The Ultimate Packing List for Iceland for Winter (In a Carry-On!) + 10 Useful Tips
Looking for a simple guide on what to pack for Iceland but totally lost? No worries, I was on the same page. If I’m going to be completely honest, planning my first trip to Iceland was overwhelming: Do we stay in Reykjavik or visit other cities? Should we rent a car? Which of the (literally hundreds) of day tours do we book? What do we pack? What the heck is Hákarl?!
While I can’t be of much help with the rest of the questions, I can help you figure out the packing situation! In this packing guide, I narrowed it down to the most important things to pack for your trip to Iceland. Since my trip to Iceland was in February, this post will be specifically about what to pack for Iceland in the winter. There’s a Norwegian saying that goes something like, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes” — you can rest assured that all of the items in this guide will keep you warm, comfortable, and excited to explore Iceland.
What’s more, I know that many of my readers are in the #carryonclub, so this entire post is perfect for those who are packing for Iceland in a carry on. But Luda, I have heavy snowshoes, puffy jackets, and like 14953 different scarves! No worries, this Iceland packing guide will be useful even if you pack light — I’m living proof. :)
Those Northern Lights aren’t going to last for long, so without further ado, I present the ultimate packing list for Iceland! In the winter! With a Carry-on!
(You can tell I’m excited, right? Let’s go!)
ICELAND PACKING TIPS
Before I get into talking about the actual items, I wanted to share my philosophy and some packing tips to maximize your trip. If you’re interested in only what to wear to Iceland, you can skip this section and go to the next one :)
When creating my Iceland packing list, I recommend following the three W’s: Warm, Waterproof, and Wearable. Yes, I totally made that up, but it totally fits this post, doesn’t it?
Here’s a breakdown:
❄️ Warm: Since you’ll be traveling to Iceland in the winter (when temperatures in Reykjavik hover around 1°C/33°F), you’ll want to pack things that will keep you warm. To save you some space in your luggage, we’re going to pack clothing that is lightweight yet keeps your temperature, like thermal shirts made out of merino wool.
❄️ Waterproof: Because Iceland gets wet in winter — and I mean wet wet — waterproof items are very important. You could opt for “water resistant,” but anything more than a light drizzle and the water will slowly start to seep into your jacket and make you wet. Waterproof is always the best option.
❄️ Wearable: Warm and waterproof clothes are completely useless if your items aren’t wearable. Make sure you’re 100% comfortable in your clothes so that you don’t feel tight, constrained, or like you’re going to split open the seam of your pants if you move an inch. 
When trying on items, do a variety of motions while wearing your clothes, such as sitting, walking, stretching, and so on. See if any area feels tight or uncomfortable, and don’t be afraid to size up if needed (especially because you’ll be wearing thick clothing underneath!)
Likewise, thoroughly read the reviews, carefully use the sizing chart, and always try something multiple on before chucking it in your luggage — I like to wear my new clothes around the house before it gets to go with me on vacation. :)
Top 10 Iceland Packing Tips
1- The biggest rule of thumb is don’t pack too much – nobody’s going to see your cool pizza cat shirt (unfortunately) and every ounce counts when you’re traveling with a carry-on. Make sure each of your items has its own job. Even better, some items can do double duty!
2- Pack everything in packing cubes (see what I did there? 
) – That way it’ll be easier to keep everything organized and separate. I usually keep my tops, thermal shirts, and sweaters in one cube, bottoms in another, makeup/beauty items in a smaller cube, and underwear/bras/socks in another small cube.
3 –Waterproof vs water resistant – As mentioned above, water resistant clothing is able to resist the penetration of water to some degree but not entirely. Waterproof clothing will completely deflect water and keep you dry. When in doubt, choose waterproof.
4-Base layers are your friend! – I can’t stress this enough: if you want to stay warm but don’t want to add bulk, you’ll need good base layers. Stock up on thermal undershirts, leggings, socks, etc. There’s a whole section below where I go into more detail. :)
5- Wear heavy items on the plane – My number one tip for saving space in your carry-on! Take your puffy snow coat, warm boots, and other bulky items with you on the plane. It’s not uncomfortable at all – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. I slept like a baby curled up in my cozy snow jacket during the 8+ hour flight to Reykjavik!
6- Packing snow cleats: Yes or no? I say no, because the TSA doesn’t allowTSA doesn’t allow snowshoe spikes in your carry-on (unfortunately!). If you’re worried about falling or plan to go n a tour, there are companies where you can rent snow cleats in Iceland.
7 – Stick to a color palette — Who says you have to go all neutral colors? I accented my Iceland wardrobe with a pop of color (my Roxy snow jacket) and kept the rest of my wardrobe gray and black.
8 – Use compression bags to save volume in your luggage. You don’t even need a vacuum to compress them – these ones work when you roll out the air! They’re perfect for “puffy” items like snow pants.
9 – As my grandma always said, it’s better to be over prepared than underprepared. You might not think that you need a swimsuit in Iceland during the winter, but once you see the beautiful thermal pools and Blue Lagoon, you’ll be kicking yourself for not taking one.
10 – Finally, buy everything in advance! You’ll be able to find the essentials in Iceland, but they’ll be marked up 2x or 3x more than what you could have bought them on Amazon. Planning ahead saves time, money, and stress!
What to Wear in Iceland in the Winter:
The Packing Guide
Chilling out in my Roxy jacket ;)
CLOTHING
OUTERWEAR
I’m going to go on a limb here and say that a warm jacket can make or break your winter trip to Iceland, which is why it’s so important to choose wisely!
I recommend buying a waterproof ski jacket because it’s the warmest, but a good thick winter jacket will also suffice. I wore this Roxy Snowstorm ski jacket and was toasty as a marshmallow during my whole trip, even when the temperature outside dipped below the freezing point. Best of all, the inner fabric is made with special micro-capsules that moisturize and protect your skin from the cold, while the fun colors popped against the snow and got me a ton of compliments.
Here are some important features to look for when picking out your winter jacket:
-(Faux) fur hood – Not required, but nice to have so you can keep your face warm and protected when it’s windy
-Puffer-style jacket – All the convenience of a lightweight jacket without weighing you down
-Waterproof & windproof – Look for special coating and high-density fabric to protect yourself from the elements
-Multiple pockets – Store your phone in one pocket, a snack and gloves in another, a hand warmer packet in the third… you get the point ;)
Here are some of the best coats for Iceland winters:
Women’s Waterproof Ski Jacket // ROXY Snowstorm Snow Jacket // Men’s Mountain Waterproof Ski Snow Jacket // The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka III
FUN FACT: Icelanders have 46 words for snow – if they’re that serious about weather, you should be too with your packing list ;)
TOP LAYERS
To be completely honest, I wouldn’t worry about packing too many tops for your trip. If you’re going to be in Iceland during winter, you’ll most likely be wearing your jacket from the moment you step outside your hotel room to the moment you come back — and there won’t be that many opportunities to show off your cool pizza cat shirt. :(
Depending on the length of your trip, I recommend packing 2 to 4 tops. For “warmer” days, you could wear a long-sleeved shirt with a base layer, and for colder days, you can put on a pullover or a top with thicker layers. Best of all, if you opt for a pullover like this one, you can zip up and have a bonus neck-warmer!
Here’s a quick formula for typical days: Base layer + top + jacket
Here’s one for extra cold days: Base layer + compression top + sweater + jacket
Charles River Apparel Women’s Fleece Pullover // Under Armour Women’s ColdGear Authentics Compression Mock // Imily Bela Women’s Fuzzy Sherpa Fleece Sweater
UA Men’s ColdGear Armour Compression Mock // find. Men’s Contrast Chunky Stitch Sweater // Under Armour Base 4.0 // Wrangler Authentics Men’s Sweater Fleece
BOTTOMS
I packed one pair of snow pants for my “everyday” wear and one pack of lighter pants to wear on the plane, at the hotel, and on “casual” days when we were going to walk around Reykjavik. If it’s cold to walk outside with your light pants, just add a base layer underneath and voila.
Pack hack: Use compression bags to flatten your snow pants before putting them in your luggage.
Helly-Hansen Women’s Bellissimo Pant // Helly Hansen Women’s Legendary Waterproof Insulated Ski Pant // Mens Snow Ski Waterproof Softshell Snowboard Pants // Columbia Bugaboo Ii Pant
UNDERWEAR & BASE LAYERS
– Base layers: Merino wool is the gold standard when it comes to base layer materials. First off, it regulates body heat much better than any synthetic fabric — imagine how well the Merino sheep needs to regulate its own temperature when it hangs out in climates that range from 5 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit! (-15 to 35 C)
Other benefits of Merino wool are that it’s odor-resistant thanks to its natural smell-wicking properties; it’s great for layering during especially chilly days thanks to its ability to trap warmth; and it wicks moisture away. For the absolute best in Merino wool, check out the Smartwool line.
I recommend packing at least 1 top base layer and 1 bottom base layer, but you can bump it up to 2 base tops and 2 base bottoms if you’d like.
Minus33 Merino Wool Ossipee Women’s Midweight Crew // MERIWOOL Womens Base Layer 100% Merino Wool Midweight Thermal Shirt // MERIWOOL Womens Merino Wool Base Layer Thermal Pants // Minus33 Merino Wool Women’s Midweight Bottom
-Underwear: A very important piece of clothing for any traveler. ;)
For ladies, I recommend bringing one sport bra and one comfort bra. The sports bra is for active days (like a Golden Circle tour) and the comfort bra is for all other days. Don’t worry, there is no reason to wear a push up bra in Iceland.
I recommend taking 8 pairs of underwear: 7 for a week’s worth of underwear and 1 extra just in case.
Womens Underwear Mid Waist // Warner’s Women’s No Side Effects Wire-Free Contour Bra // ExOfficio Women’s Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Bralette // adidas Men’s Performance Boxer Briefs
-Swimsuit: If you plan to visit the famous Blue Lagoon or one of the dozens of Iceland’s geothermal pools, don’t forget your swimsuit! Pro trip: Blue or white swimsuits tend to stand out in your Blue Lagoon photos.
Pack hack: For cute photos and to keep hair off your face, use a strong elastic scrunchie
Women’s Criss Cross High Waisted One Piece // La Blanca Women’s V-Front Keyhole Halter One Piece // Women’s Color Block Bowknot One piece
SOCKS & SHOES
– Two pairs of shoes: Snow shoes and walking shoes – Besides a winter jacket, your shoes are the second most important thing that you’ll nee in Iceland! Iceland’s winter is notorious for turning the entire ground into a sludgy mess, so you’ll need something that has a stable grip, is waterproof, and comfortable enough to walk long distances. If you’re visiting during shoulder season, you can also take a smaller pair of walking shoes if you plan to explore Reykjavik (the capital) without the added bulk of snow shoes.
I wore these Sorel boots and loved them – they were even comfortable enough to last the entire 10+ hour flight from the USA to Iceland! Here are some other great picks:
Sorel Women’s Tofino Ii Boots // UGG Women’s Adirondack Tall III // Columbia Men’s Fairbanks Urban Winter Boot // Bates Men’s Gore-Tex Insulated Waterproof Boot
-Three pairs of socks – Don’t forget the socks! I recommend thick thermal socks to keep cold toes at bay — after all, your feet are closest to the snow-covered ground!
Women’s Merino Wool Outdoor Hiking Trail Crew Sock // Heat Holders Thermal Socks // Carhartt Men’s Cold Weather Wool Blend Crew Socks // GKX Men’s Merino Wool Moisture Wicking Crew Socks
Keeping my ears toasty warm with the ushanka I bought in Russia a few years back
ACCESSORIES
-A Warm Hat: Keep those ears toasty! You’ll need at least one warm hat in Iceland, preferably one that’s lined with a warm material and versatile. I particularly like ushankas (those thick Russian hats) because you can keep the ear flaps down or clip them up when it gets warmer. If you don’t want to add bulk, you can also buy a beanie and put on your jacket hoodie for additional warmth.
Women’s Knit Slouchy Beanie // Unisex Rabbit Fur Trapper Ushanka // Winter Hat with Ear Flaps // Fleece Lined Mens Beanie Hat
-A Pair of Sunglasses – Fun fact: Did you know that snow reflects approximately 80% of the sun’s UV rays (compared to 10% from grass or water)? Most people don’t think they need sunglasses in the snow, but it’s actually one of the most important accessories that you should pack for your trip to Iceland. Since there’s snow everywhere during winter, it’s easier to get sun damage — and you might not even know until it’s too late!
To find your perfect pair of sunnies, here are a few things to look out for: anti-glare, polarized (which sharpens your vision and helps you see better), and, of course, a high UV protection.
SOJOS Classic Aviator Polarized Sunglasses // Smith Caper Chromapop Polarized Sunglasses // S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses // Oakley Men’s Rectangular Sunglasses
– A Pair of Gloves – Since you’ll be exploring the great Icelandic outdoors, a pair of gloves definitely comes in handy when you want to take photos, use your phone, or use your hands and not get cold. If you’re planning to take photos on your smartphone (or just Facetime your friends with a cool waterfall as your background!), I recommend getting a pair of touchscreen gloves so that you can still use your screen without having to remove your gloves.
Waterproof Winter Touchscreen Gloves // North Face Womens Osito Gloves // Arctix Womens Women’s Downhill Gloves // Carhartt Men’s W.P. Waterproof Insulated Glove
-A Scarf and/or Buff – The neck is one of the most forgotten parts of your body, especially in the cold: Sure, you might have a warm jacket, hat, and gloves, but for some reason I feel like almost everybody forgets to pack a scarf or something to keep the neck warm.
If you don’t have a scarf at home or don’t want to buy one, a buff is a great and less-bulky alternative that won’t take up much space in your luggage. :)
Calvin Klein Lightweight Wrap Scarf // Roxy SNOW Women’s Cascade Collar // MERIWOOL Neck Warmer Gaiter for Women & Men // Hickey Freeman Cashmere Scarf
NICE TO HAVE
-A couple of hand warmer packets – It’s nice to have a few of these hand warmer packets tucked in your backpack for especially chilly winter days. They work instantly and keep your hands warm for a long period of time — all you have to do is take them out of the packaging, shake them, and wait about 5 to 10 minutes for it to heat up. Pop them in your gloves or pocket, and voila: toasty hands.
-A backpack rain cover – Iceland is prone to rain and heavy snow. If you plan to take along your backpack on a day trip or outside, make sure to cover it with a rain cover (especially if you have valuable electronics inside!)
-Thermos – For those who want to keep the environment clean and enjoy a nice cup of steaming green tea (or hot chocolate, or soup, or …), this one’s for you. Iceland is fortunate enough to have drinkable tap water, so you can also fill up your thermos and save a few plastic bottles as well.
-Microfiber towel – If you’re planning to check out one of the hundreds of geothermal pools around Iceland, it’s a good idea to take along a small microfiber towel: they’re super absorbent, easy to pack, and dry quicker than traditional towels. Plus, you can use them over and over again for future trips — one of my friends swears by her microfiber towel whenever she stays in hostels!
DuraFlask Explorer Double-Wall Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle (32oz) // Ultra Soft Compact Quick Dry Microfiber Towel
MAKEUP & BEAUTY
– Lip cream // Recommended: Skyn Iceland Lipgloss – This lip gloss/chapstick was made in Iceland, so you know it has to be good I took this specific lip gloss with me to Iceland and let me tell you guys: I didn’t have one second of chapped lips during the entire trip. I have no idea what kind of sorcery is in this tube, but now I take it with me anytime I plan to go somewhere cold or dry.
– Hand Cream // Recommended: Norwegian Formula Hand Cream – Hey look, another Nordic-inspired product :)
I’ve used Norwegian Formula since I was a teenager and it was one of the first things I tossed into my luggage after I booked the tickets to Iceland. Although it says hand cream, I use it almost everywhere (elbows, neck, feet, etc) except my face.
skyn ICELAND Berry Lip Fix: for Damaged Lips with Long-Lasting Hydration // Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream // L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
– Face cream and/or face masks – From blistering winds, harmful rays from the sun, and sub-zero temperatures, our face gets pretty exhausted after fighting the elements all day long. Prepare your skin ahead of time by using a heavy moisturizing cream, and repair already-damaged skin every few days with a face mask.
belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb // La Roche-Posay Double Repair Oil-Free Face Cream // Dermatone Mini Tin Skin Protector // 17VDerma Premium Korean Face Sheet Masks
– Sunscreen – Yes, friends, even in winter! Just like with the sunglasses situation above (see Accessories above), the snow bounces off the sun’s rays and can do some serious damage to your skin. I like to carry around my little tube of sunscreen in my purse and re-apply every few hours, paying special attention to the cheeks, nose, and neck area.
COOLA Face Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 30 // Village 11 SPF 50+ Sunscreen, UVA + UVB Protection // ETUDE HOUSE Airy Finish Sebum-free Mineral Based Sunscreen // PURITO Unscented Sunscreen SPF50+
My trusty carry-on luggage and backpack – fresh off the plane and ready to relax at the Blue Lagoon :)
LUGGAGE
CARRY-ON LUGGAGE
– A carry-on suitcase – This post is titled What to Pack For Iceland in a Carry-On and, naturally, we finally reached the part where I talk about the carry-on. :)
I’ve used this Traveler’s Choice carry-on suitcase for years and it’s still going strong. It’s a hard-case suitcase, which means it’s easy to stack, hard to damage, and keeps its form even under tough conditions (running through mud and rain to catch a train, being dragged along old cobblestone streets in Romania, getting punted out of cargo when a budget airline forces you to check it, etc etc.)
One of my favorite features of this luggage is thait one side contains an “open” space and the other has a U-shaped zip up cover with a pouch to easily store smaller things. It also expands by an extra 25% in case you buy too many souvenirs in Iceland.
Traveler’s Choice Tasmania 100% Pure Polycarbonate Expandable Black Carry-on
BACKPACK
– A backpack – This is optional but great to have if you’re planning to do day trips, work from your laptop, or carry a lot of photography gear. I’ve used my KROSER backpack for the last 2 or so years and think it’s an ideal backpack for travelers. It’s super multifunctional and you can just throw all of your stuff (laptop, small purse, camera, etc) when you fly to Iceland and then use it as a daypack to keep your camera, tripod, snacks, scarf, and so on when you’re out exploring.
Some of my favorite benefits: There’s an inner pocket for your laptop/tablet, an outer pouch for smaller goods (like snacks), and two pockets on the side for a water bottle or thermos.
The frog-mouth opening gives you easy access to your stuff so there’s no more sticking your hand inside, rummaging, and hoping you’ll find what you’re looking for! The best benefit of this backpack, especially for travelers, is the little loop on the back that lets you easily slide it on your suitcase handle so you don’t have to carry it around on your back.
KROSER 15.6 Inch Laptop Backpack with USB Port
ELECTRONICS
– A Good Camera – A trip to Iceland is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I’m sure you want to capture all of your fun memories. On any given trip, I use my iPhone for basic photos (what I’m eating, videos for Instagram stories, quick photos to send to friends, etc) and my “professional camera” for landscape photos, portraits of myself/my travel buddies, and photos that will go on my blog. Here are some great options:
📷 Sony RX100: Light, compact, and easy to use for beginners, the Sony RX100 is an especially great camera for backpackers and those who don’t want to carry around bulky DSLRs.
📷 Sony a6400: I’ve been using this camera for a year across 7 different countries and love it. It has all of the necessary modes (such as auto, movie, panorama, scene, etc) and a flip screen (!) so that you can use it to shoot vlogs as well.
📷 Gopro – If you’re planning to go on an adventure (like scuba diving between two tectonic plates!) capture epic photos and videos, this is what you need. If you plan to do underwater activities or somewhere that has water, I recommend buying a GoPro Hero 5 or above because they’re waterproof. The GoPro Hero 4 and below are waterproof only if you buy a special casing. I personally take my GoPro Hero 8 with me and have no problem recommending it as an addition to your photography kit.
Sony RX100VA 20.1MP Cyber-shot Camera // Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera // GoPro HERO8 Waterproof Action Camera with 4K Ultra HD Video
–Portable Power Bank – When you’re out all day touring the Golden Circle or the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, you’re likely going to spend anywhere from 8 to 12+ hours on the road seeing awesome places, taking photos, and updating your friends on social media — which are all activities that take a lot of battery power. I always like to throw a portable powerbank in my purse or backpack when I know I’m going to have a long day. I recommend power banks that are portable (small and easy to carry), have a lot of a capacity (the “mAh” number), and have multiple ports (if you’re planning to travel with multiple gadgets).
–Travel Adapter – Iceland uses the C and F plug types (also known as the Northern European plug). If you’re coming from a country that uses another type of plug, I recommend buying a travel adapter so you can properly charge your electronics. :)
Anker PowerCore 10000 mAh Portable Charger//European Travel Adapter Set by Ceptics
BONUS SECTION:
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
-A camera: The thing that you’ll use to capture the magic. :)
As mentioned above, I really like my Sony a6400 as well as the Sony RX100 and Nikon D850. Make sure to read the manual and practice in your own backyard a few times so that you’ll be ready to go when the time comes to see those stunning lights dance across the night sky!
-A tripod – One of the biggest complaints I heard on our Northern Lights tour was that our group members’ photos came out looking blurry. They were either shooting with their smartphones or with a camera, but had no tripod… Which brings me to my first point. Thanks to a bunch of technical factors like ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and so on, the Northern Lights require absolute stillness in order to capture the perfect image. The easiest way to do this is to get a lightweight travel tripod for your smartphone or camera, like this one.
-Extra memory cards – You’ll want to capture every second while the Northern Lights are up in the sky, and with a large memory card, you can do just that without worrying about storage space. I usually like to go for cards that are at least 128 GB.
-Portable battery – Since you’ll most likely be out there for a while (the Northern Lights are fickle!), make sure to keep all of your electronics charged and ready to go with a portable power bank and/or extra camera batteries.
– Photographing the Aurora Borealis book – This book has all of the practical and technical information you need to start shooting gorgeous Northern Lights photos. Fun fact: You’ve probably seen the author’s photos in your issue of National Geographic or Outdoor magazine. :)
TYCKA Rangers 56” Compact Travel Aluminum Tripod // SanDisk 128GB Memory Card // Anker PowerCore 10000 mAh Portable Charger // How to Shoot the Northern Lights
Photo credits: Two friends in snow – Fezbot2000 // Girl with camera – Theodor Vasile // Man and Northern Lights – Luke Stackpoole
Oh wow, Iceland looks cool! Need to buy a coat and new swimsuit haha