What to Wear
OK so Iceland is cold, especially in winter - I am sure this is not news!
However, even though I knew it was going to be cold, I was not prepared for just how bitterly cold it can be. You might look at the temperature forecasts and think it doesn't look so bad (-1 for example), however you need to take into account the wind. It is usually windy in Iceland, and the wind takes the temperatures much lower! So the forecast might say -1, but that it will 'feel like -12'. Think of the sort of cold that makes your eyes and nose run!!!
The best advice I can give for dealing with the cold is layers, and lots of them! On this latest trip, I spent a lot of time wearing jeans with tights underneath, with calf-high boots and a longish coat with a furry hood. Underneath that I usually had a long sleeved top and a sweatshirt. I didn't go anywhere without a scarf and gloves, and a lot of the time I had a bobble hat too. If you feel the cold, wear lots of thin layers, that way you can always add or remove a layer easily whilst you are out and about. I would recommend investing in a decent windproof coat and taking a good pair of walking boots for when you are out of the city. Within the city, you should be OK because they actually heat the pavements, meaning it doesn't get too icy!
I would also recommend taking a pair of ski trousers if you have them, as that is a sure-fire way to ensure you will stay warm. I found our first winter trip colder than this recent one, and wore my ski trousers with leggings underneath most days on that trip.
You can always buy warm clothing when you get to Iceland if you feel like you need something extra, however be aware that it is very very very expensive! I bought a pair of Sealskinz gloves in the UK before this trip for £35, and found the very same pair of gloves for sale in Reykjavik for around £70.
If you do something like a northern lights boat trip (Special Tours from Reykjavik harbour were good!) then they will provide you with additional warm clothing. It is definitely required!
One final thing I would say is that everywhere inside is always very warm and cosy - heating and hot water is cheap as chips in Iceland thanks to geothermal energy. So you don't need big thick pyjamas!
However, even though I knew it was going to be cold, I was not prepared for just how bitterly cold it can be. You might look at the temperature forecasts and think it doesn't look so bad (-1 for example), however you need to take into account the wind. It is usually windy in Iceland, and the wind takes the temperatures much lower! So the forecast might say -1, but that it will 'feel like -12'. Think of the sort of cold that makes your eyes and nose run!!!
The best advice I can give for dealing with the cold is layers, and lots of them! On this latest trip, I spent a lot of time wearing jeans with tights underneath, with calf-high boots and a longish coat with a furry hood. Underneath that I usually had a long sleeved top and a sweatshirt. I didn't go anywhere without a scarf and gloves, and a lot of the time I had a bobble hat too. If you feel the cold, wear lots of thin layers, that way you can always add or remove a layer easily whilst you are out and about. I would recommend investing in a decent windproof coat and taking a good pair of walking boots for when you are out of the city. Within the city, you should be OK because they actually heat the pavements, meaning it doesn't get too icy!
I would also recommend taking a pair of ski trousers if you have them, as that is a sure-fire way to ensure you will stay warm. I found our first winter trip colder than this recent one, and wore my ski trousers with leggings underneath most days on that trip.
You can always buy warm clothing when you get to Iceland if you feel like you need something extra, however be aware that it is very very very expensive! I bought a pair of Sealskinz gloves in the UK before this trip for £35, and found the very same pair of gloves for sale in Reykjavik for around £70.
If you do something like a northern lights boat trip (Special Tours from Reykjavik harbour were good!) then they will provide you with additional warm clothing. It is definitely required!
One final thing I would say is that everywhere inside is always very warm and cosy - heating and hot water is cheap as chips in Iceland thanks to geothermal energy. So you don't need big thick pyjamas!
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