On the hunt for the best boots for Iceland? This isn’t another post where someone on the internet will tell you what to wear in Iceland just to make money. These are our real tried and true suggestions. We are both shoeaholics [is that a word?] and own many pairs of hiking boots, walking shoes, snow boots, and more.
Since we have traveled to Iceland multiple times, we are here to give you the details on the best boots for Iceland. We have worn some fantastic pairs of shoes on our trips there and also have owned some terrible pairs [which obviously won’t be suggested!]
We have driven around Iceland’s Ring Road many times and these are our personal suggestions and exactly what we wear!
Whether you are traveling to Iceland in winter or summer, a solid pair of shoes is a must. We always recommend that your boots be waterproof, no matter what time of year you visit. All of our suggestions here will be shoes we have personally owned or as close to those shoes as we can come if a new and improved version is out.
When finding the best shoes for Iceland, we truly suggest investing and spending a little more money. During our visits, we have seen many people who didn’t invest in boots for Iceland and instead are walking around on ice and snow in Converse or sneakers! Wet feet are no fun which is why we highly recommend buying or borrowing a quality pair of boots for your trip!
We have broken this post down into two sections. The first will be the best boots and shoes for Iceland in summer. The second will be our suggestions for quality boots for Iceland in winter or during the off-season.
Best Hiking Boots And Shoes For Iceland In Summer
Best Iceland Hiking Shoes For Women
When it comes to the best shoes for Iceland for women, waterproof is key! Weather in Iceland is unpredictable no matter what time of year you visit so one day it may be sunny and the next instant it may be rainy.
Since there are a lot of waterfalls in Iceland, you will be near wet ground so waterproof boots are necessary and suggested! We are beyond happy we have used waterproof shoes every time we visited Iceland.
Columbia’s Dakota Drifter Waterproof Trail Shoe. We love this shoe and have it in grey! It is ultra-comfortable and fully waterproof! It is often hard to find waterproof shoes but when looking for what to wear in Iceland, this needs to be your first priority! We can vouch that these shoes are fantastically waterproof and are a solid buy for your trip!
Columbia Redmond Mid Waterproof Trail Shoe. If you are looking for shoes for Iceland that have a little more ankle support, these mid-rise waterproof shoes are perfect for you! We have carried these shoes before and they do take up a little more space in luggage, but some people prefer a more bulky shoe.
After trying both styles, Victoria prefers the first suggestion and likes shoes for Iceland that are lower cut. Terrence, on the other hand, loves boots that go up around the ankle for support. The best hiking boots for Iceland are the pair that you feel like you will be most comfortable in!
Merrell Sugarbush Refresh Waterproof Hiking Boot. If you are on the hunt for what to wear in Iceland and want the best boots that are both stylish for all of your epic photos AND waterproof, these Merrells are the shoe for you. For us, Merrell’s don’t tend to be quite as perfectly waterproof as Columbia brand, but these shoes are top quality and fashionable.
These boots are perfect for hiking, yet the leather look makes them a little fashionable and less rustic! Since these boots are more sturdy than just regular hiking shoes, you could technically pack them for a winter trip to Iceland too!
Best Iceland Hiking Shoes For Men
As with women, waterproof shoes for Iceland are key no matter what time of year you visit! Many people think that just because they are going to Iceland in summer means they don’t need to waterproof their boots. Make sure to invest or borrow a sturdy pair of hiking boots for Iceland! Here are our picks for men:
Columbia North Plains II Hiking Shoe. If you are looking for the best affordable pair of hiking shoes for Iceland, this pair of shoes from Columbia is a solid choice!
Terrence loved them until one day he put them on a radiator to dry after he got wet on the beach from waves and the insert shrunk so don’t do that! Otherwise, they are the best boots for Iceland for men! Terrence prefers shoes that cover the ankle but many people don’t and this pair is both affordable and saves room in your suitcase!
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot. This is Terrence’s favorite pair of boots for Iceland and his current favorite pair of hiking shoes in general. These hiking shoes for men are very substantial so if you are looking to save room when packing, it is a good idea to wear them on the plane or carry them on the outside of your luggage.
These boots are waterproof and made of quality leather. They last a long time and are well worth the investment. With a thick pair of wool socks, they can double as shoes for winter if you don’t want to buy two pairs.
Best Boots For Iceland In Winter
Best Women’s Winter Boots For Iceland
When shopping for what to wear in Iceland during the winter, make sure that you not only have waterproof snow boots but that you also have boots certified to keep your feet warm. Winter boots should be quality and certify to keep your feet completely warm down to a certain temperature.
If you are heading to Iceland in winter, we strongly urge you to invest in snow boots. It will be $70-$150 well spent and your feet will thank you! Don’t put these on your Iceland packing list if you are visiting during the summer as your feet will sweat and be too warm!
Columbia Minx Mid II Omni-Heat Winter Boot. We cannot say enough about these boots! If it isn’t freezing cold your feet will sweat, that is how good they are! The Omni-Heat technology means that these boots are certified to keep your feet warm up to temperatures of -25F.
Victoria has worn these boots in Iceland and has stood on actual chunks of ice or walked in freezing water and felt none of it. If you are looking for what to wear in winter, we strongly urge you to consider this pair of shoes if you don’t already have a solid pair of winter boots for Iceland.
They are also comfortable and flexible so it is like you are wearing a comfy pair of slippers that keep your feet warm and dry for your entire trip!
Columbia Heavenly Shorty Omni-Heat Snow Boot. Not everyone is into packing higher boots for Iceland so this is the pair those of you who prefer short boots should go for!
These are the best boots for Iceland if you don’t want to bring something that hits higher on the leg, although we recommend it for maximum warmth! This pair of shoes is certified with Omni-Heat technology and are warm and comfy like slippers!
Make sure to check out our Detailed Winter In Iceland Travel Itinerary!
Best Men’s Winter Boots For Iceland
If you are planning a trip to Iceland when there will be snow or ice, packing winter boots is a must. If you are going during the summer, skip adding snow boots to your Iceland packing list because they will make your feet too warm!
If there is one piece of advice we would give to people traveling to Iceland in winter, it would be to pack proper boots. We don’t care if you borrow them from a friend or buy them brand new, we just want your feet to be happy and thankful you chose something warm and waterproof to wear.
Columbia Bugaboot Plus Omni-Heat Michelin Snow Boot. These winter boots for Iceland are sturdy and rugged and the Omni-Heat technology makes them warm up to -22F which is far colder than you will ever reach in Iceland! We never understood why men’s shoes are less soft and comfy than the female version, but alas that is how things are.
So if you are a man looking for what to wear in Iceland, these boots have your back. They do not pack small so we highly suggest tying them to the outside of your suitcase if you are using a carry-on to save space. Do not wear them on the plane or your feet will sweat and you will overheat!
Merrell Turku Trek Waterproof Winter Boot. If you are looking to add a warm yet more stylish winter shoe to your Iceland packing list, this pair of Merrells has you covered. Most winter boots for Iceland are pretty rugged, especially for men, but we love that this pair is warm, waterproof, and nicer to look at!
If you are looking for what to wear in Iceland and don’t want something bulky or huge, this pair of winter shoes will be a good bet. We love the waterproof leather and the nicer look of them, but overall prefer our first suggestion if we had to pick one pair of boots for Iceland.
If there is one takeaway we hope you got from this article about what to wear in Iceland, we hope it is that you should invest in boots for Iceland that are waterproof any time of year and certified to be warm for the winter.
Iceland is a fabulous country to visit but it is essential to have the proper clothing on your Iceland packing list in order to have a successful and enjoyable trip! If you have already visited, let us know what your favorite pair of boots is!
If you are planning your trip, we have a 5 Day Iceland Itinerary, 4 Day Iceland Itinerary, and 3 Day Iceland Itinerary, depending on your needs. We have carefully crafted these itineraries to include the best of the best stops and things to do in Iceland!
10 Best Places For Glamping In Iceland
Great article! I’m going for the first time the last week in October – is that considered winter? Should I take hiking boots or snow boots?
I would not bring snow boots personally! You should be okay with hiking boots!! and wool socks!
Thinking about going in January for 4 or 5 days I have a good pair of waterproof walking boots and thermal socks already, would they be the same as snow boots
I have not been there before so don’t know what to expect
I will be traveling to Iceland in early October. Will I need rain boots? Does it snow in October?
Thank you!::)
I bring rain boots no matter what time of year i visit Iceland. It is great for walking on the beaches, in water falls etc. I highly recommend and would suggest to anyone. You can buy cheap ones $20 you don’t have to buy fancy ones!!!!
I’m disappointed that you would have boots you highly recommend still listed, but when I go to order, it says out of stock. Don’t know when or if they will become available. I need a good pair as I will be traveling in mid-November.
thanks for the comment! i need to update this post and am slowly updating this website but there are hundreds of posts so it is hard to do myself! thanks!