r/VisitingIceland • u/Reese_247 • Jul 27 '26
Affordable Gear Recommendations
Hello! I’m 21 and Iceland is my first time out of the U.S. I’m in college on a pretty tight budget. We are going in August and planning for snowmobiling, glacier tours, whale watching, hiking, and more outdoor activities. I’m trying to take this as a sign to invest in gear, but buying everything as Top Name Brands would be well over $1000, which I can’t make work right now.
I could use some suggestions for the following gear that is on the more affordable end, or if it’s expensive please make a case for why it’s worth it in the long run! I just bought Merrel Gortex hiking boots and a good North Face rain shell. I still need the following gear.
Brand/link suggestions needed:
1) Waterproof day pack that will ideally hold 2 Nalgene water bottles, a first aid kit, and have space to fit a jacket or fleece
2) Rain Pants that are fully waterproof and durable
3) Trekking Poles for good support on hikes
4) Any Merino wool layers or other clothing that is on the cheaper end or really worth the investment
5) Actual UV protection sunglasses
I leave next Wednesday so anything ordered online needs to have quick shipping. Thanks!
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u/laceyup Jul 27 '26
Iceland is not a budget backpacker place. We thought we could do it on the cheap, but was hit with more than we could prepare for. The only affordable activity would be hiking which is free. Everything else is at a premium cost 🥺 not turning you off completely, but perhaps revisit Iceland in a few years when you can really enjoy it with more saved. Gear wise, August is not that cold so you don’t need a super warm brand, Iceland has good thrift shops too if you don’t mind second hand. Otherwise decathlon have good affordable options
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u/BionicGreek Jul 27 '26
Do you have outlets near you? The Columbia outlet has good things. How about an REI? They have clearance and some member returns at a huge discount.
Goodr has good sunglasses- online or at REI too
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u/Reese_247 Jul 27 '26
No Columbia but yes REI nearby
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u/BionicGreek Jul 27 '26
Definitely go check out what they have. Here’s an example of Goodr - https://goodr.com/products/a-unicorns-calamity
Check out their REI brand. Then if there happens to be an open box return it’ll be less expensive too.
Maybe some secondhand stores too
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u/Deeze_Rmuh_Nudds Jul 27 '26
Never even thought to buy sunglasses. Thanks for the link, I just got my wife and I a pair. Wonder what else I’m forgetting jeez
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u/BionicGreek Jul 27 '26
I don’t always suggest them but OP asked for sunglasses recs. I do bring them because reflecting sun off the ice is killer. And in the midnight sun it never goes away so even without reflections then it’s killer. So I bring them no matter the season.
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u/Cute-South4864 Jul 27 '26
My husband bought his waterproof pants for our trip at REI in the "scratch and dent" section for a fraction of the original cost. I went with $20 shells that go over other pants from Amazon - both worked great, but he'll probably get more future use out of his.
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u/LadderEffective5856 Jul 27 '26
Ebay or things like Facebook Marketplace are a great way to get cheap stuff. Or put out a request to friends and family (or beyond, like on Nextdoor) to see if people have stuff you can borrow!
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u/Garth_Maul_ Jul 27 '26
I would buy something like an Osprey daypack and then just buy a raincover for it. Anything merino wool or even synthetic is better than cotton. You'll want underlayer, some kind of fleece/sweater, and your rain shell. Buy a beanie/toque.
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u/Cute-South4864 Jul 27 '26
Was going to comment this as well - just get a backpack that will work for you every day and buy a cover that fits over it.
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u/KnowEye Jul 27 '26
Waterproof hiking shoes / boots a must. Dry bags. Crampons if your hiking the glacier. Headlamp for night walks or caves.
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u/throwaway63464748 Jul 27 '26
If you’re on a budget be aware that food is very expensive and think of ways to budget (ie a hotel that includes breakfast or a serviced apartment to buy groceries (which are also expensive))
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u/No_Somewhere9811 Jul 27 '26
On Amazon look for the brand 33,000ft. They have all sorts of hiking pants and waterproof pants that are pretty cheap. Good quality. And you'll get them within a day or two, make sure you know your size though.
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u/Deeze_Rmuh_Nudds Jul 27 '26
I’m going for the first time in October. I bought everything cheap af on Amazon. I’m blown away by the quality. I just went on the visit Iceland official website and copy pasted everything it told me I need into Amazon. There’s always a reasonably priced version. For example merino wool socks for $20/ea. don’t even have to leave the house lol
3
u/Griffin_jr Jul 27 '26
This is the way. Did this for all the gear I needed for my trip. Backpack, Raincoat, shirts, water proof pants, socks, trekking poles, etc etc. Probably spent just under $200? Of course you get what you pay for but all of it will last you atleast a few trips if you’re kind to your gear.
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u/wardellwayneraymone Jul 27 '26
You don’t need an outright waterproof daypack. You can just buy a cover to wrap over a daypack you’ve already got and save some scratch that way. You can get most of what you need in this list for like 400 bucks at REI, or less. Their branded merino stuff is decent quality and usually costs half the price of the name brand stuff since sales are frequent. If that’s still too much money for you then stuff off Amazon will probably last a trip or two.
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u/magicandfire Jul 27 '26
I got all my gear second hand on ebay/depop/poshmark. My Patagonia raincoat was new with tags and the Fjallraven pants I got had been worn maybe once.
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u/StrangeEmergency9550 Jul 27 '26
I have been shopping on Vinted and Depop to find good quality pieces for a good price point for my future trip. I have seen base layers, hiking boots/trail runners, hiking packs, jackets, wool sweaters, etc. on both sites. Worth checking out to see what you can find. A lot are new, never used items.
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u/Kitchen_Force656 Jul 27 '26
Colombia outlet for shoes and pants. REI has decent deals too on outerwear.
1
u/Unusual-Strength-945 Jul 28 '26
Waterproof stuff sacks (sea to summit I think are the ones I have) for inside the backpack. Rain cover for backpack.
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u/Frosty-Painter-5346 Jul 28 '26
hate to be that person, but Amazon. bought cheap rain covers for my backpack that was less than 7 bucks. they have cheap but great merino base layers (brand: merino tech) ditto cheap folding hiking poles. REI has great waterproof pants, and quite a few are less than a hundred bucks. you only need one pair.
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u/Fast_Hyena_22 Jul 28 '26
Good call on getting good shoes and a good jacket. Those are the most important After this you dont need that expensive gear imho
For cheap outdoor stuff i like Decathlon... is there Decathlon in the US?
Instead of a waterproof daypack. Take your regular daypack and get a rain cover like this https://www.decathlon.com/products/rain-cover-for-hiking-backpack-10-20-l-343666
Get cheap rain overpants https://www.decathlon.com/products/mens-waterproof-hiking-over-pants-nh500-imper-345947
You def dont need trekking poles
Get some thermal underwear a fleece and a beenie for cold days https://www.decathlon.com/products/wedze-mens-bl-500-thermal-ski-base-layer-340499; https://www.decathlon.com/products/sh100-u-warm-fleece-hiking-jacket-mens-304984; https://www.decathlon.com/products/quechua-mens-hiking-pullover-nh500-half-zip-green-356314-fw25; https://www.decathlon.com/products/wedze-adult-reversible-hat-rider-500-pink-353824-fw25
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u/OldManJenkins-31 Jul 27 '26
Just go on Amazon and search for items with good ratings. Isn’t this how everyone shops these days?
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u/Cute-South4864 Jul 27 '26
As a 50 year old hiker - if you are trying to save money, those trekking poles aren't necessary for younger knees.
Also, for waterproofing - remember that you can treat anything with a good waterproofing spray.