Ultimate Guide On What To Wear In Iceland
Iceland is known as being one of the most beautiful places on earth. Recently, many people have flocked to this wonderful country to experience everything it has to offer. But with this natural beauty, comes a harsh and severe climate. If you don’t bring the correct clothing, you can be in for an uncomfortable vacation which is why I have come up with this list on what to wear in Iceland. So, if you are desperately trying to figure out what you should pack for your ultimate Iceland trip, then keep reading on!
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Iceland Temperature
As you can see from the picture above, the highest temperature does not rise above 60°F in Iceland. So you will have to skip the cute summer dresses and dress warmly!
What to Pack for Iceland: Iceland Clothing
Best Boots For Iceland
One of the essential items to bring are waterproof hiking boots for Iceland. When traveling in Iceland, I noticed how everything felt wet and muddy. Anywhere near one of the countless waterfalls was a slippery surface, and there were many times I got stuck in mud near the rivers and beaches.
Tennis shoes will NOT cut it. You need something that has a good grip, so you don’t slip and fall. You also need something that is waterproof and warm so if your feet get soaked (Which they will), they will not freeze. Hiking shoes or hiking boots are your best bet.
The best shoes for Iceland are ones that have excellent grip, are waterproof, and warm. I have listed two boots because using each depends on what you will be doing during your trip.
The best hiking boots for Iceland is the Lowa Renegade Hiking Boot. I have worn this boot on some of my harsh treks. I have worn these boots trekking in Chile in Patagonia, and the hot desert of the Needles in Canyonlands. This boot is waterproof and resistant. I highly recommend it. It is a great option to bring in the summertime and to use for glacier hiking.
One of the best boots for Iceland in the winter is the Sorel Joan of Arctic. I went to Iceland in the winter and wore this boot for the majority of the trip. Coupled with my wool socks, the boot kept my feet pretty warm. Plus, I had to get in some muddy waters to get some great reflection pictures, and my feet stayed completely dry. It is an excellent option if you are going in the winter and it is listed as Amazon #1 Bestseller.
Jacket
A good jacket is a MUST on your Iceland winter packing list. The best jacket for Iceland is one that is waterproof, windproof, and warm. The weather in Iceland can be unpredictable, so you want to make sure you are prepared for anything. Just bringing only one jacket will help you pack lightly, but only if you get the right one. I used the Northface Thermoball Triclimate. The jacket consists of two jackets in one, so if you get too hot, you can always take one layer off, which is convenient. It did a great job keeping me warm the entire trip regardless of the weather. An added bonus is it can also be worn for snow skiing.
Sweaters
If there is one thing you should bring a bunch of, it is sweaters! I brought a sweater for pretty much every day. On the days that it was extra cold, I made sure to layer up! You can make your Iceland outfits cute with a regular sweater you wear at home, or you can bring some extra comfy ones like what I have linked below.
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A Vest
When packing for Iceland, a vest is a great idea to add to your luggage. There are some days that Iceland is not crazy cold so it is a good idea to add it so that it can keep your core body warm.
Base Layers
Base Layers are the basics of your clothes for Iceland. They will pretty much go underneath all your clothes every day. You will wear the same base layers the whole time you are there. Either bring two pairs or find accommodation that has washing and drying machines.
Smartwool is known to have some of the best base layers out there. I have been wearing them for years, and I have linked them below.
Rain Jacket
I know I said earlier that you only need one Iceland jacket but, I also love taking pictures with different colored jackets. So I decided to bring a raincoat as well. Iceland weather can be very unpredictable.
Leggings
Iceland is a place you have the chance to dress super casual and comfortable. Because of the extreme weather, I advise leaving the pretty Instagram dresses at home. Instead, bring comfy sweaters and comfy leggings! I promise you, your pictures will still look cute! Just put on a cute pompom hat, and a pop of color jacket and you will have the perfect Iceland Instagram picture! The leggings I have linked here are affordable, fleece-lined, comfy, and waterproof! Yay 😉
Hiking Pants
If you want durable pants for Iceland that are not leggings, then I recommend these hiking pants. These are my favorite hiking pants I have worn so far! On the topic of pants, I don’t recommend bringing jeans to Iceland. If you are exploring the countryside, it is pretty easy to get wet which is not good if you are wearing jeans. Jeans take a while to dry so it would not be fun to be walking around in soggy, cold jeans.
Swimsuit
Packing a swimsuit for your Iceland adventure is also a must! Iceland hot springs are everywhere, so you need to add a bathing suit to your Iceland packing list. The one I have linked is one of my favorite bathing suits that I always bring with me on the trips.
Hat
Did you go to Iceland if you didn’t take a picture with a cute beanie? If you are going to experience winter in Iceland, then the beanie is a must! Beanies are warm, and the cute pom poms make your pictures look even better!
Gloves, Socks, And Scarves
Gloves, socks, and scarves are important items to add to your list (especially in the winter). If you are doing Ice Cave exploring, I recommend gloves for Iceland.
Sandals
Other types of shoes for Iceland are sandals. You need them when you are at the hotel or when you go to any of the hot springs. Walking around the hotel with bulky, big boots can be uncomfortable. Get nice and comfy after a long day of exploring 🙂
What to Pack for Iceland: Electronics
Camera and Lens
A good camera should probably be number one on your Iceland packing list. You will have the opportunity to take pictures of the northern lights, Ring Road, Golden Circle, and Reykjavik. When I went to Iceland, I used the Sony A6000 for most of my Iceland pictures.
Adapter
Out of everything on this list, this is the one thing we forgot. Let me tell you it was not easy. We had to ask around the hotels to see if they had an adapter. Most hotels did not :-/ I brought my straightener and barely even used it. Don’t forget an adapter as we did!
External Battery
Our external battery saved us since we forgot to bring an adapter as I mentioned above. We were able to keep our cameras and phones charged the entire time. What I love most about this power bank is that it is waterproof.
Go Pro
If you want to take pictures in The Blue Lagoon, a GoPro is a perfect choice! It is waterproof and portable. I saw some people take in regular expensive cameras with them inside The Blue Lagoon which is something I wouldn’t personally do because accidents can easily happen. If paying for a new GoPro is out of your budget an alternative is bringing in your phone with a protective case.
Drone
One of the optional things to bring to Iceland is a drone. Drones can bring your photography to the next level. I especially loved capturing pictures and videos over the black sand beaches. Just make sure not to use them in areas where they are prohibited (similar to National Parks).
Click Here To Read More On My Camera Gear: Best Camera Gear For Travelers
What to Pack for Iceland: Miscellaneous Things
Backpack
On all my travels, I always bring a backpack. Mainly because I have expensive camera gear and I hate leaving my gear in the car. Plus, I usually go on hikes, so I like to pack snacks and drinks in my backpack. Osprey is known to have the best bags out there. I am always super impressed with their quality and comfort.
Sunscreen, Chapstick, Makeup, Toiletries, Lotion
During all of my travels, I always make sure to take care of my skin. I have extra dry skin compared to most people and travel makes it worse. Bringing good lotion, chapstick, and sunscreen usually helps keep my extra dry skin looking fabulous.
Tripod
Another one of the items to pack for Iceland is a tripod. A tripod usually comes in handy during sunrise and sunset pictures when there isn’t much sunlight. A tripod can help your photos get to the next level. It is also great if you are a solo traveler alleviating the need to always ask someone to take picture(s) for you. My husband and I use it to take couples pictures. I am very picky about my pictures, so I usually don’t like strangers taking photos of us. We have had the Vanguard for years now, and it is a great option to use as a travel tripod.
Water Bottle
Iceland has clean water, so we just brought our water bottle and filled it with local tap water. If you are a skeptic, I would buy a gallon of water and fill the water bottle up.
Iceland Tips
- If you are coming during the middle of the winter in Iceland, I recommend packing ski pants. >Click Here To Buy Ski Pants
- Dressing smart is better than dressing cute. Iceland is a harsh climate and it is best to be prepared.
- Bring layers and multiple sweaters. Layering is key in Iceland.
- Don’t overpack. You can usually keep on wearing the same thing a few days in a row. I only brought a carry on bag with me.
- In the summertime, Iceland has a plentiful amount of sunlight. If you are a light sleeper, bring a sleep mask. >Click Here To Buy Sleep Mask
- If you are renting a campervan, make sure to bring warm pj’s. Most campervans have heaters that work throughout the night, but just in case.
Learn What To Do in Iceland
Thanks for reading my how to pack for Iceland guide, now check out some of my other posts where I go into detail on itineraries, and guides:
Let me know if you have any questions and happy travels!
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I love the contrast of your bright yellow jacket with the rocks on Reynisfjara. Great choice!
Thank you so much 🙂
YES, waterproof shoes are a MUST in Iceland. I spent a day hiking when it was nothing but blue skies (not even a cloud which was crazy) and yet it was massive mud patches all throughout due to previous rain and melting snow. And, you never know when a shower is coming as the weather is constantly changing in Iceland. A very smart list that would ensure you appreciated the beauty of Iceland rather than complain about being cold and wet.
Yup!!! I wanted so many awesome pictures in the mud so yeah waterproof shoes are a must!
Michelle I saw you wearing the blundstone boots. Can they stand the winter in Iceland or definitely I’ll need an another pair of waterproof boots?? I’m going on March and I’m loving all the information you have posted about Iceland! Thank you!! ❤️
They are good in certain places, like the city, and walking around some of the waterfalls. The hikes here are not too hard so you can definitely wear it most of the time.
This is too good. The best part of the blog is how everything is organized and all packing information on Iceland is given. This is definitely that one blog someone needs to read before planning a trip to Iceland.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!
Awe, I love the fact that all of these clothes looks really cute and amazing! I always had feeling that clothes for winter have to look horrible haha.
Haha I know what you mean!!! And I am from Texas so I am not the best at winter clothing but I have gotten sooo much better every year after traveling so much!
We’re heading here in a couple of months and this is very helpful! We just got our first drone and we’re excited to try it out! How did you do with the wind?
Yeah droning is Iceland wasn’t easy. What I recommend is to stay as close to your drone as possible. I know it defeats the purpose but there were times that our drone would lose signal due to the winds and then it would start doing its own thing. Try not to push the drone passed its limits.