What to Pack for Iceland in Winter: Tips from a Local 

Are you wondering what to pack for Iceland in winter? 

Then you’re in the right place!  

In this packing guide, you’ll find

1. A brief overview of the items you should bring
2. What the weather is like
3. What to pack for layers
4. What outdoor clothes to pack and why
5. Some items not to forget

This is your packing guide to keep warm no matter what Iceland throws your way.  

Packing List overview 

Clothing: 

• Thermal base layer tops (merino wool but synthetic material is OK)

• Wool, fleece sweaters or Hoodie, sweater from a sports brand (for breathability) 

• options
  • Shell (early winter) 
  • Puffer jacket (deep winter)
  • Parka (best over all option)
• Outdoor pants for the rain, wind, and snow.

Footwear: 

• Boots that are
  • high or mid top
  • Gore-tex or smiilar
  • Leather (I like leather)
  • Good grip

• Crampon/ice cleats 

Accessories: 

• Hat 

• Gloves (thick and should be able to handle some water

• Scarf or neck warmer (neck warmer is better) 

• Sunglasses 

• Foot warmers and hand warmers 

Extras: 

• Swimsuit 

• Daypack 

• Moisturizer and lip balm 

• European power adapter 

• Water bottle 

And here is WHY you want to have these items!

The Weather During Icelandic Winters 

Winter season in Iceland typically falls between late October to March.  

Temperatures range between -1°C to 4°C (30°F to 39°F) but with wind chill, it will definitely feel colder.  

Snow, wind, freezing rain, and occasional sunlight are all included in a single day! 

The layers 

1. Base Layer (Against Your Body) 

This is your first line of defense against the cold.  

I like merino wool but synthetic material is just fine!  

Cotton is a no-no as this holds wetness and will cause you to feel colder once it gets wet. 

You can of course wear a T-shirt as well, but I wouldn’t recommend that over the thermals.  

2. Mid Layer (Insulation) 

I am a huge fan of a fleece sweater but here are some other options 

Wool sweaters 

Lightweight down jacket 

Hoodie or sweater from a sports brand  

Sweat pants 

Fleece lined leggings 

The goal of the mid layer is to keep you warm, but also breathe well so you don’t sweat as much or as quick. 

3. Outer Coat (Weather Protection) 

For early winter (October – beginning of December) You can wear a shell and a bunch of layers. 

But once we get into deep winter (Middle of December – end of Marc) you want to be wearing the winter parka. 

In my opinion it is the best garment for the winter in Iceland and I wear it all the time from October – March. 

Another option for deep winter is the puffer jacket. Though you’ll want to have a shell to put on top of it since it won’t handle a lot of water.  

What to Wear for your legs 

You’ll want to wear outdoor pants to protect form the wind, rain, and snow. 

Ski pants are a bit overkill, but if you’re prone to cold can be a solid option. 

Though I would personally always choose thermals + sweatpants + outdoor pants over ski pants. Since once you start walking, you’ll probably just sweat a lot.  

But that’s just me! 

The Appropriate Footwear 

I can not overstate how important it is to wear good shoes. 

They should be mid or high top in order to keep the snow out of you shoes. It’s also good for glacier hikes.  

I like my hiking boots to be made out of leather and gore-tex. 

But there are many ways to make a shoe and as long as it has good grip, ankle support and can handle a lot of water, you’re good to go! 

Then for deep winter, you should have crampons. 

The roads will be icy and if you’re going to traveling, you can expect icy conditions.  

For more information on what to wear, check out this article we wrote about how to dress for Iceland in winter 

Winter Accessories Making a Significant Difference 

• Hat: Wear one that covers your ears. 

• Mittens or Gloves: Thick, warm, and should handle a bit of water. 

• Scarf or Neck Gaiter: I’m not a fan of scarves, but you do you! A neck gaiter would be smarter. 

• (Merino) Wool Socks: half of the socks should be thick. So for a 6 day trip, you should have at least 3 thick socks. 

• Hand & Foot Warmers: Great for those that are prone to cold. 

• Sunglasses: Snow glare can be intense and if you’re driving it is very good to have. 

• Lip Balm & Moisturizer: The air here is very dry! And you should always moisturize.  

Additional Items NOT to Forget 

• Quick-Dry Towel & Swimsuit: Most hotels will have this. But might be good to have if you plan on going to a local swimming pool. 

• Power Adapter: Type F sockets (aka European). Iceland uses them. 

• Reusable Water Bottle: Safe, clean, and delicious water to drink. 

• Daypack: Great for snacks, layering clothes, and your camera. 

Rent vs. Carry: A Smart Packing Alternative 

If you don’t own good winter clothing, you should consider renting it.  

That way, you can just bring a carry-on! And it helps simplify what you need to pack for Iceland in the winter.

We here at IcelandCover have all the items you need to stay warm and enjoy Iceland.  

So save money and space in the bag and rent what you need! 

Renting is a great option for you if; 

• You are just here for a few days 

• You must or want to, save space in your luggage 

• You don’t want to spend money on pricey equipment that you will not reuse 

Month-by-Month Winter Packing Tips 

October: Chilly – Cold. Warm mid layers and thin – thick outer layers. 

Thermals – Yes and good socks 

Mid layers – Fleece 

Outer layer – Shell or parka and outdoor pants 

Boots – 100% 

Beanie and Gloves – Always 

November to February: Complete winter clothing is necessary.  

Thermals – yes! And good socks 

Mid layer – Fleece sweater + maybe another thinner sweater underneath (for northern lights for example) 

Outer layers – Winter parka and outdoor pants 

Boots – yes! 

Crampons –  Yes! 

Beanie and gloves – Normal beanie, thick gloves.  

March: Spring transition begins…sort of, but witner can linger on, and March can be super cold. I’d still wear all the same items as from November to Ferbuary. 

Thermals – yes! And good socks  

Mid layer – Fleece sweater, and be ready for a cold month.  

Outer layers – Winter parka and outdoor pants  

Boots – yes! 

Crampons – Yes! 

Beanie and gloves – Normal beanie, thick gloves. 

Wrapping Up 

I hope you have a better understanding of what you need to pack for the winter in Iceland. 

And if you don’t want to own the items you need, come rent them! 

If you’re wearing our clothes, you’re all set to tackle the Icelandic weather and make the best of your winter trip!