When packing for a vacation, getaway or trip to Iceland, you need a number of essentials. Below are tips on picking the best jackets for Iceland weather.
Apart from your passport and other important documents, an essential item you need to pack along to Iceland is a coat or jacket.
This is because of the type of weather Iceland has, regardless of the time of year, even though the winds and cols are less harsh outside the winter months (November-March). It is important to pack more than one coat, depending on the length of your visit.
When thinking about what to pack for Iceland, the type of coats you buy will be largely determined by the time of year of visit, the Iceland activities you plan to partake in, and several other variables.
Keep reading to find out more about jackets suitable for Iceland, what to look out for when buying jackets for Iceland, jacket recommendations for Iceland, and more.
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Iceland’s Weather and the Importance of Coats
Iceland is tricky when it comes to her weather because you never truly know what to expect. You just always have to be prepared for harsh winds and extreme cold, especially when you’re travelling in winter. The seasons in Iceland come with so many different weather conditions.
There doesn’t seem to be an extreme weather variation in Iceland, so it’s still cold in the summer even without the snow. That’s why you need a coat no matter what time of the year you’re visiting. To read more about my time in Iceland during summer click here.
I’d never recommend travelling to Iceland without two or more coats because it just means making yourself susceptible to illnesses that could arise from exposing yourself to that level of cold. I packed a waterproof and windproof jacket(magenta jacket) which also comes with a fleece for the inside so you can layer up.
As I was wearing a lot of thermals and gloves perfect for Iceland weather I found that I used the fleece less in the south of Iceland. In the north, it was a different story.
What to consider when choosing jackets for Iceland
Before you start shopping for or packing jackets for Iceland, there are a few things you should consider. Picking out which category you belong to will help you streamline what you need to buy, saving you from buying the wrong kind of jackets. Here’s what to consider before choosing coats for Iceland:
The time of year you’re travelling: The season (winter or summer) when you’ll be making your trip matters a lot when it comes to deciding what type of jackets to buy. The colder it is in Iceland, the tougher your jacket should be to withstand the wind and rain or snow.
While wool or cashmere coats might be great for exploring Reyjkavik, you will need something that will also combat the wet weather in Iceland as you head towards the north of Iceland. Not to mention having a hood too to protect the head from the wind and cold.
Activities you’ll be partaking in: If you’ll be partaking in light activities that don’t need too much energy and stress, your jackets don’t have to be heavy-duty. Shop for jackets that are as rugged as the activities you plan to partake in.
Additional Things To Note About The Weather In Iceland
Note that the temperature in Iceland between January and March can be below 0°C. From April to June to can climb where it can be between 3 and 9°C. Then July and August in Iceland the temperature hovers around 11°C.
From September the temperature starts to dip again and you get around 7°C in September, around 4°C in October and then 3 and 2s around Novermber and December.
Also note that sometimes November in Iceland can also have extremes where it can fall down to -5 or -10 during storms and bleezards. A friend of ours was stuck in one once when he went for the Northern Lights in Iceland.
So make sure you check the weather in Iceland right up until you get on the flight so that you can pack any essential items needed for Iceland should the weather be doing a U-turn when you are visiting.
Features to Look out for When Buying Jackets for Iceland
When shopping for jackets or picking out jackets to take along to Iceland, there are some features you should look out for. You must make sure that whatever jackets you end up buying tick all these boxes, because compromising on any of these features will most likely not end up well.
Insulation: Insulation matters a lot when it comes to summer and winter jackets for Iceland. It makes the jackets extra warm and that will almost always come in handy while exploring Iceland.
Waterproof: It rains often in Iceland, so it is important to keep an eye out for jackets that are waterproof. You don’t want to be completely drenched, as it will make you very comfortable. Berghaus has plenty of options for men and women’s waterproof jackets for Iceland weather. You can also find plenty of lightweight, heat insulating jackets on Amazon.
Windproof: Another important feature to never compromise on when selecting a jacket for Iceland is if the jacket is windproof. It can get really windy in Iceland, and a windproof jacket will keep you safe from the harshness of the winds.
Winter Jackets for Iceland
Winter is when Iceland weather is the harshest. It gets extremely cold and almost freezing. The entire landscape is covered in snow and the weather is basically unbearable if you’re not putting rugged heavy-duty jackets.
Winter Jackets for Women
If you’re heading to Iceland during the colder months, here are Iceland winter coats and jackets to pack for your trip:
Women’s Flurry Run Down Long Omni Heat Jacket: This flurry jacket provides an amazing balance between functionality and function. It’s super stylish, and even though the price is a bit steep, it is completely worth it.
The jacket is long enough to not only cover your back and waist, but also your legs and hips. It has a furry hood that gives it an extra dash of class and style, perfect for fashion-forward women. It’s also very warm and breathable, so you’re always covered.
Columbia Women’s Bugaboo Interchange Jacket: This heavy-duty jacket is a great option for Iceland. It’s also very versatile so it can be worn across all seasons of the year including spring and fall. It’s both waterproof and windproof, with multiple layers that ensure maximum warmth at all times.
When the weather seems to be extra cold, you can layer the jacket with another jacket or a shirt, but you can always count on this Bugaboo jacket to be up to task when it comes to combating cold and winds.
Winter Jackets for Men
If you’re heading to Iceland during the colder months, below are some of the best jackets for Iceland weather to take along with you:
Eager Air Interchange 3-in-1 Jacket: This 3-in-1 jacket comes in multiple layers, including a warm base later and a waterproof top layer. In addition to being waterproof, the top layer is also wind proof.
This makes it perfect for the harsh weather conditions you’ll face in Iceland. It offers warmth, comfort, and maximum coverage. The shell is completely made of nylon, and it has a removable fleece liner.
Men’s Frost Fighter Hooded Puffer Jacket: Not only is this jacket capable of protecting you from the wind, rain, and cold of Iceland, it is also very affordable. I recommend it because it gives you a balance between comfort and pocket-friendliness.
(Also wearing thermals under the jumper dress with a wool jacket on top)
Summer Jackets for Iceland
Just as I stated earlier, there’s no snow in Iceland during the summer. Regardless of that, however, there’s still a lot of cold and it can be very uncomfortable without the right jackets for Iceland weather.
Summer jackets don’t have to be heavy duty like winter jackets, but they should be waterproof and wind proof. They should be lightweight, so they can be easily layered with sweatshirts or normal shirts when it gets colder.
Summer Jackets for Women
Below are some options for the best jacket for Iceland in summer for women to take to Iceland:
Women’s Sleeker Jacket: This jacket comes highly recommended by me for so many reasons. It is affordable, lightweight, and can be layered perfectly. It’s a great windbreaker to take to Iceland in the summer.
Dotswarm II Fleece Full Zip Jacket: If you’re in search of a jacket that will keep you perfectly warm for the entire duration of your trip to Iceland, then I highly recommend this one. It comes in many color options so you can shop according to your style. It is
Summer Jackets for Men
Here are amazing summer jacket suggestions for men to take to Iceland:
Steens Mountain Front-Zip Fleece Jacket: This fleece-style jacket is a must-have for every man that wants to travel to Iceland. It’s very lightweight and perfect for summer in Iceland. It’s great for layering and can be layered with other jackets or shirts when it’s winter.
Glennaker Lake Front-Zip Rain Jacket with Hideaway Hood: This hooded jacket is great for summer in Iceland. The hood offers you extra protection from the elements such as rain and wind. It’s easy and convenient to pack because it doesn’t take up too much space.
One thing you should always keep in mind is that the weather is mostly unpredictable and that you should pack versatile jackets. I always recommend layering because you can never have too much warmth in Iceland.
So have you been to Iceland yet? When did you travel and what do you think the best jacket for Iceland summer and winter are?
Also See
- Top Tips For Visiting Blue Lagoon
- Things To Do In Vik
- Where To Stay In Iceland
- Why You Can’t-Miss Visiting Harpa In Reykjavik
- The Best Shoes For Iceland
- Why Summer Is The Best Time To Visit Iceland
- How To Find Iceland Hot Spring Pool In The Mountains
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Hi! My name is Bianca too and I’m going to Iceland for the first time in May. Thank you for the great advice!