What clothes are necessary to visit Iceland in July?

What clothes are necessary to visit Iceland in July? - From below side view of cheerful female tourist in warm clothes standing on street and reading paper map during sightseeing trip in city

I'm planning a three weeks trip to Iceland in July and I'm concerned about what kind of clothes I need to bring with me. I don't have a rigid schedule, so this may vary, but right now I'm thinking about hitchhiking on the Hringvegur, taking day trips for simple hiking during the stops.

According to the wiki page the average July temperature in the southern part of the island is 10–13 °C which is quite cold for my likings. Obviously temperature isn't the only factor and it's important, for example, considering the mean precipitation days which should be around 10 days in July. And what about winds?

Another nasty problem is that usually winter clothes are heavier and bigger than a pair of flip flop and a bathing suit which is annoying when you try to pack lightly.
I also tend to over-cover myself when it's cold, which is not very good when it comes to hike because I usually sweat a lot even if out it's way below zero.

So, from hat to shoes what would I need to survive the Icelandic weather in July and be able to face small hikings without travelling with too much stuff?



Best Answer

Layers. Bring several. The average temperatures you quote are very misleading. Two years ago I was there in July and, while I would concur with the average, temperatures varied between 4C and 20C.

That means that I used a thin long-sleeve top and was slightly hot around noon and was quite cold with a jacket, sweater plus long-sleeve top at night. Light gloves and a wool hat were very welcome.

There was a surprising variation between direct sunlight and shade in terms of temperatures. Winds get quite strong which contribute significantly to being cold but when they take a break, you will find yourself warm just a few moments later.

You need a thin inner layer, a sweater that you can remove easily and a loose jacket that you can wear over the sweater. Make sure your outermost layer is waterproof. When it's warmer, you can skip the one layer in-between.




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Quick Answer about "What clothes are necessary to visit Iceland in July?"

  • Base layer – normal underwear and short or long-sleeve t-shirts are usually fine.
  • Warm sweater – wool or fleece.
  • Lightweight outdoor trousers/pants – believe us, soggy jeans are no fun! ...
  • Lightweight weatherproof jacket with hood - rain – and windproof shell.


What should I bring to Iceland in July?

Iceland Summer Packing List \u2013 OVERVIEW
  • Waterproof hiking shoes.
  • Waterproof jacket.
  • Layers of short- and long-sleeved shirts and sweaters.
  • Hiking pants and rain pants.
  • Gloves, buff, winter hat.
  • Sleep mask.
  • Swimsuit, towel, and flip-flops.
  • Reusable water bottle and a thermos.


What should you not wear in Iceland?

What Not to Wear in Iceland
  • Light layers. Iceland's climate is milder than you'd expect, considering its location in the Arctic circle. ...
  • Non\u2013waterproof coats and jackets. Do not wear jackets and coats that will not protect you from the rain. ...
  • Thin socks. ...
  • Slippery shoes. ...
  • Fancy clothing. ...
  • Jeans.


Is it worth visiting Iceland in July?

Iceland is the perfect driving vacation spot in July. It's warmer, the roads are open, and the weather is comparatively mild. All of this means that you can travel around Iceland in July with safer driving conditions and finer weather.

How should I dress in Iceland weather?

1. What clothes do you need for Iceland?
  • A fleece-lined or lightweight wool jumper.
  • A rainproof and windproof jacket.
  • Rainproof trousers.
  • Sturdy walking shoes with a good grip.
  • Gloves, scarves, and warm hat.
  • Thermal base layers, such as leggings and underwear (specifically for highland and winter travel)




  • July in Iceland | ULTIMATE travel guide




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio, Pavel Danilyuk, Pavel Danilyuk