🎒Aurora Planning Guide

Aurora Hunting Packing List

Everything you need for a successful northern lights expedition — from base layers to camera gear, safety essentials and the apps that matter most.

🧥
Clothing
13 items
📷
Camera Gear
11 items
🛡️
Safety
8 items
📱
Apps
6 apps

🧥 Clothing & Layering

The layering system (base → mid → insulation → shell) is non-negotiable. You will be standing still for long periods in arctic conditions. Overdress rather than underdress — you can always open a zip.

✅
Thermal base layer (top & bottom)
Merino wool or synthetic — never cotton. Wool regulates temperature and stays warm when damp.
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Fleece mid-layer
200–300g fleece jacket. Your primary insulation layer. Zip-neck for ventilation.
✅
Down or synthetic puffer jacket
600+ fill power down for extreme cold. Synthetic if rain/snow is likely. This is your outer insulation.
✅
Waterproof hardshell jacket
Gore-Tex or equivalent. Wind and waterproofing is critical when standing still in arctic conditions.
✅
Waterproof trousers
Over your base layer and fleece leggings when wet weather or deep snow is expected.
✅
Fleece or down trousers
Thermal leggings or down-filled trousers for standing in -10°C to -25°C conditions.
✅
Insulated winter boots
Rated to at least -20°C. Mukluks or Sorel/Columbia winter boots are popular. Waterproof essential for Iceland.
✅
Wool or thermal socks (3+ pairs)
Merino wool knee-high socks. Bring extras — wet socks are miserable and dangerous.
✅
Liner gloves + insulated outer mitts
Two-layer system: thin liner gloves for camera operation, outer mitts for warmth when not shooting.
✅
Balaclava or neck gaiter
Covers face, neck and ears. More versatile than a scarf. Merino wool recommended.
✅
Insulated hat / beanie
Wool or fleece hat. 30–40% of body heat is lost through the head.
🔲
Hand warmers (disposable)
HotHands or similar. Keep in your pockets and gloves. Battery warmers are reusable and worth it for longer trips.
🔲
Wool buff / face mask
For windchill and blizzard conditions. Some aurora locations on the Reykjanes Peninsula are brutally exposed.

📷 Camera Gear

The essentials for aurora photography. See our full camera settings guide for ISO, aperture and shutter speed recommendations.

✅
DSLR or mirrorless camera
Must support full manual mode. APS-C or full-frame both work well. Sony A7, Nikon Z, Canon R are popular choices.
✅
Wide-angle lens (f/1.4–f/2.8)
14–24mm focal length. Fast aperture (f/1.8 or faster) is critical. Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art is a top choice.
✅
Sturdy tripod
Essential for 2–20 second exposures. Carbon fibre for cold-weather — metal legs stick to skin. Manfrotto or Gitzo recommended.
✅
Extra batteries (×3 minimum)
Cold drains batteries 50–80% faster. Keep spares inside your jacket next to your body to stay warm.
✅
Intervalometer / remote shutter
Wireless or wired. Allows long exposures without camera shake. Built in to most modern bodies (app control).
✅
Memory cards (multiple)
64–128GB UHS-II cards. Bring backups — card failure at 2am in a remote location is avoidable.
✅
Lens cloth & blower
Ice crystals and condensation form on lenses. A microfibre cloth and rocket blower keep optics clean.
✅
Headtorch (red-light mode)
Red light preserves night vision. Petzl or Black Diamond with red mode. Essential for setup in total darkness.
🔲
Camera rain cover
Protects against snow, sleet and condensation. A plastic bag works; a dedicated cover (Lowepro, etc.) is better.
🔲
Sensor heating pad or silica gel
Condensation when moving from cold to warm will fog the sensor. Silica gel sachets in your bag help.
🔲
Neutral density filters
Not needed for aurora — but useful for daytime landscape photography between aurora watches.

🛡️ Safety & Navigation

Aurora hunting often means remote locations, darkness, unpredictable weather and icy roads. These items are not optional.

✅
Fully charged phone (with offline maps)
Download maps.me or Google Maps offline. Iceland cell coverage is patchy in the highlands. Always keep charged.
✅
AuroraVision app
Real-time push notifications for aurora activity at your GPS location. Download before you go.
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Power bank (20,000mAh)
Cold kills phone batteries fast. A large power bank keeps both phone and camera batteries topped up.
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Weather app (Veðurstofa Íslands)
vedur.is is Iceland's official weather service. More accurate for local conditions than international apps.
✅
Emergency whistle
Ultra-light, no batteries needed. Audible for hundreds of metres in fog or blizzard conditions.
✅
Survival blanket (emergency bivy)
Mylar emergency blanket weighs 90g and provides critical insulation if stranded. Always carry one.
🔲
First aid kit
Include hand warmers, blister pads, painkillers and bandages. A compact kit adds minimal weight.
🔲
Avalanche probe and beacon
Required for winter highland driving in Iceland and off-piste locations in Tromsø / Abisko.

📱 Essential Apps

AuroraVision
Live KP index, cloud cover, visibility score, push alerts
iOS & Android
Vedurstofa.is
Iceland official weather service — local forecasts and warnings
Web / App
Yr.no
Norwegian Meteorological Institute — great for Scandinavia
iOS & Android
PhotoPills
Sun/moon rise times, golden hour, Milky Way planner
iOS & Android
Maps.me
Offline maps — works with no cellular signal
iOS & Android
what3words
GPS location sharing — critical for emergency services in Iceland
iOS & Android

Frequently Asked Questions

How cold does it get aurora hunting in Iceland?

Temperatures range from -5°C to -20°C depending on location and month. Wind chill is the biggest factor — exposed coastal locations like Snæfellsnes or Vík can feel -30°C effective temperature. Dress for conditions, not the thermometer.

What is the single most important clothing item?

Insulated, waterproof boots. Once your feet are cold and wet, the session is over. Invest in quality boots rated to at least -20°C with waterproofing. Sorel, Baffin, and Kamik are trusted brands.

Do I need special gear for aurora photography?

The biggest upgrade is a fast wide-angle lens (f/1.8 or faster). A sturdy tripod and extra batteries are essential. The camera body matters less than the lens and your ability to keep batteries warm.

Should I rent gear in Iceland?

Camera and lens rental is available in Reykjavik (Leiga.is and others). Useful if travelling long-haul and can't bring a full kit. Iceland-specific rental items like crampons and ice axes are also widely available.

How do I keep my phone battery alive in the cold?

Keep your phone inside your inner jacket pocket when not in use. Use low-power mode. A 20,000mAh power bank (also kept inside your jacket) will recharge your phone multiple times through a long night.

Related Guides

Camera SettingsBest Time to VisitMoon Phase GuideCar Rental IcelandComplete Aurora GuideLive Forecast

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