Trekking in Iceland: What to Wear
Going to take a trek around and through Iceland, Norway, or Greenland? It’s chilly to glacial at any time of year. A cruise or land adventure will give you a list of what to bring. With cruises, some gear is available for day use, such as knee-high waterproof boots and ski poles for hiking.
The question remains: even with those provided items, should you you bring your own?
Instead of choosing -30 below survival gear, select cold-weather gear you can layer and use for multiple purposes. The weather will change in temperature and moisture, and most new gear is stylish enough that you can use it back home. On a recent trip to Iceland, we decided personal gear was best as much as possible, assembled a list and then went shopping with trip needs in mind.
You walk on various grades with obstacles like volcanic rocks and scrub bushes. And the ground is wet to boot. Trekking poles are the solution for hiking in these situations, providing added balance. Cruise ships have some poles they lend out for these excursions. On the hike, you discover they should be shorter or longer. Considering packing and use, the MSR Dynalock Ascent Carbons have all the features needed for the trip and for use back home. They fold up into a neat, light package for the suitcase. The Dynalocks feature an intuitive reassembly design; simply snap them together, and they are ready to go.
Each pole has 20 centimeters of quick-click change, allowing for easy height adjustments on the fly, which we used often. The set includes two baskets for hard or soft snow, and you can add optional tip grip protectors for additional stability on any surface. Note: they work for alpine skiing and snowshoeing.
Many cruises around these exploratory locations give each participant a parka-like coat. While those coats with the advertising are nicer than average, some people want to wear things without the banner-length name on the garment. Suppose you have to pick one place where you can layer outerwear without the blimp-like advertising and wear it for street/casual/outdoor use. In that case, the Eddie Bauer store served our purpose.
The Women’s Radiator Field Jacket features a nifty temperature control system, perfect for changing conditions on longer excursions, and was more than just marketing. The Cirruslite down vest is ideal for use under less insulated tops, such as the Cloud Cap Rain jacket. Remember, layers rule not only in packing but also in adjustments on the fly. A shell-type, moisture-protecting jacket is a must for a trekking trip.
Underneath rain gear, pants like the Guide 2.0 pants were warm, had ample pockets, and looked suitable for post-trekking activities, such as social situations and dining. Pack a couple of beanie ski caps for Arctic breezes. The Storm Waterproof Sombrero is more than adequate when the drizzle turns into a downpour.
How to tote your belongings when you are out on the trail for the day? The Stowaway Backpack stores in its own pouch and then expands for day adventures when you don’t need the full-on aluminum frame options. Nothing small here with 20 or 30-liter options.
Many of the cruises to these locales loan waterproof boots for beach landings and stream hikes. However, their available size is not always yours, and who isn’t particular about other people wearing their shoes? Fit should be ideal, not in the neighborhood.
Muck Boots is a brand synonymous with farm/ranch/outdoor use in harsh conditions. Besides being waterproof, they offer warmth below freezing. Jumping off a Zodiac into the beach water, the Woody Tall Boot (just below the knee) is perfect for fighting the splash. The easy-on, easy-off pull feature meant we could stand on the ground and change into our hiking boots with minimal fuss. And it has already proven its worth on those snow-shoveling or sleeting days back home.
Their Muckster Low slipons are ideal for those brief trips where it’s wet yet not deep. Mucksters have great support for a slip-on, and this type of boot has also proven out in the garden.
All the gear advisories want travelers to bring extra socks of various lengths. Part of that is that they will get wet and don’t dry well during the night, You need various levels of cushioning.
Enter the new fiber, alpaca, from PAKA Apparel. This fiber is superior to wool, as it is softer and has significantly more wicking properties. The natural antimicrobial aspect was a draw as well. With PAKA, you can take one pair of ankle socks, one crew sock, and one high-top sock to use on the trip. Do you need a little more warmth and cushioning? Just put two pairs together. One pair of medium crew socks features amazing cushioning and wicks away regular moisture. We did not have to wash them once on an eight-day trip.
PAKA’s crew sweater performs well across various weather and climate conditions and is upscale enough for the evening. PAKA is more than connected with its suppliers and manufacturing in Peru, as it sets a new standard for giving back.
The trick with hiking boots on expedition trips is to find something that transitions from street walks to rigorous hikes. One pair that even people can wear to social functions. Forsake hiking boots function in challenging conditions yet feel like your favorite sneakers. The 15 Mid WP is a waterproof sneaker boot that lets one pair of boots function in almost any situation. The boots were comfortable, had support and cushioning on rocky surfaces, and were also waterproof. These are all-weather, waterproof boots that went from casual wear to hiking and anything in between.