The Must-Have Clothing Items on Your List of Winter Clothes for Iceland

Are you busy planning for a winter vacation this season? Well, you should consider going to Iceland in winter. It’s a magical place, especially in winter. But yes, you can’t get there without making a list of winter clothes.

This winter clothing list is essential during the winter months in this country. So if you visit it between December to April, prepare accordingly.

I’ll take you through how to prepare for Iceland’s winters. Please make a note of this. It will be helpful as a reference point when you make your list of winter clothes.

List of Winter Clothes for Iceland

Guys, if you’re visiting Iceland, you need suitable winter wear for men. You should maintain a list of winter clothes for this reason. If you go as per the essentials, your trip will be worth remembering.

Here’s a list of some winter wear that’s suitable for Iceland.

1. Base Layers in Your List of Winter Clothes

For the base layer, you’ll need thermal leggings and thermal tops. As for the fabrics, wear merino wool. It’s a reliable fabric and, might I say, one of the best options available.

This fabric keeps you ultra warm and comfy. It’s a must for your list of winter clothes for Iceland.

Merino wool is also very breathable and stays odour-free for long periods. You can repeat the tops and bottoms many times. So don’t worry about washing it often.

But you must keep it dry for a bit by the end of your day. The one downside is the price. It might be rather expensive for a few. Well, the good quality will also bring along durability. So, you won’t regret it.

2. Wool or Fleece Sweater in Your List of Winter Clothes

Sweaters are a must-have in any winter collection. So you should also consider sweaters in your winter clothes list for Iceland. Also, remember that this is your mid-layer in the winter layering system.

So it will be placed between your base and outer layers. And here again, you should look out for woollen sweaters. Apart from wool, you could think of adding fleece sweaters too to your list for winter clothes.

A fleece sweater works fine for Icelandic temperatures. But winter feels incomplete without wool. You can always rely on wool for superior warmth and comfort.

You could pack fleece mid-layers as an alternate option or for the warmer days. But try to pack at least one woollen sweater for Iceland trips.

Iceland also has its versions of woollen sweaters. You’ll see all locals in their traditional Icelandic wool sweaters.

They’re called Lopapeysa. They’re very recognizable by their typical patterns.

It will be awesome if you get hold of one for your Iceland trip in winter. You could also buy one once you get there.

3. Waterproof Trousers or Hiking Pants on Your List of Winter Clothes

While visiting Iceland in winter, don’t carry only your regular jeans or leggings. You can use them on a dry day. But they won’t be suitable for every outdoor activity in Iceland.

Jeans or leggings will work on warmer winter evenings in Iceland. You could wear it in your hotel or camper.

Waterproof trousers are essential while packing for Iceland. It can keep you warm and safe when it rains or snows in Iceland.

You could wear waterproof hiking pants lined with fleece. It will provide a lot of warmth.

You can wear these above your woollen thermals.

It will add to the warmth, and you won’t feel cold. You could also try the waterproof ski pants already in your closet.

Some people prefer lightweight waterproof hiking pants.

They might be helpful in the summer. But it’s probably too thin for winter wear.

4. Wool Socks on Your List of Winter Clothes

Socks are a crucial part of your list for winter footwear. Here again, woollen socks will always be a boon.

Pair your waterproof woollen socks with waterproof winter boots. They’re vital to provide warmth to your feet from the fierce wind. Your feet will freeze without suitable socks and boots.

And when it comes to socks, please carry a few pairs. It’ll add variety to your wardrobe, and you can also rotate your footwear.

You could also buy warm ski socks for your Iceland winter trips. But look for the highest percentage of wool and preferably merino wool.

5. Windproof and Waterproof Jacket

You also need the correct type of winter jacket in your list of winter clothes. Your jackets, like the others, need to be warm and protect you from the weather.

You shouldn’t miss out on high-quality waterproof and windproof jackets in your list of winter clothes.

There are a few different options for your winter coats. Always buy one with a hood, though. You can use an extra layer when the weather is extreme.

You could also buy a high-quality down jacket for your Iceland winter trips.

If you buy a down jacket, please look for lightweight and compact sizes. They should also have excellent insulation features.

A ski jacket is another worthy option. It should be enough to stay warm if you have the suitable layers underneath.

6. Waterproof Winter Boots

You read about socks above. But don’t forget to add winter boots to your list for winter clothes in Iceland.

Here again, you need waterproof and warm boots for Iceland in winter. Icelandic temperatures can feel very cold along with the wind. Frozen feet are very painful, and you wouldn’t want to experience them. So please don’t let them ruin your trip.

Your boots should be suitable to deal with snowy weather too. Hence, waterproof abilities are a must. Many winter boots also have a washable wool liner to keep your feet warm.

If you visit Iceland in the cold months, you’ll need a pair of snow boots/

Besides snow boots, you could wear waterproof hiking shoes. They won’t keep your feet as warm. But with the right socks, they can feel comfy for long, challenging hikes.

Another aspect you need to consider for winter footwear is crampons. Many of the pathways are very icy and dangerous to walk on. Some of them are impassable without crampons.

7. Waterproof Gloves

Your fingers can get numb even when it’s not freezing. The strong winds in Iceland have a role to play in this. So please don’t take this lightly.

You’ll need to protect your hands from the cold weather. You could invest in two types of winter gloves. Add them to your list of winter clothes.

Waterproof and windproof gloves are essentials for Icelandic winter. You need to prevent your hands from getting wet at all costs. You can also look out for mittens. They keep your hands slightly warmer than normal gloves.

If you love using your gadgets on trips, you’ll need touchscreen gloves. It lets you hold and use your mobiles or other devices with a good grip.

8. Warm Beanie and Scarf

Your head and neck also need warmth in winter. When visiting Iceland, don’t forget a windproof beanie and scarf.

You tend to lose a lot of body heat through your head. So you shouldn’t leave it exposed at any point in extreme weather. Hence, add a beanie to your list of winter clothes for Iceland.

You could look out for knitted hats with a fleece lining. It’s warm, windproof, and stylish as well. You also will find them in many colours and shapes.

But always pick warmth over fashion. That’s a priority when winter is concerned. You could also try wearing winter hats with ear flaps. They add some cuteness and a unique look to the outfit.

Apart from this, you also need scarves on your list of winter clothes. You could use a buff as a windproof scarf. For Iceland winters, however, a fleece neck warmer would be ideal too.

9. Swimming Clothes

When you’re in Iceland, you should also go swimming. Yes, swimwear is not the first thing you think of. But you should go out for a swim when you’re in Iceland too. And hence, you should add swimwear to your list of winter clothes.

Iceland is known for its warm pools. You never know when you’ll come across a hot pool. So keep a swimsuit in your backpack when you’re out for a walk.

Activities for Iceland Winters

Once you know you’re list of winter clothes for Iceland, figure out other stuff. You should make the most of your winter trip to this beautiful country.

So you must make a note of the places you want to go sightseeing. There’s a lot to explore in this country, and here are some of them:

• 1. Explore the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights is one of the popular tourist attractions during winter in Iceland. For the locals, it’s a part of their life.

They usually light up the night sky in the surroundings. The regions are dominated mainly by snow, rugged mountains and harbours.

When you witness it live, it’s like a masterpiece all across the night sky. You’ll see shades of purple, green and blue up above.

The best time to witness the northelights is when the skies are clear and dark.

• 2. Visit Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula has some spectacular scenery with a wide range of exciting sights. Its collection of lava fields, basalt cliffs and high glaciers is quite a tourist attraction. It can tempt you to stay there at the Peninsula.

If you’re visiting Snæfellsnes, give yourself some time to enjoy it. You should allot around two days to cover the main spots. It’s an incredible place to visit and experience Iceland.

You could also choose to go whale watching, caving, or visit a hot spring.

If you’re here between November and April, head to Grundafjörður to spot Killer Whales. They’re known for hanging around close to the town. But you won’t see much of them in the other parts of Iceland.

• 3, Visit Búðir at Snæfellsnes

When you head to the westernmost tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you’ll find Búðir. It’s a small hamlet surrounded by a lava field and the magical Snaefellsjokull glacier. The most iconic symbol is the pitch-black church with white-framed windows.

• 4. Glacier Hiking

Glacier hiking is another exciting activity you must explore in Iceland. If you’re staying in Reykjavík, you could check out the Sólaheimajökull glacier.

It’s a beautiful outlet glacier on the South shore. It’s approximately a 2-hour drive from Reykjavik on an excellent paved road.

You’ll get to enjoy outstanding views of the glacier and surrounding mountains. You will also get many resting spots as you progress.

You should look into a glacier hiking tour! It brings you face to face with this country’s fantastic landscape.

• 5. Visit Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara Beach

Reynisfjara black beach lies close to Iceland’s southernmost tip. It’s a famous tourist spot in the country.

This place is truly magical and lets you witness the gorgeous landscape of the country. The beach is surrounded by amazing cliffs and basalt stones.

Powerful waves often hit the rocks all around. There are Reynisdrangar stacks in the middle of the ocean. They tower out about 70 metres into the air from the ocean.

Despite its natural beauty, Reynisfjara can be a dangerous spot too. As I said, the waves are pretty strong. So that makes it unpredictable too.

If you aren’t alert, it could cause fatal accidents. So take care of yourselves and be alert when you visit this place.

Nearby is Dyrhólaey, a natural rock bridge formation that makes for a stunning viewpoint. Once you’re on top, you will have a breathtaking view in all directions.

To the west, you can view the endless black coastline. You will see the black beach itself in the east. To the north, you see the Mýrdalsjökull glacier.

Conclusion

So I hope you’ve got an idea about how to prep for a winter vacation in Iceland. Before you plan anything else, you need the correct list of winter clothes with you.

I hope you get the best-suited winter wear for your Iceland vacation and have a great time.

This post was written by Kosha team member – Shawn Mathias