Best Hiking Watches – Smartwatches for Athletics, Backpacking & Day Hiking

Looking for the next piece of gear to take your hiking trips to a new level? It may be time for you to invest in a hiking watch. In this article, we are going to help you understand what you should be looking for in a hiking watch, as well as pointing out some of the best options in a variety of price ranges.

Our goal is to provide you everything you need to help you pick a smart watch in your particular budget.

 

What To Look for When Choosing A Hiking Smartwatch

 

Benefits of Smartwatches For Hiking

Whether your hiking gear kit includes everything but the kitchen sink or you prefer to hit the trails with little more than yourself, your boots, and a bottle of water, you can’t go wrong adding a smartwatch to the equation. Some pieces of equipment take up more room than they are worth or end up sitting at the bottom of your pack without ever being used, even in an emergency. Hiking smartwatches weigh almost nothing, sit safely on your wrist for no added bulk in your pack, and include tons of features to help with everything from basic navigation to keeping you safe from sudden or unexpected changes in weather.

Hiking smartwatches have quickly gained popularity, especially for individuals who prefer to hit the trails without frustrating paper maps (you still should always bring one), smartphones with easily drained batteries, or anyone who likes to keep an eye on weather, air pressure, elevation, heart rate, or the temperature. Designed with a wide range of features to suit a wide range of needs, today there are tons of hiking smartwatch options to choose from. Before you dive into the specs of the best hiking watches, it is important to know what you are looking for and which features are most important for your needs.

 

Comfort

When it comes to hiking gear, fit and feel are two of the most important things to consider, since discomfort, pinching, or rubbing can slow you down. A good hiking smartwatch should be designed to fit securely on the wrist without pinching or chafing the skin and should be made from a material that won’t become sticky or uncomfortable if exposed to moisture like rain or sweat. Soft, flexible materials like silicone are a good choice, but be sure to choose one with vents or holes to allow airflow to prevent chafing.

If you are a particularly experienced hiker that likes to traverse the most extreme trails, you may want to consider choosing an option with a removable and replaceable band, since even a high-quality wristband can sustain damage and become unusable after extended use. If the band is non-replaceable, it should be extremely easy to clean and durable against scrapes, scratches, bumps, or friction. Here’s what to look at when assessing how comfortable a watch will be:

• Is the watchband made from soft materials?
• Is the band breathable/are there ventilation holes?
• Can the band be adjusted to fit a wide range of wrist sizes? Can the band fit your wrist size?

 

Battery Life

One of the reasons hiking smartwatches have replaced the smartphone as easy all-in-one navigation, time, and weather prediction gear is because smartphones don’t have the battery capacity needed to get through a long hike or multi-day excursion into nature. Smartphones may be able to last all day if you don’t use them, but once you start running applications, that battery can drain quickly.

Hiking smartwatches are designed to last for days, weeks, and even months without needing to be charged, even with continuous special feature and app use; this said, not all hiking watches are equipped with the same battery function, so be sure to check the product’s details before you make a purchase. Longer battery life is always better, so be wary of products with a reputation for needing frequent recharging.

For instance, Apple watches in GPS mode won’t last a whole day, and some smaller battery watches can last weeks in regular modes, but only 15 or so hours in GPS mode. Be sure to pay attention to these differences to find what suits your needs.

 

Durability

Accidents happen while hiking, and just like you, your watch needs to be prepared to sustain some scrapes, falls, and dips into mud, water, sand, snow, and everything in between. Hiking watches need to be able to make it to the end of the hike fully intact to be of use to you, which is why durability is a key consideration when choosing the best hiking smartwatch for your needs. Consider durability in each of these categories:

• Glass: The face of a smartwatch is always covered with a protective layer, which traditionally is made from glass, and helps to keep the inner workings of the watch safe while still allowing you to see the face. The most durable options include sapphire glass, gorilla glass, and similar high-end products, while mid-tier options will include chemically treated and fortified glass. Watches that feature plastic face coverings are not preferred, since plastic can dent, scratch, and wear easily.

• Water Resistance: Few people plan to get wet on a hike, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen! Sudden rain, accidental puddle splashes, or unintentional dips in rivers, lakes, and ponds can leave you and your gear soaking wet, which is why it is always best to look for waterproof options when selecting a hiking smartwatch.

 

Some hiking smartwatches are designed only to withstand a few drops of sweat or a quick burst of rain but could become unresponsive if they were to be wet for prolonged periods. More durable hiking smartwatches can be fully submerged in water without sustaining any damage, and are more reliable for longer, more difficult hikes. If you plan to use your hiking watch on a weekend camping trip with the family, you may not need it to be highly water-resistant, whereas a dedicated kayak camper might want a watch that is water-resistant up to several hundred feet.

 

Smart Features

In addition to the basics – telling the time and date – hiking smartwatches include tons of smart features that can come in super-handy on the trail. While your everyday smartwatch might include apps to help you stay on top of your work schedule or how much you are sleeping, a hiking smartwatch will include features to assist in navigation, health on the trail, emergency assistance, weather tracking, and more. Here are just a few of the key features to look for when choosing a hiking smartwatch:

• Heart Rate Monitoring: Hiking can be strenuous, and while you may feel like you could tackle any trail, pushing yourself beyond your physical limits isn’t always a recipe for success. Many hikers like to wear smartwatches that monitor their heart rate to determine whether they are overexerting themselves and to track long-term health and fitness. Heart rate monitoring can show you whether your pace is adequate for your goals, and can sometimes help you to detect health issues before they become serious. Knowing what your heart rate is at can keep your hikes more enjoyable, your training more effective, and your adventures more safe.

• GPS/Tracking: Who wants to drag around a huge paper map or struggle to find a signal on a smartphone every time they need to check where they are? Smartwatches make keeping track of your location super easy since most are equipped with a GPS and maps to show you exactly where you are on the trail. While GPS is great for real-time navigation, tracking your hike can also help you to record your distances and track various routes you have taken in the past. You still should always have a paper map backup. Some hiking watches may also be equipped with GPS tracking that can be accessed by friends or family that may wish to keep an eye on your whereabouts while you are trekking through the wilderness. These types of features can help to keep you extra safe and give you peace of mind knowing help would easily be able to find you in an emergency.

• Smartphone Pairing: Even if you like to unplug while hiking and leave calls, texts, and emails unanswered, you may still want to have your lifeline to the rest of the world while on the trail. Some hiking smartwatches include features that allow you to sync your watch and smartphone to receive important notifications (like texts and calls) without keeping your phone in your hand.

• Compass: While GPS navigation may be able to pinpoint your exact location, some moments call for the simple help of a compass to let you know you are headed in the right direction. Most hiking watches are equipped with a digital compass to help you quickly check your direction of travel without stopping to check the map or wait for your GPS to connect.

• Altimeter: If you like to rock climb, hike mountains, or trek high into the hills, look for a smartwatch with a built-in altimeter. An altimeter measures altitude, which can help you to be more specific about your whereabouts on vertical climbs that may not appear on a map. Some of these operate with a barometer, others with GPS coordinates.

• Barometer: Barometers measure changes in air pressure, and is often used to measure altitude. In addition to helping with navigation, a barometer can help you to detect shifts in pressure that may indicate an incoming storm, high winds, or other severe weather. In some areas, sudden pressure drops could result in serious and even dangerous storms, so having a barometer to warn you far ahead of time will help you stay out of harm’s way.

• Thermometer: Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically from one hour to the next, so while you may head out in fair conditions, it isn’t unusual to end your hike feeling far warmer or colder than when you began. Having a thermometer included in the design of your smartwatch can help you to detect changes in temperature that you may not notice while sweating through your hike. Remember, you will get the most accurate ambient temperature reading by removing your watch/reducing contact with your skin.

 

Company Values & Customer Service

Before you purchase a smartwatch – or any product, for that matter – be sure to take a moment to look into the values, reputation, and service of the company you’ll be buying from. Some companies use flashy advertising to convince customers that their products are thoughtfully designed, a great value, and include all the features you could need, but upon further inspection, you may find that the company has no interest in helping nature lovers enjoy the outdoors, but rather is jumping on a fad to make a quick buck.

Choose a watch from a reputable brand known for its place as a respected hiking/athletics brand, and avoid those that try to pull you in with flashy false promises. Follow this rule for customer service, as well. A smartwatch could be a several hundred dollar investment, which means you may have questions or need service over time. A dedicated, reputable company will happily answer your questions and provide friendly customer service to ensure you have the best experience with their products, so be cautious of companies with questionable customer service practices.

 

Customization

While you may be happy you purchase an affordable hiking watch as-is, having the option to customize and add or remove features to suit your needs may be a selling point if you are paying several hundred dollars for your smartwatch. Some smartwatches can be customized with special features or additional tech to keep you safe on the road, so if customization is important to you, there are plenty of options to fulfill your needs. Some of these options include: solar power for extended battery life, music storage, new watchbands, stronger glass, and others.

 

Ease of Use

Smartwatches help hikers to avoid stopping on the trail to search their bags for compasses, maps, altimeters, and other pieces of gear, but if your hiking watch is too complicated to use quickly on the go, you could still find yourself stopping and wasting precious hiking time. The ideal hiking watch should be relatively intuitive to use, and shouldn’t require more than a few practice sessions to learn inside and out.

Hiking smartwatches with a touchscreen may be easier for smartphone users to learn to use but can be more difficult to handle in the cold, in rainy or wet conditions, or on particularly hot/humid days. Hiking watches featuring button navigation controls provide more consistent responsiveness, but can be more frustrating to use and can have more limited capabilities. As long as the watch you choose is easy for you to use, you can’t go wrong.

 

Look & Style

Fashion may not be the first thing on your mind when you are picking out hiking gear, but you may want to spend a few seconds considering the look of a hiking smartwatch before you buy. A hiking watch might be something you only wear on the trail, but more likely, you’ll find yourself wearing your hiking watch in everyday life as well. Because of this, it’s important to choose a watch that you feel comfortable wearing with your everyday attire. Choose a size, color, and overall design that you think suits you, then feel free to flaunt your watch with your favorite office attire or hiking boots!

 

Weight & Size

Because hiking watches offer a wide range of features not often found in other smartwatches, some models can become quite heavy of large on the wrist. Look for watches that weigh 100 grams, or about 3 ounces, or less to avoid feeling like your wrist is weighed down or that you are unbalanced. If you don’t mind a bit of extra weight, don’t worry about this step, but do be mindful of whether the sensation will cause discomfort or not.

 

Price

Finally, before you purchase a hiking watch, consider the price! While a high-end, expensive option may be attractive for the novelty of it, there are plenty of affordable options available that are just as good, if not better, than the expensive variety, especially when considering your specific use case. If you want to invest in a more expensive hiking smartwatch, you can certainly find some that are well worth the extra money, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t still be satisfied with a more affordable option. No matter which watch you settle on, be sure to choose one that is comfortably within your budget, especially if you are new to hiking smartwatches.

 

Best Hiking Watches Under $100

If you are purchasing your first hiking smartwatch, looking for a gift, or just looking for an amazing option on a budget, any of these under $100 hiking watches make an excellent choice. Despite being the most affordable items included in this list, we think the few listed here can still solve many hikers’ needs. Many watches under $100 don’t have GPS capabilities.

 

Casio SGW-1000-1ACR

While certainly not the most lightweight option in the bunch, the Casio SGW-1000-1ACR is an excellent option if you want ample weather tracking capabilities in an affordable package. Designed and manufactured by Casio, a well-respected and long-time established watchmaking brand, this option is shockingly durable and could last years before needing to be replaced even with daily use. This watch has great features, but does not have GPS capabilities.

 

Price: $80 – $130
Battery Life: 3-years
Weight: 138 grams
Display: Digital LED-backlit
Glass: Mineral glass
Wristband Material: Plastic/Resin
GPS: No
Compass: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Heart Monitoring: No
Water Resistance: 330 feet

Notable Features:

• Resistant to low temperatures
• Alarms, timers, stopwatch
• 3-year battery life

 

Pros: Affordable, durable

Cons: Limited ‘smart’ features, heavy

 

See On Amazon | View On Casio

 

Garmin Forerunner 35

Featuring GPS, smartphone syncing, heart rate tracking, and tons of features to help you plan your hike, the Garmin Forerunner 35 is by far the most versatile hiking watch in this category. Featuring a modern design not dissimilar to popular smartwatches from brands like Apple and Microsoft, the Forerunner can easily be worn all day long whether hiking or not. Battery life: Smartwatch Mode: Up to 9 days, GPS mode: Up to 13 hours.

 

Price: $85-$115 (Refurbished are under $100)
Battery Life: Smartwatch Mode: Up to 9 days, GPS mode: Up to 13 hours
Weight: 45 grams
Display: Touch screenGlass: Chemically strengthened glass
Wristband Material: Silicone
GPS: Yes
Compass: No
Altimeter: No
Barometer: No
Heart Monitoring: Yes
Water Resistance: Yes

Notable Features:

• Music controls
• Speed, distance, and route tracking

 

Pros: Super affordable with GPS

Cons: No altimeter or barometer

 

See On Amazon | See On Garmin

 

SUUNTO Core

Coming in at just slightly more than $100, the SUUNTO Core is an excellent hiking watch for the price that has all the features you need to stay safe on the trail. While this watch won’t help you track your heart-rate or miles, it will help you avoid getting lost while offering the incredible durability SUUNTO customers know and love.

 

Price: $109.5-$130 (Refurbished under $100 when available)
Battery Life: 12 Months (replaceable by owner)
Weight: 64 grams
Display: Digital
Glass: Mineral crystal
Wristband Material: Elastomer
GPS: No
Compass: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Heart Monitoring: No
Water Resistance: 32 feet

Notable Features:

• 12-month battery life
• Backlight
• Alarm

 

Pros: Affordable and highly durable

Cons: No GPS or tracking capabilities

 

View On Suunto | View On Amazon

 

Best Hiking Watches Under $300

Most smartwatches start at around $200-$300, so if you are seeking a hiking watch in this price range, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Unlike the most affordable smartwatches, watches in this price range are typically made from higher-quality materials, include more smart features, and are designed with more consideration for comfort. This price range often has a shorter battery life in GPS mode than other higher end watches.

 

SUUNTO Traverse

Hiking is all about the journey, and if you like to go back and look at where you’ve been, the SUUNTO Traverse can help you do just that! As you hike, the Traverse creates a digital breadcrumb trail to show you where you’ve been and to help you retrace your steps later when you want to hike the trail again. Add all the basic weather and time tracking features you expect from a quality hiking watch and you’ve got the SUUNTO Traverse.

 

Price: $240-$290 depending upon features
Battery Life: GPS mode = 10, 15, 100 hours depending upon GPS setting.
Weight: 80 grams
Display: Digital
Glass: Mineral crystal
Wristband Material: Silicone
GPS: Yes – and GLONASS
Compass: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Heart Monitoring: Yes – with separate purchase
Water Resistance: 330 feet

Notable Features:

• Heatmaps
• Real-time tracking/breadcrumb tracking
• Mobile notifications

 

Pros: Accurate tracking/navigation, lightweight, easy to use

Cons: Fewer health-tracking features than similar products

 

See On Amazon | See On Suunto

 

SUUNTO Ambit3 Peak

If you are on the hunt for a hiking watch with incredible battery life and reliable tracking power, the SUUNTO Ambit3 Peak is the perfect choice for you. Capable of running for up to 200 hours while using GPS (with a one-minute accuracy margin) and other built-in smart features for navigation, weather monitoring, and health tracking, the SUUNTO Ambit3 Peak has one of the most impressive battery capacities currently available. Want even faster, more accurate navigation? No problem, the watch can still run for up to 30 hours with one-second accuracy margins!

 

Price: $220-$450 depending upon features
Battery Life: 20, 30, 200 h in different GPS modes. 30 days in time mode.
Weight: 89 grams
Display: Digital
Glass: Mineral crystal
Wristband Material: Elastomer
GPS: Yes
Compass: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Heart Monitoring: Yes
Water Resistance: 330 feet

Notable Features:

• Sunrise and sunset times
• Usable in more than a dozen languages
• Storm alarm

 

Pros: Extremely long battery life, lightweight, lots of extra features

Cons: Limited customization options, large face

 

See On Amazon | See On Suunto

 

Garmin Instinct

Designed to meet the rugged demands of long days on the trail, the Garmin Instinct is all-utility at first glance, making it a great choice for staying low-key while hiking. Dive a little deeper into the Instinct and you’ll see that there is more than meets the eye, since this smartwatch includes tons of health tracking, navigation sensors, smart-features, and more. Wear this watch on a hike, at the gym, or anywhere you stay active and the Instinct will help track everything you do.

 

Price: $299.99-$450 Depending upon features
Battery Life: Smartwatch: Up to 24 days/54 days with solar*
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 56 days/Unlimited with solar*
GPS: Up to 30 hours/38 hours with solar**
Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 70 hours/145 hours with solar**
Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 28 days/68 days with solar*
*Solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions
**Solar charging, assuming use in 50,000 lux conditions
Weight: 52 grams
Display: Digital LCD
Glass: Chemically strengthened glass
Wristband Material: Silicone
GPS: Yes – and GLONASS
Compass: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Heart Monitoring: Yes – rate, stress, abnormal rate alerts
Water Resistance: 330 feet

Notable Features:

• Hydration tracking
• Respond to texts (Android only)
• Music
• Optional solar lense

 

Pros: Extra health and fitness features, backup navigation

Cons: Can be difficult to navigate, expensive to upgrade

 

See On Garmin | See On Amazon

 

Best Hiking Watches Under $500

Ready to upgrade to your first high-end hiking watch or looking for a super special gift for the nature lover in your life? These hiking smartwatches that come in under $500 are the perfect place to splurge. Built for more extreme hikers and outdoor athletes, these watches feature increased durability and wear resistance, GPS functionality, plus tons of special add-on features to keep up with experienced hikers.

 

SUUNTO 9 Baro

Looking for superior tracking and navigation with super long-lasting battery life? You’ve found all that and more with the SUUNTO 9 Baro. At full charge, this awesome smartwatch offers users up to 120 hours of use in GPS mode but can make your battery last even longer if need be. If your charge is getting low, the SUUNTO 9 Baro will automatically close apps that drain extra energy to help your watch stay on for longer.

 

Price: $419.30
Battery Life: GPS Mode: 25h / 50h / 120h – Time Mode: 14 Days
Weight: 81 grams
Display: Touchscreen
Glass: Saphire crystal
Wristband Material: Silicone
GPS: Yes – and GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU
Compass: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Heart Monitoring: Yes
Water Resistance: 330 feet

Notable Features:

• Movement tracking
• Temperature gauge
• Stats and analysis
• Smartphone compatible

 

Pros: Advanced tracking and navigation, compatible with tons of apps

Cons: Touch screen may be difficult to use in certain conditions and environments

 

See On Suunto | See On Amazon

 

Polar Grit X

Featuring a sleek, modern, but rugged design, the Polar Grit X is a great option for anyone that wants the premium features of an excellent high-end smartwatch without the flashy appearance. Hidden beneath the surface of this watch is incredible analytical power, so if you want a watch that will help you achieve your health goals, this one is it. Track, learn, and plan more challenging hikes with the Polar Grit X.

 

Price: $350-$429.95 depending on features
Battery Life: Up to 40 Hours in GPS mode, Up to 100 Hours in Time Mode
Weight: 64 grams
Display: Touch screen
Glass: Gorilla glass
Wristband Material: Silicone
GPS: Yes
Compass: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Heart Monitoring: Yes
Water Resistance: 330 feet

Notable Features:

• Current weather and two-day forecast
• Turn-by-turn navigation
• Performance analysis

 

Pros: Tons of features to help you plan ahead

Cons: Average battery life

 

See On Amazon | See on Polar

 

Garmin Vivoactive 4

This watch features just about every feature you need, a simple design and interface, and lots of the essential features you’d want in an every day watch, a workout watch, and a hiking watch.

Price: $350-$429.95 depending on features
Battery Life: Up to 8 days – GPS mode without music: Up to 18 hours
Weight: 50.5 grams
Display: Touch screen
Glass:Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
Wristband Material: Silicone
GPS: Yes
Compass: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Heart Monitoring: Yes
Water Resistance: 50 Meters

Notable Features:

• Lightweight
• Pulse Ox Saturation
• GPS and Altimeter Tracking

 

Pros: Lightweight and thin for comfort. Altimeter function with GPS is fantastic for day hiking and trail running purposes.

Cons: Average battery life

 

See On Garmin | See On Amazon

 

Best Hiking Watches Under $1,000

If you want the best of the best no matter the cost, you’ll love any of these luxury hiking watches that will have you looking and feeling like a mountain-scaling professional. Beautifully made and perfect for the life-long nature lover who can’t be kept from the trails, each of these smartwatches has all of the essential features to make your adventures safer, and more trackable.

 

COROS Vertix GPS

Low profile, lightweight, and featuring interchangeable straps, the COROS Vertix GPS is the kind of hiking watch that can be worn anywhere. Transition seamlessly between home, work, and your time in nature without changing your watch, and enjoy over a month of regular use without needing to recharge your device. The Vertix GPS has all the features you need to help you stay on track whether it be on the trail or in your daily life.

 

Price: $599.99
Battery Life: 45 days of regular use – 60 hours in Full GPS mode
Weight: 76 grams
Display: Touch screen
Glass: Saphire glass
Wristband Material: Silicone
GPS: Yes
Compass: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Heart Monitoring: Yes
Water Resistance: 492 feet

Notable Features:

• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Gyroscope
• Resistant to extreme cold
• Use touchscreen or digital dial

 

Pros: All of the features with none of the bulk

Cons: Not extremely durable

 

See On Amazon | See On Coros

 

Garmin Fenix 6S Solar

Want something with tons of smart-features, plenty of battery life, and extras to keep you entertained? If you answered yes, you’ll love the Fenix 6S from Garmin. Available in a number of editions, we’re recommending the ‘solar’ model which allows you to charge cord-free and store up to 9 days of battery life just from the power of the sun. Lightweight and available in attractive metallic finishes, the Fenix 6S is a watch you’ll be wearing everywhere, on and off the trail.

 

Price: $549 – $1,100 depending on features ($799.99 Recommended)
Battery Life: Smartwatch: Up to 9 days/10.5 days with solar*
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 34 days/59 days with solar*
GPS: Up to 25 hours/28 hours with solar**
GPS + Music: Up to 6 hours
Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 50 hours/64 hours with solar**
Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 20 days/26 days with solar*
Weight: 61 grams
Display: Digital – color
Glass: Power Glass
Wristband Material: Silicone
GPS: Yes – and GLONASS, GALILEO
Compass: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Heart Monitoring: Yes
Water Resistance: 330 feet

Notable Features:

• Blood oxygen saturation monitor
• Respiration rate
• Pay with watch
• Connects to phone
• Music

 

Pros: Sleek, elegant design and tons of extra health features

Cons: Expensive

 

See On Garmin | See On Amazon

 

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