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Putting collectively the appropriate Iceland packing listing is without doubt one of the most necessary issues you are able to do earlier than your journey! Iceland is a vacation spot identified for its chilly and windy climate.
Not solely that, Iceland is moist, moist, moist — and for those who’re not adequately coated in waterproof clothes on a wet day, you’ll be depressing.
Additionally, Iceland is a rural nation. Most of the time, I like to recommend shopping for issues domestically if you could. That’s not as simple in Iceland. Unless you’re in Reykjavík or Akureyri, you received’t be capable of simply discover respectable buying.
I do know this sounds robust — however please, don’t fear! I’m right here to make your journey to Iceland simpler. I’ve been to Iceland a number of instances, together with a two-week street journey across the Ring Road, and I’ve discovered what to pack for Iceland, what to put on in Iceland, the objects that you actually need, and the objects you’ll be able to go away at house.
This information has 4 sections: Weather in Iceland, The Most Important Items to Pack, What to Wear in Iceland, Winter in Iceland, the Iceland Packing List, and What Not to Bring to Iceland.
And as you intend your journey, don’t overlook to take a look at my different Iceland posts: the finest issues to do in Reykjavík, issues to know earlier than you go to the Blue Lagoon, and the main points on how a lot my Iceland street journey price.
Weather in Iceland: What to Expect
Iceland has chilly climate year-round and is steadily wet. The forecast modifications typically and climate circumstances can flip harmful if you don’t anticipate it. In brief, you could be prepared for something — however particularly precipitation!
You would possibly luck out and get a string of sunny days (I definitely have on all 4 of my journeys). You could also be right here two weeks and never see the solar as soon as. You might need dreadfully foggy or wet days if you least need them. In brief, be prepared for something.
If you’re visiting through the summer time (May-September), the perfect time to go to for good climate, you need to be prepared for common temperatures round 40-60 F (7-15 C).
If you’re visiting through the colder months, you need to be ready for common temperatures to fall under freezing (typically 15-32 F, or -9-0 C). The wind chill can deliver that a lot decrease.
This Iceland packing listing is primarily focused towards summer time vacationers, who comprise the overwhelming majority of Iceland guests, however I’ve added a supplemental part for winter Iceland vacationers as nicely.
Most Important Items on Your Iceland Packing List
Some objects in your Iceland packing listing are crucial. Here is the listing of things that I feel needs to be on each Iceland traveler’s listing, it doesn’t matter what the time of 12 months is.
Do not skip any of those — besides probably the tripod and lightweight make-up.
Head-to-Toe Waterproof Gear
Waterproof gear is the only most necessary factor you could deliver to Iceland. And not only a waterproof jacket — you want rain pants, waterproof mountain climbing boots, and a waterproof backpack cowl.
It WILL rain in some unspecified time in the future in your journey to Iceland. It would possibly rain day-after-day, and closely. I do know individuals who had been rained out day-after-day of their Iceland journey.
There are additionally some waterfalls which you can stroll behind or get near, like Gljúfrabúi and Seljalandsfoss, and also you’ll be drenched afterward. Going behind them is tremendous cool — so that you want outer layers that may preserve you dry.
But the quickest strategy to being depressing in Iceland is being soaked to the bone in a sweatshirt, like that one household I noticed at Kvernufoss waterfall.
Waterproof Jacket
You have two choices for a water-resistant jacket to put on in Iceland: an all-in-one insulated raincoat, or a rain jacket shell worn over an insulated jacket.
There are arguments for each. I wore a fundamental raincoat shell (I wore an area Czech model however this Columbia one is superb) and a Uniqlo extremely gentle down jacket. We had numerous sunny days and it was good to solely put on my pink Uniqlo jacket.
But it’s undoubtedly extra handy to have one jacket which you can put on in all climate, like this one.
Top Tip: Get a brightly coloured coat; it appears wonderful in photographs towards the gray-green Icelandic panorama. Reds, oranges, yellows, and sizzling pinks particularly stand out.
Rain Pants
I by no means wore rain pants in my LIFE till my most up-to-date Iceland journey — they usually ended up being lifesavers. What are rain pants? They’re waterproof pants you put on on high of your common pants. Such a good suggestion!
You don’t should put on your rain pants all day. Just throw them in your backpack, and if it begins to rain, throw them on high. You don’t even should take off your boots!
Since that journey, I’ve been extolling the advantages of rain pants to anybody who will hear, and one among my readers informed me she purchased them for her Iceland journey with skepticism however couldn’t imagine how a lot she beloved them!
Waterproof Hiking Boots
You are doubtless going to be mountain climbing by mud or rain in some unspecified time in the future. That’s simply an inevitability in Iceland. Regular mountain climbing boots or path runners will not be sufficient: you want good high quality waterproof mountain climbing boots.
Additionally, there are some locations the place you is likely to be strolling by ankle-deep water, like Gljúfrabúi waterfall or Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Some individuals deliver one pair of waterproof mountain climbing boots to Iceland, and a few deliver one pair of normal boots and one pair of waterproof boots. Take my recommendation: deliver one pair of waterproof boots (ideally fabricated from Gore-Tex).
You by no means know when a sunny Icelandic sky will all of the sudden cloud over and start raining.
Waterproof Backpack Cover
Imagine being half-hour right into a two-hour hike and it begins to rain. And you’ve bought an costly digital camera simply sitting in your material backpack.
That was me at Studlagil Canyon this previous August. Whoops.
You completely want a waterproof backpack cowl. It prices lower than $10 and retains all of your digital camera gear dry, even for those who’re mountain climbing for hours!
I normally suggest a dry bag for vacationers, particularly for those who’re taking rides on small boats, however most individuals don’t take small boats in Iceland, so I feel a water-resistant backpack cowl will cowl you.
Sleep Mask
Most individuals who journey to Iceland go through the summer time months, when you’ll be able to have slightly little bit of daylight as late as 2:00 AM. Ever slept by that? It’s not simple!
Surely, each Iceland guesthouse will need to have high-quality blackout curtains, you’d suppose. You’d be incorrect. (And don’t name me Shirley.) I used to be stunned how typically the midnight solar peeked in from Icelandic curtains.
You’ll wish to deliver a sleep masks if you wish to sleep peacefully. Ear plugs are additionally useful, particularly for those who’re staying in dorms or different shared room lodging.
Multiple Swimsuits
One of essentially the most enjoyable issues about visiting Iceland is visiting all of the totally different sizzling springs! From the basic Blue Lagoon to the horny Sky Lagoon in Reykjavík and my private favourite, the Vök Baths in Egilsstaðir, East Iceland, they’re all over the place!
Even for those who skip the dear thermal resorts, there are many sizzling tubs and pure sizzling springs all through Iceland. And practically each city in Iceland has its personal heated out of doors swimming pool. These swimming pools are an inexpensive, enjoyable, and really native exercise.
Translation? You’ll be in your bathing go well with a LOT.
One mistake I see individuals making steadily is just bringing one swimsuit to Iceland. The cause? A washing go well with takes a very long time to dry and also you is likely to be continually placing on one which’s chilly and damp.
For that cause, it’s a good suggestion to deliver a minimal of two bathing fits to put on in Iceland. I introduced three. We would dangle our bathing fits within the automobile, on the again of the entrance seats, however typically 24 hours wasn’t sufficient to dry them.
All of my bathing fits are by Trina Turk — she’s all I purchase. They are beautiful, colourful, and final for years. Some are available in plus sizes.
Quick-Drying Travel Towel
Almost each sizzling spring or swimming pool in Iceland fees you for a towel for those who don’t have already got one. And charges are sometimes round 900 ISK ($6 USD). Those actually add up!
So what do you want? A journey towel! A fast-drying microfiber journey towel will prevent a number of cash.
Top Tip: Shower at evening in Iceland. Your towel will dry in a single day, you’ll be capable of get a quick begin the following morning, and for those who’re staying in a spot with shared loos, you received’t have to attend for everybody else to complete.
Reusable Water Bottle
The faucet water in Iceland is secure to drink. Don’t add to the plastic downside by shopping for bottled water in Iceland. Just deliver your reusable water bottle and fill it up at any time when you’ve gotten a faucet.
I take advantage of a BPA-free Blender Bottle. It’s large, it’s sturdy, and it is available in a number of colours (I’ve it in sizzling pink). Mine is sitting subsequent to me as I write this.
Eye drops, lip balm, and hand cream
Iceland can dry you out — particularly for those who’re visiting a number of sizzling springs throughout your go to. I ended up with shiny crimson eyes midway by my most up-to-date journey and wanted drops badly. It wasn’t enjoyable making an attempt to trace down an open pharmacy in the course of nowhere!
You would possibly wish to deliver eye drops, lip balm, and hand cream.
Sunscreen
But it isn’t that sunny in Iceland, you say. Hey — for those who’re spending a number of time outdoors, even when it’s a cloudy day, even for those who’re not fair-skinned, you want sunscreen. You can simply burn if you’re not anticipating it.
I all the time put on moisturizer or BB cream that comprises sunscreen. If not, deliver sunscreen with an SPF of no less than 45. I like Neutrogena SPF 55 sunscreen.
Extra SD Cards, Camera Battery, and External Hard Drive
You will take far extra photographs than you normally tackle journeys. Iceland is without doubt one of the most visually spectacular locations I’ve ever visited.
It’s all the time smarter to have a number of SD playing cards slightly than one large card, simply in case it fails. Just a few SanDisk 64 GB playing cards ought to maintain you over.
It’s good to have some backup batteries, and for those who’re packing for Iceland within the winter, know that batteries drain faster when it’s under freezing.
Back up your photographs in a number of locations for those who can. A tiny thumb drive in all probability received’t be sufficient — as a substitute, deliver an exterior arduous drive.
Tripod
A tripod is an non-compulsory merchandise, however one which extra severe photographers ought to pack. If you’re trying to do long-exposure images on Iceland waterfalls, or make the most of low-light conditions, it would be best to have a tripod.
However — for those who’re not a photographer, you don’t essentially want this. (Plus, lugging your tripod and setting it up all over the place could be a enormous ache for those who’re not obsessed with images.)
Top Tip: If you’ve gotten an iPhone, set your digital camera as much as take Live Photos. Hold your digital camera as nonetheless as you’ll be able to when photographing a waterfall. On your picture, contact the “LIVE” placing within the high left nook and alter it to “Long Exposure.” Hello, easy waterfall!
It takes a little bit of follow, and I like to recommend taking pictures on a wide-angle as a result of this could chop off numerous the sides.
Enough Makeup to Look Extra Nice in Photos
Obviously that is non-compulsory as nicely, however for those who put on make-up in your day-to-day life, you’ll in all probability admire carrying a bit in Iceland. Not a full face — simply sufficient to look slightly bit nicer than you’d be bare-faced.
Each day in Iceland, I wore BB cream, mascara, forehead shadow, and lip balm. Not a lot, however sufficient to make a distinction.
For the identical cause, I wore earrings — little stud earrings that I saved in the entire journey. I like having a little bit of shimmer in my photographs.
What to Wear in Iceland
My outfits in Iceland had been just about the identical factor, time and again. Pick a method and keep it up!
In the picture above, taken at Hvalnes Lighthouse in southeast Iceland, I wore a medium-weight sweater, Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket, leggings, merino wool socks, boots (these ones are a discontinued type of Hunter boots however I’d get waterproof mountain climbing boots subsequent time), and sun shades.
That’s an excellent outfit for a sunny day in Iceland in the summertime.
For the day I hiked into Múlagljúfur Canyon, one among my absolute favourite locations in Iceland, I wore my typical mountain climbing outfit: an Icebreaker merino wool pullover, mountain climbing pants, rain pants on high simply in case, merino wool socks, and path runners (once more, ought to have worn waterproof mountain climbing boots).
For the hike I wore my two jackets — the Uniqlo Ultra Light Down jacket and my rain jacket shell — and tied them each round my waist once I bought sizzling.
They’re out of the body on this picture, together with my backpack.
Packing List for Iceland in Winter
Traveling to Iceland in winter requires extra objects. It’s all about staying heat and dry in a chilly, moist surroundings! Let’s check out an important objects on your winter Iceland packing listing:
Base layers (thermal underwear). Base layers are important — these are what preserve you truly feeling heat when it’s chilly out! I’m an enormous fan of Uniqlo WarmthTech Base Layers (high and backside). They are so comfy, so heat, and surprisingly reasonably priced!
I like to recommend two pairs of every on your journey to Iceland. Good base layers will be worn a number of days in a row.
Mid-weight layers. This additional layer is what you put on between your base layers and outerwear. I desire a heat sweater on high and heat leggings on the underside.
Warm parka. You’ll need a heavyweight winter coat with a hood. I like to recommend one which goes to mid-thigh or decrease; coats that cease at your waist let in numerous chilly air. (People from Texas and Florida: speak to your cold-weather-living mates. They know higher.)
Waterproof, windproof snow pants. Like rain pants, besides constructed for low temperatures.
Warm hat. I’m a fan of North Face beanies, however something cozy and wooly will do nicely.
Waterproof, windproof gloves or mittens. I truly desire mittens, like these ones from Outdoor Research. You might wish to put on glove liners or operating gloves as nicely.
Warm scarf. I’m an enormous fan of Speakeasy Travel Supply scarves that include a hidden pocket — they usually have a group of heat heavy weight scarves which are good for Iceland within the winter!
Base layer socks and heat socks (I like to recommend merino wool socks if attainable). Base layer socks, once more, preserve you hotter than simply common socks.
Hot Hands hand heaters. Crack these they usually’ll preserve you heat for hours. These saved my life in Antarctica! They promote particular toe heaters as nicely, however I don’t suppose you want them — hand heaters work for each.
I like to recommend carrying the Hot Hands between your base layer socks and heavier socks, or between your glove liners and mittens. You can even preserve them in your pockets.
Northern lights images gear. The Northern Lights are one among Iceland’s greatest attracts through the winter months. If you’re hoping to see them, you’ll want a tripod, as you could take lengthy publicity pictures to make the colours actually pop.
(You would possibly wish to see my Antarctica packing listing for examples of my winter outfits for being energetic in a chilly surroundings.)
Iceland Packing List
Here it’s: the total packing listing for Iceland.
Clothing
Outerwear
Winter Travelers
Toiletries
Medical
Items to Pack
Camera Gear and Tech Gear
Optional
Should you do laundry in Iceland?
If you’re staying in Iceland for lower than every week, you in all probability don’t must do laundry. But for those who’re staying for longer than every week, you’ll in all probability must.
Top Tip: Book lodging with laundry included midway by your journey. Amanda and I booked an house in Akureyri that had a washer and drying rack. This was good timing and we didn’t should go discover a laundromat!
You can even do laundry within the sink for those who’d like. Bring journey laundry detergent if that’s the case.
What NOT to Bring to Iceland
Here are some issues that you just completely don’t must deliver to Iceland:
Umbrella. If you packed correct rain gear — hooded raincoat, rain pants, waterproof boots, and backpack cowl — it utterly negates the necessity for an umbrella. You received’t use it!
Cash. Iceland accepts bank cards for nearly the whole lot (there are a couple of exceptions, like metropolis buses in Reykjavík). On my most up-to-date two-week journey, neither Amanda nor I used money as soon as.
Dressy garments. You don’t want dressy garments — not even for that nice-looking restaurant in Reykjavík. Wear your nicest sweater and your black mountain climbing pants and also you’ll slot in simply tremendous.
Horseback using gear. Icelanders don’t permit any using gear from international international locations to be worn in Iceland. This is to guard the horses from outdoors pathogens. Please don’t suppose they’ll make an exception for you. They received’t.
A digital camera you don’t know use. Lots of people get fancy new cameras for his or her Iceland journey — however they don’t know use them. Make certain you spend a superb period of time attending to know your digital camera’s settings and working towards earlier than you go to Iceland.
More on Iceland:
My Favorite Places in Iceland:
Have you been to Iceland? What did you admire bringing?