Complete Laugavegur packing list: what to pack for Iceland’s best multi-day trek

26 April 2025

Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail takes you from rainbow rhyolite mountains to volcanic deserts to moss-covered canyons, crossing some of the most surreal and otherworldly terrain in the world. With unpredictable weather, river crossings, and fully exposed campsites, your gear needs to be ready for rain, wind, and surprise snow, even in summer.

I hiked the classic 4-day Laugavegur route from Landmannalaugar to þórsmörk in August 2023, but this list works equally well if you’re considering the extension to Skógar via the Fimmvörðuháls trail. This post breaks down my full packing list and offers practical suggestions for both camping and hut-based versions of the Laugavegur Trek!

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Laugavegur Trek packing list

The Laugavegur Trek is typically hiked from late June to early September, when Iceland’s highlands are (mostly) snow-free. But even in summer, the weather is famously unpredictable— sun, sleet, sideways rain, and 60kph winds are all fair game! Your gear needs to handle cold, wet, and windy conditions, because you’ll probably see it all.

Expect daytime temperatures between 5–15°C (41–59°F) with occasional warm, sunny spells, but just as often, you’ll hike in wind, fog, or freezing rain. Nights can drop to 0–5°C (32–41°F) depending on elevation and weather, so a warm sleep system is non-negotiable, even in July.

Importantly, there are also two ways to complete the Laugavegur: staying in the huts operated by Ferðafélag Íslands, the Iceland Touring Association (FÍ) or camping in the designated areas right outside each hut. The huts provide a roof, mattress, and basic shelter, but no bedding or kitchen services, so you’ll still need to carry a sleeping bag, camp stove, and all your food regardless of which option you’re choosing. This packing list works for both styles of trekking— just subtract the tent and sleeping pad if you’re booked into huts, but otherwise all the gear is the same and the choice is yours!

🏔️ Check out my Laugavegur Trail Guide for a detailed route description, essential trek logistics & real-world tips on tackling Iceland’s best multi-day hike!

Trail essentials: backpack, boots & poles

The Laugavegur Trek might be short by distance, but Iceland’s famously wild weather, river crossings, and exposed terrain mean you need dependable, weather-ready gear. These trail essentials will keep you safe, comfortable, and moving efficiently across the Highlands.

backpack (50-75L): Osprey Aura AG 50 (women’s) / Atmos AG 65 (men’s)

If you’re staying in huts along the trek (and don’t need to carry a tent or sleeping pad), you can likely get away with a 30-40L pack; if you’re camping, aim for something in the 50-65L range.

👉🏼 Need more advice on choosing a backpack? Check out this post: How to choose the best hiking backpack for every outdoor adventure

raincover: REI Co-op Duck’s Back Pack Rain Cover

Protects your gear from sudden downpours— some packs come with one built-in, but if not, make sure to pack a lightweight rain cover that fits over your bag (REI’s size medium should work best).

hiking boots

I wore my La Sportiva Trango Tech (overkill mountaineering boots because it’s what I had with me at the time), but if I were to repeat the trail again tomorrow, I’d try out my current favourite trail boots, the adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX (lightweight, comfortable, and supportive for on-trail hiking).

👉🏼 Need more advice on choosing the right boot? Read my outdoor footwear guide

Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

Trekking poles saved my knees on rocky descents and were absolutely essential for stability during river crossings.

Camping gear

Whether you’re camping in a tent or staying in the huts, you’ll need a sleep system that can handle cold, wet, and windy nights. Sleeping bag and camp pillow are essential either way; a backpacking tent and sleeping pad are necessary additions for camping outside.

I wrote two super detailed guides to help you choose the best backcountry camping setup based on a decade of international, multi-day backpacking experience everywhere from Patagonia to the Peruvian Andes to the Australian coast.

👉🏼 How to choose the best backpacking tent for your next adventure

👉🏼 How to choose the best outdoor sleep system: sleeping bags, sleeping pads & camp pillows

backpacking tent: Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P (for 2 sharing)

The Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P is the perfect durable 3-season shelter against Iceland’s wind and scattered weather. If you’re staying in huts, you can skip the tent entirely.

sleeping bag: Feathered Friends Murre EX 0 (comfort rated: -18°C) or Sea to Summit Spark 0

I used a zero-degree bag and it was perfect for highland summer temps that often dipped close to freezing overnight. Even hut-stayers need a proper sleeping bag— no bedding is provided, just a mattress!

sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad

Not needed if you’re staying inside huts (the mattress is provided), but essential for campers.

camp pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium

A luxury I’ll never hike without! Lightweight, compact, and so worth the space for better sleep in the outdoors.

Camp kitchen, water storage & food

Whether you’re staying in huts or camping, you’ll need to carry all of your own food and have a way to cook hot meals. There are no services in the huts, so once you leave Landmannalaugar, you need to be 100% self-sufficient from start to finish.

camp stove (+ fuel): Jetboil Zip

A compact canister stove is ideal for making simple meals on the trail— crazy fast, fuel-efficient, and effective in heavy wind.

A conservative estimate for fuel is one 230g canister per 3 days per person, but I find this is way more than I use. 1 canister should be enough for 2 people for the entire trek.

mess kit + cutlery: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible 4-Piece Dinnerware Set

At the very minimum, your mess kit should contain a spoon and cup; at most, it might extend to a bowl and fork.

water filter: Katadyn BeFree 1.oL Water Filter

Water is easy to find along the Laugavegur— every hut has a natural water source nearby, and you’ll cross streams and rivers regularly on trail. While hut water is usually treated and considered potable, I carried the a lightweight filter for peace of mind, especially when filling up from glacial runoff or less-trafficked streams.

2x water bottles: Nalgene Wide Mouth

I personally don’t like bladders on overnight trips since they can be especially challenging to fill when you’re filtering water (and the consequences of leakage can be catastrophic if it soaks your sleeping bag), so instead I pack 1-2 standard Nalgene bottles. As you like it!

electrolytes: Liquid IV

I’d recommend drinking a minimum of 1 bottle of electrolyte-enriched water per day.

freeze-dried meals + snacks

Pack whatever you need for 4-5 days on the trail without any restocks.

👉🏼 Check out this post for a breakdown on how I pack backcountry food for alpine expeditions

Safety & navigation

The Laugavegur is a straightforward trail in Iceland’s Highlands, but unpredictable weather— fog, sleet, sudden storms— can easily obscure the route. Having basic navigation tools and safety gear is essential to staying on track and handling emergencies, even in peak season.

PLB/SOS: Garmin InReach Mini 2

A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is your lifeline in the outdoors and I NEVER go hiking without my Garmin InReach Mini 2, which allows me to send messages, get weather updates, track location, and place an SOS call in an emergency, even without phone service. It does require a subscription (starting at $12/month), but it’s worth every cent and has literally saved both of my parents’ lives in the backcountry!

GPS: CalTopo app on mobile

The absolute best GPS resource is the smartphone you already own, paired with a reliable, low-cost GPS mapping app that allows you to access detailed offline Topo maps and navigate via GPS satellites, even without mobile service.

My go-to is CalTopo, which costs just $20/year and is by far the most feature-rich, affordable, and accurate mapping tool out there.

🗺️ I built a custom Laugavegur GPS map with daily tracks based on my custom adventure itinerary, hundreds of waypoints, and other essential navigational information to help you stay on track. For solo trips, this is essential!

First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits Backpacker

All the usual essentials:
• a mix of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
• antihistamines (Claritin for allergies, Benadryl for bites/stings)
• a small selection of stomach meds (like Imodium or Pepto tabs)
• a roll of KT tape (insanely versatile for everything from blisters to rolled ankles)
• alcohol wipes, antiseptic, a few large gauze pads, and blister plasters like Compeed

headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400-R

A bright, rechargeable headlamp is essential for evenings around camp and (hopefully not) late nights on the trail. Lightweight and easy to stash in a top pocket for quick access!

powerbank: VRURC Portable Charger with Built-in Cables, 10000mAh

I used my phone constantly for navigation and photos, plus needed power for my inReach and headlamp. I carried a 10,000mAh powerbank and it was enough for the 4-day trek.

Top + bottom layers

Iceland’s Highlands throw everything at you— blazing sun, gale-force winds, freezing rain, sleet—sometimes all in a single afternoon. A strong layering system is absolutely key for comfort, safety, and sheer survival on the Laugavegur.

👉🏼 Need help building a layering system that actually works? Read my outdoor layering guide for tips on choosing base layers, insulation, and outer shells.

sports bra + underwear

I’m not going to tell you what undergarments to pack, but just consider you’ll have 4-5 days on the trail and it’s very nice to have clean underwear every day!

hiking shirt: Arc’teryx Taema Crew Shirt (women’s) / Cormac Crew Shirt (men’s)

I’d suggest bringing just one shirt for the 4-5 day hike, keep it light!

wool base layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal Base Layer Top (women’s) / (men’s)

I wore this every day as a hiking shirt and only once did I have to strip down to just my sports bra (and pants)— most of the time, a long sleeve layer was absolutely perfect.

heavyweight fleece mid-layer: Arc’teryx Kyanite Zip Neck Top (women’s) / Rho Heavyweight Zip Neck Top (men’s)

I wore this lightweight, stretchy, ultra comfortable fleece as my sleep layer in the hut and stayed so cozy.

synthetic insulation: Arc’teryx Atom Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

The perfect warmer hiking layer when the long sleeve alone won’t cut it— which was about 75% of the time. This jacket packs down light and tight, but offers serious warmth and handled sweat well, so it’s perfect for cold-weather exertion.

down jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

At camp, you’ll be so happy to have a down jacket that offers warmth throughout camp set-up and dinner. This jacket is warm and extremely lightweight, my go-to for moderate weather backpacking trips!

shell jacket: Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket (women’s) / (men’s)

You’ll use this as much for wind protection as for actual rain in Iceland— a shell puts in long hours on the Laugavegur, thanks to the wild fluctuations in weather!

hiking shorts: Lululemon Align shorts

Whatever your hiking shorts preference, I’d recommend 1 pairs of short and 1 pair of pants for the trip, since the weather can fluctuate wildly.

fleece mid-layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Kyanite Base Layer Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)

The perfect lightweight yet super warm sleep tights— great for hanging out around camp and staying cozy in your sleeping bag!

soft shell pants: Arc’teryx Gamma Pants (women’s) / (men’s)

Wind-resistant, water-repellent, breathable, and stretchy hiking pants perfect for cooler hiking days in Iceland.

Head, hands & feet

Protecting your extremities is absolutely critical in Iceland— the Highlands are windy, cold, and sun-exposed, often all at once. Here’s the kit that kept me comfortable on the Laugavegur.

sunglasses: Julbo Vermont

From glacier travel to rocky scrambles, these are my favourite outdoor sunglasses.

neck gaiter: Buff Original

Lightweight and versatile, a Buff is essential for protecting against daily sun, sweat, dust, and wind.

beanie: Arc’teryx Mallow Toque

A small beanie is an easy add to your camp outfit to stay warm as nighttime temps approach freezing.

lightweight hiking gloves: Outdoor Research Trail Mix Gloves (women’s) / (men’s)

Nice to have for daily use in the Icelandic Highlands. These are light, comfortable, and just warm enough to protect your hands from freezing wind without overheating too much.

waterproof shell mittens: Black Diamond Waterproof Overmitts

There’s always a chance of rain or snow in Iceland, so bring a lightweight pair of waterproof shell mittens to layer over your fleece gloves for extra warmth and full weather protection.

3x liner socks: Injinji Liner Crew + REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks

I wore my favourite toe-sock liners under my boot socks to reduce friction and prevent blisters throughout the trail.

3x boot socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks (women’s) / (men’s)

My go-to socks for backpacking— durable, padded, and still comfy after multiple days of trail grime. I’d recommend 2 pairs of socks for 4-5 days.

camp shoes: Teva Original

Easy to slip on after hiking boots, great as hut shoes, camp shoes, AND water shoes for the many river crossings on this trek!

Personal items

When you’re out in Iceland’s Highlands for days at a time, keeping clean, comfortable, and sun-safe can make a huge difference to your mood and energy. These little extras helped me feel human after long, wild trail days.

swimsuit: Skatie

Be sure to pack a swimsuit and a little travel towel for a dip in the hot springs at Landmannalaugar before starting the hike! This is a beautiful free hot spring and the best way to start your 4-5 days in the Highlands.

toiletries + bathroom bits

Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, medications, contact solution… whatever you need to stay clean and comfortable for multiple days on the trail!

For the wilderness bathroom, pack toilet paper, hand sanitiser, and a ziplock bag to pack out used items if needed.

Kula Cloth (for women)

This reusable antimicrobial pee cloth is designed specifically for backcountry female hygiene— it’s absorbent on one side, waterproof on the other, and treated with silver ions to resist bacteria growth and odour.

It’s easy to wash, dries fast, snaps shut for discretion, and clips onto the outside of your pack so it’s always accessible. Not only is it way more hygienic than carrying used toilet paper in a ziplock, but it also seriously reduces your trail waste, making it a no-brainer for sustainable hiking and women’s health on the go.

sun safety

Sun exposure builds quickly when you’re spending hours outside every day, even in cold, cloudy weather. Pack SPF 50+ sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and whatever else you need to stay sun-safe on the trail!

camera: Fujifilm x100vi

👉🏼 For a complete run-down of ALL the camera gear we are currently using & loving, check out this post: Camera gear for travel photography: what we use as full-time travellers

There’s nothing quite like hiking through the Icelandic Highlands— steaming vents, rainbow ridges, volcanic deserts, and glacier views all in one trail. I hope this packing list helps you feel ready for every element Iceland throws your way.

⛰️ Still planning your hike? Don’t miss my Laugavegur Trail Guide for a detailed daily route description, trip logistics & real-world tips on tackling Iceland’s best multi-day hike. And if you have any questions about gear, drop them in the comments, I’m always happy to help!

brooke beyond

Hey, I'm Brooke and I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (joined by my life/climbing partner, James). Whether it’s road-tripping through Mexico, climbing alpine peaks in the Andes, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or tackling epic via ferrata in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb