Iceland Hiking Gear List: Day Hikes and Multi-Day Treks

Day hike essentials

Even short hikes in Iceland deserve a proper kit. Weather turns quickly and help can be a long way off, so carry these on every day hike, whatever the forecast. Pack the warm and waterproof items at the top of your bag so you can reach them in seconds when a squall arrives. Most of this list weighs very little, and a compact kit means you are ready if a short walk takes longer than planned.

• Daypack of around 20–30 litres with a rain cover or liner
• Waterproof jacket and waterproof over-trousers
• Fleece or insulated mid layer
• Hat, buff and gloves
• Waterproof hiking boots, broken in
• 1–2 litres of water and enough food for the day plus extra
• Map, offline GPS app or downloaded trail map
• Fully charged phone, power bank and the 112 Iceland app
• Small first-aid kit and blister treatment
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Headlamp outside of midsummer

Multi-day trekking checklist

For hut-to-hut treks like the Laugavegur, add the items below to your day kit. If you are camping, you will also need a shelter and cooking set-up, which adds significant weight. Lay everything out before you pack and weigh your bag; every extra kilogram is noticeable on the climbs out of Landmannalaugar and Hrafntinnusker. Hut users can usually leave the tent and mat behind, while campers should prioritise a stable shelter over almost anything else.

• Backpack of around 40–60 litres for huts, 55–70 litres for camping
• Sleeping bag (required in huts; rated well below freezing if camping)
• Tent rated for strong wind, with plenty of guylines and pegs
• Sleeping mat (camping only)
• Stove, fuel, pot and lighter (camping, or for flexibility on hut routes)
• Water shoes or sandals with heel straps for river crossings
• Trekking poles
• Spare base layers and socks in a dry bag
• Lightweight hut clothing and slippers or camp shoes
• Toiletries, toilet paper and a bag to pack out waste
• Cash or card for hut and campsite services
• Earplugs and eye mask for bright nights and busy bunkrooms

Food and water

There are no shops along the Laugavegur or most other multi-day routes, so carry all your food. Some huts sell a limited range of snacks or drinks in summer, but do not rely on it. Dehydrated meals, oats, wraps, nuts and chocolate keep weight down. Huts have tap water, and many clear mountain streams are safe to drink from. Avoid silty glacial rivers. A lightweight filter adds peace of mind on routes with grazing animals or busy campsites. See our guide on drinking river water in Iceland for details.

Renting hiking equipment in Reykjavík

Several outdoor rental shops in Reykjavík rent hiking and camping equipment, so you do not need to fly with bulky gear. Typical rentals include tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, stoves, backpacks, trekking poles, microspikes and sometimes waterproof clothing and boots. Reserve ahead for July and August, when wind-rated tents and good sleeping bags are in high demand. Inspect everything before you leave: pitch the tent, check zips and poles, and confirm the stove works with the fuel provided. Bring your own boots if you can, since rental boots that are not broken in are a common cause of blisters.

Choosing waterproof boots for the Laugavegur Trail

The Laugavegur covers rhyolite scree, obsidian, snow fields, black volcanic sand, wet grass and some boggy ground, so the best waterproof boots for the Laugavegur Trail are about features rather than brand. Look for a waterproof breathable membrane, mid or high ankle cut for support on loose ground, and a stiff, grippy lug sole that bites on wet rock and snow. Fit matters more than anything else. Try boots with your hiking socks, leave room for your feet to swell over long days, and break them in with at least several long walks before the trip. A gusseted tongue keeps out grit and water, and a protective rubber rand helps on sharp lava.

Weight and packing tips

Aim to keep a hut-to-hut pack light enough to carry comfortably for 12–25 km a day on uneven ground. Line your backpack with a waterproof liner or large dry bag; rain covers alone often fail in strong wind. Pack in layers: sleeping bag and hut clothes at the bottom, food and cooking in the middle, and rain gear, warm layer, snacks and water shoes on top or in outside pockets where you can reach them quickly.

What you can leave at home

You do not need bear spray, insect repellent for most areas, or heavy mountaineering gear for summer trails. An umbrella is useless in Icelandic wind. Cotton clothing has no place in your pack. If you plan a glacier hike, the tour company provides the technical equipment, including crampons, ice axe, helmet and harness. Swimwear, on the other hand, earns its place for hot springs at Landmannalaugar and Reykjadalur.