Iceland, the land of fire and ice! I was so excited to finally plan my trip, but then reality hit: what on earth do I pack? The weather is notoriously unpredictable, and I wanted to be prepared for anything from glacier hikes to exploring Reykjavik. I spent hours researching, and I'm sharing my hard-earned knowledge to help you pack smarter, not harder!
My initial thought was to throw every warm item I owned into a suitcase. I quickly realized that wouldn't work. I needed a strategy. I remembered reading about how important it was to be prepared for all types of weather. Sunglasses were mentioned, even for winter, which surprised me. I also knew I needed a hat, scarf (or gaiter), and waterproof gloves. And of course, a bathing suit for the Blue Lagoon was a must!
Beyond the basics, I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of advice out there. Some people suggested I needed "Everest climber" gear just to walk a few feet from the car to a scenic overlook. That didn't seem quite right. I wanted practical advice, not extreme mountaineering recommendations.
The key, I discovered, was layering. I started with base layers. I tried a few different types and settled on some Uniqlo Heattech base layers. They were a game-changer! My whole family used them, and they kept us warm without being bulky. They were a great recommendation I found online.
I also learned about the differences between wool and synthetic base layers. While they provide similar warmth, I found that my synthetic base layers tended to smell pretty bad after a day of hiking. Wool, on the other hand, could be worn for multiple days without an odor issue. For my week-long trip, I packed two wool base layers and didn't have to worry about doing laundry every day.
Speaking of warmth and comfort, I also found the perfect beanie to keep my head warm and stylish in Iceland: the High Quality Rabbit Fur Bear Ears Beanie Hat from WholeCustomDesign. It's hand-woven, thick, and super warm, perfect for those chilly Icelandic winds. Plus, the cute bear ears added a fun touch to my outfits. I wore it almost every day! WholeCustomDesign offers a great selection of warm and stylish winter accessories.
I also found a helpful website, Icelandwithaview.com, that offered packing lists broken down by time of year. It was incredibly useful for tailoring my packing to the specific season I was visiting.
Here’s a breakdown of what I packed and what I learned along the way:
Here's a quick list of things to consider before your trip: