What to Pack for Iceland? A Practical Guide.

Iceland is a place of wonders. A nature lovers paradise, it offers extremely diverse landscapes, adorable coastal towns, and endless opportunities to explore. I have visited twice and I know I will be coming back again. Whether you come for a short visit to see the Golden Circle, travel the Ring Road, or trek in the Highlands, my what to pack for Iceland guide will help you ensure you are prepared for your adventure.

Note that my recommendations are for summer months and you should definitely consider warmer clothing if you are visiting during other times of the year.

Iceland Weather and Terrain

Weather in Iceland is always changing, but one thing is constant – wind. You can count on it being your companion throughout your trip and should keep it in mind when packing. Even when it’s a sunny, warm day, the wind will make it cooler. When it’s rainy and cold, the wind will truly make you shiver, even in the middle of summer!

When exploring Iceland, you will inevitably walk on some rough terrains. From sharp volcanic rocks and gravel paths to pebble beaches, so you want to pack good shoes. I recommend hiking shoes with a solid sole if you are going to hike, and at minimum sturdy sneakers if you will be primarily sightseeing.

What to Pack for Iceland for an Active Summer Trip

Both of my trips to Iceland were quite active. One involved traveling the East half of the Ring Road and car-camping along the way, and the other involved hiking the Laugavegur Trail for five days and a few days on the Snæfellsnes Penninsula and in Reykjavik.

I am going to focus on what I packed for my five days trekking adventure on the Laugavegur Trail, and then recommend how this can be adapted for a more typical tourist visit. I kept in mind a few key considerations – even in summer, the Highlands can be very cold (think snow), there is nothing to buy along the way (be prepared!), and I would have to carry everything for five days (pack light!). I wanted to ensure I carried no more than 25 pounds, had what I needed to stay warm, and brought enough food.

Clothes

Here is my clothes list.

• • 3 moisture wicking short sleeve shirts

• • 2 long sleeve shirts

• • 1 warm fleece

• • 1 rain jacket

• • 2 sets of leggings

• • 1 pair of water-resistant hiking pants

• • 3 pairs of quality hiking socks

• • 2 sports bras

• • Underwear

• • Hat & gloves

• • Swimsuit  

• • Hiking boots

• • Water shoes

• • Microfiber towel

Lessons on clothes: Good wind and rain jacket is key to protect you from wind. Hat and gloves are important and I also bought a buff in one of the huts that ended up being an all-around useful item. Because weather changes quickly, it’s always good to have extra layers handy, even on short hikes. I didn’t bring rain pants and managed well with solid water-resistant hiking pants (maybe lucky).

During my first visit to Iceland, I broke a toe slipping on a rock when wading a creek. So for my second visit, I had good water shoes for the many river crossings on the Laugavegur Trail. I also bought new La Sportiva hiking boots with very solid sole for this trip and was happy with them.

I probably could have done without a few pieces but I value some small comforts when I am roughing it on the trail for hours every day.

Food

I arrived to Iceland with carefully planned meals for five days on the Laugavegur Trail. The only thing I supplied for the trek in Reykjavik was bread and cheese for sandwiches. My breakfasts consisted of oatmeal, nuts, dried fruits, and almond or peanut butter. My snacks included granola and protein bars. Lunches were cheese sandwiches and dinners were freeze-dried meals I bought in REI and instant ramen noodles. I aimed to have a total of 6-7 pounds of food for the trek but might have been a little over once the sandwiches from the hearty Icelandic bread were added. Knowing I would be burning some 3,000+ calories a day, I needed a good plan.

Lessons on food: I prefer sweet snacks, but often craved salty snacks on the trail. My friends generously traded theirs with me for my granola bars and chocolate. Next time, I will pack a mix of both. Even though they are a little pricier, the freeze-dried meals were a great idea because they were light, easy to make, and truly a treat at the end of the long day.

All the Other Stuff

Because we stayed in huts that had basic mattresses, bathrooms, and kitchen, we didn’t need to bring a tent or cooking equipment. I had a sleeping bag, inflatable pillow, and eye mask (in summer, it’s bright most of the night). I packed a small toiletry kit with toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, mascara, dry shampoo, face moisturizer, and sunscreen. Since the huts have no electricity, I also needed a power bank to charge my phone and camera. In addition, I made good use of my trekking poles and refillable water pack. Lastly, I packed a small first aid kit and a light daypack for our first and last day on the trail when we were hiking around the base without our full pack.

I considered bringing my Gregory Jade 38L pack but was worried I would not fit everything in. I ended up buying  Gregory Jade 63L. I love the Gregory Jade packs because they are light and fit well my body shape. I had some extra space in my pack towards the end as the food was disappearing but was glad I brought the larger pack. When flying to Iceland, I put the pack in a large canvas duffel bag so that the straps of my pack would not get torn in the several flights I took before arriving to Iceland. We stored our extra stuff for the non-trekking part of the trip in our guesthouse in Reykjavik.