The Ultimate Norway Packing List for Any Season

This year, I had the opportunity to visit Norway twice – Lofoten in April/May, and the fjords in June/July. Norway is so beautiful, and there’s so much of it to love. That said, its weather can change on a dime, so layers and waterproofing are your friend.

No matter what time of the year, you’re likely to experience several ‘seasons’ of weather in Norway. While the cities can be warm during summer, it can be pretty cool and windy along the shores. Norway is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter thanks to the Northern Lights, but it can get quite cold and snowy this time of the year, so it’s important to be prepared.

This packing list includes everything you’ll need, depending on the time of the year that you’re visiting Norway:

All Weather

Let’s start with what you should pack for any time of the year. In much of Norway, weather can get cold and is quite variable, so make sure to bring layers, and bring a waterproof jacket!

• 2 warm, lightweight undershirts (you can also opt for a half-zip)
• a puffy vest
• 4-5 thin shirts
• 2 thermal shirts
• 1-2 sweaters
• 1-2 jeans or pants
• 1 bathing suit (even during winter, as saunas are a thing)
• 2 sports bras
• Enough socks and undies for your whole trip

Of course, what you should pack also depends on what you’ll be doing in Norway. If you’re planning on backpacking, you’ll want to bring all the necessary backpacking equipment as well.

Fall & Winter Norway Packing List

Warm, waterproof jacket

It can get pretty cold in Norway during the fall and winter. In the winter, temperatures usually stay around 32° Fahrenheit (0° Celsius) along the coast, but they can reach 15 to -5° Fahrenheit (-9° to -20 Celsius) when you go inland, or even a chilling -40° Fahrenheit (-40° Celsius) in places like Finnmark, Tromsø (a great place to see the northern lights), and Trøndelag.

So, one of the most important things to bring at this time of the year is a warm jacket. Make sure it’s waterproof as well, as you might experience rain or snow.

Waterproof snow boots

Another important thing to invest in is high-quality snow boots that will keep your feet warm and dry. After all, the last thing you want to worry about while hiking in the rain or snow is wet feet.

When I went to Iceland, I even brought two pairs of snow boots with me. I was so glad I did, because I dunked my entire leg in the water while jumping across freezing rivers in Landmannalaugar. Needless to say, I was happy to have a dry pair of boots in the camper van.

Fleece-lined leggings

Fleece-lined leggings are some of my go-to winter items, and I own several pairs. These are perfect for keeping your legs warm in the Norwegian cold.

I would recommend investing in high-quality fleece-lined leggings that you’ll be able to keep for ages, but if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be happy to hear that there are plenty of cheaper options too.

Waterproof pants

Apart from a waterproof jacket and waterproof snow boots, I would also recommend bringing waterproof pants, especially if you’re visiting Norway in October or January, as these tend to be the wettest months.

They will protect you from rain and wind, and you can easily wear them on top of your fleece-lined leggings. If you’re caught hiking in the snow or rain, you’ll be happy to have them!

Gloves and beanie

Last but not least, bring warm gloves and a beanie if you’re visiting in the fall or during winter. These are essential items when temperatures are low.

You lose a lot of warmth through your head, so opt for a fleece-lined beanie that will keep you warm. They come in plenty of colors and patterns — and the best part is that they’re pretty cheap.

I also always bring gloves with me when I’m traveling to cooler destinations. I bought mine in Nepal, but you can find plenty of warm gloves online too.

Spring & Summer Norway Packing List

Spring in the Fjords can feel quite different to spring in the arctic region, but come May and June, all of Norway warms up a bit and experiences its driest season (which can still be rainy!).

Light rain jacket

While spring and summer won’t be as cold as the rest of the year, there might still be some rain. So a light rain jacket is one thing that you cannot leave off your Norway packing list for this time of year.

I love my bright yellow rain jacket, which serves as a windbreaker at the same time. It’s perfect for spring and summer, as it’s not too thick and it does a great job protecting me against the rain. On top of that, it looks amazing in pictures, thanks to its bright color!

Waterproof boots

While there will still be snow on mountain peaks, you won’t need snow boots in spring or summer unless you’re planning on hiking at high altitudes like the Hardangervidda plateau.

For lower altitudes, however, waterproof boots are a great alternative. They’re not as hot as snow boots, and they will keep your feet dry when it’s raining.

I love Merrell’s Moab 3 boots for hiking, but there are plenty of other great brands out there as well — it all depends on your taste and budget.

Leggings

Fleece-lined leggings will be too hot during spring and summer, so if you’re planning a trip to Norway around this time of the year, bring a few pairs of normal leggings (I usually take two).

Leggings are super comfortable, and you can either wear them to layer or on their own when it’s warm. I love Adidas’s high-waisted leggings, but there are many other great options.

Photography Equipment

Norway is full of spectacular landscapes, so bring your camera! I use the Sony A7 S, which is a full-frame camera that’s good for video as well. I often carry a drone too. Check out my full guide to the camera gear I use if you’re curious to know what else I work with.

I hope that you have found exactly what you were looking for and that this Norway packing list will help you plan your trip to this beautiful country!

Enjoy!

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