One of my biggest concerns while planning my trip to Iceland was figuring out what exactly I needed to pack. Do I need an umbrella for all of the rain? Are hiking boots a must? What about all the weather changes, what kind of clothes do I buy? I'm a Florida girl, so I was definitely concerned about how best to keep warm. Researching, I read tons of posts about Iceland's unpredictable weather and was bombarded with countless tips and recommendations on how to prepare for it. After purchasing what I thought necessary and returning from an AMAZING 8-day Iceland roadtrip, I think I have a solid idea of what you'll need for your own trip to Iceland (besides the basics of course)! Links to the Amazon products mentioned below are of affiliate nature, meaning that a small commission may be received by myself when you purchase through the links. This is in support of Black Girl Wanderer, to create more travel blogs for you to enjoy!
Waterproof Gear
Items like a waterproof jacket, pants, boots, socks and gloves will be a lifesaver while exploring the Land of Fire and Ice; the weather there can be unpredictable and you're very likely to come across rain. Not only that, they'll come in handy for protection while waterfall-hopping, especially at Seljalandsfoss. The pants specifically did great in keeping me dry, but note that they aren't very warm, so be sure to layer. Pro ti#1: Pack a waterproof phone case to avoid damage to your phone while lounging in lagoons, and for those with long hair, be sure to have hair ties on hand for your time in the Blue Lagoon (the sulphur in the water is very drying to hair and could cause it to feel brittle for days).
Layers, Layers, Layers!
What saved me from all the weather changes while driving around the island was making sure whatever I wore for the day was layer-able. Having items that I could easily put on and take off helped me to stay comfortable, and my personal suggestion would be to invest in Heat Tech-specifically, from stores like Uniqlo. They have an assortment of clothing items like shirts, leggings, long sleeves and even socks that are made with a specialized material that both retains heat and generates warmth while still being lightweight, thus easily layer-able. Fleece is another material that is vital to keeping you warm in any frigid temps.
Reusable Water Bottle
In doing research for the trip, I came across tons of posts that said it was ridiculous to even consider buying bottled water because of the ample access to their pure groundwater from the tap or straight from rivers and other bodies of water. A reusable water bottle is perfect for this; better for the environment and did come in handy for portions of the trip. To be honest, my group and I did still end up buying a few cases of bottled water from the grocery store so we could have it on hand and in our accommodations (thankfully, no one looked at us like we were crazy) for convenience sake. So do what works for you. Pro tip #2: Plan to roadtrip around the island? Investing in a leakproof, collapsible cooler will help keep any frozen/cold items you buy just the way you like.
Hiking Boots
Now I'm no hiking expert, but what I do know is that a good set of hiking boots will make exploring all of the amazing outdoor activities Iceland has to offer much more comfortable and safe. There are tons of different options to choose from, along with different designs and colorways. I went with a simply-designed pair from Columbia that could be worn on many types of terrain, is comfortable and affordable; in a color that I could also easily pair with several outfits.
Pocket Wifi or Mobile Hotspot
A mobile hotspot or portable wifi is also an important thing to have while traveling, especially since you may come across parts of the country where cell service is low. You can either get this through your phone plan servicer (T-Mobile in my case), or invest in something like Glocalme. For the most part, my cell service worked just fine and I didn't need to purchase a pocket wifi, but it's definitely good to have just in case, or if you don't use a Data Travel Plan. If renting a car, you can easily ask your rental company to add on a Wifi hotspot for an extra fee.
Portable charger
If you plan to see different parts of the island, you're likely going to have long stretches of driving time, or time out on hikes. Having a portable charger on hand is super useful so you aren't left without a cellphone to use while on your journey, and ultimately keeps you safe. My favorite is one from the Anker brand (which is unfortunately no longer sold) very similar to the 313 Power Bank above.
Adaptor
If you're from the States like me, you're going to need an adaptor so that you're able to charge all of your electronics with ease. I suggest investing is one like the APzek International Adaptor, which is super convenient because it serves as an all-in-one travel adaptor. Theres no need to carry several adaptors as this one has all prongs structured for not only the EU, but the UK, North America, Australia, and Asia all on one box, and all you have to do is press and push up on the corresponding button.
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