What to pack? Ok, so we’ve read a lot about this because we did not want to pack a lot of stuff since we will be moving from place to place every day. Coming from a tropical country, obviously, we have a different definition for cold. That’s why we had a bit of a hard time packing, also because unlike the other cold places that we’ve been to, we know that this time we will be spending a lot of time outdoors – not just outdoors, but doing short hikes and treks, going to beach sides and lagoons with icebergs, walking behind waterfalls, and all the other cool stuff that Iceland has to offer.
Iceland in early October was still pleasant when we went. It wasn’t that cold really, unless, you know, when it rained while we were on a hike or when the wind decided to make us feel its strong presence – which happened a few times a day, almost every day.
The key (based from all the blogs I’ve read as well) is to layer. Here’s a list of what I packed for the trip:
Bobble hat – to keep your head and ears warm, plus it is cute!
Gloves – G and I both got E-tip gloves from The North Face. They are perfect because you don’t need to remove them even when you have to use your phone
Scarf – choose the warm kind
Thermals – very important
Layering Tee – since the weather changes quickly, it is always a good idea to layer
Long sleeves / Turtlenecks – to wear on top of your tees or thermals
Fleece – something that you can use for mid layering if it gets too cold
Down Vest – I got a super light and packable down vest from Uniqlo, I wore it as middle layer during colder days
Light Coat – for walking around towns and when you get tired of your hiker look.
Heavy Coat / Parka – I prefer wearing my parka during windy days because I felt it kept the wind from hitting my face that hard
Waterproof jacket – must have! Whether or not it rains, walking behind and beside waterfalls will surely spray water on you. You can’t afford to get soaked because you will get really cold after
Leggings/Denims – I prefer using leggings because they are warmer
Wool Socks – life saver! Aside from the ones we got here in Manila, we also got pairs from Icewear, they feel so good!!
Swimwear – Iceland has a lot of natural hot springs and geothermal baths, it would be nice to try at least one.
Boots – High boots or winter boots to go with your other city outfits
Hiking Boots – another must have! You will be walking and trekking a lot, you need a comfortable pair that has good ankle support as well. If you’re going to go walking on glaciers, make sure the ones you get would be compatible for putting crampons on.
Shades – of course 😛
Backpack – I prefer a backpack for this kind of trip instead of a handbag or shoulder bag. It is easier to carry especially when you have to put extra clothing inside, a bottle of water, and bunch of other stuff. Better if you get a waterproof one as well.
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