8 Best Hiking Watches (Review) In 2022

The Garmin Instinct Rugged Outdoor Watch with GPS, is the quintessential hiking watch for the quintessential outdoorsman. This excellent device is a great GPS watch for hiking and possesses a vast amount of features that make it such an ideal buy for any potential hiking trip. What’s more, the Garmin Instinct is ruggedly built and is tough enough to withstand even the most punishing conditions. This is a watch that you take knowing that you’re going to deal with some nastiness from mother nature, but you can also be confident that it will come out with you on the other side.

Apart from its rugged construction, the Garmin Instinct is also equipped with a 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter, thereby ensuring that you never get lost while out hiking. On top of the GPS capabilities that this watch possesses, it also has other global navigation satellite systems that offer support and provide information that the GPS alone cannot give you. And in an effort to make sure you never go missing with the Garmin Instinct, this sports watch also comes built with a trackback feature that helps you navigate your route back to your starting point. No doubt, the Garmin Instinct is the ideal outdoor GPS watch for you, and it should be a total no-brainer for you to make this purchase.

As a company, SUUNTO has been around for a while, and they have been making quality watches since 1936, and with the SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch, they have outdone themselves. This incredibly rugged outdoor watch is outfitted with several features that make your hiking trip a lot more bearable than with a regular wristwatch. First off, the SUUNTO core works as an excellent altimeter watch as it correctly determines your position while climbing or descending. This particular feature makes this an ideal watch for mountain climbers, or wilderness hikers.

Additionally, the watch is equipped with a helpful barometer, which helps you keep an eye on the air pressure and alerts you to sudden weather changes; therefore, you are never caught unaware by a sudden storm or other surprises from mother nature. Besides, it also has other incredible features, including predicted time for sunrise and sunset, which help to better plan your trips and utilize your daylight hours. More impressive still is that it has predicted daylight hours for over 400 locations worldwide.

We are once again talking about a Garmin product, which just goes to show their track record of amazing products. In the Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS, you have an excellent companion on all your hiking or camping trips. The powerful GPS receiver on this Garmin Foretrex is powered by HotFix and can help you navigate your way even when under deep cover. What’s more, the hiking GPS receiver is so powerful, it even works in deep canyons where GPS readings are normally unreliable. Not only that, but the Garmin Foretrex also helps you monitor and keep track of a number of things, including routes, waypoints, tracks, and even your heart rate.

Additionally, this trekking watch operates with the help of standard AAA batteries and can last for a very long time. To further highlight the battery power of the Garmin Foretrex, it can stay on for up to 17 hours in GPS mode. On top of that, the wristwatch also comes with a reasonably large screen that makes the information on it easier to read even at a glance. No doubt, there are so many features packed into this small machine, but just believe us when we say that this is not a watch you want to miss out on. Prepare your hiking shoes and hit the road.

The Suunto Traverse Alpha is by no means the most affordable option on this list, but it more than makes up for it with its reliability and functionality. If you are a fan of the color black or you appreciate minimalist designs, then you’ll understand the Suunto Traverse. This outdoor smartwatch features an aesthetically pleasing design that doesn’t call attention to itself but demands respect when viewed.

However, the awesomeness of the Suunto Traverse doesn’t stop at how pretty it is, it is also filled to the brim with useful tools that will make your hiking trips an amazing experience to always remember. Additionally, it is outfitted with a capable GPS system that helps you successfully navigate your path while on a trip. That’s not all; the GPS also has a breadcrumb trail feature that makes finding your way in the great outdoors an absolute cinch.

Backed up with features such as moon phase calendar and so on, the Suunto Traverse is uniquely suited to fishing and hunting in a way that other watches can’t match. Furthermore, the automatic shot detection technology makes it easy to keep track of when and where you shoot, making revisions an easier task.

Timex is one of the oldest watchmakers out there and also one of the most respected due to the quality of their timepieces. With the Timex Expedition Shock XL Watch, it is no different as they have once again created a fantastic watch that would be a great companion on your next hiking trip. The Timex Expedition is designed like a true outdoor watch with its sleek black design and rugged construction that gives it an edge over other timepieces.

Along with its other features, it also comes with a chronograph function, which makes it ideal not just for hiking trips, but for athletic training or other applications of that nature. Besides, this is a wristwatch that can be used at any time of the day as it sports a bright backlight that allows you to have access to information on the screen even in the dead of night. Therefore, if you find yourself in need of the watch’s services at night, you will have no problem using it. In addition to all this, it has a powerful battery and is water-resistant up to 30 meters. If you love hiking, make sure you also check our guide to the best hiking socks.

There aren’t many watches that can compare with the Casio Men’s Pro Trek PRW2500T Tough Solar Digital Sport Watch in the sheer amount of features it delivers to you. Blessed with the classic Casio watch design, this silver wristwatch looks good on you wherever you go. Also, the design of the Casio Pro Trek lends itself well to other environments, including official ones. However, where the Casio Pro Trek truly shines is outdoors, and it is the perfect backpacking watch to have on you.

More impressive still is the atomic timekeeping feature of the Casio Pro Trek, which can tell you the correct time wherever you are. Also, the watch receives time calibration radio signals which help it display the right time.

On top of that, the watch also comes equipped with a competent altimeter, which enables you to verify where you are while climbing up or down. It also gives a much more accurate reading that a regular GPS meaning that you will never have to worry about getting lost with the Casio Pro Trek. Add to that the barometer, which alerts you to changes in weather and a compass to help you keep your true North, and you have a watch that is worthy of a shot. 

We’ll never get tired of talking about SUUNTO products, and it is with the utmost delight that we’re going to have a conversation about the SUUNTO Ambit3 Peak HR Running GPS Unit. Apart from a cool design that will draw a few stares wherever you go, the SUUNTO Ambit3 is also in possession of an in-built altimeter that lets you know precisely where you are and helps you get your bearing even in places where GPS is less than reliable.

That’s not all; it also features an impressive barometer that keeps track of weather patterns and alerts you when a storm’s heading your way. And to complete the triumvirate, the SUUNTO Ambit3 comes with a compass that helps you easily navigate your path without getting lost. What’s more, the SUUNTO Ambit3 possesses water resistance up to 100 meters and is equipped with a heavy-duty battery that can easily last up to 200 hours of use.

Just when you thought things couldn’t get better with the Ambit3, they do with the watch’s ability to connect with your smartphone. This lets it alert you to phone calls and other notifications on your phone on the go. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best hiking sandals.

Finally, we have the Garmin Tactix Bravo, Black with Nylon Strap, which going by the impressive construction of Garmin wristwatches in general, is undoubtedly a lovely watch to get. Right out the gate, the Garmin Tactix affords the wearer with visibility even under sunlight with its excellent high-resolution display. Furthermore, the Garmin Tactix comes with GPS/GLONASS satellite reception, which makes it possible to keep track of your route even in more challenging terrain.

Apart from that, it sports a cool looking design which is easy to fall in love with and will set you apart from the average hiker. This altitude watch allows you to measure the altitude from a fixed point, and it does this with unerring precision. It doesn’t end there; the Garmin Tactix also possesses a barometer and a compass for tracking the weather and superior navigation, respectively. Moreover, the watch can be synced with your smartphone, allowing you to receive notifications from the phone on the smartwatch.

The robustness of the Garmin Tactix should not be overlooked as this is a watch that is made to brave the fiercest elements and the nastiest conditions. On top of this, the watch is blessed with a powerful battery that lets you rest easy, knowing that your watch won’t die on you at an inopportune moment.