What To Pack For Iceland In June

Fleeced-lined leggings or other fleece-lined pants are essential in Iceland for a few reasons. One, you can wear fleece-lined leggings on their own when the weather is warm enough. Two, fleece-lined leggings, such as these leggings I packed from Eddie Bauer, are much warmer than traditional non-lined leggings. Three, they serve as a perfect base layer on Iceland’s unpredictably cold days. Here are the Eddie Bauer fleece-lined leggings that I personally love and wear regularly. They are form-fitted, flattering and never lose their shape. Plus, they come fully equipped with numerous pockets, which is ideal for traveling and hiking.

Rain pants keep you warm and dry when exploring the windy beaches, waterfalls and mountains in Iceland. Everyone in Iceland wears rain pants (seriously, everyone), so you don’t need to worry about sticking out from the crowd when wearing them. In fact, I chose not to wear rain pants in Iceland, and I felt like I was the one who stuck out. Likewise, there were a couple days on my June trip when my non-waterproof pants wound up completely soaked. I will be bringing these Columbia rain pants on my next trip to Iceland.

On the same note, a thick jacket that is both waterproof and windproof will be your saving grace in Iceland in June. Despite June being a summer month, Iceland weather in June is still very wet and cold. If you attempt to brave Iceland’s mega waterfalls and black sand beaches without a jacket, you will wind up completely chilled — and probably sick. I bought this thick Eddie Bauer rain jacket before my trip, and I’m so thankful I did. Not only does it have a thick protective material and multiple pockets, but it also has a hood. Because of the strong winds in Iceland in June, I would have been absolutely miserable without a hood. Plus, this specific jacket’s light blue color looks fantastic in Iceland photos, if I do say so myself.

Another Iceland summer packing list item I will be bringing on my next trip is a waterproof packable down jacket. I have this Columbia down jacket, and it has kept me warm on both winter hiking trips and summer mountain trips alike. While I don’t recall being uncomfortably cold with only my thick rain jacket during my last Iceland trip, I do think I’ll be more comfortable with my packable down next time.

Next, if you’re wondering what to pack for Iceland in June in terms of tops, sweaters and sweatshirts will be your best bet. Base layers (I use zip-up athletic sweatshirts) are best for Iceland because they are thin, which means they are better for layering under jackets than thick hoodies, yet they still provide warmth. Lately, I’ve been loving my Athleta Salutations Jacket and matching leggings as base layers because even though they are made from thicker high-quality material, they are still plenty thin enough to layer under my jacket and rain pants. Also, the jacket has thumb holes on each sleeve to keep my hands warm

Similarly, warm sweaters are perfect for your nicer Iceland itinerary days when you may be visiting a larger town, planning a dinner out, etc. A fisherman-style mock neck, like this one from L.L. Bean, that is made from 100% cotton is great for Iceland in June because it will layer more comfortably than thick wool cable knit sweaters. Although, wool sweaters are definitely the most popular.

Packing a hat, gloves and scarf is never a bad idea for Iceland trips, no matter the time of year. As Wisconsinites, we incorrectly assumed that we would be able to bear the cold without hats, mittens or scarves, but we were sorely mistake. Our neglect lead to overpaying for souvenir-shop hats (another reason to pack a jacket with a hood). Learn from our mistake.

I just bought these liner gloves (that match my packable down jacket) and this beanie for our next Iceland trip — both for very specific reasons. First, we will be snorkeling between tectonic plates and ice floating with drysuits, so the liner gloves will fit nicely under the drysuit mitts while keeping my hands extra warm. Second, we will be glacier hiking and zip lining, which both require helmets, a the beanie without a pom on top will add a warm barrier between my head and the rented helmet.

Furthermore, as you know, Iceland has tons of opportunities to hike. Whether you’re a novice sightseer, hobby hiker or an experienced backcountry backpacker, hiking boots are the best shoe of choice Iceland in summer. In particular, hiking boots with ankle support will help protect your ankles from unnecessary strain. In fact, some guided hikes, such as the famous Katla Ice Cave hikes, require hiking boots with ankle support. I love my Columbia Newton Ridge hiking boots because they are waterproof (important), lightweight, supportive and slim. I’ve found that they aren’t as chunky in appearance as other hiking boot brands. (Not a fan of hiking? Check out my guide to Iceland for non-hikers here.)

If you’re planning on hiking in Iceland in June, you may consider packing thick socks that are designed for hiking, too. I know many travelers swear by these Smartwool socks for hiking (a variety of colors are available), as Smartwool prevents sweating while still providing warmth and foot protection. I have the Merrell polyester hiking socks if you’re interested in a non-wool, vegan material.

On the contrary, although Iceland is quite frigid even in the summertime, there are still dozens of opportunities to swim in the country’s natural geothermal hot springs. So, consequently, you’ll need to pack a swimsuit. I brought this basic black one piece from Amazon, and I adore it. It provides the perfect amount of coverage (not too cheeky but not saggy either) at an extremely affordable price.

The most popular hot spring to visit is Blue Lagoon, where naturally bright, milky, aquamarine water bubbles up from the Earth’s surface. It’s now a full-service resort and spa that brings in thousands of visitors every day. If you want to experience Blue Lagoon for yourself, you must book your tickets well in advance. Unsurprisingly, tickets do sell out. You can book your Blue Lagoon tickets now by clicking here.

Likewise, if you plan on swimming in any public geothermal pools (or showering in a hostel), you should definitely bring a pair of waterproof sandals or flip-flops. I skipped bringing waterproof shoes to Blue Lagoon, and I instantly regretted it. The locker room floors are sopping wet toward the end of the day, and all I could think about was contracting some sort of fungus. My all-time favorite waterproof sandals are these Teva Verra sandals. They are super cute, walkable and have a smooth sole for added comfort. I’ve worn these shoes on almost every trip for nearly a decade.

In addition, if you’ve been planning a trip to Iceland in June, you’re probably well aware of (and excited for) the midnight sun. In June, the sun basically never sets in Iceland. Clearly, this means that, in June, Iceland never gets dark. That’s why you need to pack an eye mask for sleeping. Most Iceland hotels and short-term rental properties will have black-out curtains. However, you shouldn’t rely on them to provide black-out curtains. It’s better to purchase and pack an affordable eye mask, such as this silk eye mask that I use all the time, to ensure good nights’ sleep.

Speaking of sun, sunglasses are also important to remember when packing for Iceland in June. Although sunglasses are easily forgotten thanks to Iceland’s chilly climate, you’ll miss having sunglasses when you’re outside exploring every single day. Moreover, if you’re visiting any snowy parts of Iceland, such as the glaciers or mountains, know that snow reflects sunlight, which is borderline blinding.

I’m constantly recommending Zenni Optical prescription sunglasses. I currently have this pair of Zennis. From Zenni, you can buy a pair of prescription sunglasses for as little as $15 USD with a basic prescription. Yes, really! For non-prescription sunglasses, I like my Goodr sunglasses because they are non-slip and meant for outdoor adventures and active lifestyles.

Last but not least, if potentially icy hikes made your summer Iceland itinerary, bring ice cleats. Ice cleats provide additional traction that you won’t get from any average hiking boot. In turn, these ice cleats also provide added safety. The last thing you want when you’re on a mountain or glacier is to slip.

Yaktrax are the most popular ice cleats among seasoned travelers. They are lightweight, effective and highly rated. We first bought some for our winter Colorado trip and they worked great. We found ours cheap at Sierra.