What to Wear in Norway

What to Wear in Norway in the Summer

Even in the summer, you are going to need long sleeves and a light jacket to keep you warm on the west coast and in more populated areas like Bergen and Norway. Boots are always a must when traveling in any country, whether you are there just to shop or you plan to summit snowy mountains. Boots with softer soles are highly recommended because the cold weather can cause soles to harden. Boots are always the best type of shoes to take on any trip to the extreme climate of northern Norway. They protect your feet from being hurt, and they keep your feet warm.

In the southern parts of Norway and cities such as Oslo, you can be a little more flexible and bring closed, waterproof shoes. Most people with city destinations will need something they can wear for a casual setting, and something a bit more fashionable for dinner and nights out.

Briefly, in the summer and fall, “be ready to add or remove an outer layer such as a T-shirt, as well as long pants, a sweatshirt or sweater, a jacket or raincoat, and possibly an umbrella,” depending on where you’re going, according to Climates to Travel, a world climate guide.

“It can be useful to bring a windbreaker and raincoat for the wind and the rain, especially along the coast and for a ferry trip in the fjords,” says Climates to Travel. “In inland areas such as Oslo and along the southern coast, temperatures are generally mild, but a sweater for the evening is still advisable.”
For northern islands like Jan Mayen and Svalbard: “Warm clothing, down jacket, hat, gloves, windbreaker, raincoat.”

What to Wear in Norway in the Winter

You will never forgive yourself if you don’t bring thermal underwear when you’re traveling to Norway during the winter. Summer in the more populated areas, it’s not necessary. But winter is a different story. It’s easy enough to tell when someone is wearing thermal underwear in winter; they’re the ones having a great time outdoors. Again, think about clothes you can layer, things you can wear under and over other clothing. Jackets that can be turned inside out are another great way to add a piece to your wardrobe without adding weight to your luggage. It is also extremely helpful to know that several thin layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thick sweater.

For winter in Oslo and inland and northern areas, wear “very warm clothes,…thermal long underwear, fleece, a down jacket, hat, gloves, scarf. For the [relatively temperate] west coast: a sweater, down jacket, hat, raincoat, or umbrella,” says Climates to Travel.

Pre-Trip Information: What you need to bring

While we supply most of what you will need during your tour with us, there are still some basic items of personal nature you should bring yourself. If you end up needing to leave some belongings with us including suitcases etc. just mention it to your guide and we can get that stored in our container for you.

For our Day Tours we recommend you bring the following:

• A warm top, either a fleece jacket or similar thickness.
• A suncap or beanie hat
• Sunglasses with retainer strap if available
• Your camera – fully charged battery and empty memory stick (we supply waterproof camera boxes)
• Swim wear if available
• A water bottle or similar, can be filled at our base
• Personal medication if needed

For our overnight tours we recommend you bring the following:

• Sleeping bag – can be rented if you do not have your own or prefer to travel light
• Sleeping mat (that packs up as small as possible, preferably inflatable therm-a-rest type – can be rented if you do not have your own or prefer to travel light)
• Good quality jacket with hood
• Warm clothing for the evenings at the campsite. Warm jacket, long pants, fleece jacket, extra socks.
• We also recommend one set of long underwear (pants + top) as this will help you stay warm (Wool or Polypropylene works better than cotton in the outdoors)
• If joining our 3 day guided tour: a soft type daypack (no frame) of 15-20 liter in volume for use on the hike day 2.
• If joining our 3 day guided tour: Goretex boots are preferred for the hiking day but as a minimum a pair of trainers, then extra socks are needed as some areas will be wet/moist and socks can get wet.
• If joining our 3 day guided tour during May and June, Gators can be an advantage if you have them since they will help prevent you getting wet socks.
• A pair of thin bicycle gloves if you easily develop blisters. For the colder part of our season we provide neoprene gloves if needed but not during the summer months
• A small towel, travel size
• A suncap or beanie
• Sunnies with a retainer strap if possible, Sun Protection lotion if needed
• Personal water bottle – we will be able to refill this during the trip
• Personal snacks if needed
• Toiletry items, personal medication if needed
• Camera, remember to charge battery! (we supply waterproof camera boxes)

If you are allergic to insect bites, we recommend you take medication with you (antihistamines). Please inform your guide if you have any severe allergies so we are aware and can prepare accordingly.

After confirming a booking for one of our overnight tours you will receive a more detailed e-mail with advise on what we provide and what you should bring yourself. If you for any reason are missing any items you can contact us and we can usually help you out.