What to Wear for Iceland?

Iceland, with its volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs and aurora, is a tourist destination that cannot miss in many people’s minds. Indeed, if you are lucky enough to take a photo with the aurora, it may be the most precious memory of your life. However, many people are afraid of Iceland's location near the Arctic Circle and think it is difficult to dress warmly and stylishly when traveling in winter.

Is this really the case? Is Iceland really that cold in winter? And what should you wear when traveling to Iceland in summer? If you want to know the answers to these questions, keep reading this blog!

The Climate Characteristics of Iceland

Iceland has a maritime climate with a strong influence of the warm Gulf Stream, which makes winters in most areas of the country quite mild. The climate is generally cool and windy, with unpredictable weather conditions.

The average temperature in Reykjavík, the capital city, ranges from 0°C in winter to 13°C in summer. However, the weather can be very changeable during the day, with frequent temperature swings. It is not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day.

Iceland receives a lot of precipitation: it rains or snows all year round. The southern and western parts of the country receive the most precipitation, while the northern and eastern regions tend to be drier. The central highlands are characterized by a cold desert climate with minimal rainfall.

Because of the high latitudes, Iceland has long daylight hours in the summer, known to us as “white nights”. In contrast, during the winter months, the daylight hours are very short, with polar night in the far north. The best times to visit Iceland are summer and winter. Summer (June to August) is the peak tourist season due to mild weather, long daylight hours and many activities such as whale watching, hiking and exploring the highlands. Winter (December through February), on the other hand, is known for its stunning winter scenery, including the opportunity to see the aurora.

The landscape of Iceland is predominantly flat, but the large number of volcanoes, including active volcanoes, creates a distinct microclimate in some areas. On the uplands it can be as low as -10°C in winter.

The weather is the same almost all over the island, but there are still some distinctive features. The northern and eastern suburbs, especially near the coast, are a couple of degrees colder than the southern and western suburbs. For example, in Reykjavik and in the southwest of the country the average annual temperature does not fall below 5 degrees Celsius. A major city like Akureyri and the entire northern coast has an average annual temperature of +3°C.

January is the coldest month. The temperature during the day is about zero degrees, at night - a slight minus - up to 4 degrees of frost. Floating ice can be observed on the ocean. February is a cold, windy month. The temperature only sometimes rises just above zero. But at this time, the harsh landscape of Iceland is most beautiful - snow-capped volcanoes, from the top of which mountains of ash erupt, exploding hot water in the middle of snow-white fields...

What to Wear for Iceland in Summer?

Iceland's special geographical location determines that even in summer, the temperature here is not very high, and it can even be a little cold. Therefore, when you pack for your summer trip to Iceland, you also need to bring a lot of thick clothes.

It is better to take waterproof and windproof outerwear to Iceland. Rain and strong wind in Iceland come at the same time! A scarf of medium warmth, a hat and gloves are also needed. A hat preferably with ears. Yes, yes, friends, we are talking about the height of summer in Iceland!

For the need of decoration and also warmth keeping, take a knitted headband. In strong winds, you want to insulate your ears and keep your hair out of your eyes. For warmer days, you can take jeans and/or a sweater. If you have waterproof and windproof pants for hiking, take them. If not, jeans are fine, but it is better to take two pairs. Take jeans that are not too shabby. Girls can also take ordinary warm tights for sleeping.

Skirts and all sorts of dresses are inappropriate when traveling in Iceland. It is not always possible to wash and/or dry your clothes in Iceland - this point should be taken into account when calculating the number of socks, shorts and T-shirts. The emphasis in your closet for a trip to Iceland should be on warm clothes, and you will always have time to take off your clothes if it is sunny.

It is better to take a pair of waterproof boots. You can't do without them if you plan to explore the terrain and walk a lot on trekking trails, which are covered with large rocks and lava. On average, you will walk 12-15 km a day. Your feet will thank you, especially by the end of the trip. Ordinary sneakers are suitable for photos on viewpoints, but not for long walks.

Don't forget to bring sunglasses and sunscreen and moisturizer with you to Iceland. The sunglasses will save you from bright light and strong winds, while the cream will prevent your skin from getting burned and weathered.

You have to dress in layers. The weather in Iceland changes before you know it. Icelanders joke: “Don't like the weather in Iceland? Wait five minutes and it will get worse.” It's true! The weather changes every few minutes: rain / snow / sun / fog / strong wind / hail / sun / rain. Therefore, it is recommended to dress in layers: t-shirt, thermal underwear, sweater, jacket. If it will be hot - unbutton or take it off. If it is cold, put on an extra layer.

What to Wear for Iceland in Winter?

Winter in Iceland is not as cold as many people imagine. The average temperature during the darkest winter months here is just below 0°C, but you may feel that the local cold is a little different from where you are used to. This is due to the winds, which can make it seem colder outside.

The Choices of Tops:

Thermal underwear: Choose thermal underwear with soft fabric and strong sweat absorption function, which can provide the first layer of warmth for the body.

Sweater or wool sweater: Thick sweaters are excellent at keeping warm. They are like efficient heat storage devices. When we wear them in a cold environment, they can quickly absorb and store the heat emitted by the human body, forming a warm barrier that fits the body. Over time, this layer of heat is slowly and continuously released, continuously replenishing the body with heat energy, keeping our body temperature in a comfortable range, allowing warmth to last for a long time, regardless of the challenge of low temperatures outside.

Down jacket: Short down jackets are easy to move, while long down jackets can better resist the cold. You can choose according to your personal needs. Down jackets filled with goose down, with high down content and good fluffiness have better warmth retention performance.

Outerwear: When going on a trip like this for the first time, many people mistakenly assume that frost is not waiting for them. After all, for example, in Reykjavik, the average annual temperature is not lower than five degrees Celsius. But it is worth remembering that to go to Iceland and not to visit a glacier or the deck of a ship, watching whales, means to miss something important. And for such events you will definitely need warm clothes. Winter temperatures here do not drop below 10 degrees Celsius, but the humid climate and strong winds intensify the cold. So it is easy to get cold without a fur coat. Iceland has strong winds and snow in winter, and windproof and waterproof jackets are essential outer clothing. It can effectively block the invasion of wind and snow and protect the inner layer of clothing dry and warm. The warmer the better!

Bottoms

Warm pants: Thick warm pants that match the thermal underwear are the basis to keep the legs warm. In addition, you can also choose fleece jeans or sweatpants, which provide warmth while also being fashionable and comfortable.

Waterproof and windproof pants: Waterproof and windproof pants that can be paired with a jacket are a good companion for travel. The fabric is generally more wear-resistant and breathable, and can cope with the complex weather conditions in Iceland in winter. When doing outdoor activities, it can effectively prevent snow and rain from getting your legs wet.

Warm Accessories

Without a warm hat, don't even plan your tour! Wool knit hats and fur ears are a must. Otherwise you will have to meet the local pharmacists. A few hours in the local wind will definitely affect the health of your ears. Scarf and mittens will not be superfluous. And if you have thermal underwear, bring it too.