What to wear?

First, never trust the forecast for Iceland more than a day or two ahead.

That said, August is typically mid 50's and you may get a bit of rain. Most likely just a bit here and there.

No matter what time of year we go, and we head back next week, we always dress in layers and with a waterPROOF jacket and rain pants. Quick dry pants are key as well. The rain pants should be the kind with long zippers at the bottom so you can just pull them on over your boots. Which, I always take my hiking boots to Iceland, and sometimes that is my only footwear. In July and August though, I like to have a pair of sneakers as well. If you plan on doing any lagoons, definitely bring a swimsuit of course, but if you are doing any rustic ones you will want some sort of sandal. Many times there is a bit of a walk between where you can change and getting into the hot spring, and never on a paved path. The way we layer is a thin merino wool top, then a quarter zip and then our rain jackets. You also need a fleece or wool hat (baseball hats go flying in the wind) and waterproof gloves. Yes, even in summer.

Having lived in wet and even very wet areas and having visited Iceland, I'd offer the following advice about packing for a trip to Iceland. Layers of clothing and consider merino wool a best friend. Also, while truly waterproof jackets/pants will keep you dry from rain, confirm such are breathable. My kit for Iceland, included a very lightweight rain repellent shell and rain pants, combined with thin layers of merino wool for upper body. Gloves? Yup, more merino wool. I can't image wearing truly waterproof gloves.

I was woefully unprepared my first visit, thinking that 50 degrees was like 50 PNW degrees. During the walking tour of Reykjavik, the wind from the harbor felt literally like ice shards- and it was sunny, no rain! A bit later in a more sheltered area, I was warm enough to take off my inadequate jacket.
So. great advice on the layers! And beanie cap and gloves.

Remember - there is no bad weather, only poor clothing choices. Never truer than in Iceland !

BonVoyage--I am laughing, not at you but with you. That wind! Also the 50 degrees for here in the PNW feels nothing like the 50 degrees there. We leave this week and I am once again taking a wool sweater that I bought there on one of our trips. August and wool sweater, yup!!! I always take a 2nd pair of gloves now after I left my favorite ones at Sky Lagoon. They found them and mailed them home to me, but I needed gloves asap when we were there. So now I always take 2 pair.

You'll need layers so you can adjust as needed throughout the day. A thin base layer, short-sleeved shirt, sweater or fleece, waterproof outer layer, maybe a light jacket. Those are the things I take in the summer. You may also need a hat and thin gloves due to the cold winds. The temps don't matter as much as the wind, which can be biting.

Well, I thought it was going to be cold when I was there a year ago in mid Aug.. but it was 22°C and everyone was wearing shorts! Mornings, were chilly, so a jacket was fine and had a good poncho to wear at the waterfalls or in case it rained. Other than that, just jeans and a blouse were fine, plus of course hiking boots and a bathing suit for Sky Lagoon.

Check the forecast before you go and adjust your packing.

Thank you so much for all of your helpful hints. Extremely helpful for what to wear next week.

Ms Jo--In all of our trips, I have worn shorts there only twice, but I always pack them for summer trips just in case! When we took the adult kids, I told them all to bring one set, but our daughter did not believe me. Yup, we had one day that was absolutely roasting so had to stop at Netto for her t o buy a tank top and then she just wore leggings for the hike. I have one pair of shorts and one t-shirt packed for going this week.