool, 4–5.4 cold, 5.5+ extreme cold; pads are now tested under a common ASTM F3340 standard so brands compare). REI+1
• Groundsheet/footprint, repair tape/patch kit, pillow sack.

Clothing (year-round layering)

• Base: merino or synthetic long-sleeve + long johns.
• Mid: fleece or light puffy.
• Shell: waterproof/breathable jacket & pants.
• Insulation: warmer puffy (late Sep–May; always for mountains/coast).
• Accessories: warm hat, buff, liner & thick socks, gloves, sun hat/sunglasses.
• Footwear: trail shoes or boots, gaiters (bogs/snow), camp shoes.

Kitchen & food

• Stove (gas canisters widely sold locally; you can’t fly with fuel), lighter + waterproof matches, windscreen.
• Cook set & mug, spork, biodegradable soap, trash bags (pack-out always).
• Bear canisters aren’t required in most areas, but stash food well away from tents (foxes/birds are crafty).

Water (treat it)

• Lakes/streams often look pristine—still treat your water. Best: boil; next: filter + disinfect (e.g., chlorine dioxide/UV per instructions). CDC+1

Navigation & safety

• Topo map + compass (don’t rely solely on phones).
• Headlamp (midnight sun ≠ all of Scandinavia; shoulder seasons get dark).
• Power bank, cables, optional satellite messenger/PLB for remote areas (cell coverage can be thin off the main routes). DSB
• First-aid kit (include blister care), knife/multi-tool, whistle, duct/gear tape.

Bugs (ticks & mosquitoes)

• Repellent: EPA-registered DEET, picaridin (a.k.a. icaridin), IR3535, OLE/PMD; follow label directions (OLE/PMD not for <3-year-olds). Permethrin-treated clothing helps. CDC Travelers’ Health+1
• Mosquito head-net + after-bite. Peak mozzie season in Finnish Lapland is typically mid-June–late July, easing in August. Levi
• Tick kit (fine-tip tweezers). Consider TBE vaccination if you’ll have extensive tick exposure (forests/coasts in parts of Sweden & Åland). CDC Travelers’ Health

Paperwork & apps you’ll actually use

• Weather: SMHI (Sweden), Yr (Norway), FMI (Finland). Enable warnings. SMHI+2Apple+2
• Fire & emergencies: Brandrisk Ute (SE) and 112 app (SE).

3) Seasonal tweaks

Summer (Jun–Aug)

• Eye mask (bright nights in the north), bug net/repellent, light down/synthetic jacket, packable rain shell. Lapland campers: expect mosquitoes; choose breezier, open pitches. Levi

Shoulder seasons (May & Sep–Oct)

• Warmer midlayer, thicker hat/gloves, pad R≈4+, bag comfort around freezing (0–5 °C).

Winter (Nov–Mar) (experienced campers only)

• Four-season tent, two pads (closed-cell + R5+ inflatable), expedition bag, VBL socks optional, stove suited for cold (liquid fuel/remote canister).

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4) Country cheat-sheet (quick compliance)

• Sweden: Camp 1–2 nights (small group), be extra cautious with fire bans (check Brandrisk Ute). Protected areas often have stricter rules. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency+1
• Norway: 150 m from buildings; max 2 nights (longer far from settlements). Bonfire ban Apr 15–Sep 15 in/near forests. Visit Norway+1
• Finland: Temporary wild camping OK; no open fires under FMI wildfire warnings (includes disposable grills). RIL+1

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5) Ready-to-pack checklists

A) 3-Season “Everything I Need” (most trips, Jun–Sep)
Tent • 3-season bag (comfort ~0–5 °C) • Pad R≈3–4 • Rain shell/pants • Midlayer fleece/puffy • Base layers x2 • Wool socks x3 • Trail shoes/boots + camp shoes • Stove + 1–2 pots • Filter + tabs • 1–2 L bottles/bladder • Headlamp • Power bank • Map/compass • First aid • Repellent + head-net • Sun gear • Repair kit • Trash bags • Card & ID.

B) Lapland Summer Lite
As above + mosquito head-net, lightweight long sleeves/pants, airy campsite strategy. Levi

C) Hut-to-Hut (DNT Norway / STF Sweden)
Backpack • Light sleeping liner/sheets (huts provide duvets/pillows) • Slippers • Toiletries • Map/compass • Snacks; self-/no-service huts may need food. DNT+2Visit Norway+2

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6) Smart “last checks” before you go

• Weather window: SMHI / Yr / FMI for wind, rain, temps. SMHI+2Apple+2
• Fire status: Brandrisk Ute (SE) / FMI wildfire warning (FI). When warnings/bans are active, don’t light any open fire. MSB+1
• Water plan: Identify sources and bring treatment—boil or filter + disinfect. CDC
• Bugs: Pack an EPA-listed repellent; treat clothing if needed. CDC Travelers’ Health
• Emergencies: Save 112 (SE/FI & pan-EU); 110/112/113 (NO). Share your route. Digital Strategy Europe+1

Pack for layers, legality, and little luxuries (a real pillowcase, better coffee, dry socks)—and Scandinavia will do the rest: pure water, huge skies, quiet forests, and a culture that wants you out there (respectfully). If you want, tell me your dates, country, and season—I’ll tailor this list to a day-by-day kit for your exact route and weather window.

Plan your trip today:

✈️ Book Flights on Expedia.com
🛏️ Find Hotels in Scandinavian on Expedia or hotels.com
🎟️ Explore Activities on Tripadvisor and Klook
🚌 Rent a car, Shuttles & Bus Transfers on Klook