What to Wear in Iceland: 15 Essentials for Cold Weather

September 1, 2017

Last updated in April 2023.

I traveled to Reykjavik and through the south of Iceland in April with two good friends. We hiked, we swam in hot springs, and we watched as Icelanders spoke out against their government during the Panama Papers protests. It was an incredible experience.

Since then, I've had several people ask me what they should wear while visiting this Nordic country. First, travels should know the year is divided into three loose categories based off of tourism and temperature: Low Season (Oct - Apr), Shoulder Season (May & Sep), and High Season (Jun - Aug). Here's a graph of the average highs and lows by month:

I went in between Low and Shoulder Season to avoid high prices and crowed attractions, so the below list is more tailored to those months. If you plan on traveling during High Season, just remember you'll still need a decent jacket and some of these essentials. Nights can be in the low 40s—plus, the weather is quite unpredictable!

Merino Wool Socks

Hate having cold feet? Socks with a high percentage of Merino Wool are known for absorbing moisture—which means, your sweaty toes stay dry (and warmer). This fabric is also much finer than other types of wool, so it's not itchy.

Find these socks at DSW, or order them on Amazon Prime. This was one of those small, but essential purchases that made hiking for several hours more enjoyable. (And as a New Yorker, I now wear them in winter.)

Fleece-Lined Tights/Long Johns

During April, I actually didn't need to use my fleece-lined tights or Long Johns. But I packed them to wear under my pants, just in case jeans weren't enough to keep my legs warm. Layering is key when you're traveling to a place where the temperature can change by 20 degrees in a few hours.

Waterproof Boots

You're going to walk through sand, slush, snow, and puddles while adventuring around Iceland. So don't mess when it comes to investing in some solid waterproof boots. I wore my L.L. Bean Duck Boots everywhere, and they did their job well. But, since this particular shoe is often backordered, here are a few other options from legit brands like Salomon, Keen, and Sorel.

Salomon Men's Hiking Shoe

Sorel Women's Boot

Down Winter Coat

Headed to Iceland during the frigid months? A long, down coat is pretty necessary for keeping you warm and for fighting off gusts of wind. I recommend both Michael Kors and Eddie Bauer's knee-length jackets—these were by far my best purchases after moving to NYC. Both coats have also kept me warm during my travels to Iceland, Scotland, Montreal, and London—and I've been wearing my current Eddie Bauer coat for over 7 years.

Michael Kors Down Coat

Eddie Bauer Down Coat

Lined Windbreaker

When you're hiking for a longer amount of time, you might appreciate a more breathable coat. North Face's Inlux Insulated Jacket was my go-to when the temperature rose to the high 40s. It's water-proof, lightweight, and has a warm liner—plus, it's easy to tie around your waste if you get too hot.

Heattech Shirts

Under all of my sweaters and flannels, I wore a short-sleeved Heatteach shirt from Uniqlo. This article of clothing is supposed to absorb your body's moisture and convert it into heat.

Whether it works or not, I enjoyed being sweat-free and having an extra layer. On our road trip days, I'd also get hot in the car and just wear this teeshirt until the next destination.

Other Considerations

Now let's get down to the basics: Here's a checklist of other items to pack for your Iceland adventure. Most of these are obvious, but it's easy to forget something!

Several sweaters or flannels
Touchscreen gloves or waterproof gloves
Scarf + a hat that covers your ears
Microfiber towel for quick drying after hot spring swims
Outdoor pants if you're glacier walking or heavy-duty hiking
One "un-sporty" outfit for nightlife in Reykjavik
Bathing suit and flip flops for the Blue Lagoon
Water-resistant backpack
Don’t forget your outlet adapter for Iceland!

I hope this quick guide helps you on your journey toward visiting the "land of ice and fire." Leave a message in the comments section if you have any questions. Happy travels!

Related Posts:

Reykjadalur Hike in Southern Iceland

July 3, 2016

If you’re seeking a simple day trip from Reykjavik or road tripping through the south of Iceland, here’s a hot spring-filled hike worth taking. After walking an hour through winding hills and valleys, you’ll be rewarded with a steamy stream to relax in—plus, catch some wild views of this otherworldly island.

Directions from Reykjavik

Hop onto Road 1 heading southeast toward Hveragerði. After about 40 minutes, you’ll come to a roundabout. Take the exit for Breiðamörk north, toward the Reykjadalur valley. This will lead you through Hveragerði’s main street and then down a gravel road—don’t worry, you’re still going the right way!

There’s a car park at the foot of the valley, as well as a café that’s open during peak travel season. Cross the small bridge by foot to reach the beginning of the trail. It’s well marked, and you will most likely see other travelers en route.

Hike Length

It took us about one hour to walk to the hot springs (with plenty of picture taking), and about 40 minutes to get back to the parking lot. It’s safe to give yourself at least 2.5 hours if you plan on swimming.

What to Bring

Since our hike took place in April, everyone wore layers to keep warm. We slipped bathing suits on under our shirts and packed a change of clothes, as well as small microfiber towels. There are no changing rooms—so our long coats doubled as one! Hiking boots are a must, considering the amount of mud in certain areas of the trail. Lastly: Don’t forget your camera, a snack, and a water bottle.

Don’t have a car?

There are several tours that will take you to Reykjadalur, though we found renting a car for our 6-day trip to be less expensive that taking individual tours.

Here's one of the earlier views during the hike. You can see the car park in the distance.

You'll find pockets of bubbling earth along your journey to the hot springs. Look, don't touch.

Here's what the Reykjadalur hike looks like in Spring—a coffee-colored mix of earth and snow.

The word "Reykjadalur" is translated to "steam valley." You can see why it was named that.

Even in April, you need a bathing suit in Iceland.

Hope you enjoy the hike! Have questions? Leave a comment below.

#EuROADtrip2016

March 25, 2016

For the next two weeks, I’m going to take a short break from New York City and dive into another adventure: Scotland, London, and Iceland.

My youngest sister Grace and I are flying to Scotland on the day I’m “penning” this. In Glasgow, we’ll meet up with Alice who is, in short, one of my closest friends from the high school years, my previous Eurasia travel buddy, and a teacher in London. We’ll tour the Highlands and visit Glencoe, Fort William, Isle of Skye, Inverness, and Aviemore. It will most likely rain the entire time we’re gallivanting around this country—but I packed a poncho! And yes, there will be castle hunting and Scotch tastings.

Grace flies home five days later on March 30, while Alice and I continue south to London. I’ll see where she lives, the school she teaches at in Surrey, as well as spend a pinch of time in the city centre. After sipping some tea (and maybe doing laundry), we’ll fly west to Reykjavik.

In Iceland, Alice and I will meet up with New York friend, ex-East Village neighbor, and travel extraordinaire, Heather. None of us have visited this country of “fire and ice” before, so we’ll start with the basics: Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, the southern town of Vik, and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. We hope to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, but the chances are 50/50 this time of year. I’d also like to spot a puffin and a wild Icelandic horse.

After a six-day road trip through this unbelievably epic looking country, I fly back to Virginia to see one of best friends from college get married. I’m also honored to be one of Steph’s bridesmaids, so even when my trip is over I have something incredible to look forward to back in the States.

(This celebration also makes packing an adventure in itself. Can someone remind me to text Boyfriend and tell him to pack my dress shoes? They don’t fit in this blasted suitcase!)

We’re praying for safe travels, decent weather, and remarkable memories. Also, a tremendous “thank, you kindly” to everyone who sent us travel advice, restaurant suggestions, and lodging tips.

I’ll be a bit disconnected from the world, but will most likely buy a SIM card with a tiny data plan. So… I’ll see you on Instagram ;)