BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More

If you’re going to Iceland, you’ll want to invest in at least one article of clothing made of Merino wool.

I am a "Judy" of all trades who writes about pretty much everything, but specializes in sexual wellness, personal care, plus-size fashion, maximalist home goods, and gnarly before and after pics!

This final tip made me have to rethink my entire packing list. I thought that living in a place that regularly gets snow and ice, and already having a bunch of hiking and cold-weather products that I would be all set. But turns out that I needed a new coat, better winter boots (my go-to insulated pair was donezo after nine years, LOL), and luggage to hold it all.

I got this coat because the only winter coat I had before this trip was "The Amazon Coat," and turns out there's a difference between waterproof and water-resistant. If you're going to Iceland, every single thing you wear needs to be waterproof because of rain, snow, beach waves, lagoons, and waterfalls.

This coat kept me so warm throughout the trip that I actually was able to layer less underneath it. While I carried a small bag with me most of the time, I was able to hold two cameras in the pockets, my iPhone, wallet, balaclava, and gloves without feeling like I was a walking mass. 

The only thing is that it's bulky, so I ended up ditching this coat when I went on a glacier hike because it was so heavy and the hike was going to be intense (and I did not regret ditching it either, in fact, I could have ditched more layers LOL). I wore it every single day of the trip, especially at night and in the mornings when the sun was down.

Get it from Columbia for $140+ (originally $280+; available in women's standard sizes XS–XXL, plus sizes 1X–3X, and four colors).

Is it weird to be obsessed with a sock? Because I am. These socks make me never want to wear non-wool socks ever again, and they were ridiculously comfortable in my "industrial" Ugg boots and Teva boots that I wore throughout the trip. I literally continue to wear them in the states during the winter months, and you can even tuck your leggings or baselayers into them! And here's an ankle length version that I also wore on the trip!

Promising review: "I bought these for my son and I for a trip to Iceland and they were fantastic they are thick enough to feel comfortable and Squishy without being overly thick and making shoes uncomfortable, I think they're pretty waterproof because my feet did not get wet despite every other part of my body being wet . They are warm enough to prevent against the cold but I don't get hot in fact I even use them when I work out or go hiking. I have worn them in a multitude of situations and have not yet been in a situation where I had wished I had chosen something different . My husband started stealing them so I had to buy some for him so now all of us have the same socks. If anything that's the biggest problem is that we can't tell our socks apart anymore because we all have these in a multitude of colors. It literally never thought I'd ever be excited about socks but here we are." —Tiffany O.

Get it from Amazon for $16.98 (available in two sizes and eight color assortments).

Promising review: "If your luggage doesn't have a built-in scale, you need this! This luggage scale has become one of my favorite travel essentials because it gives me peace of mind before heading to the airport. 

It's very easy to use, and the digital display is large and easy to read. I no longer have to guess whether my suitcase is going to be over the airline's weight limit, which has saved me from the stress of rearranging my luggage at the airport or paying unexpected baggage fees.

Another thing I've been impressed with is the battery life. I bought this scale about a year ago, have traveled three times with it, and I'm still using the original battery without needing to replace it.

I also like that it's compact enough to pack in my suitcase and can be used for more than just luggage whenever you need to weigh something with a handle or strap.

Overall, this is a simple but incredibly useful travel gadget that I never travel without. It's reliable, accurate, easy to use, and provides peace of mind before every trip. I highly recommend it to anyone who travels, whether it's a weekend getaway or an international vacation." —Everyday Finds Edit

Get it from Amazon for $9.88+ (available in six colors and multipacks).

I use this bag almost every day since buying it for Iceland. In Iceland, I wore it across my body, so I could have access to everything I needed underneath my coat and over any snowsuits when we were out exploring. I mainly carried my wallet, cell phone, and film camera in this bag, along with lip balm, hand cream, hand sanitizer, and medication. I love this bag so much that I continued carrying it around through the spring, summer, fall, and then it was winter again. Over a year has passed since my trip, and I'm still using this bag because I love it so much!

Also, the belt is adjustable, but if you want to make sure it fits around your giant parka, here's an extender!

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 25 colors).

I had a lot of different base layers from Amazon, Old Navy, Columbia...but these were my favorite. I wish I had bought more than one pair for the trip, but they are pricey, however, absolutely worth it. And they come in plus sizes!

This baselayer set was worn on each outdoor excursion and layered comfortably underneath leggings, sweatpants, and snowpants, while still being able to move. I wasn't ever drenched with sweat when I wore this as a baselayer, which was convenient because then I could rewear it during the trip without washing it.

I've continued to wear this baselayer in the states during the winter as well, and it allows me to not have to layer up ridiculously to walk my dog on those random below-freezing days. Definitely a favorite piece that I plan on purchasing more of!

Promising review: "I was prepared to be disappointed because I haven't had much luck finding a base layer that doesn't make me feel claustrophobic and itchy. I was really surprised by how soft it feels and the fit is slim but not skin tight, with enough room to be active but still add layers. The fit is so nice I happily wear it as an outer top. I have washed and dried it many times and it still looks good and isn't pilling. Most importantly, it doesn't seem to trap my hair or dog fur on it like a lot of base layers. I was also impressed that it didn't make overheat during a hot flash and made it less of a stressful of a situation. I will be buying more of these." —PNWkiwi

Get it from REI for $99.95+ (available in women's sizes XS–3X) — and don't forget the matching bottoms!

I'm from the Midwest, so I already had a balaclava, but I knew I probably needed a better one since my previous one would get moist the longer I wore it and breathed... This one is lightweight and easily stretches up over your mouth and nose without feeling claustrophobic. It was super convenient when riding the ATV and snowmobile because I didn't have to worry about the wind slapping my face, and my glasses never fogged up when I wore them! 

Promising review: "This neck warmer is clutch for snowboarding. Super warm, comfortable, and breathable — keeps out wind and moisture without feeling bulky. Fits perfectly under a helmet and stays in place all day. Excellent quality and a must-have for cold weather riding." —L

Get it from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in 13 colors and multipacks).

Like I said, I continue to wear this jacket outside of Iceland. But while I was there, I wore it underneath my parka for extra warmth and inside most establishments without my parka. It's true to size, but if you size up, you can definitely wear a sweatshirt or sweater underneath for layering!

Promising review: "I love how soft this zip up is and the color. I have had it on my wish list for awhile now and finally bought it when it went on sale. The coziest piece of clothing for winter or a chily day. I sized up so I can layer if needed and because I don't like things to be skin tight. I wear a 2XL and bought a 3XL. Love it and seems true to size." —LCW

"My favorite winter jacket! It’s so warm and cozy. I loved my burgundy one so much that I bought the gray!" —Heather S

Get it from Columbia for $85+ (available in standard women's sizes XS–XXL, plus sizes 1X–3X, and 12 colors).

I chose this bag because it's waterproof *and* fits into IcelandAir's very specific carry-on guidelines. It's actually quite spacious, and I used it to carry my baselayers and outfit for after the flight, along with compression socks, another pair of wool socks, snacks, my hiking boots, and toiletries to use before check-in. Since the trip, I've used it for a lot of weekend trips and overnight stays because it can hold so much, and the shoe compartment is really convenient for an overpacker like me.

There's an interior waterproof pocket, which could hold a bathing suit after leaving the Blue Lagoon, dirty clothes, or wet accessories. I found out it works when a bottle of PooPourri exploded at some point during TSA and spilled throughout the pocket along with a bottle of medication... the bag is still intact, and the mess was easy to clean, although I didn't realize why my bag smelled so citrusy until days later when I finally checked the pocket.

The exterior pockets were really convenient for keeping masks that are easily accessible when you need to put one on, too!

Get it from Amazon for $15.29+ (available in three sizes and 31 colors).

This was another thing I'd owned before going to Iceland, but of the two pairs of boots that I brought to the country, I wore these the most (the other ones, I mainly wore on the adventures). These boots are the perfect hiking boot — I was able to comfortably walk around the hilly sidewalks of Reykjavik, the lava-hardened path to Blue Lagoon, and all the other sites that had hiking trails or pavement. I didn't wear these boots anywhere I thought I might step into more than ankle-deep snow or water, though, because I didn't want my feet to get wet.

We ended up doing a glacier hike, and thank goodness I wore these because no one mentioned it would involve more than a mile of jagged rocks and pebbles to climb before actually getting to the base of the glacier, to then hike up to the ice cave. These also work really well with crampons!

Even still, these are my go-to hiking boots and dog walking shoes in the winter because the traction in the sole is phenomenal and they are really, really comfortable, even when wearing them all day long! I wear them in the rain, snow, and ice, and my feet are always dry afterward, even traversing puddles!

Promising review: "I am an avid winter hiker, on all types of trails, through all types of precipitation, and these hiking boots are indeed waterproof with a great tread on snow, ice, and slippery pavement." —Erin

Get them from Teva for $185 (available in women's sizes 5–11 and two colors).

* Travel Products That’ll Make You Feel Like The Most Prepared Person Who's Ever Lived

* If You’re A Frequent Flier, You Should Have These 35 Clever Travel Products On Your Radar

* These 31 Products Are So Good For Travel That Reviewers Refuse To Go On A Trip Without 'Em

* Products To Solve Those Mundane, Boring Travel Issues So You Can Simply Enjoy Your Trip

* Feel Like A Pro Traveler With These 40 Reviewer-Loved Things

Plus, finds from Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.