What To Wear In Iceland In January (2026) Tips From An Icelander

If you’re planning on coming to Iceland in January, prepare for the cold!

Getting ready for the Icelandic winter can be daunting.

In this post, I’ll quickly go over the main things to pack for Iceland in January.

I’ll touch on;

• What to expect from the weather in January
• What to pack for Iceland in January

Make sure to read until the end so you can make an informed decision and stay warm in Iceland!

we’ve also made a quick no-nonsense video about it!

Check it out!

So let’s jump into it!

The Weather In Iceland In January

As a local, even I don’t know what’s going on with the weather sometimes. 

It changes fast and you can expect a lot of different ‘seasons’ in a single day.

The average temperature ranges from -1°C (30°F) – +1°C (33°F)

So it’s not THAT cold…or is it?

You see, what makes Iceland cold is the wind and then the ever-present possibility of rain.

In January, you have about a 50% chance of getting a rainy day. Which is why you’ll need good waterproof gear.

Then there’s the wind…

The wind is quite strong in January. We get more storms during the winter months and it somehow always blows in your face (it’s like this island hates us).

But because you’re reading this you’ll be safe! I’ll tell you how to handle that pesky wind in the next section.

We’re starting to get longer days (but they’re still quite short).

As annoying as that is, it’s also quite magical. Waking up in the darkness and seeing the sunrise at around 10 am is a weird experience. 

Weather warnings

You can expect weather warnings during this period.

Most of the time it’s a yellow warning, which is annoying but nothing to cancel your trip over.

Then we have an orange warning, that’s when things get serious and you probably shouldn’t drive.

Then finally we have a red warning, the most serious warning. That’s when you stay inside.

But if you’re in a town when a red warning is happening, it can be quite fun to go out for a bit and experience it.

As always, be careful, though!

Now that you know what to expect, how can you prepare for it?

The Main Things To Pack For Iceland In January

Now we’re ready to go over what to pack for your trip to Iceland!

Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up.

Socks

You want warm, thick socks. 

Preferably ones that dry quickly, should your feet become wet. 

Wool, merino wool, running socks, and so forth are good choices. 

If you have water-resistant socks, then all the better! Though not necessary. 

Outdoor Boots

Outdoor boots in January are. a. must.

As I´ve mentioned, it’s cold, windy, and rainy. 

And a surefire way to have a bad time in Iceland is walking around with cold and wet feet.

You’ll want boots that are breathable and waterproof…kind of like these ones!

They should be mid or high top to prevent the snow from getting in.

That also means that they are good for a glacier hike! Which everyone should do!

Outdoor pants

Water-resistant and windproof pants are vital in January. 

You’ll be exploring some wet places (Like Seljalandsfoss and Reynisfjara).

The pants will keep you warm and ready to explore by keeping the wind and rain away from you. 

I’d not come to Iceland without a pair…or rent them!

Thermal underwear

Having a thin but warm baselayer is very important for Icelandic temperature. 

Something that breathes and dries fast. Because you’ll be sweating under all of those layers. 

Merino wool is my go to, but synthetic material is also fine.

Moving on to the upper body…

A thick sweater

A sweater is great to have as a layer.

But you’ll want thermal underwear underneath. 

You might want to bring two, in case one gets wet. Also, make sure that it breathes.

A Hoddie

A Hoodie is a great item to bring to Iceland.

It’s a good idea to bring a hoodie that’s from a sportsbrand, since they tend to breahte better.

They can be a bit thick sometimes, which will make you sweat, so keep that in mind.

That’s why I recommend a hoodie from a sportsbrand

Fleece sweater

The fleece sweater is probably my go to mid layer.

It’s warm, usually reaches all the way up your neck and it breahtes well.

One thing to note.

Some fleece sweaters are really good…like too good for a mid layer.

If yours can keep out the wind, that is usually an indicator that it is going to be too warm as a mid layer.

So make sure it is light and warm!

Scarf

I have mixed feelings about a scarf in Iceland.

If you’ve layered yourself up properly and are wearing a good outer layer, you really can’t fit a scarf on your neck.

Or maybe I just don’t like wearing scarves. 

My point is, a scarf can help, but you shouldn’t rely on it to protect your neck. And I would recommend bringing a small scarf.

But maybe I’m in the minority.

This leads me to…

Parka

This is the main item of clothing you should be wearing in Iceland. 

The big boy himself…The parka

We here at IcelandCover absolutely adore this jacket for Iceland (which is why we rent it out!)

It’s waterproof, breathable, and made for extreme conditions.

It is the lynchpin in all my recommendations above.

By wearing the parka, you won’t need as many layers as you normally would, and it’s an item that every single Icelander owns and uses all winter long.

We’ve written a blog specifically about the parka and WHY it’s the best garment for Iceland, check it out!

Windbreaker/Raincoat

I won’t lie, I’m not a fan of this combo during January.

In the summer you can get away with it but in winter, you’ll need a lot of layers to stay warm.

The windbreaker isn’t warm and neither is the raincoat. 

So you’ll need a lot of layers in order to protect yourself from the elements.

If that’s the only option for you, then, of course, go for it, however, a parka is simply better in every aspect when it comes to winter.

Gloves and beanies

Bring gloves. 

They don’t need to be waterproof, just something to keep your fingers warm.

The gloves don’t need to be super thick. 

Something similar to this one;

But not this one.

And regarding hats…bring one, 100%.

Crampons

Crampons are a must during January.

We’ll have a lot of snow an ice so you can expect to slip!

Hand warmers

Hand warmers can also be a good idea for those that are always cold.

If you’re wearing good thick gloves, like the ones we rent, then you probably won’t need it.

BUT!

It doesn’t hurt to have them!

Directions on how to dress

If you’re looking for what to wear for your trip to Icelad in other months of the year, check out this article right here.

In it, we link to all the other articles we’ve written on what to wear for each month, so it’ll be easy to find!

That’s it!

If you follow my list then you’ll be just fine.

I’ve gone over what to expect from Icelandic winter and how to pack for Iceland in January.

And if you want to save some space in the bag, check out our selection of outdoor clothes