The Travel Buddha
You can find a printable pdf version of the Iceland outdoor clothing list above, here. You may also want to check out my master packing for Iceland list, The Ultimate Iceland Packing List, a packing list that includes everything you should consider taking to Iceland.
Iceland Outdoor Clothing List
| Item | Description | Rationale / Purpose | What I Use / Recommend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rain Jacket | Wind & Waterproof and breathable (Outermost Layer - Layer 3) | Keep you dry and blocks the wind and can be worn with or without other layers | Columbia Men's Watertight II Rain Jacket |
| Rain Pants | Wind & Waterproof and breathable (Outermost Layer - Layer 3) | Keeps you dry and blocks the wind - make sure all seams are sealed | Columbia Rebel Roamer Rain Pant |
| Packable Puffer Jacket | Warm by lightweight (Middle Layer - Layer 2) | Warmth - wear over layer 1 fleece when really cold. Look for something lightweight but warm. This jacket is cheap, but perfect -> | 32 Degrees Men's Lightweight Packable Jacket |
| Fleece Jacket | Middleweight fleece (Inner Layer - Layer 1) | Warmth - wear alone if not too cold. This is my go-to fleece... soft, warm, breathable... perfection -> | Decathlon Quechua Men's MH120 Hiking Fleece |
| Knit Hats (2 hats) | Lightweight fleece | Take 2 hats in case one gets wet | Lvaiz Winter Fleece Lined Knitted Beanie Hats |
| Gloves (2 pairs) | Lightweight with water resistance | Take 2 pairs in case one gets wet | RIGWARL Gloves for Cool & Cold Weather |
| Neck Gaiter | Breathable, quick-drying | Protection from cold & wind | TICONN Neck Gaiter Face Cover Scarf |
| Hiking Boots / Shoes | Waterproof with good tracking | Even if you aren't hiking extensively, there will be likely be mud and water about. I love my Xero boots... a bit more more expensive, but totally worth it --> | Xero Shoes Ridgeway Waterproof Hiking Boot |
| Walking Shoes | Waterproof, stable, and comfortable | Shoes that would be great indoors and outside while walking around Reykjavik, etc. Nothing better than Vessi's Weekend shoes for just about everything. Again, worth every penny-> | Vessi Weekend Waterproof Shoes |
The best Iceland outdoor clothing will keep you warm, dry, and comfortable. Knowing what to pack for unpredictable Icelandic weather can be a guessing game. I’ll try to make this easier for you by providing some of the top things to consider when choosing outdoor clothing for your Iceland trip. You can click here to jump right to my list of Iceland outdoor clothing recommendations, but I do recommend you read through the entire post to understand why I’m recommending these particular items.
This is written for the moderately active traveler who will spend a significant time outdoors, visiting many of Iceland’s natural wonders, walking around Reykjavik, and taking some day hikes. This is not the outdoor clothing I would recommend for backcountry camping in the Iceland highlands or hiking Landmannalaugar. Let’s get on with it…
Iceland Outdoor Clothing Options
You want outdoor clothing that will be versatile and easy to work with. It’s likely that you will be adding/removing different pieces of clothing often to adjust with the environment. Flexibility is the key when considering what Iceland outdoor clothing to pack. Planning to dress in layers is the best way to go since you can add or remove layers as the weather changes (and the weather in Iceland can change quickly and often). Focus on outdoor clothes that are warm, breathable, and will keep you dry.
Your choices for Iceland outdoor clothing should almost always be made of synthetic materials. The only exceptions to this that I would consider include wool and alpaca. Moisture, cold air, and the wind are no joke in the outdoors. More than uncomfortable, getting wet in Iceland in the wrong circumstances can be life-threatening (cotton kills). Stick with fabrics that have water resistant and quick-drying properties (e.g., polyester, acrylic). Rain isn’t the only thing to consider; the mist from the larger waterfalls can soak you through.
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on each piece of outdoor clothing you buy. Focus on decent quality and durability, then balance that with the item’s price. Expensive can equal quality, but that’s not always the case. For example, my go-to fleece costs under $40 USD (closer to $30 USD with a coupon/sale). It breathes surprisingly well and it’s lightweight. Experiment and find what works best for you. I have a highly-recommended $120 fleece that I rarely wear because it’s way too warm for me.
When it comes to spending money on Iceland outdoor clothes, if you have to pay more for decent wind & waterproof clothing and footwear, do it. As you’ll see in the list below, the items I recommend for these categories are the most expensive items. I have tried other low-cost rain gear and the trade off I have found is that, if they do actually repel water, they are not the least bit breathable. If you’re soaked with sweat inside your rain gear, then what’s the point in using rain gear at all? Again, go cheap when you can, but this is not one of the times be cheap.
Below is an Iceland outdoor clothing packing list that is best aligned with traveling to the country during the Spring – Fall months (April – October). I would pack similar items for winter, but with greater focus on warmth (e.g., heavy winter coat, ski gloves, balaklava). Where applicable, I’ve included links to items that I use & recommend.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comments section or send me a message – I’d love to hear from you!