Iceland guides · What to wear

Do you need rain pants in Iceland?

Yes. Reykjavík gets rain or snow on 9 to 15 days a month, and the south coast is wetter still: Jökulsárlón averages 197 mm in October. Iceland's rain comes sideways on the wind, so a jacket alone leaves your legs soaked. Waterproof over-trousers that pull on over boots weigh little and save the day.

From Icelandic Met Office measurements, 1991–2020Reviewed 19 October 2026

What to look for

Fully waterproof, not water-resistant, with taped seams and zips down the sides so they go on over boots. Light, packable ones live in your daypack until the weather turns, which it will.

Rain pants or snow pants?

For most winter trips, waterproof over-trousers on top of thermal leggings beat insulated ski trousers: more versatile, and you can peel a layer in a warm car. Snowmobile and many winter tours hand out overalls.

The wet side of the country

The south and southeast catch the Atlantic lows first: Vík gets 1730 mm a year against Reykjavík's 876 mm. The north and east, in the mountains' rain shadow, are far drier — Akureyri gets 573 mm and Mývatn 464 mm.

Days with rain or snow (≥ 1 mm), and the month's total

Icelandic Met Office, 1991–2020. Jökulsárlón is measured at Fagurhólsmýri, Vík at Vatnsskarðshólar.

	Reykjavík: days	Reykjavík: mm	Vík: days	Vík: mm	Jökulsárlón: days	Jökulsárlón: mm	Akureyri: days	Akureyri: mm
January	15	87	19	167	15	171	11	60
February	15	91	18	159	16	165	10	52
March	14	81	18	148	14	155	10	47
April	12	59	15	117	12	120	7	26
May	11	53	13	102	13	103	6	24
June	9	43	11	93	13	132	5	21
July	10	50	12	109	11	101	8	34
August	12	64	14	140	15	161	8	41
September	15	87	18	188	16	190	9	53
October	13	80	17	168	15	197	12	74
November	14	86	17	175	15	184	11	68
December	15	95	18	164	17	182	12	73

Algengar spurningar

Do I need waterproof pants in Iceland in summer?

Yes. Summer is Reykjavík's driest season, yet June to August still bring rain on 9 to 12 days a month, and the south coast and waterfalls are wetter (Icelandic Met Office, 1991–2020).

Do I need snow pants for Iceland?

Usually not. Waterproof over-trousers over thermal leggings handle a winter trip, and snowmobile tours provide overalls. Pack insulated ski trousers only for skiing or long, still nights outside in the north.

What should I wear under rain pants in Iceland?

Quick-drying hiking trousers, with thermal leggings underneath from October to April. Never jeans: they wet through at the knees and stay cold.

These are the usual conditions, not a forecast. Before you set off, check the latest forecast and warnings on Iceland Weather or vedur.is, the roads on umferdin.is and travel alerts on safetravel.is. In an emergency, call 112.