Before packing for Iceland, we researched “average September temperatures in Iceland”. According to Google, the average temperatures in Iceland range between 42 and 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, with most anything, there are always outliers. Apparently, when we were in Iceland this past fall (Sept. 20-30), those were the outliers. We had packed for the 42 to 53 degree range but while we were there, the range was more like the 50s to 60s range. While we were a little warm on some days, we managed…and survived. The following will be what we packed but will also include “extras” that we would take if we get the chance to go again someday.
I will start with the MUST HAVE:
*waterproof hiking boots
They definitely need to be waterproof. Even if it never rains while in Iceland (it will at
some point), you will need them if you want to hike to Hengifoss or if you hike behind
Seljalandsfoss (and probably many more) because you are more than likely going to
have to walk through water. Plus, there’s mud in some areas and who wants to clean
mud off of non-waterproof shoes?
*rain coat
It will rain and be windy so a rain coat will take care of both. When it’s not raining, a rain
coat is a good windbreaker. When it is raining, it is great for keeping you dry AND
blocking the wind. The weather is unpredictable (no joke!) and who wants to get caught
in rain without a coat, followed by very windy conditions? BRR! Also, it is very helpful if
you plan to hike behind Seljalandsfoss. You will get wet.
*rain pants
For the same reasons, you will also need rain pants. Rain, wind, waterfalls…you
wouldn’t want to be wet and cold.
*camera (we used smartphone cameras and still got great pictures)
It is Iceland. You.will.want.pictures! Your friends and family will ooh and aah over the
waterfalls and landscapes and mountains and…etc. Plus, you will want to look back at
them later and relive the most amazing vacation EVER!😉
*travel adapter (unless your appliances/electronics use type C outlets)
This should be pretty obvious. You cannot plug something in if the plug and outlets don’t
match. You will want to charge phones, cameras, etc.
*swimwear
You will need swimwear if you plan to visit any thermal pools
not necessary but EXTREMELY HELPFUL:
*daypack/backpack
A daypack is very, very helpful. It can be used as a personal item on the plane and
then be used to carry rain pants, rain coat, water bottles, battery pack, snacks and so
much more! I did not realize how much I would use mine but now that I have it, I am so
glad that I bought it.
*waterproof gloves
Warm gloves would be helpful but they really should be waterproof. While we didn’t use
ours much (since it was unseasonably warm when we were there), we did get to use
ours when we visited Diamond Beach and Glacier Lagoon. It was raining, and windy,
and cold! I was so glad I had gloves that kept my hands dry.
*battery-operated LED lights (for camping/campervan)
We could have gotten by without these lights, especially since the campervan had
reading lights in it but having the LED lights added so much more light (added bonus:
we were also able to use them at home when our power was out for 3 days)
*battery pack
Unless you are fine with your phone or camera battery dying (not I!), you will want a
battery pack.
*camping clothesline
This was something we hadn’t thought of until we saw it suggested somewhere in our
“research”. We would have been fine without a clothesline but it was very helpful when
we needed to dry our towels and wash clothes. We also used this dry socks when we
washed them. side note: we did take our own clothespins but there are several
clotheslines that are “twisted”, like ours, that claim to hold the wet clothes without pins.
ESSENTIALS:
*wool socks
Even in September, in unseasonably warm weather, these socks were not too hot. We
got the Darn Tough socks (and no, this is not a sponsored post…but if they see this and
would like to sponsor, I’m up for it!) and absolutely love them. Even after wearing them
all day, they did not feel wet with sweat and did not smell sweaty.
*leggings
They keep your legs warm and, ladies, let’s be honest, it keeps us from having to shave
our legs as much, because…campervan and tiny showers. I wore tunic sweatshirts and
tunic dresses with different leggings and was comfortable.
*tunic sweatshirts
warm and comfortable and easily worn with leggings. No other explanation needed.*long sleeves
It is still September in Iceland, despite the potential for unseasonably warm weather, so
long sleeves are necessary. It can and will be cold…and windy.
*short sleeves (a next-time essential)
This is only necessary if the weather is warmer than usual, which it was. We survived
but would have been more comfortable some days if we had been able to wear a short
sleeve.*travel/camping washcloth and towel
These were extremely helpful. They dry quickly and fold up small enough to take
up very little room. The ones we used had “loops” to hang up in the showers/bathrooms.*undergarments (this should be a given HA!)
This goes without saying: make sure you have clean underwear. Unless you want to be
washing them in the sink (provided you have easy access to one) and hanging them to
dry, be sure to take plenty (enough for the number of days of vacation, plus 2 or 3
more) and you should be good to go!
