Iceland Winter Packing List: What to Wear in Iceland in Winter!

Heading to Iceland in the winter and wondering what you should bring? You’ve come to the right place! 

Famous for its Northern Lights, ice caves, waterfalls, thermal baths, and stunning winter landscapes, Iceland is amongst my favourite winter destinations. 

I ruminated over what to wear in Iceland in winter before my trip, terrified of not having enough clothes to keep me warm.

From shoes to the best winter layers, this article will give you a rough idea of what to pack for Iceland in winter. 

So what are you waiting for, read on, and start packing for your Iceland in winter trip! 

Haven’t planned your trip yet? Then check out my Iceland in winter itinerary, find out more about how much you should budget for your trip, and how to get from the airport to Reykjavik. 

What is the weather like in Iceland in winter?

Frosty and cold, the weather in Iceland during the winter is part of its charm. Whilst it’s not for everyone, the snowy conditions keep the crowds away and make the landscapes even more majestic. 

December and January are the coldest months in Iceland over winter, and snow is pretty much guaranteed.

The average temperatures sit around zero to just below zero, and range from about -2 °C to 4 °C which can feel colder because of the wind. 

Luckily for you, October and March are the rainiest months. But, you’ll still need waterproof layers in the winter. 

One of the things Iceland is known for is having very changeable weather, so you’ll need to pack for most eventualities.

There’s a saying in Iceland that goes, “If you don’t like the weather in Iceland, just wait five minutes”. It gives you an idea of just how changeable the weather in Iceland is!

Another popular saying in Iceland says, “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” So, let’s get started designing the perfect Iceland winter packing list. 

What to pack for Iceland in winter 

Similarly to my Iceland summer packing list, this Iceland winter packing list is based on what I brought to Iceland for my own trip, and includes how much of each item you would roughly need for a week long trip.

I won’t tell you how many underwear to pack, that’s up to you really, but I include the numbers for essential winter gear.

Shoes

1 Pair of Hiking Boots: There are endless fantastic tours you can go on in Iceland, so you’re going to need a few pairs of shoes.

Arguably the most essential shoes to bring are a pair of sturdy and waterproof hiking boots, which you can use if you’re unlucky with the weather and it rains a lot. 

Haven’t got any hiking boots yet? Then I’d suggest getting them as soon as possible and going on some walks to break them in.

Prices vary a lot between brands (some of the best out there are the likes of Scarpa and Sportiva), but the main thing to look out for is that they’re Gore-Tex, a sure sign they’ll keep your feet dry! 

You’ll need these if you decide to venture into Iceland’s ice caves too, as there are always puddles on the floor. 

1 Pair of Snow Boots: If you’re going to get out and about in the hills, you might want to consider bringing some snow boots.

Whilst a good pair of hiking boots with thick socks will mostly do the trick, if you’re in seriously cold conditions or trekking through thick snow your feet will soon start to feel the cold.

Remember to size up half a size or even a full size on your snow boots and walking shoes, because you’ll be wearing thick socks!

The best thick socks to get are wool socks which can be a bit pricier, but most thick hiking socks will do the job. 

1 Pair of Trainers: Once your heavy-duty shoes are packed, think about bringing a pair of trainers. You can use these for going out to restaurants or lounging in the hotel. 

1 X Flip-Flops: Planning to go to thermal spas whilst you’re there? Then bring some flip-flops along too! 

Trousers

1 Pair of Snow Pants: Temperatures in Iceland in December can drop below zero. Snow pants are definitely a must, especially if you’re someone who gets cold easily. 

If you’re planning to go dog sledding or doing any crazy activities on your Iceland bucket list, the tour companies will kit you out with extra gear, so you don’t need to pack for that.

But you will still need your snow pants for exploring, especially if it’s raining.

2-3 X Thermals: I’d also bring a good pair of thermals, ideally made of merino wool, that you can wear under your other trousers on especially cold days. You can also disguise them under jeans and leggings if you’re going somewhere nice. 

1 X Waterproof Trousers: Remember to bring some waterproof pants for Iceland, to keep you dry on the rainiest days. Test them before your trip – you don’t want to get there and realize they aren’t fully waterproof!

Tops 

2-3 X Thermal tops: Your biggest packing section will probably be your tops. I’d start with some base layers, like vests or long-sleeved merino thermals that you can wear under other clothes.

They’ll also come in handy if it’s cold at night and you need something snug to sleep in. The great thing about merino wool clothes is that they don’t get smelly like other materials.

You can make extra sure of this by air drying your thermals at the end of each day, all you need to do is hang it out on a hanger somewhere in your room. 

Another perk of wool thermals? They’re super lightweight and hardly take up any space in your bag.

I’ll usually only take one thermal, long-sleeve underlayer per trip, but if you’re going for more than a week or two you might want to bring two. 

3-4 X Tops: Lycra and polyester tops aren’t as nice as cotton tops, but they dry quicker and can be great underlayers for doing winter sports in, as they don’t hold onto sweat the same as cotton.

If you’re only going for a week or so, 2-3 should be more than enough. 

2 X Hoodies: Bring along some cozy hoodies or fleece jumpers you’ve got at home that you can use as mid-layers and for lounging in at your unique hotel in Iceland.

Anything comfortable and warm will do, you don’t need to spend loads of money buying new ones.

1 X Waterproof Winter Coat: Something you should give a little more thought is your winter coat. You’ll need something that’s warm and waterproof at the same time. You could invest in a quality ski jacket for instance. 

Some top tips are to look out for features like elastic cuffs, a hood, and a fleece lining. All these things will make it a little warmer, and keep the chill out on windy days. 

Another option is to get a goose-down jacket, which is super warm but gets very clumpy and wet the minute it rains, and layer it with a waterproof top coat. 

Making sure you’ve got a reliable waterproof jacket is super important if you want to get up close to Skogafoss, one of the best waterfalls in Iceland, as the water sprays back at you as it hits the ground. 

Useful Extras & Accessories for Iceland in winter

Your winter packing list for Iceland is almost done! There’s just a few last things to consider. 

1 X Day Pack and Water Bottle: Bring a daypack that has thick padded shoulder straps for comfort and enough room for a water bottle, an extra layer, and things like your wallet and keys. 

1 x Headtorch: If you’re planning on chasing the Northern Lights, a small headtorch will be very convenient! It’ll help you see better in the night while you wait for the Northern Lights to dance over the snowy landscape. 

1 X Hat and Pair of Gloves: Hats and gloves are also a must. Nothing will ruin an incredible day trip like having cold fingers! Waterproof ski gloves are the best for a trip like this.

But you can even layer them on top of a pair of thin touchscreen gloves for convenience. 

1 X Neck Gaiter: Scarves will keep you warm, but a fleece neck gaiter is the best all-round option. They’re guaranteed not to fall off halfway down a ski slope for starters! 

1 X Pocket Warmers and Flask: If your coat isn’t fleece-lined, it might be worth getting some cheap pocket warmers to make up for it. 

Lastly, bring along a thermal mug (I’ve got a Grecale Swell one and I swear by it) to fill with hot tea each morning and chuck in your backpack to sip on when you get cold! 

Final Thoughts on what to pack for Iceland in winter

There you have it, the ultimate Iceland winter packing list! Have you been to such extreme climates before? How did you find it and what did you pack? Let me know in the comments below!

Iceland is a real gem of a winter destination. There’s so much you can do in Iceland in winter, regardless of how long you spend there.

In just one week in Iceland you can experience so much and see so many different landscapes, from the volcanic landscapes of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to the remote Westfjords, or from the iconic geysers of the Golden Circle to the otherworldly glacier lagoon of the South Coast.

It can feel daunting going somewhere with such cold temperatures, especially if you’ve never done it before.

I had already visited Lapland in winter a few years before my Iceland winter trip, so I knew how to approach the cold weather packing, but I was equally as daunted the first time around!

I hope this packing list takes some of the pressure off you and keeps the cold away whilst you’re there, so you can relax and really enjoy your time in Reykjavik and Iceland.

Remember, this list will be the same for a trip to Iceland in December or January, which are typically the coldest months of the year. 

Now it’s time for you to start packing and get ready for your winter adventure in Iceland!

Enjoyed reading my Iceland winter packing list? Pin it!