The Ultimate Iceland Summer Packing List
What to pack for Iceland in summer? What to wear when visiting Iceland in July and August, and the warmer months between May and September in general? Our tried and tested Iceland packing list includes tips on clothing, hiking and camping gear, and other essentials you should bring to this beautiful country. What to pack and what to leave behind? This Iceland clothing list will help you out.
Iceland is a destination well-known among travelers for challenging weather conditions.
It is not unheard of to experience four seasons within one hour while there.
And because it is not possible to travel around this country and not spend most of your time outdoors, it is essential to pack right.
We like to pack light when traveling, but even though we planned our trip to Iceland for the summer season, we decided to be a little more responsible this time.
Therefore, we packed only good and trusted gear and some additional layers to stay safe.
Although this post focuses on what to pack for the Iceland summer trip, the truth is, it does not differ that much from what we would pack when visiting Iceland during the winter months.
One of the things you should know about Iceland is that the weather can be severe.
The key to success is layers, good quality windproof and waterproof clothing, rain gear, hiking boots, and some extra layers if everything you would normally wear is wet.
Summer months in Iceland are June, July, and August. Also, this is the best time to visit Iceland.
However, you can use this packing guide even for May, September, and even the beginning of October, which is the shoulder season in Iceland.
Based on our experience, what to pack for Iceland and what to leave behind also depends on your travel style and travel budget.
If you plan to stay at campgrounds, whether you travel by car and sleep in a tent or if you opted for a campervan, it is crucial to realize you won't have that much space and many opportunities to dry your clothes.
And that's why you should always bring some extra clothes.
If you plan to stay in hotel rooms, hostels, or B&Bs, it should be a bit easier to figure out the right amount of clothing and equipment you need for your Iceland trip.
What to Pack for Iceland in Summer
Yes, packing the right clothing for the Iceland trip might seem difficult, but it is nothing you would not manage.
Honestly, it is actually easier than you think, especially when you have access to experience from people who've already been there.
For starters, we have to say that we are big fans of functional clothing.
And to be completely honest, as Iceland is a destination where we knew we would spend the majority of time outdoors, we did not pack any nice clothing.
Not even jeans.
We wanted to feel comfortable and stay warm and dry all the time.
As eating out was over our Iceland travel budget, we knew there would not be an occasion to dress up.
Not that it would matter, as we believe that informal clothing is more than fine for the restaurants along the Ring Road.
One thing that probably no one can imagine before visiting Iceland is the ubiquitous windy conditions that are pretty annoying all year round.
On the other hand, Iceland would be too perfect without its trademark, the ever-changing weather.
So snuggle up, and let's start exploring this wonderful country.
Luggage
Before you create your final Iceland packing list, it is necessary to decide whether you prefer to travel with a traditional suitcase or a classic backpack.
Backpack or Suitcase
Even though it is a tough decision, the usual way to travel around the country will make it easier for you.
Iceland is best to be explored on a road trip. That's why the majority of travelers opt to rent a car or campervan.
It means you do not have to carry your luggage all the time with you, and you can choose the type of luggage that suits you the best.
We have opted for a backpack 45-55L.
Unlike our long-term trip to South America, we shared only one big backpack this time.
And why did we choose it over a suitcase?
Simply because we are used to it, and at the moment we do not even own a traditional suitcase.
On the other hand, if you prefer a suitcase, then go ahead, it will perfectly fit in the car's trunk.
In fact, most travelers prefer to bring a suitcase to Iceland for the reasons mentioned above.
Daypack
Except for the main luggage, we recommend you bring a daypack, something reasonably sized where you can keep the stuff you need during the day.
No matter that most of the top attractions in Iceland are close to the parking lot, there are a few shorter or longer hikes you can make.
A perfect example is Glymur Waterfall, one of the best medium hikes in West Iceland.
As Iceland is rich in waterfalls, we bought a waterproof dry bag, where we kept extra layers (in case we were not wearing them at that moment), a rain poncho, a water bottle, valuables, and a camera.
Footwear
We spent in two weeks in Iceland, and for all the places we visited and for all activities we did, we needed only three pairs of footwear.
Hiking Boots
First of all, you should have sturdy, if possible waterproof hiking boots.
Many trails in Iceland, such as Seljalandsfoss or Kvernufoss, will take you to powerful waterfalls, and trails are usually wet and muddy.
That's why, even if you do not plan on hiking extensively, you should have good and comfortable hiking boots.
It is also the best choice for cold and rainy days to keep your feet nice and warm.
Sneakers
Another pair of shoes you should consider packing are regular runners.
During the summer, the chances are that you will enjoy at least a few sunny, warmer, and rainless days.
Moreover, the road trip around Iceland suggests that you'll spend a lot of time in the car, and wearing sneakers is much more comfortable, especially when driving.
In fact, we drove more than 4500 kilometers during this trip, and wearing heavy and often wet hiking boots would not be very comfortable.
By the way, if you're looking for inspiration, places such as Golden Circle, Reykjanes Peninsula, Trollaskagi Peninsula, Diamond Circle, or Snaefellsnes Peninsula are definitely worth a road trip.
Flip-flops
Last but not least, we suggest packing flip-flops.
This advice is for those of you who plan on staying at campgrounds.
It is much more comfortable to wear flip-flops when you go to shower or when you need to use the bathroom at night.
To save space in your backpack, we think it is not necessary to pack flip-flops if you stay in hotels.
After all, Iceland is a cold destination, and even on a hot day, you'll be fine wearing closed shoes.
Some people also prefer to wear flip-flops when visiting the hot pools.
Socks
When talking about footwear, we should also mention socks.
It is obvious to pack several pairs of socks, but we recommend choosing functional hiking socks.
We've also recently discovered waterproof socks, that came here in Iceland quite handy.
Pack more socks as it is quite hard to keep them dry in this country.
If you sleep in a campervan or tent, do not forget extra warm sleeping socks.
Underwear
As it is pretty obvious, we don't need to tell you here that you should pack underwear. We just want to point out a few things.
As we mainly slept at campgrounds when road tripping Iceland, we found only minimum campsites where it was possible to do laundry.
We hand-washed our underwear when possible, but then there was a problem with drying it.
Functional Underwear
That's why we recommend you bring functional underwear for roughly every day of your vacation, at least if hygiene is your thing.
Functional underwear is small and light and won't take up any of your valuable luggage space.
Sleeping
For sleeping in a tent or campervan, it is good to have either spare leggings or t-shirt with long sleeves to keep you warm at night.
Thermo underwear is only needed for shoulder seasons, but during this time, it's better to rent a campervan with a heater anyway.
Clothes
Without any doubt, Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries we've ever visited.
But the thing you need to understand is that the weather in Iceland is not something to take lightly.
And you quickly realize that you really want to be prepared for Skaftafell National Park on the South Coast and other places known for harsh weather conditions.
Outdoor Clothing
Three essential pieces of outdoor clothing to bring with you to Iceland regardless of the season are a down jacket, rain pants, and a rain jacket.
These three layers will protect you against wind and rain and keep you warm and dry.
Plus, we also like to bring a rain poncho depending on the severity of the rain.
Then add hiking pants, a pair of short-sleeved t-shirts, a fleece jacket, and a windbreaker.
Even in summer, you might appreciate gloves and a hat.
Sure, most jackets come with hoodies. But the gloves are irreplaceable. And no, keeping your hands in pockets is not smart.
Bathing
If you are planning on visiting places such as Blue Lagoon, Myvatn Baths, Hofsos Hot Pool, or Reykjadalur Hot River, you are going to need one more thing.
A swimsuit is necessary for any proper Iceland trip, thanks to its strong bathing culture.
Gear
Any Iceland summer packing list would not be complete without a few basic things that are often easy to forget at home.
Sunglasses should not be missing from your list. Another important thing is the water bottle.
Tap water and water from most of the streams in Iceland is drinkable, so to avoid buying water in plastics, bring your own reusable water.
Hikers might consider trekking poles, although we didn't find them necessary here.
If there are two things we never leave home without, it is a travel towel and dry sacks to keep our valuables safe just in case.
Electronics
You'll definitely need a camera when it comes to electronics, but more about it later in a separate photo section.
Then don't forget your phone, chargers, and travel adapter, if power sockets are different in your home country.
It rains a lot in Iceland, so we would consider bringing a paperback book or Kindle to kill time.
We like finding inspiration online when planning a journey, but we also like reading traditional paper guides such as Lonely Planet on the road.
Like when we were waiting for the rain to stop in East Fjords.
Some people like to bring a power bank, but we didn't find any use of it during our trip.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Toiletries
Except for clothes and gear, it is necessary to pack toiletries for Iceland as well.
This section is very similar to your usual packing list, regardless of the destination.
Pack a bamboo toothbrush, a great alternative to a regular one, toothpaste, biodegradable soap, and deodorant.
Some areas, such as Lake Myvatn suffer from mosquitos, so pack an insect repellent.
Even though Iceland is a cold country and the sky is often covered with clouds, do not forget to apply sunscreen regularly.
Yes, you can get sunburnt even in Iceland and even on a cloudy day.
Because this country is really windy, it is always a good idea to pack a lip balm with sunscreen.
If you wear contacts, buy an extra pair and bring a multi-purpose solution as well.
Before you leave your home, make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit in case something happens.
Camping Gear
Even though we know there are, for sure, a few more hardened people among our readers, summer is the best time for camping in Iceland for most travelers.
In fact, summer is the only time of the year when you can sleep in a tent quite comfortably.
Sleeping in a campervan might be a bit comfortable during the colder months due to the optional built-in heater.
Camping in Iceland is fun, but it's also the perfect budget-friendly alternative to otherwise expensive accommodations.
By the way, it is possible to rent camping gear in Iceland. However, like everything in the country, rental rates are pretty expensive.
What should you pack for camping in Iceland?
Sleeping
The thing number one on your list should be a sleeping bag.
Most campervan rental companies include it in the rental price, so check the extras before packing your own.
For those of you who are really going to sleep in a tent, we recommend a sleeping mat, inflatable pillow, and a good quality lightweight tent. Period.
The wind in Iceland is harsh, and it often rains there, so you need equipment that will survive these elements.
Headlamp, silk liner, clothesline should be in your backpack as well.
Cooking
We traveled around Iceland on a budget, so we cooked all the time. The upside was that the cooking equipment was in our campervan rental rate.
In case you plan on bringing your own gear, make sure to have a cooking set, stove, and gas cans.
Also, make sure you have a stove screen. Cooking in Iceland would be almost impossible without it.
For example, on the first morning in Westfjords, the wind gusts were so strong that we truly appreciated that we could cook inside the campervan.
To be honest, the wind was so strong that we couldn't imagine cooking outside, even with a stove screen.
Photo Gear
Iceland is a paradise for photographers.
Regardless of your skills, you will have fun taking pictures in Iceland.
Modern smartphones will deliver incredible results in the right hands, and we believe they're more than enough for most visitors.
But what if you take photography just a bit more seriously?
Here are some of our tips on the best photo gear you can bring to Iceland to get amazing results.
Lenses
Pair one of these fantastic bodies with an all-around lens such as Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, and you are all set.
If you don't mind changing lenses from time to time, we have a couple of more extra tips.
Iceland is all about nature and landscape photography, so you might consider bringing an ultra-wide-angle lens such as Canon RF 15-35MM F2.8L IS USM.
There are plenty of birds everywhere and some amazing puffins colonies such as Borgarfjordur Eystri or Dyrholaey Peninsula.
Therefore, a good telephoto lens such as Canon RF 100-500L is a must for bird photographers.
A long telephoto lens will also come in handy for a whale-watching tour in Husavik.
Accessories
Add a sturdy tripod, B+W Circular Polarizer for general use, and Neutral Density 0.9 Filter for waterfalls.
For more inspiration, check out our post on the best waterfalls in Iceland.
If you have old EF lenses, buy an EF mount adapter to be able to use them with a modern mirrorless body.
Make sure you have enough memory cards, we had to buy a couple of SD cards in Akureyri, and they were super expensive.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
