Outdoor clothing for Iceland 2026 (South Coast trip)

If you’re coming to Iceland and you’re wondering what outdoor clothing do you need for the south coast, then you’re in the right place!

You’ll definitely have to be prepared.

The South Coast of Iceland is full of amazing places.

Which is why so many people decide to go there!

But there’s a catch.

The south coast can be ruthless to those who are unprepared.

So let’s get you prepared!

In this post, I’ll be talking about;

What weather to expect on the south coast
What outdoor equipment you’ll need in winter
What clothing you’ll need for the south coast in summer
Activities on the south coast that you’ll need good clothing for

So let’s get to it!

Outdoor clothing for the south coast of Iceland

Having traveled quite a few times to the south coast myself, I can tell you that not being prepared can lead to less time outside enjoying nature and more time inside the car.

Which is not what we want!

The first step is knowing what you’re up against.

What type of weather to expect on the south coast?

The south coast, just like Iceland, is rather tricksy when it comes to weather.

In the summertime, you can expect beautiful summer days with clear skies.

As well as extreme winds and rain.

And very rarely, snow.

That’s why your clothes need to be water and wind-resistant. This is very common in every post that talks about what to wear in Iceland.

That’s because it’s true!

The aim is to be prepared for everything.

This leads me to…

Activities on the south coast

There is a lot to do on the south coast…A LOT.

And in order to enjoy it to the fullest, you have to be well equipped.

Since a lot of the activities will leave you drenched!

Here is a quick rundown of what you want to do that you’ll want to do and need good clothing for!

Seljalandsfoss

Skógarfoss

Reynisfjara

ATV aircraft wreck

Glacier hike

Golden Circle

You can check out our blog about the Golden Circle right here!

Horseback riding near Vík

There’s tons of stuff to do on the south coast!

But let’s jump into the main reason for this post!

Weather warnings in Iceland

One thing before we get into the clothes.

And it’s about the weather warnings.

We have 3 warnings.

Yellow – very windy, but managable. Be careful and double-check conditions

Orange – Much more serious. Don’t drive and be careful. Tours will be canceled and some roads closed

Red – Just stay inside. Everything is canceled. don’t drive.

These warnings will change a lot of how you travel and you should be aware of them

They are more frequent and intense in the winter time.

They will also mean you’ll need to wear more layers and better outer layers.

What outdoor clothing for the south coast do you need in the summer?

Let’s start with the summer!

Icelandic summer isn’t super cold, but it isn’t warm either.

You won’t be wearing a t-shirt and shorts every day…or at least don’t plan on it

Layers

For base layers I always recommend the thermal underwear. They will keep you warm and won’t make you sweat.

Some days you won’t need them, other day you’ll be happy you’re wearing them!

For a mid layer, my go-to is the fleece sweater.

It breathes well, dries fast, and keeps you warm.

If it’s not super windy and rainy, that’s all I’d wear.

You can also get away with a regular sweater, or a hoodie in summer. They are just not as good as the fleece.

The most important thing about the base layer is that it can dry quickly.

This is because you’ll most likely encounter wet days and the base layer must be able to dry quickly so that you can stay warm the day after!

Outer Layer

The outer layer should be wind and water-resistant.

A si m ple raincoat, is a good choice for the waterfalls or if you don’t plan on long hikes.

A windbreaker/shell is a great choice for long hikes since it breathes well, and is windproof and water-resistant.

Combine that with a fleece and you’re all set!

If you’re prone to cold you can choose the summer parka,

It’s warmer than the shell and raincoat, but not as breathable as the shell and not as waterproof as the raincoat.

It is a great option for those that are cold all the time.

Shoes

Even in the summer, you need good shoes!

Since you’ll be enjoying waterfalls, beaches, and glaciers you want to have boots with good grip and can withstand the elements, even if it’s only for a little while.

And don’t forget the rainpants!

You don’t realize how important it is to have dry legs until you’re in the middle of driving the south coast and your pants are drenched!

But what about the winter?

What outdoor clothing do you need in winter for the south coast?

The winter in Iceland is a whole nother beast.

Windier, rainier, colder.

A lot of people underestimate it because the temperature doesn’t seem super.

So what clothing do you need in the winter then?

Socks

In the winter, socks become a bit more important than in the summer.

You’ll want thick socks that dry quickly.

I’ve found thick running socks to be quite good since they tend to keep me warm and they dry fast.

Layers

Layers become super important in the winter.

You’ll want multiple layers ready to go, even if you won’t need them (I’ll talk about that later).

I would recommend a base layer made out of something soft that dries quickly.

Like the merino wool thermals.

Then on top of that, I’d add a hiking sweater/fleece sweater/wool sweater.

Something that breathes well and keeps you warm.

A hoodie and sweater can work, just make sure they are from a sports brand.

Now onto the outer layers.

Outer Layers

As I mentioned, in the summer, you can wear a shell, raincoat, or a summer parka.

But in the wintertime, you’ll need a lot of layers underneath in order to stay warm.

A 3-layered jacket is a good choice for the wintertime since it provides both protection from the elements as well as warmth.

If you wear a 3 layered jacket you can definitely lose some of the layers underneath. However, you should keep them in your backpack or car just in case.

But I personally, prefer….

The parka