Top 5 Best Hiking Watches

Posted By Ibropalic on Oct 12, 2018 | 0 comments

The most important supporters on my first long hiking trail were our group leader and my watch. It was one of those teachable moments in life that I will never forget.

It was at that demanding trail, while conquering the challenging summit, that I have realized the importance of a watch and its features that can keep you on track.

I have also understood that the ABC of watches (Altitude, Barometer, and Compass) should continue through the alphabet. The hiking watch should be also Durable,  Exact and it should Fit.

Choosing between a number of watches offered on the market isn’t so easy. Still, give or take, the same principles apply to most of the watches and hikers’ needs. Unless you’re looking at best watches under 500 bucks.

Based on these principles, I have selected the top 5 best hiking watches. Let’s look at the selection.

Quick Answer: Top 5 Best Hiking Watches

1. Garmin Fenix 5X
2. Casio Multi Function
3. Timex Expedition T49612
4. Fitbit Ionic
5. Suunto Spartan

Before we plunge into the exploration of hiking watches, let’s take a quick look at the features of the top three choices.

Top 5 Hiking Watches Review

Garmin Fenix 5X  Hiking Watch Review

The Garmin Fenix 5X is something you definitely can rely on for your long, exhausting hikes, but also for many other outdoor activities you might want to enjoy. This is because the watch has virtually every feature you can think of. Whether you need it to record your heart rate while doing a triathlon or perfectly pin your location with its advanced navigation features such as GPS, TOPO maps and a three-axis compass, this watch will not let you down. It is compatible with the Connect IQ store which gives you a lot of choice for downloading watch faces, apps, widgets and more. It also comes with a long-lasting and rechargeable battery so you don’t have to worry about using it all the time. If you are a fitness freak and you like to keep track of your daily workout routine, here is something you definitely don’t want to do without, because this watch has excellent fitness widgets. In addition to the long list of features, the Garmin Fenix 5X also has an elegant design. Besides, if you go for this watch, your eyes will thank you as they are resting on the color Chroma display with sunlight readability. Also, the domed sapphire lens will keep the watch scratch-free in harsh environments.

Casio Multi-Function Hiking Watch Review

This watch just screams for adventure. One of the many exciting features it has is its great water resistance of up to 330 ft underwater, which means it is suitable for some watersport fun as well. If, though, you have that competitive spirit and are in the mood to race your friends while you are taking a jog together at the park, you should definitely try out the stopwatch and timer features on the Casio Multi-Function. As for its hiking features, this is also where Casio Multi-Function doesn’t fall short of the expectations. The watch is equipped with altimeter, barometer, and thermometer and you can easily monitor the parameters comfortably on your LED display as you are enjoying the landscape. And speaking of comfort, the watch has a nylon band, giving it just the right touch of the unbearable lightness of Casio.

Timex Expedition T49612  Hiking Watch Review

If you are fitting yourself out with some heavy-duty gear you might want to check out this watch. Designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, it can fit you just right if you are into extreme sports or some high adrenaline hikes. This shock resistant watch has a durable resin strap and thick hinges. With its astonishing water resistance at as much as 660 ft, you can easily do some serious underwater activity with it on your wrist. Chronograph stopwatch with multiple timers allows you to measure time with a great precision, which makes this watch a perfect choice for professional runners as well. Besides, whether you are running or just hiking, this watch also takes care of your health and it does so by reminding you to water your body. The hydration reminder is provided as one of its alarm features. Timex Expedition T49612 has an Indiglo night light and a reverse LCD screen. Let’s not forget to mention one thing, this is not a smartwatch. But how much smarter do you need it to get really?

Fitbit Ionic Hiking Watch Review

With its modern design and super interesting features, this watch definitely deserves your attention. Thanks to its integrated antenna and embedded GPS and GLONASS features, it will be able to track your location on its own, without relying on the GPS on your phone. This is also why the device can track your pace and distance in real time. If you need some workout motivation, this watch will also act as your personal coach, guiding you through exercises and recording your workout history. Besides, it has a heart rate monitoring feature and you can store and play your favorite music on it, which will suit you just fine on your hiking trips as well.

Suunto Spartan Hiking Watch Review

If you are in need of a “whole package” kind of navigation system, this might just be the right choice for you. First of all, the watch supports GPS and GLONASS systems. Secondly, not only will you be able to use its advanced hiking-friendly features such as altimeter, thermometer, barometer, and compass, it will also enable you to plan and import your routes, using the Suunto Movescount app and even identify the popular nearby routes via its Heatmap feature. Another one in the range of its convenient features is the Bluetooth connectivity which enables you to connect your watch to your mobile phone and get notifications on it as well. When it comes to your fitness needs, this watch is equipped to meet your high expectations in this sense too. You can have your whole workout schedule planned, along with the duration of your workout and the number of calories you should be burning.

While you’re out on the trail, you might want to make sure you have just the right kind of hiking gear with you. An inevitable part of it is your hiking watch, with its useful navigation features. But there’s certainly more to hiking watches than just their navigation features. Every so often it happens that it is these extra features that strike a balance in the end. While thinking about these subtle nuances, you might as well want to think about the value for money first.