joellebohringerThe key to any successful winter trip to Iceland is to ensure that you have a well throughout Iceland winter packing list!
When considering a winter trip to Iceland, a lot of people think it is completely impossible to stay warm and comfortable! Trust me, it is not. Iceland is one of the most magical places on Earth, and in my opinion, it is even more magical.
However, it is important to dress for the weather, which is always unpredictable, wet, and fairly cold!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra costs to you.
How is the Weather in Iceland in the Winter?
Overall, Iceland’s winter weather is largely unpredictable. As one of our local guides explained, it is part of the gulf stream currents, which means that it goes through cycles in the winter. One week may be blistering cold while the next week can be quit mild (by Iceland standards).
We were surprised during our winter trip to Iceland, as it was considerably warmer than it was at my parent’s house in Wisconsin during the same period. In fact, halfway through the week, all of the snow melted because it was above 32 fahrenheit/0 celsius!
The most important thing to remember is unpredictability. There is no way to know in advance if you will be travelling during a mild or extreme winter period. Regardless, winter will always be wet and windy, so it is important to be prepared for all winter possibilities!
Iceland Winter Packing List
Waterproof jacket
A warm, and waterproof winter jacket is going to be the most essential item on your Iceland winter itinerary. I used this one and reccomend it fully!
Waterproof snow pants
Your goal for Iceland is to stay dry. Therefore, it is essential to also bring waterproof pants. I reccomend snow pants, as this will allow you to stay dry in rain and snow. They are also easy to wear all day, and you can wear them into stores and in the car.
Thermal underwear
The key to staying warm in cold climates is layers. We never left our hotel without a layer of thermal underwear (both top and bottom). This simple layer under your clothes will play a massive part in keeping you warm!
Leggings for Under Snow Pants
I initially packed many pairs of jeans for my Iceland trip, but I ended up wearing primarily leggings. As you will be wearing thermals + snow pants almost all the time, a pair of athletic leggings placed over the thermal long underwear and under the snowpants provides the perfect amount of warmth while also giving you the flexibility to move comfortably. Jeans can be quite bulky under all of those layers, so I reccomend something more flexible and comfortable.
Fleece layers
For your top layer, you’ll want to start with a thermal top. Afterwards, I reccomend wearing a fleece or wool sweater as your second layer under your winter coat. I primarily wore merino wool sweaters or fleece-lined crewnecks over my thermal layer.
Neck gaiter
I highly reccomend bringing a fleece-lined neck gaiter. It is an essential part of your Iceland winter packing list, as it keeps the area between your coat and face warm. It is also much more practical than a scarf in Iceland’s winter conditions!
Warm Hat
Like the neck gaiter, a warm hat is essential for keeping your ears and face warm. I used this one throughout the trip!
Warm Socks
Iceland is very wet and very cold, so choosing socks that will keep you warm is essential. Having grown up in negative 40 degree winters in Wisconsin, merino wool socks are the best option for both warmth and moisture wicking!
Waterproof hiking boots
In Iceland, you’ll likely be dealing with both snow and water, so finding a pair of water and snow-proof boots with good grip is essential! I reccomend boots with a slightly higher leg, such as these ones, as it will provide more protection from rain and snow.
Crampons
Crampons, or the small spiked attachments that you add to the bottom of your shoes, can be very useful in Iceland in the winter, as many of the national parks can have fairly icy surfaces. If you do a guided glacier hike or tour, it will likely include more heavy duty crampon rentals, but for everyday use, a pair like this is worth packing!
Waterproof gloves
I can’t express enough how important waterproof gloves are. You’ll want to wear gloves the entire time that you are outside in Iceland, and waterproof gloves will help ensure that you can play in the snow, get near waterfalls, and more, without soaking through your gloves.
Swimsuit
Even though it will be cold, you’ll definitely want a swimsuit for your time in Iceland! Most hotels have outdoor hot tubs, and there are a plethora of hot springs and lagoons for you to check out. Our personal favorite is the free Seljavallalaug swimming pool. Read how to get there here!
Waterproof case for phone and lens wipes
Visiting Iceland in winter includes visiting a lot of waterfalls and steamy geothermal pools. I cannot count the number of times that my phone and camera got very wet. I reccomend bringing a waterproof camera case as well as a selection of microfiber lens cleaning clothes to ensure that you can take high quality photos.
Travel Towel
In Iceland, you will get wet! Visiting waterfalls up close almost ensures that you will become entirely covered with mist at some point. I reccomend keeping a travel towel with you so that you can wipe down your very wet jacket and pants before moving on the next site!
Hand warmers
Portable hand warmers can be a great additional protection against the Iceland cold! On particularly cold days, they are perfect to stick in your gloves or boots to add an extra layer of warmth!
Head Light
When visiting Iceland in the winter, you’ll only get about 5-6 hours of daylight. A portable headlamp is perfect for when you start your day before the sun rises or arrive to your hotel after sunset.
What Is Unique About Winter in Iceland?
Winter in Iceland is truly magical. The out-of-this world terrain becomes even more magical as it becomes dotted with snow and ice. However, there are also some practical considerations that make visiting Iceland in the winter a great choice.
It is more affordable, and there are far fewer crowds
Iceland is undoubtedly an expensive destination. However, as winter is a significantly less popular time to travel to the country, prices drop dramatically. Hotels that cost $400-$500 per night in the summer can be found for less than $200. Tourist sites that are normally overrun with tourist busses are relatively empty. Winter in Iceland provides a lot more flexibility and freedom to enjoy.
There are certain activities that are not available in the summer.
One of the highlights of our trip was going on an Ice cave tour and glacier hike at Langjökull Glacier. This activity is only available in the winter, and it is truly a must-do experience in Iceland! We did this ice cave tour while at Langjökull, and we highly reccomend it!
Pin Iceland Winter Packing List
Looking for more information about Iceland? Check out all of my Iceland travel guides here.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might recieve a tiny commission at no extra costs to you.
