Dressing for it
What to wear for the northern lights: standing still at minus five
The single most common complaint in aurora tour reviews is not the sky. It is being cold. You are standing still outdoors for a long time in an Icelandic winter, and that is a completely different problem from walking around Reykjavik in the same clothes.
Quick answer
The short answer. Thermal base layer, warm mid-layer, windproof and waterproof outer, hat, two pairs of gloves and proper boots. The wind chill on an open plain does the damage, not the temperature. A few tours lend warm overalls — the whale combination at $190 does — but most do not.
What to wear at a glance
- Base layer
- Thermal, not cottonthe single most useful item
- Mid layer
- Fleece or wooltrapped air is what keeps you warm
- Outer
- Windproof, waterproofwind chill is the enemy
- Legs
- Thermals under trouserspeople forget the legs
- Hat
- Covering the earsnot optional
- Gloves
- Thin under thickso you can use a camera
- Boots
- Warm, with gripyou may stand on ice
- Provided?
- Sometimesa few tours lend overalls
Why it is different from walking around
Standing still generates no heat
Wind chill, not temperature, and no movement to keep you warm.
Walking around Reykjavik in January in a decent coat is fine. Your body is producing heat, you are in and out of shops, and the buildings break the wind.
An aurora stop is the opposite. You are stationary for thirty or forty minutes at a time, in an open place chosen precisely because nothing blocks the view, which also means nothing blocks the wind. Your body is producing very little heat and the wind is stripping away what there is.
The temperature might be minus two. The wind chill might be minus twelve. That is the number that matters and it is why people who dressed for the forecast still end up in the bus after fifteen minutes.
The list
Eight things, in order of usefulness
- Thermal base layer, top and bottom
Merino or synthetic. Not cotton, which holds sweat and then chills you.
- A proper mid layer
Fleece or wool. Two thin layers beat one thick one.
- Windproof, waterproof outer
This is the layer that decides your evening.
- A hat that covers your ears
The cheapest large improvement you can make.
- Two pairs of gloves
Thin liners so you can work a camera, thick ones over the top.
- Warm boots with grip
You may be standing on packed snow or ice.
- Thick socks, and a spare pair
Cold feet end an evening faster than cold hands.
- A hot drink
Most tours provide one. Bring a flask if yours does not.
What people get wrong
Four mistakes that show up in every review section
Jeans. Denim is cold, holds moisture and does nothing against wind. It is the most common single mistake.
Cotton next to the skin. You will sweat walking to the pickup point, and then stand still in a damp shirt for half an hour.
Fashion boots. Thin soles conduct cold straight out of your feet, and a smooth sole on ice in the dark is a genuine hazard.
Nothing on the legs. People layer the top half thoroughly and wear one pair of trousers. The legs get just as cold and are just as exposed to the wind.
A few tours lend warm overalls. Most do not — check your listing before the night.
Which tour to book→Every trip, current fare
Tours, and which provide warm gear
Nine tours; the whale combination and a few small-group trips hand out overalls.
| Tour | Time out | Price | Group size | Cost per hour | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Lights Bus TourThe classic coach hunt, cheapest seat | 4 h | $71 | Coach, up to ~80 | $17.75 | 4.3 · 14,873 |
| Premium Small-Group TourSmall group, flexible route | 4 h | $94 | Small group | $23.50 | 4.4 · 3,126 |
| Northern Lights Minibus TourMinibus with hot cocoa and photos | 4 h | $157 | Small group | $39.25 | 4.6 · 722 |
| Tour with a Pro PhotographerA photographer travels with you | 4 h | $155 | Small group | $38.75 | 4.8 · 446 |
| Northern Lights Yacht TourOut of the harbour by sea | 2 h | $91 | Boat | $45.50 | 4.4 · 1,342 |
| Super Jeep Northern Lights TourOff the road, into the dark | 4 h | $196 | Super jeep, small | $49.00 | 4.2 · 157 |
| Lava Tunnel & Northern LightsLava tunnel first, aurora after | 4 h | $196 | Small group | $49.00 | 4.7 · 80 |
| Whale Watching & Lights ComboWhales by day, aurora by night | 6 h | $190 | Boat | $31.67 | 4.3 · 131 |
| Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & LightsGolden Circle, Blue Lagoon and the aurora | 15 h | $319 | Coach | $21.27 | 4.7 · 261 |
Common questions
What to wear, answered
What should I wear for a northern lights tour in Iceland?
Thermal base layer top and bottom, a fleece or wool mid layer, a windproof and waterproof outer, hat, gloves and warm boots with grip.
How cold does it get?
The temperature is often only a few degrees below zero. The wind chill on an open plain can be ten degrees colder, and that is what you should dress for.
Do the tours provide warm clothing?
A few do — the whale watching combination and some small-group tours lend overalls. Most do not, and it is stated on the listing.
Are jeans a bad idea?
Yes. Denim is cold, holds moisture and offers no wind protection. It is the most common mistake on these tours.
What about my hands for photographs?
Thin liner gloves under thick ones. You take off the outer pair for a minute and put it straight back on.
Can I rent warm clothes in Reykjavik?
Yes, several shops in the centre rent winter outerwear by the day, which is worth doing if you are only here for one trip.
Go deeper
More on the aurora in Reykjavik
Northern lights tours from Reykjavik
Every tour that leaves the capital, and how they actually differ.
PricesWhat a northern lights tour costs
Nine tours priced per person and per hour, with what the listing leaves out.
VerdictThe best northern lights tour
Nine tours ranked for one decision, with a straight answer at the end.
The scienceAurora borealis, explained
What causes it, what the numbers mean, and what you will actually see.
By coachNorthern lights bus tours
The cheapest way out of the city glare, and its one real limitation.
Super jeepSuper jeep aurora tours
Off the road and away from the coach parks. Worth the money or not.
