Iceland, the “land of fire and ice”, is well known for its duality of weather, where you can experience different types of weather conditions all within the span of a day, thus invariably making packing for the country quite challenging. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security as a bright sunny day may soon unpredictably transform into an icy stormy one with hail, wind, and rain! Iceland has only two seasons — a cold summer and a colder winter! The wind is a prime chill factor in Iceland and can be cruel and cutting even when the temperatures are not that low. Thus layering is the all-important mantra while packing outfits for Iceland and it is quite important to invest in good quality gear for keeping you warm and dry. Keep in mind this list below as you start packing for exploring the incredibly green and gorgeous land of rainbows and waterfalls — Iceland!
1. Warm waterproof jacket or coat
Irrespective of which season you are visiting Iceland, a good waterproof jacket or coat is indispensable for braving out the erratic weather of the spectacular country. Even at the height of summer, the temperatures can be freezing, especially if you venture towards the highlands. Thus a warm, waterproof jacket is essential for experiencing the wonders of Iceland despite the onslaught of rain, hail, or snow. You can also carry a light waterproof jacket that you can wear over whatever you are wearing and then remove as the rain stop!
Female waterproof winter coat (by HILEELANG)
Price: USD 58.99 - 78.99
Men's lightweight waterproof jacket (by Columbia)
Price: USD 57.73 - 197.10
2. Fleece-lined gloves and hat
Icelandic winds can be very severe, even when it is not particularly cold, the wind chill can make it feel like sub-zero temperatures. Thus gloves or mittens, preferably fleece lined, are a must-pack for Iceland. For shutterbugs, gloves are a better option than mittens. It is important to protect your head and ears from the biting cold winds at the scenic country. Remember to pack a warm-knit beanie or a trooper hat to stay toasty and enjoy Iceland!
Fleece-lined gloves (by OZERO)
Price: USD 10.99
Fleece-lined gloves hat (by OZERO)
Price: USD 11.99
3. High-quality weatherproof boots or hiking shoes
Exploring Iceland would entail walking on varied terrains like mountain rocks, black sand, and ice. Pack a sturdy pair of comfortable walking or hiking shoes for trekking about the mountains and waterfalls. Make sure the shoes are waterproof as rain is a constant occurrence all around the year in Iceland. For glacier hiking, you will need good quality snow boots which you can also rent in Iceland if you are not too keen on carrying them around.
Female winter boots (by SOREL)
Price: USD 99.94 - 268.41
Men's winter boots (by UGG)
Price: USD 73.76 - 190.00
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4. Multiple pairs of woolen socks
What can be worse than cold feet during a vacation? Keep your toes warm with thick woolen socks and make sure to bring multiple pairs to last you throughout the trip. If you are keen on outdoor adventures, you may want to wear double layers of socks to keep your feet insulated, thus remember to carry an adequate number of pairs for your travel.
Woolen socks (by AIvada)
Price: USD 24.99
5. Thermal baselayers
Irrespective of which time of the year you are traveling to Iceland, you will need multiple layers of thermal underclothes — tops and leggings to wear under your regular clothes to keep you warm and insulated. Make sure they are breathable and non-itchy as you will wear them close to your body for long durations while exploring Iceland.
Female thermal baselayer (by HEROBIKER)
Price: USD 23.98
Men's thermal baselayer (by Feixiang)
Price: USD 19.99 - 25.59
6. Fleece sweaters or sweatshirts
Layer upon the thermals with fleece sweaters, sweatshirts or woolen jumpers. Multiple layers will help you to encapsulate your body heat. In case you forgot to bring enough mid layers, the traditional Icelandic jumper or lopapeysa is also a fantastic option for keeping warm and makes for a great souvenir too!
Female fleece sweatshirt (by NINEXIS)
Price: USD 23.99 - 27.99
Men's fleece sweater (by Vcansion)
Price: USD 49.99 - 56.99
7. Fast-drying hiking pants or leggings
Pack waterproof or fast-drying pants for braving the unpredictable weather in Iceland. Waterproof pants or leggings will ensure your legs are warm and dry despite the rain and cold during your hiking expeditions. To keep your legs warm, you can also pack colorful fleece-lined leggings.
Female fast-drying hiking pants (by Nonwe)
Price: USD 27.99 - 38.99
Men's fast-drying drying hiking pants
Price: USD 29.99
8. Towels
Nowadays towels are provided in almost all bed and breakfasts or hotels in the places that we travel to. But it is prudent to carry your own set of towels to enjoy the multiple hot spring thermal baths and public swimming pools in Iceland. Although the more popular baths do rent out towels, there are some spas and swimming pools that are less expensive but do not rent out towels. Your own towels will enable you to avail of the relaxing baths without worrying about renting towels every time.
Towels (by Ariv)
Price: USD 22.99
9. Bathing Suits
Alongside the towels, make sure you don’t forget to pack your swimming suits even if you are traveling in the dead of winter to Iceland! The country has numerous hot springs, geothermal pools, spas and saunas which are an exciting part of Iceland’s culture. Get set to relax, unwind, and even get a soothing spa massage at the popular thermal pools like Blue Lagoon. There are also opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving all the year round in Iceland.
Female bathing suit (by Baleaf)
Price: USD 27.99 - 29.99
Men's swimwear (by Kanu Surf)
Price: USD 17.90 - 39.99
10. Electronic Gear
Make sure you carry your smartphone and camera and alongside them, all the necessary paraphernalia like external power pack to recharge your mobile phone on the go, travel adaptor plugs, memory cards and spare batteries for your camera, and chargers for your smartphone and camera. Additionally, you may think of packing a tripod stand for your camera for capturing all those beautiful vistas of Iceland or even a selfie stick for that glamorous Icelandic adventure post!
Camera tripod (by MOUNTDOG)
Price: USD 37.99
And you’re ready
With all these packing tips, you are good to go off for your Icelandic adventure! Follow our list for the basics of packing for Iceland. In addition to those, do invest in good luggage for your travel including a small backpack for your hiking excursions with space to store your camera, wallet, extra layers, medical kit, and a bottle of water. In case you forget to pack anything, you can always shop for them at Reykjavík, but considering Iceland can be a tad expensive, it’s better to pack smart and be practical! Stay warm and dry, enjoy your vacation and don’t forget to carry your lip balm!
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