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The Perfect Iceland Packing List For Any Time of Year

08/15/2021 by Kristin Addis 31 Comments

Iceland is a country that can experience several different kinds of weather within one day, or even within one hour! One moment the sun will be shining and the next, you’ll be driving through a storm of hail, wind, and rain. In fact, the wind is so strong, it can blow a car door right off its hinges, seriously!

Regardless of the time of year (I’ve been in October and July), bringing waterproof clothing that can protect you from the wind, and potentially snow and hail, is essential to your comfort while traveling through Iceland. Thankfully, the Gulf Stream keeps Iceland’s temperatures from plummeting much below freezing in the winter but its latitude also means that even in the summer, temperatures don’t get much higher than 50°F/10°C.

The great thing about the varied weather is it makes Iceland incredibly green and beautiful. Thanks to the rain, often followed directly after by sunlight, it’s the land of waterfalls and rainbows. Who doesn’t love waterfalls and rainbows? Personally, I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t smile at both.

So how do you pack for a place that experiences so many different types of weather in one day? Bring layers, and make sure your clothes are waterproof! Here’s the ideal Iceland packing list for any time of year:

  • 2 warm, lightweight undershirts (I also have it in a half-zip)
  • a rain jacket (Summer)
  • a puffy vest
  • 1 Jacket + alternative (Winter)
  • 2 pairs fleece-lined leggings (Fall + Winter)
  • 2 pairs normal leggings (Summer)
  • 4-5 thin shirts (I recommend this as well)
  • 2 thermal shirts
  • 1-2 sweaters
  • 1 bathing suit
  • 1 pack towel
  • Gloves and hat
  • 1-2 pairs snow boots (Fall +Winter)
  • 1 pair waterproof boots (Spring + Summer)
  • Enough socks and undies for your whole trip
  • Camera bag

Let’s dive into the specifics:

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Fall & Winter Iceland Packing List:
  • Spring & Summer Iceland Packing List
  • All Weather
  • Bathing suit

Fall & Winter Iceland Packing List:

Warm, waterproof jacket

iceland packing list
At the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

A good jacket is the most important thing, apart from good footwear, that you will pack for your trip to Iceland. If you go any time other than the height of summer, chances are good that you will experience freezing temperatures, especially if you head to the highlands, so something warm that keeps out moisture is essential.

During my first trip, we encountered nearly 48 hours of straight rain and snow, so a jacket that got soaked easily would have been a real drag. I was so glad to have my warm jacket along with me, plus, the red was the perfect color for standing out against the background!

iceland packing list
In Landmannalaugar – Iceland’s Highlands

I spent €250 on my jacket at a department store in Berlin. Online, it’s only available in Sweden, but here’s a jacket that is almost exactly the same in olive green!

High-quality, waterproof snow boots

iceland packing list
Hanging out in Krýsuvík, Iceland

The other item to allot more of your packing budget to is snow boots. These will keep your feet warm and dry, and high-quality ones will stand the test of time, too!

I brought two pairs along with me and was glad I did. Though they kept the water out for the most part, that time I was jumping across freezing rivers of water in Landmannalaugar and couldn’t quite clear the water, I dunked my entire leg and was very glad that I had a dry pair of boots back in the camper van.

My pairs are wool-lined UGG Brand Elsa boots, and the pair I’m wearing above are a few seasons old, but are slightly similar to Sorel’s version.

Warm with fleece-lined leggings

iceland packing list
Love the fleece-lined leggings!

My fleece-lined leggings were perfect for keeping my legs just warm enough for the temperatures in Iceland, which were right around freezing for most of the time that I was there in October. Thankfully, they’re also super cheap, so I got several pairs of bright and flashy ones and a few black and blue ones, and wore them during the whole trip.

You can find a bunch of options here and here.

Spring & Summer Iceland Packing List

Rain jacket

iceland packing list
Perfect jacket for chasing waterfalls

If you’re going in spring or summer, you might not need a super heavy duty snow jacket, but a rain jacket shell is a good idea, and layers that you can put on or take off underneath. I like bright colors, so I brought along a pink shell and wore my thermal layers underneath, which worked out perfectly.

Packing for your trip to Iceland can be confusing. The climate in Iceland is so diverse, and no matter the time of the year, you will need waterproof clothing and layers. This packing list for Iceland works for anytime of the year, and includes insider tips to help you pack light and comfortably for your trip to Iceland. Click to read now. #Iceland #IcelandPackingList
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Waterproof boots

Since you’re unlikely to experience any snow in the late spring or summer months (but you never know, of course!), bringing waterproof boots is a good alternative. If you’re doing any hiking, you’ll definitely want them, but even if you’re just walking around the waterfalls, boots that keep out the moisture and have good tread are very helpful for the slippery rocks. I like the Moab boot for all of my hiking trips, but if you want something with a bit more style, Doc Martens would work well, too.

All Weather

Fleece-lined beanie and gloves

You lose so much warmth through your head, so a fleece-lined beanie is a great way to stay toasty and luckily, they’re also very cheap. You can find a bunch of great options in every color and pattern here.

I also keep a pair of rainbow gloves on hand for when night falls. They’re lined with fleece and though I bought mine in the Himalayas in Nepal, you can get a pair here for cheap.

Thermal shirt

iceland packing list thermals
Love the Patagonia thermals. They’re thin, but very warm and last forever.

The key to staying warm when you hit cooler temperatures and then shedding layers when it gets warmer are cheapie, easy thermals that you can mix and match and layer underneath your jacket.

Bathing suit

iceland packing list blue lagoon
Don’t forget a bathing suit!

One of the coolest things to do while in Iceland is visit the public swimming pools, which are super popular with the locals. Just about every town, no matter how small, seems to have one. They have showers and pools of varying heat up to 104°F/40°C, and are a great way to unwind after a day of adventures.

What’s more, you’ll definitely want a suit for your visit to the Blue Lagoon.

Additionally, be sure to bring along a pair of jeans or pants, a thick scarf, lots of warm and thick socks, ample undies, lots of thin, long-sleeved shirts to layer, a few pairs of normal leggings to layer or wear on their own in case it’s a bit warmer during the day, and a camera bag with a waterproof sleeve.

Read Next:

The Perfect Iceland Ring Road Itinerary

The Cost of Traveling in Iceland

10 Magical Photos of Iceland

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About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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I'm Kristin, and my vision of a better world is one where more women are empowered and living out their dreams. Solo traveling is the best method I've found to become the best, bravest version of me. This site is all about how YOU can have the adventure of a lifetime in an easy, fun, approachable way, so that you can feel empowered, too. Want to learn more about me?

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Comments

  1. Elina says

    01/14/2016 at 10:48 am

    I’m in love with those leggings! In fact I just went to snoop around the internet to find a couple of cheap pairs, I hate wearing jeans and those would be perfect in the Finnish winter.

    Just noticed on the sidebar that you’re travelling to Finland soon, which cities are you going to visit?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/16/2016 at 1:00 pm

      I’ll be in Lapland 🙂

      Reply
  2. Ijana says

    01/14/2016 at 6:25 pm

    You’re amazing at looking good in winter gear; I’m going to be copying this list if (when) I go to Iceland!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/16/2016 at 1:00 pm

      Thank you! It’s a whole new world of fashion I never dealt with before but I’m finding wintery places to be awesome. Just have to be dressed right for them.

      Reply
  3. Katie N says

    01/16/2016 at 3:58 pm

    I’m not even thinking of going to Iceland anytime soon but I still read this whole thing through. Just procrastinating. I’m basically drowning in books studying for the FSOT to work in the foreign service. So I’m taking a break to read and re-read your travel adventures to remind myself what it’s all for! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/17/2016 at 7:47 am

      Aw that warms my heart. Thanks so much and I’m so glad it keeps you motivated. Good luck with your studies!

      Reply
  4. Michelle W says

    04/09/2016 at 2:13 pm

    Do you think these same things will be needed for August as well? Or would I be too warm?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/13/2016 at 2:52 pm

      I’d always pack warmly for Iceland. The weather changes so quickly!

      Reply
  5. Toni says

    04/13/2016 at 9:37 am

    Wil this list will work for Auckland New Zealand winters? I’m going in July!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/13/2016 at 2:47 pm

      Should work for most winter destinations!

      Reply
  6. Leo Castaneda says

    04/18/2016 at 10:46 am

    Awesome post Kristin!
    I’ll be visiting Iceland this August and im stoked, however im still a bit puzzled on what I should pack.
    Can you confirm that, even during summer, the weather is wild and can go through drastic changes?
    Also, would you be able to tell me what the average price is for gasoline?
    I’ve also read that people would recommend diesel cars because it’ll be “cheaper.”

    Safe travels from a fellow Southern Californian.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/23/2016 at 12:07 pm

      I only ever found one kind of gas there and don’t recall it being that expensive, but that was in October and a few friends who had been the year before experienced double the price so I can’t be sure what it’ll be for you in August. Yes, be prepared for any kind of weather!

      Reply
  7. Eugene says

    04/27/2016 at 1:09 pm

    I thought that in Iceland there is only glaciers. But even there you can swim!

    Reply
  8. Carla says

    05/21/2016 at 8:22 am

    We are visiting Iceland in june- very excited?
    How does the access to the camp sites work- do we need to buy an access card/book in advance before leaving on our trip? will be great to hear from you.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/23/2016 at 10:51 am

      I didn’t book in advance but June might be more crowded so might want to look into it. The campsites will be open, charging, and more crowded then.

      Reply
  9. Caitlin Armstrong says

    07/12/2016 at 12:15 pm

    Thanks for the great article! I live in NE Florida and am a little stumped about what to pack. Sure it gets cold here, but we don’t have snow boots lying around and I’d rather not invest too much money in this that I could spend on the trip! Do you think I can improvise by bringing my snowboarding jacket (http://bit.ly/29UPbxr), snowboard pants, LL Bean boots (6 inch), my steel-toed boots from work for hiking and lots of leggings and thinner tops for layers? I carry a backpack when traveling.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/13/2016 at 2:08 am

      I think that should all work. The main thing is you just want it to be waterproof, and layers always help so if you’re too cold, add another and if you’re too hot, take one off.

      Reply
  10. Stacey says

    08/29/2016 at 1:44 pm

    So glad i found this list! Fleece lined leggings are the mvps! We are heading to Iceland in October as well, hopefully the weather is good! We have also gone with the campervan plan for more freedom!

    Reply
  11. Julies Roy says

    11/02/2017 at 2:27 am

    Goodness! This is marvelous… I’ve been tailing you for such quite a while on Instagram ? I’m at last anticipating going to Iceland next spring.

    Would you be able to in any case observe northern lights in Spring?

    Thanks for your great activity on this article.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      11/02/2017 at 2:46 am

      It would behoove you to get there before daylight savings time but possibly!

      Reply
  12. Taylor Phaneuf says

    08/12/2018 at 6:47 am

    how is it to book the blue lagoon in advance? worried if i get stuck in a reservation for a rainy day that i will want to visit on another day

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/13/2018 at 4:08 pm

      It’s probably a good idea to book in advance because it’s so popular. If it rains it’s still cool because the water is so warm!

      Reply
  13. Jeffrey van Gurp says

    11/13/2018 at 2:46 am

    Thank you for the packing list. Leaving for Iceland on the 31st of december to have a great start of the year (and an Icelandic new years eve). Do you have a reconmendation on where to rent a car?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      11/13/2018 at 3:42 am

      Depends on what you plan on doing! I used a 4×4 since I wanted to deviate from the ring road a bit. More on that here: https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/iceland-ring-road-camping/

      Reply
  14. Sana says

    12/29/2018 at 6:30 pm

    You are an inspiration!! Took your photography class and learned so much from them. Will be going to Iceland in the summer and used your guide to plan our trip. Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      12/29/2018 at 7:56 pm

      Amazing! Have such a great time and share your pics! I want to see them!

      Reply
  15. Ali M says

    08/20/2019 at 11:11 am

    Thank you so much for sharing. This pretty well documented experience.
    Thanks again Kristin,

    A.M

    Reply
  16. Mel Dizon says

    09/15/2019 at 8:11 am

    Thanks for this article, I’ll be ready to do the packing for October! Excited! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/16/2019 at 1:34 am

      Have fun!

      Reply

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