Having outfitted thousands of campers in Iceland over the years, we have seen firsthand which equipment thrives in sub-arctic wind and rain—and which gear fails on night one. Whether you are packing your own equipment from home, renting locally in Reykjavík, or booking an all-in-one heated campervan, here is our complete breakdown of what each gear category must deliver in Iceland.
1. Weather-Tested Gear Categories
Every piece of your shelter and sleep system works together to keep you warm, dry, and rested:
- Tents: Never bring a cheap fiberglass-pole festival tent to Iceland. Choose a 3-to-4-season geodesic, semi-geodesic, or low-profile tunnel tent built with DAC aluminum poles, a 3,000mm+ waterproof flysheet that extends all the way to the ground, and strong Y-beam aluminum stakes.
- Sleeping Bags: Even in July, night temperatures near glaciers and in the Highlands drop to 0°C–4°C (32°F–39°F). Always check the EN/ISO Comfort rating (not the "Extreme" rating) and bring a bag rated to at least 0°C to -5°C (23°F–32°F).
- Insulated Sleeping Mats: Cold volcanic soil drains body heat rapidly through uninsulated air mattresses. Use an ASTM-tested sleeping pad with an R-value of 3.5 to 5.0+, or stack a closed-cell foam pad underneath an inflatable pad.
- Stoves & Cooking Equipment: Because airlines prohibit flying with gas canisters, bring a compact stove compatible with threaded Lindal-valve canisters (Primus/MSR/Jetboil) or click-on Campingaz canisters—both are easy to purchase at Icelandic gas stations and outdoor shops upon arrival.
- Camp Tables & Chairs: Many rural campsites have open grass pitches without dry picnic benches. Lightweight aluminum folding chairs and a compact table make evening meals far more comfortable.
- Essential Accessories: Pack a 3D blackout eye mask for the June–July Midnight Sun, a 10,000–20,000 mAh USB-C power bank, waterproof drybags, and a microfiber towel for geothermal pools.
2. Tent Kit vs. All-in-One Campervan Packages
If you are traveling as a couple and don't already own 4-season sub-arctic camping gear, compare the cost of checked airline baggage fees and local gear rental against booking a heated campervan that includes a built-in bed, Webasto night heater, gas stove, cooler, and cookware.
Explore all eight equipment guides below to prepare for your trip:
