Introduction
Hiking is a great way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors. But it can also be dangerous, especially if you get lost or injured. That’s why it’s important to have the right gear, including a good hiking watch.
A hiking watch can help you track your progress, stay safe, and make the most of your hike. Here are six of the best hiking watches on the market in 2023.
These watches are all packed with features, including GPS, altimeter, barometer, compass, heart rate monitor, and more. They’re also durable and water-resistant, making them perfect for any hiking adventure.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hiker, there’s a watch on this list that’s perfect for you. So read on to find the best hiking watch for your needs.
Here are some of the things to consider when choosing a hiking watch:
- Features: The most important features for a hiking watch include GPS, altimeter, barometer, compass, and heart rate monitor.
- Durability: A hiking watch needs to be durable enough to withstand the rigors of outdoor activities.
- Water resistance: A hiking watch should be water-resistant to at least 50 meters.
- Battery life: A hiking watch should have a long battery life so you don’t have to worry about it running out of power on your hike.
- Price: Hiking watches can range in price from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars.
Once you’ve considered these factors, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices and find the best hiking watch for your needs.
Review of the Best Hiking Watches:
1: Garmin Instinct
The Garmin Instinct is a rugged GPS watch that is built to withstand the elements. It is perfect for hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The watch features a durable polymer case and a chemically strengthened, scratch-resistant display. It is also water-resistant to 100 meters and has a battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and up to 16 hours in GPS mode.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 45 x 45 x 15 mm
- Weight: 52 grams
- Display: 1.2 inches, sunlight-readable, transflective MIP display
- Battery life: Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, up to 16 hours in GPS mode
- Sensors: GPS, altimeter, barometer, compass, heart rate monitor
- Features: Activity tracking, GPS navigation, weather forecasting, built-in flashlight, stopwatch, timer, and more
Pros
- Rugged and durable design
- Long battery life
- Comprehensive set of features
- Water-resistant to 100 meters
- Sunlight-readable display
Cons
- Can be bulky for some people
- Not the most stylish watch
- Some features can be difficult to use
Overall
The Garmin Instinct is a great choice for hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. It is rugged, durable, and has a long battery life. It also features a comprehensive set of features, including GPS navigation, weather forecasting, and activity tracking. If you are looking for a reliable and feature-rich watch for your outdoor adventures, the Garmin Instinct is a great option.
2: Timex Expedition
The Timex Expedition is a rugged and durable watch that is perfect for hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The watch features a 39mm case made of durable resin and a mineral crystal display that is scratch-resistant. It is also water-resistant to 50 meters and has a battery life of up to 3 years.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 10 mm
- Weight: 45 grams
- Display: 39mm mineral crystal display
- Battery life: Up to 3 years
- Sensors: None
- Features: Date, time, alarm, chronograph, stopwatch, and countdown timer
Pros
- Rugged and durable design
- Long battery life
- Affordable price
- Water-resistant to 50 meters
- Easy to read display
Cons
- Not as feature-rich as some other watches
- Not the most stylish watch
- Strap can be uncomfortable for some people
Overall
The Timex Expedition is a great choice for hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for a rugged and durable watch with a long battery life. It is not as feature-rich as some other watches, but it is affordable and easy to read. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable watch for your outdoor adventures, the Timex Expedition is a great option.
3: Garmin Fenix 7
The Garmin Fenix 7 is a premium GPS watch that is packed with features. It is perfect for hikers, runners, cyclists, and other athletes. The watch features a durable stainless steel case and a sunlight-readable display. It is also water-resistant to 100 meters and has a battery life of up to 18 days in smartwatch mode and up to 57 hours in GPS mode.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm
- Weight: 79 grams
- Display: 1.3 inches, sunlight-readable, transflective MIP display
- Battery life: Up to 18 days in smartwatch mode, up to 57 hours in GPS mode
- Sensors: GPS, altimeter, barometer, compass, heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox sensor, and more
- Features: Activity tracking, GPS navigation, weather forecasting, music storage, contactless payments, and more
Pros
- Rugged and durable design
- Long battery life
- Comprehensive set of features
- Water-resistant to 100 meters
- Sunlight-readable display
- Stylish design
Cons
- Expensive
- Some features can be difficult to use
Overall
The Garmin Fenix 7 is a great choice for hikers, runners, cyclists, and other athletes who are looking for a premium GPS watch with a long battery life and a comprehensive set of features. It is expensive, but it is worth the price for those who want the best of the best.
Here are some of the additional features of the Garmin Fenix 7:
- Music storage: You can store up to 2,000 songs on your watch and listen to them without your phone.
- Contactless payments: You can use your watch to make contactless payments at participating merchants.
- Body battery: This feature measures your body’s energy levels so you can plan your activities accordingly.
- Stress tracking: This feature tracks your stress levels so you can identify and manage stress.
- Sleep tracking: This feature tracks your sleep so you can get a better night’s sleep.
4: Casio Pro Trek
The Casio Pro Trek is a rugged and durable watch that is perfect for hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The watch features a 46mm case made of durable resin and a mineral crystal display that is scratch-resistant. It is also water-resistant to 200 meters and has a battery life of up to 10 months.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 46 x 46 x 13 mm
- Weight: 65 grams
- Display: 46mm mineral crystal display
- Battery life: Up to 10 months
- Sensors: Triple sensor (altimeter, barometer, compass)
- Features: Date, time, alarm, chronograph, stopwatch, countdown timer, world time, sunrise/sunset time, tide graph, moon phase, and more
Pros
- Rugged and durable design
- Long battery life
- Comprehensive set of features
- Water-resistant to 200 meters
- Easy to read display
Cons
- Not as stylish as some other watches
- Strap can be uncomfortable for some people
Overall
The Casio Pro Trek is a great choice for hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for a rugged and durable watch with a long battery life and a comprehensive set of features. It is not as stylish as some other watches, but it is affordable and easy to read. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable watch for your outdoor adventures, the Casio Pro Trek is a great option.
Here are some of the additional features of the Casio Pro Trek:
- Triple sensor: This feature measures altitude, barometric pressure, and compass direction.
- World time: This feature allows you to keep track of time in multiple time zones.
- Sunrise/sunset time: This feature tells you when the sun will rise and set at your current location.
- Tide graph: This feature tells you the height of the tide at your current location.
- Moon phase: This feature tells you the current phase of the moon.
5: Suunto Core
The Suunto Core is an outdoor watch that packs the key outdoor features in robust construction with a comfortable elastomer strap. Combining an altimeter, barometer and compass with weather information, Suunto Core is the essential tool for your adventures.
Specifications:
- Altimeter: The altimeter displays current elevation, shows ascent or descent and records your sessions.
- Barometer: The built-in barometer helps you predict changing weather conditions. Intelligent storm alarm senses drops in air pressure and notifies you of approaching storms.
- Compass: The compass provides accurate direction readings even in the most challenging conditions.
- Weather functions and alerts: The Suunto Core provides weather information such as temperature, sunrise/sunset times, and storm alarm.
- Temperature: The thermometer displays the current temperature.
- Sunrise/sunset times: The watch shows the sunrise and sunset times for your location.
- Depth meter for snorkeling: The depth meter measures the depth of water you are in.
- Multiple watch, date and time functions: The watch has a variety of watch, date and time functions.
- User-replaceable battery: The battery can be replaced by the user.
- Multilingual menu (EN, FR, DE, ES): The menu is available in four languages.
Pros:
- Reliable and accurate tool for measuring elevation, air pressure, and direction.
- Provides weather information that can help you plan your activities and stay safe in the outdoors.
- Durable and can withstand the rigors of outdoor use.
- Stylish and functional watch that can be worn for everyday use.
Cons:
- The display can be difficult to read in low light conditions.
- The watch can be bulky for some people.
- The battery life is not as long as some other outdoor watches.
Overall:
The Suunto Core is a great option for outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for a reliable and accurate watch with a variety of features. It is durable and can withstand the rigors of outdoor use, and it is stylish and functional enough to be worn for everyday use. However, the display can be difficult to read in low light conditions, the watch can be bulky for some people, and the battery life is not as long as some other outdoor watches.
6: G-Shock GWM5610
The G-Shock GWM5610 is a digital watch that is known for its durability and affordability. It is a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and people who need a reliable watch that can withstand everyday wear and tear.
Specifications:
- Shock resistant
- 200 meters water resistance
- Atomic timekeeping (Multi-Band 6)
- Tough Solar (solar-powered)
- EL backlight
- Countdown timer
- 5 alarms
- Stopwatch
- World time
- Date and time
Pros:
- Durable and affordable
- Atomic timekeeping keeps the watch accurate
- Tough Solar means the watch can be powered by sunlight or artificial light
- EL backlight makes it easy to see the time in low-light conditions
- A variety of features make it a versatile watch for everyday use
Cons:
- The display can be difficult to read in direct sunlight
- The watch can be bulky for some people
- The battery life is not as long as some other solar-powered watches
Overall:
The G-Shock GWM5610 is a great option for people who are looking for a durable and affordable digital watch with a variety of features. It is a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and people who need a reliable watch that can withstand everyday wear and tear.
Comparison Table
Here is a comparison table of the best hiking watches in 2023:
| Feature | Garmin Instinct | Timex Expedition | Garmin Fenix 7 | Casio Pro Trek | Suunto Core | G-Shock GWM5610 |
| Price | $299 | $199 | $699 | $299 | $199 | $129 |
| Battery life | Up to 14 days | Up to 40 days | Up to 16 days | Up to 21 days | Up to 40 days | Up to 2 years |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Barometer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof | 100 meters | 50 meters | 100 meters | 100 meters | 50 meters | 200 meters |
| Weight | 52 grams | 50 grams | 89 grams | 63 grams | 66 grams | 69 grams |
| Display size | 1.2 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.2 inches | 1.2 inches | 1.2 inches |
| Display resolution | 240 x 240 pixels | 200 x 200 pixels | 240 x 240 pixels | 210 x 210 pixels | 160 x 128 pixels | 128 x 128 pixels |
As you can see, there are many great hiking watches on the market in 2023. The best watch for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. If you are looking for an affordable watch with long battery life, the Garmin Instinct is a great option. If you are looking for a watch with a lot of features, the Garmin Fenix 7 is a great choice. And if you are looking for a watch that is durable and can withstand the elements, the G-Shock GWM5610 is a great option.
Conclusion
Sure, here is a conclusion for the article on the best hiking watches in 2023:
In conclusion, there are many great hiking watches on the market in 2023. The best watch for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. If you are looking for a watch with a lot of features, the Garmin Fenix 7X Solar is a great option. If you are looking for a more affordable watch, the Coros Vertix 2 is a great choice. And if you are looking for a watch with a long battery life, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is a great option.
No matter which watch you choose, make sure to do your research and find a watch that is right for you. With so many great options on the market, you are sure to find the perfect watch for your next hiking adventure.
Read more articles here.
