How to dress for Iceland? Fourteen tips for dealing with weather volatility

Fourteen tips on how to dress in Iceland

How to dress in Iceland? I get this question a lot, and it is understandable. Iceland’s volatile weather is world-famous.
The short answer: dress in layers — a breathable base layer (wool or dry-fit, never cotton), a warm mid layer like an Icelandic wool sweater, and a waterproof outer shell. Add sturdy waterproof footwear, gloves, and a hat in every season. Iceland’s weather can swing from sun to sleet within an hour, so you adjust by adding or removing layers, not by packing one heavy coat. Want to dive deeper? Here are 14 tips for dressing in Iceland, based on my personal experience.

Tip 1: Expect the unexpected.

A well-worn phrase about the Icelandic weather is ‘Don’t like the weather? Just wait five minutes.’ Whoever came up with that phrase forgot to add: ‘You might dislike it even more then, so be grateful for what you got now.’ The answer to how to dress for Iceland can perhaps best be answered with this bit of anecdote. I was hiking the Laugavegur trail in high summer. I had a large backpack with clothes for every contingency. The worst thing on hikes in Iceland is cotton or denim. These fabrics absorb water, stay cold, and have contributed to the deaths of inexperienced hikers who venture out in the Icelandic highlands dressed like they are strolling down the main street of Disneyland. Well, Iceland isn’t Disneyland.

Tip 2: Rent instead of buying

Reduce the hassle of packing bulky clothes for Iceland. Rent from Iceland Cover instead. Remember, by signing up for the Stuck in Iceland Newsletter, you save 10% on the rental price.

Here is the honest arithmetic. A proper waterproof shell, insulated boots and a down parka will cost you real money, fill half your suitcase, and then sit in a cupboard until your next cold-weather trip. If you already own good gear, bring it. If you do not, rent it when you land.

My partners are Iceland Cover, and I verified the terms directly with the owners. Stuck in Iceland readers get 10% off with the code STUCK, or the discount is applied automatically if you book through my link. You pick your items and sizes online, choose your dates, and then either collect at their shop on Laugavegur 51 in downtown Reykjavík at no extra charge, or have everything delivered to your hotel in the capital area. Returns work the same way in reverse — leave the gear at your hotel reception, and they collect it.

They rent parkas, waterproof jackets and trousers, hiking boots, gloves and hats, plus camping kit: tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear, crampons and hiking poles. According to Davíð, one of the owners, people rent the parka and hiking boots most.

Tip 3: Dry fit fits Iceland

On my Laugavegur hike, I used every item of clothing in my backpack, every day, many times. So perhaps I started in the early morning in cold, high wind, and driving rain. Underneath a waterproof shell jacket, I had a dry-fit t-shirt and a dry-fit sweater. I wore sturdy hiking boots, woolen socks, shorts, dry-fit hiking trousers, and softshell trousers. I had a shirt made from Icelandic wool in my bag for those cold nights. Then an hour later, the sun was out, and the wind died down. It became a race to get out of these layers, and I was down to my shorts and t-shirt. I stuffed my backpack with all the protective clothing. And so on.

Tip 4: Icelandic wool is a magical shield of heat

I also remember being on the Vatnajökull glacier when a robust northern wind hit us, and people were hunkered down, waiting to see if we would literally have to crawl down because of the bad weather. But I took out my Icelandic woolen sweater and put it on. Then I put my windproof jacket over it. It was like being cloaked in a shield of heat. Waiting it out on the windswept and barren glacial plain until things calmed down was just fine by me.

Tip 5: Explaining layers

I am going to talk about layers a lot. But what does that mean? Well, layering is simply the practice of wearing multiple clothing items instead of just one or two. For example, if you are going on a hike, you might wear very thick trousers that you hope will protect you from the elements. But this is a mistake. You might be OK at first, but then things start to heat up. You will be super hot and drenched in sweat. As a result, you will not get any joy from your hike. A better option is breathable wool underwear. Wear thin dry-fit shorts, dry-fit pants, and a softshell outer layer that blocks wind and protects against rain. All of these items ‘breathe,’ reducing sweating. Since you are wearing layers, you can add or remove them as needed. In other words, If things heat up sufficiently, ditch your shell and trousers and show off your beautiful legs.

Tip 6: Treat your feet right

In Iceland, wear waterproof shoes and boots. If you are going on a hike or joining a glacier tour, I recommend sturdy hiking boots and quality hiking socks. Never go on an Icelandic glacier alone. Join a tour with an experienced guide. Make sure you have broken in your hiking boots before going on hikes. Never use brand-new hiking shoes on a rigorous hike. Avoid sweating to prevent blistering. Pro-tip. Wear blister bandages on your trek to avoid blisters on your toes and heels.

In winter, if you are coming to Iceland, expect things to be snowy, cold, and wet. In summer, expect a little less cold and wet! Trail-running shoes are good to wear when you are getting around in the summer. Of course, hiking boots would be complete overkill for a summer road trip.

Tip 7: Trousers

Yet again, think layers. You will need protection from wind, rain, and cold. In winter, add snow, frost, and sleet into the mix. Avoid jeans or anything made out of cotton when hiking. Wear waterproof softshell trousers over dry-fit trousers.

Tip 8 on how to dress for Iceland: All about jackets and sweaters

A good down jacket is essential for winter. These long nights, when you are hunting for the northern lights, are freezing! I also like woolen sweaters or dry-fit sweaters. In summer, you want jackets that are water and wind-resistant.

Tip 9: Be seen all night long

Please wear reflectors if you are out and about in the dark Icelandic winter.

Tip 10: Keep your extremities warm. Wear gloves, socks, and hats

I would always keep gloves and hats handy. Don’t wear leather gloves. They look good, but I find them to get cold, especially in winter. I would choose rugged, water-resistant gloves. I advise against cotton socks for long walks or hikes, especially winter.

Use woolen socks instead. They’re an excellent option for hiking. Have backup gloves, hats, and socks if things get wet. I like to wear dry-fit shorts for those trips to swimming pools, baths, and spas here in Iceland.

Tip 11: How to dress for Iceland if the sun is out?

Yes, the sun does shine in Iceland, and like most things here, it can get a bit extreme. In fall and spring, the sun is low on the sky, and this can cause drivers to be blinded. So bring sunglasses to Iceland! And if you are on a glacier and the sun is shining, please make sure that you apply sunscreen and a lot of it. The white surface magnifies sunlight. The sun is also intense in summer, so bring sunscreen and sunglasses, count your blessings, and enjoy!

Tip 12: How to dress in Iceland when going out on the town in Reykjavik?

Wear your regular clothes, but remember to stay warm. You are not ascending to a glacier, although the weather can get ‘interesting,’ of course. Remember, you may not want to look like somebody going up on the Vatnajökull glacier on a Saturday night in downtown Reykjavik. Icelanders like to dress up smartly when they are on the town. Blend in if you can!

Tip 13: Crampons can be a good piece of safety gear in Iceland during winter

People often ask if they need crampons. If you are visiting in summer and not going anywhere near a glacier, the answer is no; you don’t need crampons. And you should never go alone on an Icelandic glacier anyway; they are death traps for the untrained. Travel companies always provide crampons if you are going up a glacier, so you are covered. If you are hiking or walking long distances in Iceland in winter, you should consider having crampons handy. If you visit a waterfall such as Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, or Skógafoss in winter, watch for icy conditions; crampons can be a good safety tool. They can also help if you explore a place like Thingvellir in winter, because it can get very slippery. Crampons are, however, rarely needed if you are strolling around Reykjavik.

One more thing. Crampons are heavy, awkward, and airline staff sometimes ask questions about them. You do not need to fly with a pair. Iceland Cover rents them along with everything else, so you can decide when you get here and see what the weather is doing.

Tip 14: Get weather forecasts in Iceland on your phone and stay safe!

Follow the weather reports and forecasts at the Icelandic Met Office when in Iceland. Always follow the advice given on the Safe Travel website.

Dressing for Iceland in autumn: September to November

Autumn is my favorite season for showing people around, and it is the season visitors pack for worst. They see “September” on the calendar and think late summer. September in Iceland is not late summer. It is early winter with better light.

Three things change from the summer picture.

The wind does the damage, not the cold

Autumn temperatures sit around 5 to 10°C in September and drift toward freezing by November. That sounds manageable. It is not manageable at 20 meters per second with rain coming at you sideways, which is the norm here. A genuinely windproof shell will do more for you in autumn than a thick coat will.

The daylight goes fast

Through September and October, Iceland loses roughly seven minutes of daylight every single day. Plan your driving and your sightseeing around the light, and start carrying a head torch and reflectors from late September.

You will be standing still outdoors, in the dark, on purpose

Northern lights season begins in earnest in September. Hunting the aurora means standing in a cold field, not moving, sometimes for an hour or more. Hiking keeps you warm because your body is producing heat. Standing still does not. Bring one layer more than you think you need: a down jacket, proper gloves, a hat that covers your ears, and warm wool socks. Every autumn I meet people who did a three-hour aurora tour in a light rain jacket, and the only thing they remember about it is the shivering.

From late October onward, add ice to the picture. Pavements in Reykjavík turn slick, and the gravel paths at waterfalls become skating rinks.

Dressing for Iceland in winter: December to March

Winter is the season people over-pack for and still get wrong. They arrive braced for Arctic cold and bring a thick parka, then discover that the temperature is hovering around freezing and the real problems are wind, wet and ice.

It is wetter than it is cold

Reykjavík spends most of the winter within a few degrees of freezing. That is warmer than Chicago or Berlin, and it is also worse, because snow here arrives wet and rain arrives sideways. Waterproofing matters more than insulation. A thick coat that soaks through will leave you colder than a thin one that stays dry.

The ice is what actually hurts people

Between thaw and freeze, pavements and car parks glaze over. Every winter, visitors go home with a sprained wrist from a fall outside a hotel, not from anything adventurous. Boots with real grip are the single most useful thing you can own here in January, and crampons are worth having in the boot of the car.

The light is short, so plan around it

Around the solstice, Reykjavík gets somewhere near four or five hours of proper daylight. That is enough for one good outing, not three. Reflectors are not optional, and a head torch earns its space in the bag.

Ice caves and aurora mean standing still in the cold

The two things most people come for in winter both involve being stationary outdoors after dark or inside a glacier. Dress for standing, not for walking: thermal base layer, wool mid layer, down jacket, windproof shell over the top, and gloves you can still operate a camera in.

The Iceland packing list

Base layer, against your skin

• Wool or dry-fit long-sleeved top
• Wool or dry-fit long johns — essential October through April
• Wool socks, at least three pairs
• No cotton. Cotton holds water and holds cold.

Mid layer, for warmth

• Icelandic wool sweater or a fleece
• Down jacket — essential in winter, useful in autumn, worth having in summer for the evenings
• Dry-fit trousers

Outer layer, for weather

• Waterproof and windproof shell jacket with a hood
• Waterproof over-trousers

Both need to be actually waterproof, not “water resistant.”

Extremities

• A hat that covers your ears
• Water-resistant gloves, plus a spare pair
• Waterproof walking boots, broken in before you travel
• Trail running shoes for summer sightseeing and road trips

Everything else

• Sunglasses, year-round. The low autumn and spring sun blinds drivers.
• Sunscreen. Glaciers magnify sunlight.
• Reflectors, September through April
• Swimsuit and a quick-dry towel. You will end up in a pool.
• Blister plasters
• A small dry bag for your phone

Leave at home

• Jeans, for anything beyond town
• Cotton, for anything beyond town
• Umbrellas. They do not survive here. I have watched a great many of them die.

Do not want to carry any of this across an ocean? Rent it in Reykjavík from Iceland Cover with the code STUCK for 10% off, and arrive with hand luggage.

Frequently asked questions about dressing for Iceland