What to pack for Iceland: Clothing (Winter – Summer) + more

Planning a trip to the land of Ice and Fire? Better to get ready for any conditions!
Below are all my tips regarding what to pack for Iceland:

• Clothing for Iceland in Summer
• what to wear in Iceland in Winter
• coats, jackets, boots, gloves, thermal layers... and other items for your packing list!

Keep warm, stay safe and feel comfortable!

In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).

Let me start by sharing some general tips about traveling to Iceland to help you understand my suggested packing lists for both Summer and Winter.

TIP #1 - Don't bring a jacket too warm in Summer
Generally speaking the packing list for Summer and Winter are the same. My main difference is that I think that your jacket should not be too warm for Summer. As we will see after, layers are essentials and it is better to have several layers with a lighter jacket in Summer.

TIP #2 - Layers Layers Layers
This is the essential surviving rule in Iceland both in Winter and in Summer. The weather changes constantly and you ever know how the temperature will feel, when the wind will pick up or when it will rain. So keep layers accessible and change with the weather by adding or removing. 

TIP #3 - Thermal underclothes, gloves, hats and scarf in both Summer and Winter
Yes I have used my gloves, hats and scarf even in Summer. When the wind starts blowing you will be much more comfortable if you are wearing all that. It does not take so much space in the luggage. And it will be especially appreciated when waiting outside at night to see the northern lights!

TIP #4 - Rainproof overpants are your new best friends
I know wearing overpants is not sexy but I am so glad I had them. I really changed y level of comfort with those unpredictable rains. PLus I was able to sit anywhere to take my pictures without damaging my clothes or getting socked

TIP #5 - Waterproof hiking shoes
Some people manage with sports' shoes in Summer but I think Waterproof hiking boots are best to travel in Iceland. This way you don't worry about potential slippery paths, you know your feet will stay warm. For example, when I was taking picture at the magnificent Diamond beach, I was focussing on my camera and on the ice and several times got surprised my waves that came a lot higher than other. My waterproof shoes were very efficient!

TIP #6 - Ice grips in Winter are essential
In Winter, the path to the waterfalls and other points of Interest can be snowy and icy - You would always carry with you Ice Grips to add on your boots and feel stable and safe anywhere.

TIP #7 - Protection for your camera if it is not waterproof
Protection for you but also for your camera. With the rain and the mist from the waterfalls, make sure you have something to protect your camera (with rain sleeves for example) or your phone

And now my suggested packing lists for Iceland - first Summer and next Winter!!!

And you can also check out my article about the best time to visit Iceland to learn more about the weather conditions.

Let's start by answering the many questions I saw where people ask month by month:

• what to wear in Iceland in Summer
• what to wear in Iceland in July
• what to pack for Iceland in August
• what to wear in Iceland in June
• ...

You get the drift. There is no difference...
So below is the Summer Iceland Packing list for May to October (with maybe extra layers for May and October).

ICELAND SUMMER CLOTHING PACKING LIST:

• Light waterproof Jacket that is good at breaking the wind or 2 layers one for wind and one for rain
• Overpants for rain
• Layers of clothes for the top including a warm jumper
• Hiking pants
• Thermal underpants for the cold days and for the night activities
• Waterproof shoes
• Swim wear for the springs or the Blue Lagoon
• Warm socks
• Knit Hat
• Gloves 
• Warm Scarf that does not flow in the wind
• Sunglasses
• Underwear

And check out the last section of this article for non-clothes items not to forget in your suitcase for your trip to Iceland

For winter I see the same, people checking out what to bring month by month:

• what to wear in Iceland in Winter
• what to wear in Iceland in November
• what to pack for Iceland in January
• what to wear in Iceland in December, February,...

You get the drift again...
So below is the Winter Iceland Packing list for November to April.

ICELAND WINTER CLOTHING PACKING LIST:

• Warm jacket - waterproof and rainproof
• Overpants for rain or snowpants
• Warmer Layers of clothes for the top including a warm jumper
• Thermal underpants for the cold days and for the night activities
• Warm Waterproof shoes
• Ice Grips - essential!!!
• Swim wear for the springs or the Blue Lagoon
• Warm socks
• Knit Hat
• Gloves 
• Warm Scarf that does not flow in the wind
• Sunglasses
• Underwear

And check out the last section of this article for non-clothes items not to forget in your suitcase for your trip to Iceland

If you are going to be chasing the aurora borealis, I strongly recommend to bring underpants with you. When you are waiting and watching outside at night, it is really cold. Same in Mid-sumer for the Midnight sun and its beautiful light.
Underpants should be brought in your luggage all year round.

Thermal Underpants

Thermal Top

Let's talk Jacket and Coats. Here are some good options for your Iceland Trip:

Iceland Jacket for Summer

As I said earlier, I think for Summer you should bring a jacket that is not too warm and use layer instead. But it must protect you from the rain and the wind.

In theory in Summer you can wear any kind of shoes. But I think to feel comfortable walking anywhere and exploring the landscapes, it is better to have your feet warm and dry in waterproof hiking boots.

I think it is very important to purchase quality footwear. I have bought mine several years ago and despite having traveled a lot, been stuck in snow and covered by the sea, they are still in great conditions

Best Footwear for Iceland

Extra footwear accessories for winter in Iceland

As I said before for me my Waterproof overpants were my best friends in Iceland. It was easy to add them over when it started raining and remove them otherwise. Not the sexiest but definitively practical

Or snowpants in Winter...

Waterproof Snowpants in Winter could be a good option. Nowadays they are not as bulky and you can easily walk in them

Don't forget your extremities. This is where you will feel the cold the most. So bring scarf, gloves and hat to feel better and focus on the landscapes rather than the cold wind, especially when admiring the northern lights.

Gloves for Iceland

I am conflicting about which gloves to recommend for your trip to Iceland. It is a complicated story.
If you take a lot of photos you need gloves that are thin enough to allow you movement but then they are not warm enough...
And if you want to take pictures with your photo, you need a touch screen option.
At the end, I think that even though the warmth was not the best, what I used the most were my touch screen gloves. So here are 2 options:

Hats for Iceland

I made the mistake to bring a very light hat. One of the first purchases I made in Iceland was a thick hat and I used it a lot during the trip. I am so sad I have lost it during my trip to Scotland.... Anyway, below are 2 suggestions for men and women.

Scarf / neck gaiter for Iceland

Because of wind, you need something that stays well in place. So I recommend to bring a neck  warmer to Iceland rather than a scarf.

Socks for Iceland

What to pack for Iceland? Do not forget your camera gear! This is such a beautiful country.

Iceland Photography Packing list

• Camera & Lenses - I currently use the Olympus EM1 Mark III
• Lots of batteries
• Lots of memory cards
• A clip to hold the camera on your backpack strap, to free your hands and relieve your neck - I looooooove mine
• A waterproof protection for your camera (rain sleeves). Between the rain and the mist of waterfalls
• A Tripod (especially to capture the northern lights) - a cable release is also great especially with the cold on your finger
• Polorizing filter
• ND filter to photograph the flow of waterfalls and the waves around the iceberg
• A red light headlamp to be able to look at your camera settings in the dark without bothering the other photographers around you

But clothes and photography gear are not the only things to pack for Iceland. Below are some extra suggestions.

Iceland travel guide

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates, map of region and planning tips) in my travel guide eBook to help you easily plan your Iceland road trip (for 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, 14 days...)

Journal

Don't forget anything. Write down your memories as you explore these magnificent landscapes!
I created those to make it easy to write down everything:

Other practical items to bring to Iceland

• Passport
• Driving license (if applicable)
• Credit card
• Electronic equipment chargers
• First aid kit
• All your medical essentials
• ...

Go through my Travel Checklists to get ready

Want to see more of ICELAND?

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