Iceland Packing Guide
We visited Iceland for two weeks in September and trying to figure out what to pack, in such a wide variety of weather conditions, was a bit of a challenge. We read that weather in Iceland can change in the matter of a few minutes. We also saw in the forecast that it would be raining almost every day and would be around 50 degrees the entire trip. It did rain at least half of the days we visited and we also encountered extreme winds. Because we were staying in a camper van, I will also go over the camping items that we brought, and a packing list of items you will need if you plan to tent camp.
Read Next: 14 Day Iceland Itinerary or Camping in Iceland
What Clothing Should I Pack for Iceland?
Rain Pants - I brought with me REI’s Talusphere women’s rain pants, which I just purchased before this trip. I do not typically wear rain pants when I hike, as I usually just wear a rain jacket, but I was glad I purchased some before heading to Iceland. It rained at least half of the days we were there, and with the extreme winds we encountered, I would have been absolutely drenched without them. Rain pants range in price, and this is based on how much protection they provide. The Talusphere pants offer 2.5 layers of breathable waterproof fabric, but they do have their limits. They kept me dry the entire trip, and this was after we decided to hike for a prolonged period of time in 30mph winds and rain. If you are serious about hiking in all weather conditions and want to ensure you are completely dry, I would recommend something with GORE-TEX, such as the REI’s XeroDry GTX pants. Just ensure that you get them a big enough to fit your normal pants. If you are going in the winter, you could also buy insulated water resistant pants instead.
Rain Jacket - This is an essential if you are going to Iceland. I always had this packed in my bag for hikes, and brought it out when it was windy or rainy (which was quite often). I bought mine big enough to fit over my nano puff. I currently have the women’s Marmot Precip Lightweight Waterproof Jacket. I have had this one for years and it has held up well. It also packs down super small in my bag, is pretty affordable, and has great reviews. However, because it is a more affordable jacket, it is not going to be as water resistant as a GORE-TEX jacket. It is great for wind, light rain, or short durations in moderate rain. The only time I have noticed getting damp under my jacket is when I went out in Iceland hiking in moderate rain with high winds for an extended period of time. If you do not mind spending a bit more, Marmot also makes a GORE-TEX version, which you can find here.
Mid Layer Jacket - I have Patagonia’s Nano Puff jacket, as it keeps me warm in mildly cold weather (such as Iceland in the fall), and packs down inside one of its pockets. I can stash it in my bag when I am hiking and it can double as a pillow on the plane. I wore this under my rain jacket every day.
Thermals - If you are staying in a basic camper van or camping in a tent, I think thermals are necessary in Iceland. If you are staying in a heated camper van or a hotel, then I still like them for wearing for those cold rainy days as a base layer to stay warm. Unless you are visiting Iceland in the peak summer months, you will most likely be cold at some point (and maybe even then). I packed REI’s Midweight Base Layer Tights and the matching half-zip top. There are a lot of brands out there, these are just affordable and super comfortable. I have worn them hiking all over the place, and love them.
Gloves - I wear my Underarmour Windstopper gloves when hiking in cold weather, but unfortunately, these are no longer available. If i were to replace them, I would buy something like the North Face Women’s Apex Tip Gloves, as I like something that I can operate my phone with, and they are not super bulky. I did not need these too frequently in Iceland, but they did come in handy a few of the days.
Hat - I wore my stocking cap pretty much every day for hiking and in the evenings at camp. I really like Patagonia’s stocking caps, but my favorite is the men’s Carhartt hat. I did not want to love it this much, but after trying Patagonia, North Face, and REI hats on, this one fit and looked the best. It is also surprisingly warm, and about half the price of the other hats. Maybe I just have a large head?
Hiking Boots - There are so many brands of hiking boots out there, it really depends on what you are looking for. If you want to be able to do some glacier hiking, and strap on crampons easily (needed to hike in the snow or ice), I would suggest something more rigid, like mountaineering boots. I have the La Sportiva Tango TECH GTX boots. They are GORE TEX and are pretty rugged boots for all types of terrain. I actually bought the mens’ version, as my feet are on the wider side, and they are perfect. La Sportiva is an Italian brand so they are a bit more narrow than American brands. I wear them for everything and will replace them someday with another pair, once they wear out. If snow hiking is not your thing and you do not hike a lot in general, you might want to try something lighter weight and less rugged, such as the Adidas’ Terrex Hiking Shoes. I have a super old version of the GORE TEX version of these, which I loved. They felt and looked like athletic shoes, except with a lot more grip and water resistance. They are also more affordable than La Sportiva’s mountaineering boots.
Socks - I did not think that hiking socks were a big deal when I first started hiking. I now realize they are a HUGE deal. When I am on my feet all day it is so important to have something that is comfortable, moisture wicking, supportive, and durable. Hiking socks can be super expensive and one pair alone can sell for $20. I have never spent that much on a single pair, as I tend to buy socks in 3 or 4 packs. I also prefer cushioned hiking socks and I want them long, so my hiking boots do not chaff. Merrell’s cushioned performance hiking socks checked all my boxes, and so far I’ve been very pleased with them.
Swimsuit - If you are traveling to Iceland - you must not forget your suit! Iceland is famous for its hot springs, baths, and thermal pools. Although, if you do forget this item (I left mine at a spa in Iceland), the mall in Reykjavík has many options. I actually bought one from H&M there, after losing mine.
What Should I Pack to Hike in Iceland?
Day Pack - We both brought our backpacks with water reservoirs, as we planned on doing some hiking in Iceland, and the water reservoirs hardly take up any space when they are not in use. We both have Camelbak brand bags, and I have had mine for about 10 years. I am actually in need of a new one, but it has held up well over all these years. If I were to replace mine, I would buy the Camelbak Helena 20 or the Helena 26 (packs are measured in liters). I have found this size perfect for day hiking trips, where I will have my 2L water reservoir, camera with a lens, rain jacket, and a few snacks with.
Rain Cover - This is a necessity if you are hiking with your pack in Iceland. It has saved my gear so many times and has kept my bag dry. I did not have one for the first few years I started hiking, and I wished I would have. It is only $15, and is easy to stash in your bag and pull out when you need to. You can find the Camelbak one I have here. Just make sure to check that the size is the correct one for your bag, as it comes in S/M or L.
Headlamp - While you do not have to have a headlamp with you, I recommend it if you ever plan to hike for sunrise or sunset. They are relatively inexpensive and keep your hands free. They also are great for wearing around camp at night. After doing a lot of research, I purchased the 300 lumens Petzl one here. If you are looking for a slightly cheaper option, they also make a 250 lumen version, here.
Hiking Poles - Whether or not you need these depend on what kind of hiking you are planning on doing, if you have bad knees, etc. I use my hiking poles when I am doing long distance hiking or lots of climbing and descending, to save my knees, but other times they become cumbersome. We probably did 3-4 hikes in Iceland where poles would be nice, but again, not absolutely necessary. Mine are super lightweight and compact, so I bring them anywhere just in case I need them, and they stow nicely on the outside of bags that have pole straps. I use the Black Diamond poles, which you can find here. I have found the grip comfortable and they are easy to collapse when I no longer need them.
What Camping Equipment Will I Need?
You can actually rent camping equipment if you do not want to bring you own with or if you do not want to purchase your own. You can rent equipment in Iceland here. You also have the option of renting equipment through your camper van agency. For example, we rented a cooler through ours, but brought our own camping pillows, sleeping bags, and sleeping bag liners. Most camper vans already come with a camping stove, pans, and dishes.
Tent (if you are not in a camper van) - I use the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL, but it is made for backpacking, so therefore pretty expensive. You can find much more affordable tents if you are not looking for something ultra lightweight, such as the Big Agnes Blacktail tent. I always get a three person tent, even though there is only two of us, for the extra room.
Sleeping Bag - We rented a camper van without a heater, as it was much more affordable. However, it was September, and was around 50 degrees at night, or colder. We packed our own sleeping bags in our suitcase, rather than paying to rent one for 2 weeks, which would be expensive (depending on the temperature rating). I brought my Nemo Forte 35 degree bag. I also brought a sleeping bag liner, as it ends up giving more warmth to your bag, on those colder nights. It also keeps the inside of your bag clean, as you can just wash the liner. I have the Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor liner, which adds up to 25 degrees of warmth to my bag, which you can find here. The other option is to just purchase a warmer bag, and I recently bought the Nemo Forte 20 degree bag, for camping in cold temperatures.
Camping Pillow - We just brought our own inflatable pillows because it cost less than renting them for two weeks, and I did not like the idea of a used pillow. Also, they pack super small. They are not as comfortable as normal pillows, but perfect for camping or traveling. If you are looking for something compact AND comfortable, try the Therm-a-rest one here. If you are looking for something very compact (which I like for backpacking), try this one.
Sleeping Pad - If you are renting a camper van, it will come with a mattress, and you do not need to worry about this. However if you are tent camping, you either have to rent one or bring one. Again, if you are going 2 full weeks, you can probably buy one that would be around the same price as renting one. For an affordable, insulated, and comfortable one, try the Klymit Static V. I really like this one for the price. It packs down small and is still insulated, so it keeps you warm at night. If you do not care so much about insulation, Klymit makes a more affordable one, here. I actually have used both, as my husband has the non-insulated one. They are both comfortable, but his is more compact than mine.
Microfiber Towel - We both brought compact microfiber towels for our showers and the hot springs, as these dry so much faster than a traditional towel. They are perfect for traveling and if you are camping, you will definitely need it, but they also came in handy when we visited the natural hot springs. I have this one here, and it is super absorbent and packs down small.
