How To Correctly Pack When You’re Going To Iceland In The Summer

PublishedJuly 31, 2018

Iceland is currently enjoying its time in the spotlight as one of the trendiest vacation destinations on the planet, and for good reason: there’s a unique landscape of natural beauty to explore, Reykjavik is a colorful city full of delicious food and surprisingly great shopping, and the culture is just all around great.

If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, you’re going to want to go during the summer season. It’s the high season (read: packed with tourists), but it’s worth it. Iceland’s summer, which goes from late April until about late August, is warmer, with longer days — at the peak of summer, the country can see up to 21 hours of daylight. The only downside is that you can’t get a glimpse of the Northern Lights, since the sky never gets dark enough. Still, it might be worth missing that show if it means you won’t freeze your ass off.

That said, the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable even in the summertime, meaning packing can be a challenge. I visited Iceland at the beginning of their summer this past year, and found myself packing both a snow jacket and a pair of shorts. I basically had no idea what to bring with me, and ended up majorly over-packing for a quick trip. I’ll save you the same trouble, and tell you a few things you should absolutely bring with you when going to Iceland in the summer.

Waterproof Jacket
Women’s Apex Flex GTX Jacket | The North Face
The temps in Iceland during the summer are typically in the 50s, sometimes the 60s if you’re lucky. But you can’t go by the forecast — the weather can drastically change within minutes, meaning you need to be prepared when heading out for the day. This North Face jacket is waterproof and warm without being suffocating, so it will keep you dry whether you’re in the rain or next to a waterfall.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Comfortable Leggings
Under Armour ColdGear Authentic Leggings | Under Armour
I swear by these ColdGear leggings, which manage to consistently keep my legs warm without ever making me feel sweaty, no matter the conditions. I wore these almost too much while in Iceland. They’re comfortable, keep you cozy while hiking without feeling bulky, and are easy to layer under jeans if need be.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Waterproof Hiking Boots
Salomon Quest Prime GTX Hiking Boots | REI
Unless you plan on going clubbing, the only shoes you’ll need are waterproof hiking boots that fit comfortably and allow you to navigate rough terrain. I made the mistake of wearing regular running sneakers while hiking, only to immediately have to cover them with bright blue garbage bags so that my feet didn’t get soaked (It’s called fashion, baby). These Salomon boots will keep your footing steady and your socks dry.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Flip Flops
Old Navy Flip Flops | Amazon
The only other shoes you should definitely bring are a pair of flip flops, which are pretty much necessary for any of the geothermal baths or hot springs. No need for anything fancy, as you won’t be getting much wear out of them - inexpensive Old Navy flip flops will get the job done and are easy to stick in your suitcase.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

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Reusable Water Bottle
Takeya Originals Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle | Amazon
One of the best things about Iceland is that there’s fresh water everywhere, and you may, at some point, be encouraged to drink fresh glacial water straight out of a lake (do it!). Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up. It may be a bit bulky, but this Takeya Originals water bottle is worth bringing along - it keeps drinks ice cold for hours on end.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Gloves
UA Storm Run Liner | Under Armour
It might feel weird to pack gloves in the middle of the summer, but trust me: you’ll need them when you’re spending all your time outdoors in Iceland, especially if you plan on checking out the glaciers. I wore these UA gloves the entire time I was there (they’re actually glove liners, so they aren’t too heavy), but they’re also water resistant and have Tech Touch fingertips to make your life a little easier.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Eye Mask
Slip for beauty sleep Slipsilk Pure Silk Sleep Mask | Nordstrom
The coolest thing about Icelandic summers is that there is so much sunlight. The sky actually never seems to get completely pitch black, even after the sun goes down, which is both disorienting and amazing. Unfortunately, this also means you may find it harder to get some sleep. Bring an eye mask with you to get rid of any light that manages to find its way to you. This silk eye mask is a splurge, but I promise you it’s the most comfortable one out there.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Portable Charger
Mophie Powerstation Portable Charger | Best Buy
Most of the big nature destinations in Iceland are a few hours away from Reykjavik, meaning you’ll spend your days exploring outside far away from the electrical outlets of your hotel room. Bring a portable charger to ensure your phone and/or camera doesn’t die on you in the middle of the day. This mophie option has three USB ports so that you can charge up to three devices at once, which is very helpful.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

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Sunscreen
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 | Sephora
It should go without saying that if you’re spending the day outside with almost 21 hours of sunlight, you should wear a good sunscreen, even if the temps are on the chillier side. I like Supergoop, personally, because it doesn’t feel heavy and doesn’t leave behind a white residue.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

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