What To Pack For Iceland If You’re Going In The Spring | Vegan Friendly Packing Guide
Going to Iceland in the spring (March-May) and you’re not sure what to pack? I got you! Iceland is known for having unpredictable weather and especially, if you’re planning on going outside the capital city of Reykjavik. This is when packing layers becomes key as well as ensuring that you have weatherproof pieces of clothing to keep you warm.
When thinking about what to pack, let’s look into what you can expect (or even not expect since the weather can change in an instant) when traveling to Iceland during the spring season. Also, I’ve provided vegan friendly items when it comes to clothing if that is something you’re looking for as well!
In the Spring, there’s a significant change in daylight hours:
March 20th or 21st is not only the official first day of spring but it is also, the spring equinox (when day and night equalize). In Iceland, this brings a dramatic increase in daylight that by the end of May, Iceland experiences up to 20 hours of daylight compared to only 4 hours in December. The days continue to lengthen, leading to the Midnight Sun phenomenon with nearly 24 hours of daylight in the summer.
Temperatures to expect in March, April, and May in Iceland:
In March, temperatures can often drop below 32°F (0°C). It’s not until April that the weather in Iceland gets milder and you’ll experience more rain than snow.
The weather gets even warmer in May, with temperatures going up to 50°F (10°C).
Key basics to keep in mind when packing for Iceland!
Key things to consider packing for Iceland:
Prepare a layering system for Iceland’s unpredictable weather as well as packing waterproof, layered clothes to stay warm and dry.
Think quick-drying base layer, fleece mid-layer, and water-proof or resistant outerwear.
Base layers
The key to staying warm are base layers! Both top and bottom. A good base layer top is this one from Columbia since it uses thermal-reflective tech to retain body heat. It’s also great for travel since the fabric captures and neutralizes odor. Meaning you can wear it multiple times without having to wash it!
For a base layer legging, I like this one from Halfdays, another vegan friendly option. Wearing these base layers makes a HUGE difference in keeping you warm as they trap heat.
Waterproof Trousers
Over your base layer leggings, you’ll want to wear some sort of waterproof trousers to help stay dry. Especially if you’re going to be exploring any sort of waterfall where you get close like the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Iceland is also known for randomly starting to rain so it helps to always be prepared by having on waterproof clothing.
Mid-Layer
Depending on how warm or cold the weather will be, over your base layer you should wear a good fleece mid-layer. This helps continue to trap that heat to help keep you warm. Fleece is a vegan friendly material and you can find many mid-layer fleece pieces in several stores.
Outerwear Layer
Iceland is also known for having strong winds that can start at any minute along with rainfall. A waterproof and windproof jacket is essential to help keep you warm and dry.
Socks
Lightweight, moisture-wicking socks are also important to have. Keeping your head and feet warm make all the difference to keeping the rest of your body warm as well. This one from from REI Co-op is made from polyester yarn in COOLMAX® EcoMade fabric and works great!
Outdoor Hiking Shoes
You definitely want hiking shoes that have good grip when exploring and hiking. Some vegan friendly hiking shoe options that I like are:
Merrell - Durable, comfortable, and offer excellent traction.
La Sportiva - They offer a combination of high performance, durability, and comfort, along with innovative technologies to make the most ideal shoes when it comes to hiking and outdoor activities.
Salomon - They offer superior grip, stability, and protection.
Crampons
Depending on the type of activities and you want to do in Iceland, you should consider bringing crampons. Crampons are spikes that you attach to the sole of your shoe, helping you dig into slippery surfaces like ice, snow, mud or even soft earth to provide crucial grip and stability, which can help prevent dangerous slides and falls.
There’s different types of crampons depending on the terrain you will be on. From lightweight, easy-to-use versions (Microspikes) for trails to more aggressive types (crampons) for steep terrain.
Gloves
Swimsuit - to enjoy all the geothermal pools with!
Bring a quick-dry towel too!
Iceland Travel essentials:
As you explore Iceland’s beautiful scenery and iconic landmarks, here are some road trip essentials you should be sure to pack on your trip!
GPS device or map and a compass in case you lose phone data. Especially if you’re going to more of the remote parts of Iceland.
Dry bags - to keep any essentials dry. Find them on Backcountry or even REI.
Portable charger or power bank.
First aid kit - just to be safe!
Headlamp - if you’ll be exploring caves
Reflective gear - more so needed if you’ll be traveling in early spring when it still gets dark out rather early.
Want to travel to Iceland with fellow vegan travelers?
Come join our Iceland Vegan Ventures group tour happening May 21st-27th 2026!
In partnership with Rexby.
Hi, I’m Ashley, owner of Vegan Ventures. I’ve been vegan for 8+ years and have traveled all over for over a decade. I’m a foodie and traveler who loves finding the best eats and experiences.
