Your guide to packing for Iceland! No matter when you visit Iceland, the weather will be a little unpredictable making packing a little tricky! I traveled to Iceland in October, where temps can be low and warm clothes are required. Even in the summer, highs average around 55 degrees F (although its possible for up to 77 degree F (25 degree C) highs)! Know the weather before you go. No matter what time of year you travel to Iceland, there are a few necessary items you don’t want to leave behind!
Essential Items
- Waterproof shoes
- Although it may not rain frequently during your travels, there is a wide variety of terrain in Iceland and there is nothing worse than wet feet. Visiting both black sand beaches, I was glad to have waterproof and warm shoes.
- Rain Jacket
- The kind of rainjacket you need will depend on what time of year you go. If you are going at any time besides the warmest months of the year (July/August), I suggest a lined rain-jacket. The wind can be brutal, and the extra lining inside can be a life-saver. In the summer you may get by with a thinner rain-jacket. but a rain-jacket is still necessary! Showers are possible and unpredictable and many of the waterfalls you visit can spray showers on you if you get close enough.
- Fleece-lined leggings
- This is a Fall/Winter/Spring essential. Cooler temperatures + wind= unpleasant conditions for outdoor activities. I wore fleece-lined leggings everyday under another pair of athletic leggings to help with the wind. They are a game-changer!
- Moisture-wicking socks
- Moisture-wicking socks are essential year-round. Even if you are hiking in the summer, wear wool, moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry and comfortable and prevent blistering.
- Beanie and gloves
- As I said, the weather can get cool even in the summer and with the combination of wind, your ears can freeze off. Pack an ear-warmer of any sort! Also, be prepared to take a lot of pictures which means your hands will be exposed a lot. Bring gloves to prevent your fingers from falling off!
Other Clothing items for 5 days in Iceland
- 3 pairs of regular athletic leggings to wear over fleece-lined leggings
- 2 long-sleeve, moisture-wicking shirts
- A 3/4 zip Patagonia sweater
- 3 sweaters for dinner
- 1 pair of blue-jeans
- 1 pair of shoes for dinner
- An extra coat
Everything Else
Take this guide and adjust it based on the weather you are going to get while in Iceland. If it’s going to drop near-freezing for most of your trip, pack a thermal shirt to wear as a base-layer. If it’s going to get up into the 70’s (21 degree C) and you plan to hike, you can consider shorts for your day trip.
Click here for a packing guide for all international travel to add to your list of items for Iceland!
Luggage
We stayed in one AirBnB in Reykjavik for all 5 nights in Iceland. The room had an elevator and a parking garage, so no concern for pulling rolling luggage. Therefore, my choice of luggage was a small carry-on suitcase instead of my Osprey backpack.
All of my clothing, an extra coat, extra pair of warm shoes and toiletries fit snuggly into my carry-on. Pack only your essentials and save money on checked luggage!
Recommendations
Below are a few items I recommend for your trip. The waterproof hiking shoes I currently have were purchased at BassPro and were an off-brand that I can no longer find anywhere. I’ve linked a pair of Columbia shoes I have been eyeing and will likely be my next purchase. If I decide to go another route, I will update the link! Also, I got my 3-in-1 Marmot jacket on sale on Backcountry.com; it isn’t currently on there, but keep your eyes peeled for good deals!
As always, ask me anything if you have questions!
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