This post is your ultimate guide to choosing a hiking watch to wear on your next outdoor adventure. We're going to show you exactly what to look for when going through the selection process. We'll talk functions, pricing, design, and much more. Let's start things off with specific situations where a hiking watch may be particularly handy.
Table of Contents
What Is a Hiking Watch?
There are watches for telling time, watches for tracking fitness, and then there are watches that'll help you when you hike.
Hiking watches your typical fitness band designed for people who like to count steps or workout in the gym. They more closely resemble a smartwatch in looks, but are designed from the inside out for the outdoors.
Hiking watches are built to handle the elements.
Most have an altimeter to measure elevation, a barometer for weather changes, and a digital compass to keep you going in the right direction. That's why you'll often hear people refer to hiking watches as ABC watches (stands for Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass).
Some also have maps for on-road and off-road navigation, while, a few even connect to an InReach satellite messenger for sending messages and initiating an SOS signal. These hiking watches, indeed, are a unique breed.
Here are the best hiking watches today, ranked by price (from low to high).
| Models | Price | Navigation System | A/B/C | Water Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casio F91W-1 | $20 | None | No | 5m |
| Casio SGW-1000-1ACR | $100 | None | Yes | 100m |
| Casio Pro Trek PRG-270-1 | $120 | None | Yes | 100m |
| Timex IronMan R300 GPS | $129 | Phone-free GPS | No | 50m |
| Garmin Instinct | $199 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | Yes | 100m |
| Casio Pathfinder | $250 | None | Yes | 100m |
| Suunto Ambit3 Peak | $270 | GPS only | Yes | 100m |
| Garmin Vivoactive 4 | $285 | GPS | Yes | 50m |
| Suunto Core Alpha Stealth | $299 | None | Yes | 30m |
| COROS Apex 42mm | $300 | GPS, GLONASS and BDS Satellites | Yes | 100m |
| Suunto 9 Baro | $499 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | Yes | 100m |
| Garmin Fenix 6X | $689 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | Yes | 100m |
Best Hiking Watches Under $150
Casio F91W-1
Price: under $20
Navigation System: None
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: No
Water Resistance: 5m
Others: Stopwatch, alarm
Why we like it: A minimalistic sports watch that’s ridiculously cheap.
The Casio F91W-1 is a no-fuss, bulletproof hiking watch. There are no fancy functions or complicated user interfaces. The F91W-1 is all about keeping track of one thing - time. You can glance at the watch to check the date and time. There's even an alarm to wake you up in the morning and a built-in stopwatch to keep track of your hiking time. The Casio F91W-1 is a plasticky watch, but it costs under $20, so you don't have to worry about scratching it or losing it. What more could you want for the price of a large pizza?
Casio W800H-1A: Coming in at a few bucks more and a slightly larger build than the F91W is the Casio W800H-1A. Consider it a level up to the F91W, equipped with longer battery life and higher water resistance (up to 100 meters.)
Casio SGW-1000-1ACR
Price: $100
Navigation System: None
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: Yes
Water Resistance: 100m
Others: Stopwatch, alarm calendar
Why we like it: Durability and dependability at an affordable price.
If you want an ABC watch without all the complicated features and the hefty price tag of a smartwatch, then you'll want to look closely at the Casio SGW-1000-1ACR. The Casio SGW-1000-1ACR is a triple sensor ABC watch that lives up to Casio's reputation for rugged and dependable watches. Not only does it have an altimeter, barometer, and compass, but it also has a temperature sensor. Just remember to take the watch off your wrist, so you are measuring ambient temperature and not your skin temperature. One drawback to the triple sensor design is that you need to calibrate the sensors regularly to maintain their accuracy. It's a multi-step process that takes some time and practice to master. Once you get it down, you'll be able to calibrate like a champ before each hike. With construction that’ll take a beating and a price tag of $70, the SGW-1000-1ACR is a steal.
Casio Pro Trek PRG-270-1
Price: $120
Navigation System: None
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: Yes
Water Resistance: 100m
Others: Storm alarm, stopwatch, alarm calendar
Why we like it: Proven tracking accuracy and practicality in a compact size.
The Pro Trek PRG-270-1 is another great under-$100 option from Casio. Like many other more expensive GPS watches, the Pro Trek is water-resistant up to 100m, meaning you can take it swimming. Besides providing accurate ABC readings, this no-fuss hiking watch can accurately predict sunrise and sunset times, which is convenient if you like to start hiking at dawn. We found the small size of this watch to be a pro as well as a con. On one end, it makes it discreet and light; on the other, its display felt a little too crowded to our taste. Lastly, this is not a watch which design would impress any date. But, for $95 and given its functions, that's a trade-off we're more than happy to make.
Timex IronMan R300 GPS
Price: $129
Navigation System: Phone-free GPS
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: No
Water Resistance: 50m
Others: Heart rate monitor, coaching activity tracking, three customizable alarms
Why we like it: It is one of the more comfortable and lightweight hiking watches out there with a perfect-sized and uniquely square display.
Suitable for all fitness levels, the Timex IronMan R300 provides stats, location tracking and guided athlete and coach inspired workouts that send straight to your watch to keep your workouts fresh and inspired. You can also keep track of your workouts to see how you’re measuring up against your own PR’s. The watch monitors your activity 24/7, tracking steps, speed, and heart rate. It has a simple-to-use interface with easy-to-navigate drop-down menus. No fussy, confusing technology navigating needed here. There’s also an alarm function with built-in vibration and a phone-free GPS system that lasts up to 20 hours (battery rechargeable). Though geared towards athletes, the Timex IronMan is a straightforward workout-inspired watch that’s good for many activities, general fitness, hiking, surfing and snow sports alike.
Coros Apex
Mid-Range ($150-$300)
Garmin Instinct
Price: $199
Navigation System: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: Yes
Water Resistance: 100m
Others: Heart rate monitor, Bluetooth, notifications
Why we like it: The “give me the main fitness tracking features I need and forget the rest” watch.
Garmin's Instinct watch hits the sweet spot for outdoor adventurers. It has all the core hiking features you need - ABC sensors, support for multiple global navigation satellite systems, and breadcrumb navigation. The best part is that it is priced affordably at $300.
The Garmin Instinct is a perfect size - not too small and not too big. It ships with a silicone strap that fits snugly on your wrist and is replaceable if it happens to break. Like most hiking watches, the Instinct has a rugged design with a hard polymer casing and chemically strengthened glass. The housing comes up over the display creating a bezel that protects the glass from scratching. It's not as durable as the Fenix series, but it'll hold its own in the field. The only letdown is the monochrome display. It works to display your data, but it won't impress you. Some people may be turned off by the plasticky feel of the polymer casing, even though the polymer is what makes the watch so lightweight and comfortable to wear.
Casio Pathfinder
Price: $250
Navigation System: None
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: Yes
Water Resistance: 100m
Others: Solar charging
Why we like it: A high-quality, durable watch with a solar-powered battery that lasts upwards of six months (…without sunlight.)
The Casio Pathfinder is all about the outdoors. The watch pairs the three core ABC sensors with sunrise/sunset times to create the ultimate watch for long-distance hikers. Because it is not a smartwatch, you can get up to 6 months on a full charge. The coolest feature is the solar charger that encircles the display. The charger can be used to keep the watch powered indefinitely. As long as you are outside and wearing the Pathfinder, it'll stay charged. With a bright backlight, the Pathfinder is easy to use during the day and at night. It has four buttons - one for the compass, one for the altimeter, one for the barometer, and one for modes. Each button is labeled clearly and easy to press, even with gloved hands. Just watch out for the upper left button; it's not a button at all. It's a sensor that looks like a button, and we guarantee you'll forget and press it at least once to see what it does.
Suunto Ambit3 Peak
Price: $270
Navigation System: GPS only
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: Yes
Water Resistance: 100m
Others: Bluetooth, notifications
Why we like it: A rugged watch with a stand-out battery life that’s ready to hike the distance.
Suunto has a reputation for delivering rock-solid watches with outstanding battery life, and the Ambit 3 Peak doesn't disappoint. The outdoors-focused watch has incredible battery life providing up to 200 hours of tracking in low power mode. The Suunto Ambit 3 Peak is of a large size - it's about as big and bulky as the Baro 9. That's because the watch has a similar steel and glass construction. It's a rugged hiking watch that feels solid on your wrist. Similar to the Garmin Instinct, the Ambit 3 Peak has a monochrome display, which is underwhelming.
Garmin Vivoactive 4
Price: $285
Navigation System: GPS
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: Yes
Water Resistance: 50m
Others: Smart notifications, heart-rate monitor, fitness age, all-day stress monitoring, relaxed breathing timer, calendar
Why we like it: Keep track of your daily health and well-being with sensors that monitor stress rates, energy level, breathing, and more.
Want a watch that does it all? Look no further than the upgraded take on Garmin’s beloved Vivoactive sports watch, the fully loaded Vivoactive 4.
This GPS tracking watch offers many features like contactless pay, up to 3.5GB of storage space for downloadable playlists, and even pre-loaded breathing exercises. It also comes with over 20 pre-loaded fitness apps, including workouts like yoga, Pilates, and strength training.
Another upgrade to the watch is the option to go with a bigger or smaller screen size, either a 40-mm or larger 45-mm (the Vivo 3 came in a 43-mm).
But what makes this watch especially unique is its extensive health tracking software with built-in sensors that track the body’s energy levels, blood oxygen saturation (how well you are taking in oxygen), stress levels, hydration, sleep, and women’s health. There’s also a live-tracking feature that if selected, can update your contacts on your location while doing your outdoorsy thing.
As for battery life expect about 8 days on smartwatch mode out of the watch’s rechargeable battery.
Suunto Core Alpha Stealth
Price: $299
Navigation System: None
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: Yes
Water Resistance: 30
Others: Temperature, storm alarm, red backlight, sunrise/sunset times, measures sea level pressure
Why we like it: It's the only hiking watch that doesn't require charging. Comes with a replaceable battery that lasts up to 12 months.
Suunto, a Finland-based company, recently released the Core Alpha Stealth, a durable hiking and hunting watch crafted from military-inspired standards (MIL-STD-810). Having passed nine military tests including pressure, temperature, shock, drop, freeze/thaw, humidity, and dust, it’s safe to say this watch is a beast.
The Core Alpha Stealth handles water up to 100 feet and, interestingly enough, 10 meters if used for snorkeling. There’s an LED backlight that can switch to red for night vision and a durable, yet comfortable, textile strap (a durability improvement from the Suunto Core). It also has a temperature sensor, indicates weather trends, and provides additional weather-related notifications.
As for the body of the watch, it’s made from aluminum and composite with a screen of mineral crystal. The battery can last 12 months functioning in temperatures ranging from -5 to 140F. No re-charging necessary.
The watch lacks a GPS and its display can be difficult to see and read at times.
Suunto Core: Before the Alpha Stealth there was the Core. Still an ABC watch, the two have many of the same operational features and a similar face, but the Core is about $50 cheaper at $219. Key differences between the two watches lie in their design: the Stealth’s screen is a bit dimmer (hence “stealth”), and it has a new and improved textile strap compared to the more breakable elastomer strap of the Core.
COROS Apex 42mm
Price: $300
Navigation System: GPS, GLONASS and BDS Satellites
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: Yes
Water Resistance: 100m
Others: Heart rate monitor, 24/7 blood oxygen monitoring, night-mode, built-in coaching software
Why we like it: A statistic-tracking runner’s dream.
A 2021 Trail Running Magazine award-winning multi-sport watch, the COROS weighs in at just 59 grams (counting its band) and is built with a durable titanium frame and sapphire touch-screen lens. Though a multi-sport watch, runners especially love the COROS thanks to its built-in coaching software that lets you download, create or share workouts brought to you straight from professional athletes and coaches. It keeps track of all the important running stats runners love to know; cadence, stride length, threshold pace, steps, floors climbed, and VO2 max. There’s also a built-in metronome to help in keeping efficient running form and recommended recovery times based on your workout data. Fully charged and in regular watch mode, the COROS lithium-powered rechargeable battery can last around 24 days, 25 hours if using GPS. Though, the optional UltraMax mode can extend the battery life up to 80 hours. Beyond running, the watch also has a Triathlon mode and can keep track of swim metrics (pool or open water and stroke type).
Suunto 9 Baro
High-End ($400+)
Suunto 9 Baro
Price: $499
Navigation System: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: Yes
Water Resistance: 100m
Others: Heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter, Bluetooth,
Why we like it: The most attractive and sleek-looking watch, with more features than all but the Garmin Fenix 6.
Like the Fenix 5X Plus, the Suunto 9 Baro is a bulky GPS watch, but don't let the big size dissuade you. The GPS watch has a touchscreen interface that is bright, colorful, and easy to use. It also has an outstanding battery life that can be extended even further, thanks to Suunto's smart battery management.
The watch monitors your life and prompts you to switch to a battery-saving profile when your battery starts to drain. It also has a FusedTrack technology, which turns down GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring to minimize power consumption. FusedTrack more than dial down the sensors, it uses motion data to fill in the blanks between GPS data points. You get the best of both worlds - a GPS track and battery life that'll last up to 120 hours of continuous tracking.
Our biggest gripe is the mapping. The watch does not have full topo maps and instead uses breadcrumbs to track your location. Our tester also found the display is a little large and awkward. Navigating the watch's features was more difficult and less intuitive than with other models.
Garmin Fenix 6X
Price: $689
Navigation System: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
Altimeter/Barometer/Compass: Yes
Water Resistance: 100m
Others: Heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter, Bluetooth, apps, color topo maps
Why we like it: The “I do everything and then some, with a price to match” watch.
The Garmin Fenix 6X Plus (the upgraded version to the 5X Plus), is like the Mercedes Benz of hiking watches—with a price tag to match.
The watch is built like a tank and includes every feature under the sun, and then some. For the hikers, the Fenix uses full-color topo maps that feature trails, summits, and highlights all kinds of other natural topography factors on maps, along with comprehensive point-of-information data so you can track down local restaurants or gas stations in the area if needed.
True to its Garmin brand, the Fenix also comes with health monitoring software, smart features, and all kinds of safety tracking software, including incident detection capabilities.
The watch comes in a 42, 47, or 51 mm case and there’s an optional, more expensive, solar-charging option ($850.) Though the Fenix 6X does come with a hefty price tag, you can score the earlier versions like the 5X and 3X (adequate alternatives) at about half the price.
Considerations
Price: dIFFERENCES BETWEEN $100 AND $700+ WATCHES
Pricing for hiking watches ranges from $100 for a basic non-GPS model to over $600 for a GPS watch that’s packed to the brim with features. A cheap watch may not have the breadth of features found in its higher-end counterparts, but it can be simple to use and is easily replaceable if broken. A $700 watch is costly, but you get what you pay for. These watches tend to be made from lightweight, durable materials and have sapphire glass displays that won't scratch very easily. They will take a licking and keep on ticking. High-end watches also are packed with sensors that'll measure elevation, weather, and even the oxygen level in your blood. They will do everything you want and more.
Ease-of-Use: BUTTONS VS. TOUCH SCREEN
Another consideration is the interface. Does the watch use a touchscreen or buttons for navigation? A touchscreen-based interface may seem more intuitive, especially if you’re accustomed to using a phone or tablet. The biggest problem with touchscreens is that you need to touch the screen for it to work physically. Gloves or wetness on your fingers makes it impossible to select things on the screen. Buttons may be easier to operate, but this type of interface is not as easy to navigate as a touchscreen. You have to press the buttons in a specific order.
Battery Life: WATCH OUT FOR FUNCTIONS THAT'LL DRAIN YOUR BATTERY
Battery life is an essential consideration when purchasing a watch. You want a watch that can go the distance and won't die before you can charge it again. The time between charges is highly dependent on how you use your watch. If you use GPS every day all day to track your hikes, then you’ll need to charge every night or every other night. If you only use GPS occasionally, then you can squeeze between five to seven days out of a full charge. Some watches, like the Suunto 9, have unique power-saving modes that cut down on GPS usage in exchange for longer battery life. If battery life is an issue, then you should consider a non-GPS watch that lasts weeks and even months without charging. Some of the models we review use solar power, which extends their battery life.
Wristband: COMFORTABLE, DURABLE, AND/OR REPLACEABLE
Most wristbands are made with a soft, flexible material like silicone. They often have vents that allow airflow, so sweat doesn't build up between the band and your wrist. Higher-end watches have replaceable bands, so you can swap them out if they break or you don't like them.
Glass: sAPPHIRE, gORILLA, AND CHEMICALLY-STRENGTHENED GLASS
One factor that influences price is the material that covers the display on the watch. High-end hiking watches like the Fenix 5X Plus use sapphire glass which can handle the rigors of the outdoors because it's highly scratch-resistant. Sapphire is quite expensive, which is one reason a lot of watches built for the outdoors use Gorilla Glass instead, which is similar to sapphire but tends to be slightly less expensive. Mid-tier watches cut costs by using chemically strengthened glass, which offers better protection than plastic, but isn't nearly as durable as sapphire or gorilla glass.
Weight: 50 GRAMS AS A SWEETSPOT
Weight is essential when packing a backpack. It's also crucial when choosing a watch to slap on your wrist. You want to aim for around 50 grams or less. Any heavier and you will feel the weight on your wrist. When you get up to 70 or 80 grams, you have to decide if the extra features are worth the excess weight.
Garmin Fenix 6X
Style/Design: A WATCH THAT'LL GO BEYOND THE TRAIL
Many hiking watches have a rugged design that looks best in the woods. They often are bulky and don't have the style you would want for a night on the town. Some do have replaceable watch bands that can help dress them up. That's something to consider if you want to be able to wear your watch when you're not hiking.
WATER RESISTANCE: SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT GETTING YOUR WATCH WET?
Most hiking and mountaineering watches nowadays are water-resistant, meaning you don't have to worry about it getting damaged when doing the dishes, washing your hands, or hiking through the pouring rain. When it comes to showering or swimming with your watch, however, you need to be a little more careful. Each watch comes with a different degree of water resistance. As a general rule of thumb, you don't want to bathe with a watch that has less than 50 m of water resistance. If you're looking for a watch to take swimming, go with something water-resistant to 100 meters or more.
Common Features
Navigation system
GPS is an acronym for the global positioning system, which is a satellite-based navigation system owned and operated by the United States. The US-made GPS isn't the only satellite navigation technology in operation. Many watches also support competing satellite systems such as Russia's GLONASS or Europe's Galileo system. Inside a GPS-equipped watch is a small receiver that can connect to one or all of these satellite systems. Ideally, you want a watch that can connect to more than one satellite system to ensure you'll get a signal even in challenging situations.
When you have a strong signal, GPS is accurate down to 3 meters or 10 feet. Getting a strong signal is not always easy as your physical location can affect the watch's connection to the navigation satellites. Hiking in a thick forest canopy or deep in a ravine can make it difficult for your watch to connect to GPS. Ideally, you want to be out in the open with an unobscured view of the sky, so your watch can get a strong signal and connect to as many satellites as possible.
Having a strong GPS signal is critical for tracking and orienteering (finding your direction) in real-time as you hike. You want to be able to see which trail you are on and where you need to go. GPS is not only useful for real-time data but it also can be used to record the position data for an entire hike. You can start recording at the beginning of a hike and then save the completed GPS track when you are done. This GPS track contains useful information such as the distance you hiked, how long it took you to hike, and the elevation change. These previously recorded tracks, then, can be uploaded to the watch for future use or analyzed on your computer when you get home.
Timex Ironman R300
Altimeter
The altimeter in a watch is used to measure the altitude as you climb. Knowing your elevation can help you pinpoint your location on a map. Some altimeter watches have a barometric altimeter that can measure atmospheric pressure. The lower the atmospheric pressure, the higher you are in elevation. These barometers can measure between -2,000 to 30,000 feet and are accurate within +/- 50 feet.
Watches that don't have a barometric altimeter can estimate the altitude using the elevation information that it gleans from the current GPS data. The measurements provided by the altimeter sensor, however, tend to be more accurate than the estimations supplied from the GPS coordinate data. GPS accuracy is based on the signal strength, and anything that interferes with a GPS signal also affects the barometer.
Barometer
A barometer on a watch is there for one thing—to measure changes in air pressure. These fluctuations not only can be used to estimate elevation but also can be used to detect incoming storms. Basic barometers take atmospheric readings that you can view, while more advanced watches allow you to see a graph of the changes in air pressure. Some even come with a storm alarm that will alert you when significant changes occur. When the pressure drops rapidly, you better get yourself out of the woods or batten down the hatches to ride out the storm.
Garmin Instinct
Compass
Nearly all GPS watches nowadays have a digital compass that you can use to get your general sense of direction. Some will have a 2D compass that requires you to hold it horizontally, while most will have a 3D compass that works in any orientation. A watch-based compass can help you walk according to a bearing, but it is not as accurate and does not work with a map as well as a baseplate compass.
Heart-Rate Monitor
Almost all watches come with a heart rate monitor that tracks your heart rate 24/7. This data can be used to gauge your exertion level. A higher heart rate means you are working harder. Some hikers will carefully watch their heart rate so they can walk at a low exertion level. This HR data allows them to walk slower and longer instead of pushing themselves to exhaustion early in a hike. Heart rate also reflects your overall health - an unexpected spike may be a sign that you are starting to get sick.
Other common functions
Other features you may find on a watch include a thermometer that'll measure the outside temperature. It's a handy measurement to know, but it can be inaccurate. The sensor may mistakenly read the temperature of your body instead of your surroundings. Some watches also sync with your phone sending over weather data, sunrise/sunset times, and event notifications. Music is another common feature on some hiking watches. You can download your favorite tunes onto the watch and use Bluetooth to connect to your headphones.
COROS Apex 42mm
3 Reasons to Use a Hiking Watch
A hiking watch does way more than just count your steps, and that’s one big reason hikers choose to wear them.
1. FINDING DIRECTIONS
Their primary function is navigation allowing you to find both your position and direction of travel using either GPS, the altimeter, or the onboard digital compass. Want to know how high and how far you've walked? These same ABC sensors and GPS can be used to track the distance and elevation of your trek.
2. ANTICIPATING THE WEATHER
Keeping track of the weather conditions is another reason hikers decide to add a watch to their kit. Many of these watches are equipped with a barometer or temperature sensor, which can detect weather changes in your immediate vicinity. Those that connect to a phone can show the full weather forecast. Many also display the sunrise and sunset times, which is helpful if a trip is taking longer than expected and you need to get out of the woods before dark.
3. TRACKING HEALTH, FITNESS AND PERFORMANCE
Last but not least, hiking watches are great for tracking your fitness and health. Though designed for outdoor pursuits, most hiking watches have the same fitness features as a smartwatch. They count your daily steps, monitor your heart rate 24/7, and track your sleep. They even calculate the calories burned throughout the day so you can make sure you’re eating enough. Best of all, many hiking watches sync to your phone, so you can receive notifications, check your calendar, and more right on your wrist.
FAQ
Can hiking watches be used offline?
Yes, all hiking watches can be used offline for navigation and counting your steps. The only thing you will miss is the mobile syncing that allows you to transfer your fitness data to your phone for long-term safekeeping. You also won't be able to download updated weather, receive notifications, and similar features that require an internet connection.
Can I use my Apple Watch for hiking?
Yes… but there are a few drawbacks. First, battery power. Apple claims its watch will last around six hours when tracking continuous outdoor activity, while some hiking watches can last upwards of a hundred hours. Second, although the Apple watch is durable, its screen is still more breakable and prone to scratching compared to a heavy-duty hiking watch. A big problem if you’re scrambling over rugged terrain. On the plus side, though the Apple Watch isn’t specifically designed for hiking, its hiking feature option will get you by and keep track of elevation gain, distance, pace and calories burned. Also, being an Apple product, you’ll have a great selection of every hiking app out there. So, should you use an Apple watch to hike? Sure, but it’s better suited for easy day hikes. As for longer and more technical hikes? Best leave those up to the big guys (aka hiking watches).
Some photos in this post were taken by Ross Enlow (@rossaenlow)
650-Calorie Fuel