Travelling to Iceland in June, July, or August and wondering what on earth to pack?
I was confused too before my 10-day Iceland road trip. You’d think packing for summer would be straightforward, but Iceland’s “summer” isn’t quite what you might expect. Even if you’re visiting in peak summer months like July, Iceland’s weather can be wildly unpredictable. One minute it’s sunny, the next it’s raining sideways. And don’t get me started on the wind; it can be absolutely crazy.
But don’t worry—this practical Iceland summer packing list is designed to help you stay warm and cool, dry and comfortable, no matter what the weather decides to do. Let’s get you packed right!
- Iceland Weather in Summer (What to Expect in June, July & August)
- Essential Packing Tips for Iceland
- Iceland Summer Packing List: Clothing Essentials
- Best Footwear for Iceland (Don’t Get This Wrong)
- Toiletries & Personal Care Essentials
- Travel Gear That Makes Iceland Easier
- Health & Safety Essentials for Iceland
- Electronics & Travel Adapters
- What NOT to Pack for Iceland in Summer
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Iceland Weather in Summer (What to Expect in June, July & August)
Summer in Iceland (June to August) means long daylight hours, mild temperatures (usually between 10°C and 15°C), and plenty of wind. But know that some regions are colder than others so temperatures can dip to 5°C as well and it feels much colder because of the wind. Rain is common, so waterproof gear is a must, but heavy-duty winter wear isn’t necessary. You’ll basically need to dress in layers and wear versatile, weather-resistant clothing!
Essential Packing Tips for Iceland
- Comfortable not trendy: Even if you’re travelling to Iceland in summer, the weather isn’t the “shorts and sundress” kind. In fact, it’s notorious for being moody—changing its mind every few minutes.
On our summer trip, we had all kinds of weather in a single day. So you need to pack like you’re heading for multiple seasons at once. To enjoy your trip, you will need to focus on comfort and practicality over aesthetics. Pack practical outdoor clothing that works in all weather conditions (though don’t worry—we’ll get to how to still look cute in photos).
But if you really want to wear a dress for photos, you can change up or put on a bright skirt over your clothes thermals like I did. But yes, be ready to be really cold for a few minutes.
- Layers, Layers, layers: Since the weather is so prone to changing quickly, you will need to wear layers so that you can strip down a few layers when you’re feeling hot and wear it all when you’re cold. Layers give you flexibility when the weather shifts.
Top
Layer 1: thermal top (when it’s very cold). If you generally don’t feel that cold (even when it is cold) you can skip this layer in the summer.
Layer 1: A quick-dry t-shirt/tank (when it’s warm). This can be layer 2 when it’s cold.
Layer 3: A fleece or sweater
Layer 4: A down jacket or any lightweight puffer
Layer 5: Wind and Rain Jacket
Bottom
Layer 1: Thermal bottom (only when it’s very cold)
Layer 2: Leggings/Quick-dry pants
Layer 3: Waterproof pants (only when it’s raining heavily)
- Materials matter: If you’ve never checked the labels of any clothes you’ve purchased before, then now’s the time to start checking because materials matter in a place like Iceland. I know we all love wearing cotton but it is a big no no, because it takes a long time to dry if it gets wet, which will make you miserable. Instead opt for clothes made of wool (especially merino), polyester, polyamide, nylon, wool, vinyl, Gore-Tex etc.
- Bring colourful outer layers for fabulous photos: Colours like yellow, red, fluorescent and orange really pop against Iceland’s black, white, green and blue vistas. So wearing jackets in these colours will make your photos super stunning!
We purchased some bright jackets (puffers) but couldn’t find bright rain and wind jackets so we carried what we already has lying at home – black and white ones.
- Pack lightweight clothing: Ensure your clothing is super lightweight and don’t carry any bulky jackets. This’ll
help you pack everything in a small suitcase/bag and even let you pack more of your regular clothing. - Keep It Light (You’ll Thank Yourself Later): You’ll likely be renting a car in Iceland, driving around the ring road, and generally be on the move a lot- switching hotels, dragging your suitcase up guesthouse stairs and opening it up in tiny rooms, or having to fit it in a small camper. So don’t carry too much.
And it’s so easy to pack light for Iceland because you don’t need a lot of daily clothes. Even 3-4 pairs will do just fine for 10 days because you will rarely sweat and definitely can do laundry, as a lot of guest houses have washing machines with dryers. Carrying 2 fleece/sweaters in different colours and 2 puffers and 2 rain jackets in different colours will do just fine.
In fact, we carried only one of each and it was perfect! We packed all our stuff in just one medium suitcase with everything (including summer wear) for 2 people, as this visit to Iceland was part of our 70 days Euro trip. So trust me, everything I mention in this Iceland summer packing list can easily fit in a cabin-sized suitcase.
- Carry ready-to-eat food from home: Food in Iceland is expensive and there aren’t many restaurants on the Ring Road. So you’ll probably be sticking to lunches at gas stations and cooking ready-to-eat meals for dinner. Why ready-to-eat meals? Because fresh food is super expensive in Iceland. We were shocked to see the price of eggs and veggies.
While you can find lots of variety of ready-to-eats in Iceland itself at their grocery stores like Bonus and Kronan, these too aren’t very cheap, and the options for vegetarians are very few. So it’s best to carry a few ready-to-eat packets from home itself as well as sample a few local ones on your Iceland trip.
Iceland Summer Packing List: Clothing Essentials
All of this year, I’ve gotten asked what to pack for Iceland and where to buy the items from – especially in India – because most of us rarely use practical outdoor gear. Having done a ton of research about this before leaving for our world trip we think the best brands are Decathlon, Columbia, Uniqlo and M&S. You’ll find a lot of what we’ve mentioned below in these stores. I’ve even linked out to specific products or product pages where I could find them. If you’re traveling abroad anytime before your Iceland trip you can also check out NorthFace and REI amongst others.
Tops (Layering Pieces)
- 1 thermal top (layer 1): Carry super lightweight ones from Uniqlo (men and women) or M&S (Heatgen ones only for women and men)!
- 7 t-shirts (layer 1/2): These need to be lightweight and quick-dry. You can carry a combination of half and full sleeves. On most days, this will be your first layer. You can get these from a sportswear store.
Shop active wear t-shirts on Myntra - 2 fleece jumpers or sweaters (layer 3): We wore this layer nearly every day and expect that you will too. Carry these in colours that complement your jackets. While I recommend getting front zip fleece/sweater so you can take it off easily, it’s totally up to you.
You can get amazing fleece jackets from Uniqlo, Columbia and Decathlon. If you want to carry sweaters, then the best are wool ones (especially merino or cashmere), as they’re lightweight and super warm but not easily available in India. TBH, any brand will do. These Uniqlo ones made of cashmere are perfect. - 1 Down Jacket/Puffer (Layer 4): Nothing can beat the ultra light-weight jackets by Uniqlo that pack up really small when not in use. But you can also buy this from any other brands like Columbia and Decathlon which have these in fab colours.
- 1 waterproof & windproof shell jacket (Layer 5): This is THE MOST ESSENTIAL layer which is often skipped. Ours is from North Face but in India you can easily get this at Columbia or Decathlon.
Bottoms
- Warmer leggings/Long Underwear (optional): Carry this only if you feel extra cold. I wore mine while we drove through South-east Iceland on 2 days and could not have done without it. But my husband never wore his and felt fine. M&S and Uniqlo have fab ones.
- 2 pairs of hiking trousers: Hiking pants are meant for rugged use, are strethable keeping you comfortable and usually even quick-dry. So there’s nothing better than this. Pick pants in materials like Polyester and Polyamide. Here are a few options- Decathlon, SilverTraq, Uniqlo
- 1-2 pairs of leggings: Leggings are great for Icelandic weather too. Any active wear leggings will do as long as they’re full length. I love my BlissClub one– worn it on several hikes and they’re super comfy and stretchable.
- 1 pair of waterproof pants: Okay, this can be super important if you get crazy rain. However, we never found nice ones so we never carried them. Luckily, we never needed them either but I know some people who’d have had a terrible time without them so it all depends on your luck and how much you’re willing to skip on a rainy day. Here’s an option for men and women.
Innerwear, Swimwear & Socks
- 1-2 swimwear: You definitely need to carry at least one swimsuit because there is no way you’ll not be visiting a hot spring. If you plan to visit more, you can carry 2.
- At least 7 pairs of underwear
- 3-4 bras/sports bras: you can easily repeat these
- 5 pairs of moisture-wicking socks: It’s best to carry moisture wicking socks so your feet don’t trap moisture and become wet and sweaty. You’ll hate it. Buy socks made of merino, bamboo, and synthetic ones which are naturally mositure wicking. If you’re going to be wearing hiking shoes daily (which I think you should) then carry hiking socks as these provide compression and recude chafing fromt the shoes as well.
- 1-2 pairs of warm hiking socks: Carry some warm hiking socks. Some areas of Iceland are colder than others so you’ll be happy to have these while exploring.
- 1-2 pairs of warm socks for the night: Nice loose warm socks you can even sleep in, in case it gets cold at night.
Accessories & Extras
- 1 beanie and gloves (yes, even in summer): You may or may not need these depending on how cold you feel but it’s best to carry them anyway. I purchased a beanie from Iceland itself (Icewear brand available everywhere) and wore it nearly everyday. Highly recommend a getting a beanie that matches your jacket or a neutral one that’ll go with anything (black/white/brown/beige)
I even wore gloves on a few days (it’s super cold near the glaciers and iceberg lagoons). It’s up to you if you want to carry gloves or not. - Sunglasses: You’ll need sunglasses for the extra sunny days!
- 1 nice outfit: Pack a nice outfit if you’re going to Reykjavik for a day or two and want to look chic. They could be jeans/chinos/trousers and a cute top. Whatever you wish. however, if you just step out in the same clothes you’re wearing during the rest of your time in Iceland, you will never get stared down. It is normal to be dressed for adventure.
- 1 microfibre towel: Depending on which hot springs you visit, you might need to use your own towel. These microfibre ones are super light weight and easy to carry.
Best Footwear for Iceland (Don’t Get This Wrong)
- Waterproof hiking boots: While you can get by in Iceland without hiking boots if you’re not planning on doing any hikes, I think it is essential to carry waterproof hiking boots for one reason- the waterproofing. It is highly possible that your shoes get wet and they will then not dry for days. Hiking boots are built to stay waterproof and if water does get in it should dry fast. In addition, your feet will get a good grip no matter where you go! Check out Columbia and Decathlon for these.
- Slippers or sandals: You will need these at hot springs and in your accommodation when going to the bathroom.
- Nice pair of shoes (optional): You can get one for your time in Reykjavik but you will not need this at any other time. Ensure they’re not heels and preferably closed shoes so you don’t catch a chill. Think boots, sneakers, etc. We never wore these and simply stuck to our hiking boots but it is up to you.
Toiletries & Personal Care Essentials
You may or may not get toiletries at your accommodation so it’s best to carry some basic stuff.
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Face wash
- Face Moisturiser
- Body Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with SPF
- Deodorant
- Hand sanitiser
- Comb
- Bug Spray: Though there aren’t any mosquitos in Iceland, they do have some flies in certian regions which are super annoying. These flies are attracted to yellow clothes so beware and remove any yellow outerwear around them.
Travel Gear That Makes Iceland Easier
- Reusable water bottle: Icelandic tap water is some of the purest on Earth. You’ll never need to buy bottled water here so do carry your water bottle to refill whenever you like.
2. Sleep mask: The sun sets late in the summer or if you’re going in June or July then not at all so carrying this is a must if you need darkness to be able to sleep.
3. Daypack: for hikes & road trip stops. You can use a regular backpack for your entire journey or a collapsible one just for the road trip duration.
4. Waterproof cover for your day pack: These often come free with your backpack and if not, you can get one from Decathlon.
5. Extra plastic bags or dry bags: for wet clothes after hot spring visits
7. A car phone holder: Our car didn’t have a screen so we needed a holder and guess what? We didn’t have one. So don’t be like us and carry this because you can’t be sure if yours will have a holder or not and you will definitely need it while driving in Iceland. We’ve linked the clamp type that hooks onto the AC vent because these are super portable (a lot better than the sticky ones) and we carry a simlar one on all our road trips.
8. Portable white noise machine (optional): A lot of people cannot sleep without some noise. Since, Iceland does not have fans or Aircons you might need a machine like this to be able to sleep
9. Portable fan (optional): I had never considered this, but recently I went to a hill station where there was no AC, no fan, no noise, and I just couldn’t sleep. Then i went into a reddit about Iceland and people had mentioned that they carry a portable fan whenever they visit typically cold countries in the summer season. Beause it can get hot, or they need flowing wind, or even because of the white noise. So consider it if you think any of these might be an issue for you.
10. Portble Bidet: If you’re used to a jet in your bathroom, you will need this.
11. Hiking Sticks (optional): We carried these because we went hiking a couple of times. I have weak knees, and my husband has terrible balance so it was essential for us.
Health & Safety Essentials for Iceland
- Basic medicines: Like painkillers, stomach upset meds, allergy meds
- Travel insurance: No matter what, always get this for international trips
- Motion sickness bands or tablets: You will need this if you’re prone to motion sickness and you go whale watching
Electronics & Travel Adapters
- Universal travel adapter: Iceland uses Type F plug
- Power bank
- Phone & charger
- Camera & Charger (optional)
- Drone, Spare Batteries, and Charger (optional)
- A GoPro & Go Pro Accessories (optional)
- Phone case: for all the times you’re in hot springs and heading to spots near waterfalls, you’ll wish you had either of these. We didn’t have either and we so wish we did.
- Offline maps
- Downloaded Spotify playlist
What NOT to Pack for Iceland in Summer
- Umbrella: These are completely useless in the Iceland because of the extremely windy conditions.
- High heels or formal wear
- Too many “cute outfits”: function beats fashion here. Trust me, you’ll regret the cute clothes when the weather sucks
- Heavy parkas: A good shell and layers is all you need
Packing for Iceland in summer really comes down to one thing: layers.
Between June and August, the weather can change quickly, so having versatile pieces you can add or remove makes all the difference. Stick to the essentials, don’t skip a good waterproof jacket, and you’ll be ready for it all—without overpacking.
And honestly, once you’re there, surrounded by Iceland’s landscapes, what you packed won’t matter nearly as much as the experience.
Got questions? Drop your Iceland packing tips in the comments!
Other reads from Iceland:
Tips for renting a car in Iceland
10 days in Iceland: The perfect road trip itinerary
Driving in Iceland: 21 things to know before your road trip