Iceland's winter coast hovers around freezing. That sounds mild, and it is — until you add 20m/s of wind and rain moving sideways. Everything below assumes wind, not cold, is the enemy.

The layering system

  1. Base layer — merino wool, long sleeve and leggings. Not cotton, ever.
  2. Mid layer — fleece or a light down sweater. Two thin layers beat one thick one.
  3. Shell — a hardshell jacket rated at least 10,000mm with taped seams and, critically, a hood that cinches and stays put.
  4. Waterproof trousers — non-negotiable. You will use them at waterfalls even in fair weather.

Footwear

Waterproof boots with ankle support and an aggressive sole. Add microspikes — traction devices that slip over the boot. Icelandic car parks and paths ice over constantly, and the vast majority of visitor injuries are simple falls on flat ground.

Waterproof boots and microspikes on an icy path beside a frozen waterfall
Microspikes cost very little and prevent the most common injury of the trip.

What to leave at home

  • An umbrella. It will be destroyed within a day.
  • Jeans. They soak, then freeze.
  • A heavy tripod, unless you are shooting seriously — a light one and a bean bag cover most needs.
  • Multiple pairs of shoes. One waterproof pair plus something for indoors.

The car kit

Keep a small bag in the car: water, snacks, a phone power bank, a head torch and a spare warm layer. If a road closes, you may wait several hours, and rural fuel stations are far apart.

For the driving itself, see the Iceland Ring Road guide.