Packing List: Iceland in March
Intro
Packing for Iceland can seem like a daunting task. Jackets and layers take up a lot more room in a suitcase than shorts and tank tops, so you want to be picky about what you bring. The most important adjective to describe the clothes you bring is waterproof. While you also want to be warm, there is nothing worse than being wet on top of being cold.
Weather
In the month of March, don’t expect warm! The lowest temperature we experienced was around 25ºF (on the glacier) and the highest was 40ºF. We experienced high winds, sleet, rain, and snow all in one day. I’m not kidding. Be prepared to wear layers most days, especially since you’ll be hoping in and out of the car.
Luggage
Normally I don’t check a bag on a trip due to the extra cost and it’s potential to get lost between connecting flights. For this trip, we decided to each bring a carry-on duffel bag, a backpack as our personal item, and split a huge duffel bag to check. Our campervan did not have much room for storage of suitcases, so I’m glad we brought the amount and kind of luggage that we did. A hard-case suitcase would not have worked well in tight quarters.
Duffle Bag: Here is the one I took and here is the one Rebecca took.
Packing cubes : I love packing cubes! This one is double-sided for your clean and dirty clothes. Rebecca uses these on our trips and loves them!
Toiletry bag: This one works well for camping and using public bathrooms.
Packing List
Outer Layers
Waterproof Jacket: Having a 3-in-1 jacket is great for the waterproof protection on the outside and the easy puff to wear by itself on the inside.
Warm Jacket: Rebecca loves this down puff jacket from REI. Instead of a 3-in-1 like mine, she layered the down puff jacket with this jacket underneath. It’s warm, but only slightly waterproof. Bring a waterproof jacket as well if you use this scenario.
Real Talk: If you’re visiting when it’s cold, you are pretty much only going to be seeing your jacket in pictures. Because we like our pictures to have variety, we both brought 3 jackets, which would be overkill for some, but we’re glad we did.
Tops
Quarter-zip jacket top: I wore this one under my jacket when I wanted an extra layer.
Long-sleeve shirts: We never did laundry, so I brought 2-3 of each of these.
Long-sleeve thermal: I never got cold wearing this thermal.
Swimsuit: You’ll need one for any natural hot springs and the Blue Lagoon.
Bottoms
Waterproof pants: These are my favorite purchase I made for the trip. They fit tighter than many waterproof pants I have seen and they were warm as well.
Thermal bottoms: We both wore these under our waterproof pants and it was a perfect combo. We each brought two of these.
Fleece tights: When I didn’t need waterproof pants, I was usually wearing these. I wear them workout outside when I am home, and they worked well here. I brought two of these.
Feet
Waterproof boots: Rebecca loves hers and I wear mine as rain boots at home as well.
Hiking boots: These worked great for hiking and walking on the glacier. Rebecca wears these on all our trips.
Waterproof sandals: From the hot springs to taking a shower at a campground, some sort of waterproof sandal is important. Rebecca and I both bring Chacos on every trip for their versatility.
Wool socks: I can’t stress enough how important thick wool socks are. If your boots are not insulated, wool socks will still keep your feet warm. These are some of Rebecca’s favorites.
Accessories
Warm hat
Waterproof gloves
Scarf or Buff
Technology
USB Car Charger: When you are charging your phone, watch, and iPad, this will be a lifesaver.
Car Power Inverter Plug & USB Charger: You will need to check with your rental company to ensure voltage compliance. In most cases (if you are US based), this one will work. It is a 12V to 220V adapter.
Extras
Travel towel: For showers and natural hot springs, you will be glad you packed an easily packable towel.
Headlamp: If you’re going to the bathroom in the dark, this is very helpful. By using one of these instead of your car lights, it also saves your campervan battery.
Traction cleats: I wouldn’t say these are 100% necessary, but they were definitely helpful to wear on icy hikes.
Tripod: A tripod is essential if you want to capture the Northern Lights. It is also handy to get a group picture when no one was around! This particular tripod can wrap around objects like the mirror of your car, a fence, or tree which makes it versatile.
Waterproof phone case: This one worked well for us to keep our phone dry in the Blue Lagoon.
Food
Real Talk: I am a cheapskate and knowing the food was going to be expensive in Iceland, we brought some of our own food to supplement what we bought at the grocery store.
Ramen
Tuna packets
Peanut butter: We brought peanut butter packets which saved space and they were easy to put on sandwiches while we were driving during the day.
Granola bars
Trail mix
Fruit squeezes: Fruit is expensive, so pouches like these are great to bring and easy to eat while driving.
Freeze-dried food packages: You just add water for a full meal.
Coffee: With the lack of coffee shops around the Ring Road, these single-serve pour overs are great to have for your daily morning cup of coffee.
That’s It!
We hope this is helpful when you are packing your suitcase for Iceland!
Any items you’d add? Comment below!
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