Iceland Packing List [for All Seasons and Epic Activities]

Wondering what your Iceland packing list should look like?

No problem! When I was in Iceland I experienced the full spectrum of weather and can honestly say… I packed well for it (and it ALL fit in a carry-on :).

Iceland has unpredictable weather due to… the Gulf Stream, colliding warm air from the south and frigid air from the north…or something? I don’t know I’m not a meteorologist. Just trust me, it’s all over the place! Packing smart is essential.

In this post, I will share with you everything I brought to stay comfortable in every situation. This guide also covers summer and winter must-haves so you will be prepared no matter which season you’re going.

What to Wear in Iceland

I visited Iceland in September and it was cold, it rained, it snowed, and the sun came out enough for me to hike in a tank top. The moral of the story is that you need to be prepared for all types of weather, year-round.

When we were there the locals said that in Iceland you experience all four seasons in a day, maybe in an hour. We found this to be mostly true. That being said, it was never miserably cold like some countries further north.

Iceland’s climate is actually pretty mild! Really, in the summer the average temperature ranges between 41 and 77 F (5 and 25 C), and in the winter the average temperature ranges between 32 and 41 F (0 and 5 C).

Of course, it can get colder, these are just the averages. You will also need to consider the wind chill factor. Iceland can get aggressively windy, which typically causes all the problems…

Wind makes it feel much colder than it is, it blows sand into the air (hence the sand and ash car rental insurance), it can blow car doors off (also see specialized insurance lol), and just makes it hard to drive and walk around..ha!

In a nutshell, it’s not dramatically cold but the weather can change every 5 minutes throughout the day and it gets windy so be prepared with layers and be sure to check the weather before you head out for your trip.

What to Wear for Outdoor Adventures

This is what you will wear most of the time in Iceland (after all, all of the cool stuff is outside!). I think of this section as clothes for general exploring and hiking – in popular south Iceland as well as around the whole Ring Road.

If you are doing any special tours your tour company will most likely provide you with any gear you may need. We went on a glacier lagoon tour and a whale-watching tour and both provided warm, waterproof coveralls.

Base Layers

As I mentioned earlier, layering is the key to staying comfortable in Iceland. A warm base layer is the foundation of your comfort. I recommend a classic long-sleeve shirt from Smartwool or the warm active base layer and Xtreme base layer from Thermowave (more budget-friendly).

You will also want to bring the matching Smartwool or Thermowave bottom base layer. Whether its winter or just windy you’ll be happy you have these.

Mid Layer

For the mid-layer, I recommend a thin fleece, like this Northface or this Patagonia. The exact one that I brought isn’t available anymore but both of these options are very similar.

I packed one thin fleece (like above) and one mid-weight fleece. This is the mid-weight that I brought. I liked having two options depending on the weather that day and the activity we were doing.

Outerwear/Jacket

Speaking of outerwear, let’s talk about jackets! My favorite. I brought five jackets – I know I know. You don’t have to do this, but I love jackets.

I packed this REI brand puffy which I wore a lot. It fits well over a fleece and under a rain layer. This long rain jacket which helped keep my legs dry and this second rain jacket for heavier rain (best rain jacket I’ve ever had.)

And, a long compressable down jacket similar to this for general warmth. The fifth one was to wear in Reykjavik.

Pants

You want to bring pants that you can move and explore in that don’t make you feel restricted. I brought two pairs of these REI Trailmade pants that I love. They are super comfortable and light – great for packing and to wear over your baselayer bottoms.

I also brought these Fjallraven trekking tights that I love to wear hiking. They are thicker and have reinforced knees and butts. I’m also a fan of their hiking pants but they are spendier.

Another important pant you will need is rain pants! Seriously don’t skip on these. Even if you are just casually visiting a waterfall these will keep you dry so you aren’t driving or walking around in damp pants all day. You don’t need fancy rain pants, these REI ones will do just fine (I have these).

Footwear

Arguably your most important packing item… if you forget a sweater or a jacket you can easily buy one. Footwear takes time to break in. I brought 4 pairs of shoes. I’ll break it down for you.

The first and most important pair was these lightweight waterproof boots. This is not an affiliate link I just loved these boots – I discovered this brand while I was shopping for Iceland and now my husband and I both wear their boots all the time. I wore them around town, on the beach, hiking, etc.

Next I brought my trusty Sportiva trail runners. I looove these shoes. I wear this for every hike I go on. They are low profile and comfortable. Can’t beat ’em.

Gloves and Hats

No matter the time if year, make sure you can keep your head and hands warm! This wind chill can hurt your hands and ears.

What to Wear for Hot Springs (Commercial and Natural)

You can’t go to Iceland without visiting its geothermal springs. Whether you’re visiting organized thermal spas or natural springs there are a few things you’ll want to make sure you include in your Iceland packing list.

The organized springs that you pay for will provide a towel with your admission, but you cannot wear your outdoor shoes in the spring area or the locker room. You’ll need to bring waterproof sandals like these.

For natural springs, I recommend these Tevas. They are super lightweight and will protect your feet from the cold wet ground, or the rocky or slippery bottom of the hot springs.

Also, bring two swimsuits because you might not have time for one to dry between springs.

What to Wear in Reykjavik

Icelandic people are casual yet stylish and you will see people dressed well in the city. You will not see an Icelander in leggings or hiking clothes at dinner. That being said you will see many people dressed casually or for the outdoors.

This is nice because you can go either way – it just depends on what you plan to do in Reykjavik and how much you care about looking like a tourist.

I recommend bringing a pair of jeans or trousers, some versatile sneakers or other appropriate footwear for the season, a nice shirt or two, a sweater, and maybe a less outdoorsy jacket.

I brought a long quilted jacket to wear out to dinner and around Reykjavik (the blue jacket in the photo below).

Tech and Gear Essentials

This is not a comprehensive list of tech accessories (I’m not including things like phone chargers) but instead, some important things to add to your Iceland packing list for the unique circumstances and opportunities that Iceland provides.

Backpack with Rain Cover

A small backpack is essential for carrying extra layers, snacks, and gear while exploring. A rain cover is essential because you don’t want to be caught in a quick weather change and get your bag soaked.

Camera & Extra Batteries

Cold weather drains batteries quickly, so bring backups so you don’t miss out on epic photos just because your camera died!

Adapter Plug

Iceland uses Type F plugs, so if you don’t use Type F plugs you’ll need an adaptor. I like this one because it fits several types of cords.

Portable Charger

Again, cold weather can drain phone batteries quickly so either bring a cord to charge it in the car or a portable charger. You don’t want to have your phone die on your road trip.

Offline Maps or GPS App

Some areas have spotty cell service, so download maps ahead of time.

Dry Bag

If you have electronics or dry clothes you want my protect from water it’s a good idea to bring a dry bag (in addition to your backpack). Better safe than sorry in my opinion.

Iceland Packing List General Essentials (Year-Round)

The following items are necessary to include in your Iceland packing list no matter which season you visit Iceland.

Reusable Water Bottle

Iceland has some of the cleanest tap water in the world (did you know that?) so bring a refillable bottle!

Sunscreen & Sunglasses

The sun can be strong, even in winter due to snow glare. I only brought face sunscreen since it was pretty much the only part of my body showing. This is my favorite.

Lip Balm & Moisturizer

Iceland’s wind and cold can dry out your skin quickly. I don’t go anywhere without this SPF aquaphor.

Microfiber Towel

Bring a Pack Towel for the hot springs! These are compact and quick-drying, perfect for spontaneous dips in hot springs.

Leggings and Sweaters

Bring warm loungewear for hanging around your accommodations.

Packing Additions for Summer (May-August) 🌞

If you are visiting in the summer months there are a handful of additional items you might want to consider bringing.

T-Shirts & Tank Tops

These will come in handy for layering on warmer days. I even wore a tank top in September on a hike. I started out cold with many layers and by the end was down to a tank top.

Sleep Mask

The Midnight Sun means it never gets fully dark, making it harder to sleep. A sleep mask will help you get some rest even with 24-hour sun.

Bug Spray

There are no mosquitos in Iceland but there are equally annoying midges (small flies). They tend to hang in areas with high geothermal activity (at least that’s what we noticed). Bring some bug spray to have handy. We saw some local guides on horseback wearing bug nets over their head in Steam Valley.

Packing Additions for Winter (September – April) ❄️

As with summer, there are some other items you might want to bring to manage the cold and weather in the winter months.

Insulated & Waterproof Jacket (Parka or Down Coat)

I included this in the outdoor clothing section but want to reiterate that you need to have a quality down jacket for the winter months. This is essential for staying warm in freezing temperatures.

Wool Socks

Bring thicker and warmer socks in the winter months to keep your feet cozy. These Darn Tough socks are my favorite.

Snow Boots or Insulated Hiking Boots

Regular hiking boots won’t do the trick in winter. You need to have snow boots or insulated hiking boots with good traction for icy sidewalks and trails.

Crampons

This isn’t a must-have but a nice to have. Crampons are good for walking safely on icy streets and trails. If you are doing a tour where you will need them the tour company may provide them so check first!

Hand & Foot Warmers

Also not a must-have but these are great for extra warmth during outdoor activities.

Heavy Gloves & Beanie & Neck Gaiter

These are a must-have in the winter. Thick waterproof gloves and warm beanies, and neck gaiters will protect against freezing wind chill.

Ski Goggles

A nice to have as they could be useful for snowstorms or heavy wind (or if you go skiing – ha!).

What NOT to Pack for Iceland

You can avoid packing these items and save space in your suitcase 🙂

• Umbrella – Kind of pointless; the Icelandic winds will destroy it instantly and it won’t help much with sideways rain and wind.
• Fancy Clothes & High Heels – Iceland’s dress code is casual and practical, even in Reykjavik (unless you plan on going out but still, jeans and a nice top are perfect).
• Cotton Clothing – Holds moisture and won’t keep you warm when wet.
• Shorts – Even in the summer it’s unlikely you will need shorts.

Iceland Packing List Final Tips

Layering is key when packing for Iceland, as the weather can shift rapidly from sunny to stormy.

Prioritizing function over fashion IS NECESSARY. You will be sorry if you pack the other way around. I packed one outfit for going out to dinner in Reykjavik and that was perfect.

Try and pack light because you’ll likely be on the move a lot, but pack smart. Focus on high-quality essentials rather than unnecessary extras.

Before your trip, double-check the forecast using websites like vedur.is to stay ahead of changing conditions. Enjoy!

Have any questions about what to pack for Iceland? Send me an email!