ByWhen you’re out on the trail, a reliable hiking watch can provide essential navigation tools, monitor your health, and help you stay safe. Whether you’re a casual hiker or an experienced mountaineer, we’ve rounded up the best hiking watches that will meet your needs in 2024.
Garmin Forerunner 945
Battery Life: Up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode, 28 hours in GPS mode.
Features: The Garmin Forerunner 945 is designed for athletes, with built-in maps, heart rate monitoring, and VO2 max tracking. It supports multiple satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo), ensuring superior GPS accuracy even in tough terrains. It also tracks advanced metrics, including running dynamics and cycling power.
Why It’s Great: This watch is perfect for those who want a high-performance GPS watch that offers both detailed fitness metrics and excellent navigation. Its long battery life and extensive feature set make it an all-around great choice for serious athletes.
Coros Vertix 2
Battery Life: Up to 60 days in regular use, 140 hours in GPS mode.
Features: The Vertix 2 is known for its impressive battery life and dual-frequency GPS, providing highly accurate location tracking. It comes with an altimeter, heart rate monitor, and full-color maps for hiking and climbing. It also supports 24/7 health monitoring, including sleep and stress tracking.
Why It’s Great: The Vertix 2 is ideal for long expeditions, offering both rugged durability and exceptional battery performance. Whether you’re climbing mountains or on an extended backpacking trip, this watch ensures you never lose your way and keeps track of your health metrics.
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Garmin Fenix 7
Battery Life: 18 days in smartwatch mode, 57 hours in GPS mode. Solar charging capability.
Features: The Garmin Fenix 7 is packed with features for outdoor enthusiasts, including detailed topo maps, multi-sport tracking, and heart rate monitoring. It has solar charging, allowing it to stay powered up even in remote areas. It also tracks hiking, running, swimming, and skiing, making it a versatile choice for multi-sport athletes.
Why It’s Great: Its solar charging capability and long battery life make the Fenix 7 perfect for long-term expeditions. The advanced tracking and durable build make it ideal for hikers, climbers, and anyone who needs reliable navigation in harsh environments.
Suunto 9 Peak
Battery Life: Up to 170 hours in ultra-long battery mode.
Features: The Suunto 9 Peak is designed for outdoor athletes and adventurers. It includes GPS, heart rate tracking, barometric altimeter, and route planning features. The watch is also extremely durable, made with sapphire glass and titanium, making it perfect for extreme conditions.
Why It’s Great: Its ultra-long battery life and sleek design set it apart from other watches in this category. If you’re looking for a robust, reliable GPS watch that won’t let you down during long outdoor trips, the Suunto 9 Peak is a great choice.
Polar Grit X Pro
Battery Life: 40 hours in full GPS mode, 7 days in smartwatch mode.
Features: The Polar Grit X Pro offers advanced navigation with built-in route planning and a barometric altimeter. It also tracks your heart rate and provides real-time recovery insights. It’s designed to withstand extreme conditions, offering military-grade durability.
Why It’s Great: The Grit X Pro is built for those who need durability and reliable GPS tracking in challenging environments. It’s a great all-rounder for both fitness and adventure tracking, offering a balance between performance and sturdiness.
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
Battery Life: Unlimited with solar charging, 30 days without sunlight.
Features: The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar offers multi-GNSS support, heart rate monitoring, and solar charging. It’s equipped with a barometric altimeter, compass, and gyroscope, making it ideal for outdoor explorers. The rugged design makes it shock, thermal, and water-resistant, which is perfect for rough terrains.
Why It’s Great: Its solar charging feature allows for endless battery life, making it a fantastic option for extended outdoor trips. With its toughness and advanced tracking, the Instinct 2 Solar is a reliable companion for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Amazfit T-Rex Pro
Battery Life: 18 days in regular use, 40 hours with GPS tracking.
Features: The Amazfit T-Rex Pro is a budget-friendly option with a robust set of features, including built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, and 15 sport modes. It also offers 100-meter water resistance and a durable design built to handle harsh environments.
Why It’s Great: The T-Rex Pro is a solid, budget-friendly option for anyone seeking a reliable GPS watch for outdoor activities. Its long battery life and tough build make it a great choice for those who need performance on a budget.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hiking watch depends on your specific needs. For advanced features, the Garmin Fenix 7 is perfect, especially if you want accurate GPS and health tracking. The Suunto 9 Peak is ideal for those who need extra battery life for long hikes, while the Coros Vertix 2 offers the best real-time mapping for intense outdoor adventures.
If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, the Garmin Instinct Solar provides excellent value. Whatever your choice, ensure your watch is built to withstand tough conditions and offer you the reliability you need on the trail!
