Essentials for a Winter Trip to Iceland

Traveling to Iceland in the winter is absolutely magical. However, figuring out what to pack for a winter trip to Iceland can feel overwhelming. When we decided to visit Iceland in winter, I had visions of feet of snow that I was going to have to trek through. Luckily, that wasn’t the case, but it did still take a little bit of planning. Here are the essentials for a winter trip to Iceland. All of the products I’ve linked to are products/brands I personally use and highly recommend!

Bring the Proper Winter Gear:

I know that it’s often a temptation to put fashion over function. I’ve chosen fashion over function for most of my adult life. However, for this trip, I decided to invest in some quality pieces while not completely unfashionable their functionality is incomparable.

A warm, down coat is a must. I got this amazing Eddie Bauer coat online and although it’s a puffy coat, I enjoyed that it tapered in a bit at the waist giving a slightly more flattering shape. I chose a longer coat because it meant more warmth further down my body. This was a great choice because that wind in Iceland is intense.

Snow boots that are easy to get on and off. I found these snow boots that are waterproof which was great because even more than snow, we encountered sleet and rain which means you need protection from that as well. These boots are faux-fur-lined so your feet are nice and cozy. The best part is that they zip on and off and have great grip. I did everything in these boots: hike, walk through the streets and drive. They’re so comfy. I would also highly recommend warm, hiking socks for an added layer of warmth and protection.

A stocking cap or ear warmers is essential as well. I was always instantly warmer the minute I put a hat on. While, I loved the one I brought and highly recommend bringing one, also be open to purchasing one in Iceland as well, since they have so many amazing knit products. Either way, you’ll want to protect your ears from the cold wind.

Don’t Forget the Little Things:

Still planning your trip to Iceland? Check out MY POSTS from the land of fire and ice HERE.

When I was expressing concern about the cold, my dear friend Kirsten mentioned that her son took HotHands to football games to keep him warm. She brought me several packets of them and they were PERFECT. Especially if you’re a lover of taking photos. I simply slipped one into each pocket and then I didn’t have to wear gloves and I could easily take photos with my camera and my phone. It was genius!

I know that winter trip to Iceland doesn’t scream swimsuit season to most people, don’t forget that Iceland is full of geothermal pools. The Blue Lagoon is the most famous of these, but they can be found all over this island country. This suit was from Urban Outfitters, but is no longer available.

A Portable USB Charger. There are all kinds of brands out there. The brand I personally use is PocketJuice, but there are many brands and sizes available for purchase. This is perfect because while making the most of the daylight in winter, that can mean decently long days without making stops long enough to charge. Whether on foot, in a rental car or a tour bus, you’ll want to have the opportunity to charge your phone!

Camera Equipment

Although many things have to line up perfectly to get to see the Northern Lights (we know because we only got to see them from the airplane) that’s one of the most popular reasons to visit Iceland in the winter. Because of this, you want to be sure to have the right camera equipment. You’ll need a tripod to get crisp, clear images. We love traveling with this one because it’s lighter than most and folds down to just over 12 inches. Plus, a good DSLR camera (we shoot with a Nikon D750 and a Canon T1i) will capture those photos perfectly, if you’re lucky enough to see them. Lastly, don’t forget that spare SD Card because it would be devastating to miss capturing that moment. If you’re not ready to invest in an expensive camera and capturing your trip with your smart phone (most of my photos were taken with my iPhone 7+) you can also use this handy phone tripod with a remote!

Packing for winter trips can often seem daunting, but hopefully these winter essentials will make packing for your upcoming trip to Iceland even easier!

Have you traveled to Iceland in winter? What winter essentials topped your list?

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