Ultimate Iceland Packing List for Summer

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear! That’s why it’s imperative to know what to pack for Iceland in the summer. “Summer” is a bit misleading because if you go expecting warm weather you will not only be disappointed but also dressed inappropriately.

We spent 2 weeks traveling around Iceland’s Ring Road in late July/early August and put together the Ultimate Iceland Packing List for Summer!

Iceland Summer Weather: What to Expect

Summer is the most popular time of year to visit Iceland. The days are long, winter roads have reopened making the island more accessible, and it’s the warmest time of year in Iceland. While the weather is at it’s warmest, Iceland summer weather is unpredictable due to the subarctic climate and high latitude. So it’s best to be prepared for everything!

Average Iceland Summer Temperature

The range between Iceland’s summer high and low temperatures is relatively narrow. There is generally about a 10-15° F degree temperature shift between the day’s high and the day’s low.

• In June, the average low temperature in Iceland is 48° F, and the average high temperature in Iceland is 59° F.
• In July, the average low is 50° F, and the average high is 59° F.
• In August the temperature is generally no lower than 50° F and no higher than 70° F.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Iceland was 86.9° F in 1939. During our 2-week trip in late July/early August, we never saw the temperature rise above the low 60s.

Average Rainfall in Iceland in Summer

Expect rain when visiting Iceland in summer. Iceland averages 1-3 inches of rain per month during the summer.

Iceland Packing Tips for Summer

Come Prepared for All Types of Weather

One Iceland native told us: “If you don’t like the weather in Iceland, just wait 5 minutes….it will probably get worse!”

We experienced a wide range of weather during our summer trip: from heavy horizontal rain and strong winds to gentle showers, and even some glimpses of sun. Sometimes all in one day! So come prepared for all types of weather because there’s no such thing as bad weather – just bad gear.

Layers, Layers, Layers

We carried a variety of layers with us at all times: rain gear, warm jackets, fleeces, hats & gloves. Most days we needed them all.

Choose the Right Materials

All gear should be waterproof or water resistant, quick drying, and moisture wicking. Recommended clothing for Iceland should be made of materials like polyester, nylon, wool, Gore-Tex, and vinyl. Do not bring clothes that will absorb water (like cotton!). Not only will you be wet, cold & unhappy, but these materials will also take a long time to dry. You do not want to lug around wet clothes or spend time trying to dry them in a hotel bathroom with a hairdryer.

Bright Outer Layers are Best for Photos

Bright outer layers bring a fun pop of color to photos. My goal was for each of us to wear a different color – although my daughter chose black and my older son chose dark gray. Bright colors can also help you find your people more easily in crowds.

Reykjavik v Everywhere Else

We packed primarily outdoor hiking clothes to wear in Iceland. I did feel like we were a bit under-dressed while in Reykjavik. Everyone here tended to look a little more put together: jeans, casual shoes, sweaters.

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Iceland Packing List: What to Pack for Summer

So what should you pack when visiting Iceland in summer? Below you’ll find our comprehensive packing list for Iceland. It includes must-have clothing, accessories, and electronics. I’ve also included links so you can easily find the same or similar items we used.

Clothing

Outerwear

• Rain Jacket (3 in 1) – A waterproof (not water resistant) rain jacket is a must! We have been through a lot of rain jackets over the years trying to find the right one – and I’m pretty sure I found it! The Patagonia Torrentshell was the perfect rain jacket for Iceland! It’s a 3 layer waterproof, windproof, breathable, lightweight, and compact jacket. It comes in lots of fun colors, stuffs down into one of its pockets with a carabeaner clip, and most importantly kept us DRY! It comes in men’s, women’s, and kid’s sizes.
• Waterproof Rain Pants – Do you really need these? YES! Waterproof pants for Iceland are a must – even if you’re just visiting waterfalls as those create a huge mist. You will get wet. Look for a pair that is lightweight, breathable, not constricting, and have zippers at the bottom so you can easily slip them over your hiking pants & boots. We were very happy with the REI brand which come in a large range of both men’s & women’s sizes. We were also able to find these on sale during the summer!
• Warm Down Jacket – We wore these every day. Find one that compresses easily and packs small. It should have good insulation, provide warmth, and block the wind. We love the Patagonia Nanopuff jackets and have been wearing them for years (they come in lots of fun colors for men, women & kids). Another great option is the Cotopaxi Fuego Jacket which also has a lot of fun colors – it’s what I wore on our summer trip to Iceland.

Layers

• Base Layers – We wore a base layer under our clothes every day. Choose merino wool, polyester or another moisture-wicking fabric that can be worn more than once without washing. Bring 1-2 sets for mild weather (My daughter & I just used our Lululemon or running tights while the boys had merino wool). Bring a warmer set if you plan to do the Silfra Fissure Snorkel in the cold glacier water, glacier hiking, ice climbing, etc.
• Mid-layers (fleece & sweatshirts) – 2-3 fleeces (or wool sweaters). We each rotated through a couple of fleeces that we wore over a short or long sleeve shirt/base layer. When the weather warmed up we’d take off our jackets and just wear our fleeces. I prefer a full-zip style fleece as it’s easler to get off when hiking and moving around. My teen daughter loved this half zip style.
• Layers of short & long sleeve quick-drying shirts – 3-5 Long-sleeve shirts and 1-2 short sleeve shirts. Non-cotton, moisture-wicking, water-repellant materials. This merino t-shirt was my favorite shirt that I brought to Iceland.

Pants & Jeans

• Hiking Pants – Bring 3-4 pairs of water-resistant hiking pants to rotate through. We found that relatively light-weight hiking pants worked fine for summer weather in Iceland, especially with a base layer underneath. You can buy more heavy duty hiking pants but we didn’t think that was necessary.
• Leggings – My teen daughter preferred to wear leggings instead of hiking pants. She brought Lululemon leggings but they did not provide much warmth or durability alone. I suggest fleece lined leggings or leggings designed specifically for hiking if you want to wear only leggings.
• Jeans – We each brought 1 pair of jeans (or non-legging/hiking pants – like sweats/joggers or khakis). It was nice to have these to wear at our hotels or while out to dinner, especially in Reykjavik.

Footwear

• Waterproof Hiking Boots – These are an absolute MUST! Make sure the tread is good and the shoes are waterPROOF and not just water RESISTANT. Even if it’s not raining, there are likely puddles and soggy ground. It’s miserable to walk around with cold wet feet.
• Hiking socks (Merino wool and Waterproof!) – Bring 3-5 pairs of warm moisture-wicking socks. We brought merino wool socks (like these) which stayed dry and didn’t smell so we could wear them twice before washing. In addition to merino wool socks, I also highly recommend Waterproof Socks! My husband was the only one who brought these and he ended up sharing them with my daughter who had a talent for stepping into hidden puddles and getting water down in her shoe.
• Sneakers/Walking Shoes – Bring at least one pair of sneakers or walking shoes for dinners or walking around town.
• Flip Flops – Bring 1 pair each for visiting hot springs.

Clothing Accessories

• Swimsuits – 1-2 swimsuits for visiting Iceland’s hot springs. We found that some (not all) of the hot springs had a strong sulfur smell. I suggest bringing at least one swimsuit that you’re ok if it gets ruined.
• Sports Bras – There are many active things to do in Iceland so I suggest bringing a few sports bras for women/girls. I find it makes these activities more comfortable.
• Gloves (warm and water-resistant) – Bring a pair of warm water-resistant (or water-proof) gloves. Don’t bring fleece/cotton gloves as they’ll get wet and cold. This is a nice pair lined with soft merino wool on the inside, wind-resistant polyester/nylon on the outside, and thin enough to maintain finger dexterity.
• Beanie or headband – Bring 1-2 warm beanies or headbands.
• Buff – I recommend a buff but it’s not a must-have. However, a buff can protect your face/neck from Iceland’s windy & cold weather.
• Sunglasses – Bring a good pair of sunglasses. If you need a good pair of polarized sunglasses at an extremely reasonable price, I’ve been buying Goodr sunglasses, especially for my kids who tend to lose them. They are good looking, great quality, and non-slip so they stay put while you’re moving. I wear them while running and love them.

Accessories

• A Daypack – Everyone should have their own daypack to carry all their things: water bottle, snacks, rain gear, beanie, gloves, camera gear, etc. Even if kids just keep theirs in the car it’s a good idea to contain everyone’s things together.
• Waterproof cover for Backpack – You never know when you’ll get caught in the rain. Protect your backpack and everything in it!
• Reusable water bottle – Water in Iceland is abundant and likely some of the best water you’ll ever drink. Do NOT buy water in Iceland. We saw one sign that explained how to drink bottled water in Iceland: Fill up your water bottle with tap water. Drink. Repeat.
• Water bladder for backpack – I brought the water bladder from my Camelbak and put it in my camera daypack so I could carry more water easily. This isn’t necessary if you have a camelbak or a water bladder already incorporated into your daypack.
• Camera/Lenses/Filters – If you’re a photography enthusiast, you will love shooting here with your camera. Phones work too – that’s what everyone else in my family used.
• Camera batteries/chargers/extra memory cards
• Camera Clip – One of the best camera accessory purchases I’ve made is the Peak Design camera clip. It attaches to the strap on my backpack and I can easily & quickly clip & unclip my camera. I love it for hiking – It’s so much better than having my camera hanging around my neck or constantly taking my camera in/out of my backpack.
• Collapsible tripod – I brought a tripod to Iceland but honestly never used it. Photography was something I did while we were doing other things – it was not the primary purpose of the trip. If you have more time to dedicate to photography then definitely bring a tripod.
• Microfiber towel – We each brought a compact microfiber towel to use when visiting hot springs. If you’re going to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon you won’t need to bring your own towel. Some other hot springs charge for towels. And if you plan to hike to a hot spring you’ll want a towel. We bought this one which comes in multiple sizes & colors, is quick drying, machine washable, and has a mesh travel bag.
• Sleeping mask – Depending on your accommodation you may want a sleeping mask as it’s light for 20-21 hours a day in the summer. Most hotels have blackout shades so we didn’t really need masks. But if you are staying in an airbnb or camper van a sleeping mask may be helpful. I always take a sleeping mask on overnight flights but didn’t use it once we arrived in Iceland. I like this one that puts zero pressure on my eyes as I tend to get pressure headaches.
• Trekking Poles – If you plan to do a lot of hiking and like using trekking poles make sure to bring some! We didn’t use these but they can be helpful.
• Headnet for bugs – If you plan to visit the Lake Myvatn area consider bringing a headnet for bugs. Lake Myvatn means “Midges Lake” and the midges/flies in summer can be quite burdensome. This is one thing we forgot to bring but by a stroke of luck, we didn’t need them during the 2 days we were in Lake Myvatn. These headnets were also lifesavers when we visited the Australian Outback!
• Laundry strips or detergent – We mostly used the laundry services at hotels or the washer/dryer in our Airbnb. However, a few times, I wanted to wash something before a stain set in and wished I had brought a small amount of laundry detergent with me. I prefer laundry strips as they won’t spill all over your luggage.
• Dryer Sheets – Even if you don’t plan to do laundry, sticking a dryer sheet in a suitcase can help reduce any lingering odors between washes (especially with items that may get damp).
• Ziplocs (to use as wetbag) – Great to have especially if you’re moving from place to place and need to pack up before everything is completely dry.
• Cash for Guide’s tips – If you plan to do any excursions and/or hire a guide, it’s nice to have some cash to tip.
• Travel Insurance – We always travel with travel insurance. I once read: If you can’t afford travel insurance then you can’t afford the trip. It provides a great peace of mind in the event anything unexpected happens.

Electronics

• Universal Electronic Adapter – If you’re a frequent traveler, the universal adapters make sense: Buy once and use in any country. This adapter can charge up to 6 devices at once at high speed. It has USB-A & USB-C, and AC socket chargers. We bring one per person.
• Travel powerstrip – We also bring a travel powerstrip with an extension cord for more charging options. This one is compact and perfect for travel. I like that it’s round as there’s more space between the outlets. Between the universal adapters & travel powerstrip we are able to charge all our devices overnight: phones, computers, ipads, headphones/airpods, cameras, extra batteries, etc.
• Portable Phone Charger – We don’t go anywhere without a portable phone charger. If you plan to use your phone for navigation, especially on hikes, a portable phone charger is essential.
• Car chargers – We spent a lot of time in the car driving around the Ring Road. We used our phones for everything: directions, to find restaurants, etc It was helpful to charge our phones in the car between stops.
• External hard drive – If you take an excessive amount of pictures like I do, an external hard drive allows you to offload pictures from your memory card. I always bring extra memory cards, but I don’t want to be limited by the space on my memory cards and I also like to backup my photos just in case! I travel with this compact hard drive with 2TB of space. It’s compatible with both Mac & PC.
• Waterproof phone case – We only needed a waterproof phone case when visiting hot springs. If you already have one I’d bring it because it doesn’t take up much space. Most phones are somewhat water resistant/proof but a waterproof phone case with a strap provides a little peace of mind. The water at the hot springs was a bit murky so if you drop your phone it will probably be pretty hard to find. Waterproof phone cases were for sale at the bigger hot springs (like Blue Lagoon & Sky Lagoon) so you can always buy one there if you change your mind.
• Drone – Iceland is drone-friendly and you can get some spectacular video. We used the DJI Mini 4 Pro drone which is light & compact. The only downside to this model is it may not be the best to fly in wind or rain (and there’s a decent amount of wind & rain in Iceland). We saw others with this exact model.

Toiletries

• Sunscreen – Always.
• Medicines & Prescriptions – We always travel with some basic over the counter medications. We prefer to have medications we’re familiar with just in case.
• First Aid Kit – We travel with a small one that includes bandaids, polysporin, saline rinse, moleskins, gauze, tape, tweezers, etc.
• Dramamine – If you get carsick or plan to do whale watching or any boating activities, you may want to bring some Dramamine.
• Toiletries – We did not bring any shampoo/conditioner/soap as we assumed all of our accommodations would provide this. All of the hotels did, but our Airbnb did not which surprised me.

Snacks

It’s no secret that Iceland is expensive, and that includes food. If you have favorite snacks then bring them. It’s unlikely you’ll find the same thing in Iceland, and even if you do it will be much more expensive!

Things we brought & didn’t use

• Washcloths – I read that many hotels in Iceland do not provide washcloths so I purchased a pack of microfiber washcloths. We never needed these.

What Not to Pack

• Summer Clothes – Shorts, sundresses, etc. You won’t wear this. Don’t bring it.
• Sandals or Heels – Sandals and heels never crossed my mind while in Iceland. You’ll want sturdy shoes that keep your feet warm. Do bring flip flops.
• Umbrella – It rains a lot but with good waterproof raingear you won’t need an umbrella. Plus it’s windy and not conducive to umbrellas.

Doing Laundry in Iceland

Depending on the length of your trip, it’s likely you’ll need to do some laundry. Packing base layers, and items made from merino wool will help to minimize how much and how often you do laundry.

• Laundry service at hotels – Every hotel we stayed at offered a laundry service. This is what we typically use but it can be very expensive which is why we wash only on an as-needed basis.
• Washer/Dryers in Airbnbs – This is the most convenient & economical! We stayed at an Airbnb for 2 nights and did as much laundry as we could!
• Laundromats – You can find laundromats in town which is often an economical, but a more time-consuming way to do laundry. We didn’t use any.

Forgot Something?

If you forget something, plenty of stores in Iceland sell the gear you’ll need. My 19yo forgot a beanie & his rain pants so we had to buy him new ones on our first day. We also purchased waterproof gloves after our first hike during a significant downpour with high winds.

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