Updated November 3, 2024
When you go hiking, your safety, efficiency, convenience, and comfort are all major concerns. Historically meeting these needs by getting assistance in navigation, and keeping on top of the weather, elevation, and other aspects of the environment required several pieces of gear and substantial research and observation. Today’s hiking watches have simplified the process by putting an abundance of this kind of information and much more at your fingertips.
To find the timepiece to suit your needs, some of the best watches for hiking have been selected as an introduction to the range on the market. They are presented first in a basic comparison table, followed by specs and key features, pros and cons, photos, and videos for each watch, with a buying guide to finish up.
Please use the comments section at the bottom if you have any questions or concerns. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
For more information on hiking and camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Mess Kits Hiking Shoes Hiking Boots Portable Showers for Camping Backpacking Water Filters Headlamps Night Vision Binoculars Marine Binoculars Backpacking Stoves Backpacking Tarp Shelters Camping Knives Backpacking Tents Backpacking Backpacks Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
Best Hiking Watches
- Casio Pathfinder PAG240
- Suunto 9 Baro
- Garmin Fenix 6X Pro
- Coros Apex
- Casio Pro Trek PRG-600YB_3CR
- Suunto Traverse
- Garmin Instinct
- Garmin Tactix Delta
Best Watches for Hiking Comparison Table
| Picture | Hiking Watch | GPS | Battery | Water-Resistance | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Casio Pathfinder PAG240 | No | Solar | 330'/100m | 4.5 | $ |
  | Suunto 9 Baro | Yes | Lithium-Ion | 330'/100m | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Garmin Fenix 6X Pro | Yes | Lithium-Ion | 330'/100m | 4.8 | $$$$ |
  | Coros Apex | Yes | Lithium-Ion | 330'/100m | 4.5 | $ |
  | Casio Pro Trek PRG-600YB-3CR | No | Solar | 330'/100m | 4.4 | $ |
  | Suunto Traverse Alpha | Yes | Lithium-Ion | 330'/100m | 4.2 | $$ |
  | Garmin Instinct | Yes | Lithium-Ion | 330'/100m | 4.1 | $ |
  | Garmin Tactix Delta | Yes | Lithium-Ion | 330'/100m | 4.9 | $$$$$ |
| Picture | Hiking Watch | GPS | Battery | Water-Resistance | Rating | Price |
Best Use: Mountaineering
- Weight: 2.3 oz
- Case: 2″ (51 mm) stainless steel
- GPS: No
- Altimeter: Yes
- Barometer: Yes
- Compass: Yes
- Water-Resistance: to 330’/100m
- Thermometer: Yes
- Battery: solar-powered, 6 months on one charge
- Other Features: quartz movement, digital display, resin band, backlit, operates in temperatures as low as 14°F/-10°C
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.5
Pros: durable construction, reasonable price, 6 months on a full solar charge
Cons: no GPS
Best Use: multi-sport, training
- Weight: 2.86 oz
- Case: 1.97” fiberglass-reinforced polyamide
- GPS: Yes
- Altimeter: Yes
- Barometer: Yes
- Compass: Yes
- Water-Resistance: to 330’/100m
- Thermometer: Yes
- Battery: lithium-ion, 25/40/120 hours of battery life in different modes
- Other Features: 80 sports modes, sleep tracking, wrist heart rate monitor, Bluetooth connectivity, vibration alerts, backlit, touchscreen, compatible with numerous apps, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass, stainless-steel bezel
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.7
Pros: durable construction, Bluetooth connectivity, supports apps, good for many sports and everyday use
Cons: a little expensive, some users found inaccurate data
Best Use: multi-sport
- Weight: 3.2 oz
- Display: 1.4”
- GPS: Yes
- Altimeter: Yes
- Barometer: Yes
- Compass: Yes
- Water-Resistance: to 330’/100m
- Thermometer: Yes
- Battery: lithium-ion, up to a 21-day battery life
- Other Features: pre-loaded maps, wrist heart rate monitor, Ant+ and Bluetooth connectivity, compatible with numerous apps
- Price: $$$$
- Rating: 4.8
Pros: Ant+ and Bluetooth connectivity supports apps, good for many sports and everyday use, good battery life, accurate GPS, preloaded road and topo maps, also available in a solar-powered model
Cons: expensive, some inaccuracy in heart-rate tracking
Best Use: running, trail running, multi-sport
- Weight: 1.95 oz
- Case: 1.8” (46mm version), also available in 42mm
- GPS: Yes
- Altimeter: Yes
- Barometer: Yes
- Compass: Yes
- Water-Resistance: to 330’/100m
- Thermometer: Yes
- Battery: lithium-ion, 35 hours/100 hours/30 days of battery life depending on the mode
- Other Features: 20 strength and training modes, 200 pre-loaded exercises, wrist heart rate monitor, cadence sensor, power meter, foot pod, navigation tracking, Ant+ and Bluetooth connectivity, compatible with 3rd party apps, lightweight titanium frame
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.5
Pros: affordable, Ant+ and Bluetooth connectivity, supports apps, pre-loaded exercises, good for many sports and everyday use, excellent battery life
Cons: some inaccuracies noted in GPS accuracy and a question about heart-rate tracking when swimming
Best Use: hiking, mountaineering
- Weight: 2.36 oz
- Case: 2.03”
- GPS: No
- Altimeter: Yes
- Barometer: Yes
- Compass: Yes
- Water-Resistance: to 330’/100m
- Thermometer: Yes
- Battery: solar powered
- Other Features: triple sensor, analog/digital LCD display, stainless steel bezel and construction, nylon band, luminous hands and markers, sapphire window, 5 alarms, 10 modes including a stopwatch
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.4
Pros: affordable, good for hiking and everyday use, solar-powered, alarms, 10 modes
Cons: no GPS
Best Use: hiking, fitness, hunting, fishing
- Weight: 2.65 oz
- Case: 2.03”
- GPS: Yes
- Altimeter: Yes
- Barometer: Yes
- Compass: Yes
- Water-Resistance: to 330’/100m
- Thermometer: Yes
- Battery: lithium-ion, 10 hours/15 hours/100 hours/14 days of battery life depending on the mode
- Other Features: Bluetooth connection, compatible with Suunto apps, 5 sports modes, tools for hunting and fishing, calorie and step counter, composite case, stainless steel bezel, nylon strap, sapphire window
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.2
Pros: affordable, suitable for running, cycling, hunting, and fishing, has a customizable sports mode, Bluetooth connectivity
Cons: limited battery life using advanced features
Best Use: multisport
- Weight: 1.76 oz
- Case: 1.8”
- GPS: Yes
- Altimeter: Yes
- Barometer: Yes
- Compass: Yes
- Water-Resistance: to 330’/100m
- Thermometer: Yes
- Battery: lithium-ion, 16 hours/40 hours/14 days of battery life depending on the mode
- Other Features: wrist-based heart rate monitor, Ant+ and Bluetooth connection, Garmin connect app, compatible with several other apps, programmable routes, trackback, preloaded activity profiles, backlit, fiber-reinforced polymer case, silicone strap
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.1
Pros: durable, affordable, lightweight, Ant+ and Bluetooth connectivity, versatile
Cons: limited battery life using advanced features, no available maps
Best Use: fitness, multisport, military
- Weight: 3.42 oz
- Display: 1.4”
- GPS: Yes
- Altimeter: Yes
- Barometer: Yes
- Compass: Yes
- Water-Resistance: to 330’/100m
- Thermometer: Yes
- Battery: lithium-ion, 15 hours/60 hours/120 hours/21 days/46 days/80 days of battery life depending on the mode
- Other Features: tactical-specific features such as night vision and stealth mode, heart rate and numerous health monitors and activity trackers across a range of sports, loaded maps and access to many more, Ant+ and Bluetooth connectivity, touch-screen and push-button interfaces
- Price: $$$$$
- Rating: 4.9
Pros: Ant+, Bluetooth, and WiFi connectivity, good for a range of sports including swimming, golf, running, training, gym & fitness, accurate GPS, preloaded road and topo maps, also available in a solar-powered model
Cons: Very expensive, overkill for most recreational users
Hiking Watch Buying Guide
The range of features and capabilities available in hiking watches is wide indeed, including those related to weather, navigation, health, and physical performance. Below some of the most important features to consider are outlined.
Timekeeping
It goes without saying that the most basic function of a watch, timekeeping, is important for hikers. By using your approximate hiking speed, the elapsed time of hiking can provide a pretty good idea of the distance traveled. You’ll know how much time remains for sunrise or sunset so you can plan your movements and activities.
Altimeters
Altimeters use atmospheric pressure to calculate the level of elevation. This information can help you locate your position on a topographical map without necessarily using a compass. Altimeters are often more reliable than GPS altitude measuring devices especially when the signal is blocked by vegetation or terrain.
Barometer
In addition to providing the barometric pressure reading to determine altitude, as discussed above, changes in barometric pressure can signal changes in the weather. Typically quick decreases signal that rain or a storm is on the way and increases that better weather is imminent. Note, though, that increases in altitude also lead to decreases in barometric pressure.
Compass
The compass included in a hiking watch is useful but not as reliable as a good-quality baseplate compass. The best hiking watch compasses are 3D compasses that give you an accurate reading no matter what the angle of the position of the face. 2D compasses only work when the watch is in a completely horizontal position.
Thermometer
Many hiking watches also include a thermometer which allows you to keep track of the temperature. Take note that because the watch is located on your wrist, the reading may be influenced by your body’s temperature.
GPS
A GPS device incorporated into your hiking watch lets you keep track of your location even in remote areas and enables tracking useful data like distance and speed.
GPS tends to use battery power fairly quickly, so it is a good idea to check the specifications for your watch regarding battery usage. If you have a solar-powered watch it will mitigate this problem. None of the watches reviewed above with GPS are solar-powered but most of them are also available in solar-powered versions that are more expensive. Of the watches reviewed here, only the two Casio models haven’t incorporated GPS.
Heart Rate Monitor
Many hiking watches also include a heart rate monitor to track cardiac activity. The sensor can be located on the wrist or the chest.
Water-Resistance
Most hiking watches are water-resistant to a degree. All reviewed here are waterproof to depths of 330 feet/100 meters or 10 ATMs of water. These will be safe to use for a triathlon or scuba diving.
Battery Life
Some lower-functioning hiking watches may use a coin cell battery which has a significant battery life of months or years.
For watches like those reviewed above, the choices are rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or solar power. The more features and modes included in the watch, the more opportunity there is to consume the power of the battery. Some features like GPS consume the battery more quickly. In some modes for some watches, the battery can be consumed in as little as 8 to 10 hours. In minimalist modes, battery life may be as long as 80 days or more.
Solar-powered models don’t have this consideration.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Through Bluetooth, Ant+, or other such programs, connecting to a smartphone or laptop is possible. Information like trail data, maps, routes, GPS updates, or weather forecasts can be accessed.
For more information on hiking and camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Mess Kits Hiking Shoes Hiking Boots Portable Showers for Camping Backpacking Water Filters Headlamps Night Vision Binoculars Marine Binoculars Backpacking Stoves Backpacking Tarp Shelters Camping Knives Backpacking Tents Backpacking Backpacks Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
Feedback and Comments
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