What to Pack for Greenland: Our Trial‑and‑Tested Arctic Gear List
There’s no bad weather if you have the right gear! Here on the ferry from Ilulissat to Nuuk
Packing for Greenland is like dressing for mood swings — sunshine, snow, wind, and rain all before lunch. We’ve lived it, felt it, and nearly froze our eyelashes off. Take this as your Arctic survival script (with a side of style… or not).
And yes, read our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide for even more cherry-picked wisdom!
Pack your travel insurance! Eli is testing Greenland’s icy water because she knows HeyMondo has her back! With Arctic terrain, even a simple twist or fall can send your insurance bill sky-high. That’s why we partner with HeyMondo: their coverage includes adventurous pursuits like snowmobiling. Book through our link and score 5% off — a small price to pay for big-time peace of mind at the edge of the world.
Layers, layers, LAYERS
Greenland’s weather changes faster than a husky’s mood. Even in summer! Obviously, you’ll need more layers in winter, but better safe than sorry. Start with:
Thermal base layers (wool or merino). Trust us, they’re not optional.
Mid-layers: fleece, wool sweaters, or a down vest. Mix formats to match the terrain.
Outer shells: windproof + waterproof combo — thickness will depend on the season. In winter, down is highly recommended. The wind is Arctic-level serious.
Waterproof pants: essential, even if your wind shell is solid.
Did you know?
The word anorak comes from the Greenlandic Inuit annoraaq, meaning a waterproof, head‑pulled jacket designed for Arctic wind and spray. Originally crafted from seal and caribou skins (often waterproofed with fish oil!), anoraks kept hunters warm and dry on ice‑rough. Today, we wear them as thoughtful nods to Inuit ingenuity — and the word anorak is used in several languages.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
Socks and footwear
This is THE most important, so make sure you don’t go cheap there. If you don’t wear adequate footwear, not only will you be uncomfortable all day, but you might also get frostbite in winter. So, get:
Merino socks, multiple pairs—moisture-wicking is non-negotiable. Cotton might seem appealing,, but it’s not so great for Arctic climates and hiking in general.
Gore‑Tex hiking boots: sturdy soles for tundra, rocks, streams. Size up to fit woolen socks.
Snow boots (winter trips): insulated, waterproof.
Optional: mukluks — traditional Arctic boots that are soft, warm, and culturally iconic. Oh, and they look so cool!
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Ever heard of wearing two pairs of socks? One thin merino liner + a thicker wool outer is a game‑changer (thank you to the Swede who shared this wisdom with us in Luleå!). The magic happens between the socks — their layers slip against each other, not your skin — cutting friction and nearly erasing hot spots. I (Eli) am prone to blisters and this is a life-saver! Just make sure your boots are big enough to handle the combo (size up when buying).
Head & Hands
Warm hat (covering ears) + buff or neck gaiter: cold air loves to envelop your jawline. We swear by our merino wool buff bought in Svalbard.
Mittens or gloves: mittens keep hands warmer than gloves.
Thin gloves. In winter, we wear 2 pairs of gloves: a thin pair with digital fingertips to take pics without freezing and a thicker waterproof pair on top. In spring or summer, thin gloves should be enough.
Adventure essentials
Midday sun & midnight light
Sunglasses + high‑SPF sunscreen: glare is real between March–September, especially near glaciers.
Sleep mask: midnight sun is magical when most cabins don’t have proper shutters. Sense the irony.
Hiking
Daypack (20–30 L) with hip belt: for hikes, iceberg chasing, ferry life.
Water bottle (1 L+): Greenland is remote — stay hydrated.
Insect repellent or head net (summer months).
Mini first-aid kit: desinfectant, meds, blister band-aids.
Drink and pee
In freezing temps, your body kicks into survival mode — restricting blood flow to the skin to protect your core. That makes your blood pressure rise, so your kidneys flush out the extra fluid — hence the frequent peeing, aka cold-diuresis. Meanwhile, you’re losing moisture just by breathing dry, icy air — and bundled-up layers hide sweat, so you might not even notice. The result? Hidden dehydration. So sip regularly (warm drinks help!) and expect extra bathroom runs. Look how happy and hydrated we look!
Not so essentials, but good to have
Toiletries
Lip balm & moisturizer: Arctic wind and dryness are brutal.
Earplugs: ferry cabins + midnight sun = weird sleep
Tech & travel tools
Power adapter & voltage converter if needed
Camera gear + waterproof case
Chargers + extra batteries/storage: cold will drain your batteries fast
Downloaded podcasts/e‑books about Greenland and the Inuit culture: You won’t find Wi-Fi everywhere, and it’s a good thing. With a scenery like this, who needs any entertainment?
Bonus tips
7‑day packing hack: merino, merino, merino. It doesn’t occupy much space, it’s easy to layer, and it stays fresh for several days before it needs to be washed.
Bring flip‑flops: hostel and ferry shower glory. And in case you want to go to the beach. What?
Snacks: This goes especially to our dear American readers! You won’t find food everywhere in Greenland, so pack your snacks! If mattak (whale or seal blubber) is not your thing, think nuts or anything energetic. You’ll need those calories out there!
Here is an inspiring playlist to help you pack for Greenland:
Your Greenland packing list isn’t just a haul — it’s your Arctic toolkit. With smart layering, durable gear, and thoughtful extras, you'll stay warm, dry, and blister-free while chasing icebergs, howling dogs, and midnight sun adventures.
Remember: quality > quantity — two merino socks trump five thin pairs, and a windproof shell beats a stack of fleeces. Wrap your head, hands, and feet properly, sip consistently (yes, even when it's cold), and embrace every layer you packed.
The result? A bag that’s lean but prepared, light to carry but heavy on adventure potential. When you unzip that zip in Ilulissat or Nuuk, your gear will whisper: “We got you.” Now go — Greenland is waiting.
Ready to dig deeper? We’ve got dedicated guides coming soon:
🧭 Greenland Travel Guide
🧊 Ilulissat Travel Guide
⛴ Greenland by Ferry
🏘️ Nuuk Travel Guide
💸 [How much does Greenland cost? Saving Guide]
