What to wear for a summer hike in Iceland: Tips from a local, by IcelandCover on YouTube. 5 min 22 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 22 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Start with a thin moisture-wicking base layer, not cotton. Merino wool or synthetic fabric moves sweat away and stays warm if it gets damp. Pack a spare top in your daypack.
Add a fleece or wool mid layer over the base. This is the layer you add and remove as the temperature changes on the trail.
Bring a waterproof, windproof shell jacket with a hood. It blocks Iceland's wind and rain and packs small when the sun comes out.
Wear quick-drying hiking pants rather than jeans. Jeans soak up water and stay cold and heavy for hours.
Pack lightweight rain pants in your daypack. They slip over your hiking pants when rain or spray from waterfalls hits.
Choose waterproof hiking boots with good grip and break them in before your trip. Wet, cold feet ruin a day hike fast.
Wear wool socks and pack a spare pair. Wool keeps feet warm even when damp, unlike cotton.
Add a warm hat and thin gloves to your pack even in July. Wind near coastlines and waterfalls feels much colder than the forecast.
Check the forecast and road conditions the morning of your hike, then pack all layers in a small daypack. Weather changes fast, so carry the shell and rain pants even on a sunny start.
Tips and common mistakes
Skip cotton next to your skin, since it stays wet and cold once you sweat or get rained on.
Carry the shell and rain pants even on a clear morning, because weather near waterfalls and the coast changes quickly.
Layer up before you feel cold and strip layers before you sweat, so you stay dry underneath.
For multi-day treks like Laugavegur, research that route's specific conditions instead of relying on a day-hike setup.
Questions
Do I really need rain pants in Iceland in summer?
Yes, for most day hikes. Rain and wind arrive fast, and rain pants keep your hiking pants dry so you stay warm. They are light and pack small.
Can I wear regular sneakers instead of hiking boots?
Waterproof hiking boots are safer on wet, rocky trails. Sneakers soak through quickly and give less grip on slippery ground.
How many layers should I bring on a day hike?
Bring a base layer, a mid layer and a waterproof shell, plus rain pants. Add or remove layers as the weather shifts during the day.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
