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10 Best Hiking Compasses 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Orienteering Compass - Hiking Backpacking Compass - Advanced Scout Compass for Camping and Navigation - Boy Scout Compass for Kids - Professional Field Compass for Map Reading - Best Survival Gifts
The TurnOnSport Orienteering Compass is designed to be a versatile navigation tool suitable for hikers, campers, scouts, and anyone interested in outdoor activities. Its acrylic baseplate with azimuth bearing, 360-degree rotating bezel, and liquid-filled capsule ensures that the magnetic needle swings freely and points accurately north. This helps with precise navigation, which is crucial for outdoor adventures.
Customer Highlights
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SUUNTO unisex adult Northern Hemisphere compass, USGS UTM, MC-2 NH US
The SUUNTO unisex adult Northern Hemisphere compass, specifically the MC-2 NH US model, is a highly reliable tool for serious hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. This advanced navigational compass includes features such as a sighting mirror and hole, ensuring precise directional measurements. One of its standout attributes is needle stability, which is crucial for accurate navigation. Additionally, it is equipped with a fixed declination adjustment system, allowing users to correct for magnetic declination, ensuring even greater accuracy in readings.
Customer Highlights
A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!Customer Highlights
A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!#3
Eyeskey Multifunctional Military Metal Sighting Navigation Compass with Inclinometer | Impact Resistant & Waterproof Compass for Hiking, Camping, Boy Scout (Green)
The Eyeskey Multifunctional Military Metal Sighting Navigation Compass is a solid choice for avid hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Built with a clinometer, it helps measure slope angles and elevations, making it useful for mountain climbing and backcountry skiing. The compass is easy to read, thanks to its liquid-filled design, luminous dial, and integrated bubble level, which ensures accurate readings even in low-light conditions.
Customer Highlights
A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!Customer Highlights
A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!Top 10 Best Hiking Compasses 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
10.0 score
Orienteering Compass - Hiking Backpacking Compass - Advanced Scout Compass for Camping and Navigation - Boy Scout Compass for Kids - Professional Field Compass for Map Reading - Best Survival Gifts
Orienteering Compass - Hiking Backpacking Compass - Advanced Scout Compass for Camping and Navigation - Boy Scout Compass for Kids - Professional Field Compass for Map Reading - Best Survival Gifts
Type of Compass: Orienteering
Needle Stability: Liquid-filled
Durability and Build Quality: Acrylic baseplate
Chosen by 1354 this week
SUUNTO unisex adult Northern Hemisphere compass, USGS UTM, MC-2 NH US
SUUNTO unisex adult Northern Hemisphere compass, USGS UTM, MC-2 NH US
Type of Compass: Northern Hemisphere
Needle Stability: highly stable
Declination Adjustment: fixed system
Sighting Mirror: yes
Luminescent Markings: yes
Durability and Build Quality: composite build, Finland
Eyeskey Multifunctional Military Metal Sighting Navigation Compass with Inclinometer | Impact Resistant & Waterproof Compass for Hiking, Camping, Boy Scout (Green)
Eyeskey Multifunctional Military Metal Sighting Navigation Compass with Inclinometer | Impact Resistant & Waterproof Compass for Hiking, Camping, Boy Scout (Green)
Type of Compass: Multifunctional Military Metal Compass
Needle Stability: liquid-filled design
Luminescent Markings: luminous dial
Durability and Build Quality: rugged aluminum alloy, waterproof
Cammenga Olive Drab Genuine Military Lensatic Phosphorescent Compass
Cammenga Olive Drab Genuine Military Lensatic Phosphorescent Compass
Type of Compass: Lensatic
Declination Adjustment: No
Sighting Mirror: No
Luminescent Markings: Phosphorescent
Durability and Build Quality: Waterproof, Shakeproof, Sand-proof, aluminum frame
Silva Ranger 2.0 Advanced Compass with Mirror, Slope Card, and Distance Lanyard, Orange
Silva Ranger 2.0 Advanced Compass with Mirror, Slope Card, and Distance Lanyard, Orange
Type of Compass: Advanced Compass
Declination Adjustment: built-in magnetic adjuster
Sighting Mirror: mirror with sighting hole
Durability and Build Quality: primarily plastic
Related Products
AOFAR Military Compass AF-4580 Lensatic Sighting Navigation, Waterproof and Shakeproof with Map Measurer Distance Calculator, Pouch for Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Backpacking (Camo)
AOFAR Military Compass AF-4580 Lensatic Sighting Navigation, Waterproof and Shakeproof with Map Measurer Distance Calculator, Pouch for Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Backpacking (Camo)
Type of Compass: Military Compass
Needle Stability: Shakeproof
Sighting Mirror: Yes
Luminescent Markings: Yes
Durability and Build Quality: Durable metal, heavy-duty zinc build
SUUNTO Clipper Compass, Micro Compass Attaches to Strap, Sleeve or Map Edge
SUUNTO Clipper Compass, Micro Compass Attaches to Strap, Sleeve or Map Edge
Type of Compass: Micro compass
Needle Stability: Liquid-filled bearing
Luminescent Markings: Yes
Durability and Build Quality: Durable, waterproof
SUUNTO M-9 Wrist Compass
SUUNTO M-9 Wrist Compass
Type of Compass: Wrist Compass
Needle Stability: Reliable
Luminescent Markings: Yes
Durability and Build Quality: Rugged, Waterproof
#10
7.9 score
SUUNTO A-10 Compass: Compact, simple to use recreational hiking compass, Hiking, Boy Scouts, Orienteering
SUUNTO A-10 Compass: Compact, simple to use recreational hiking compass, Hiking, Boy Scouts, Orienteering
Type of Compass: A-10 Compass
Needle Stability: High-grade steel needle, jewel bearing
Durability and Build Quality: Durable, lightweight, Suunto craftsmanship
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Buying Guide for the Best Hiking Compasses
Choosing the right hiking compass is essential for ensuring you can navigate safely and accurately in the great outdoors. A good compass will help you find your way, even when visibility is poor or you're in unfamiliar territory. When selecting a hiking compass, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure it meets your needs and preferences. Here are the main specs to look at and how to choose the best one for you.Type of CompassThere are several types of compasses, including baseplate, lensatic, and digital compasses. Baseplate compasses are the most common for hiking and are easy to use with maps. Lensatic compasses are more rugged and often used by the military. Digital compasses offer additional features like GPS but require batteries. Choose a baseplate compass if you want simplicity and ease of use with maps. Opt for a lensatic compass if you need something durable and precise. Consider a digital compass if you want extra features and don't mind relying on batteries.
Needle StabilityNeedle stability refers to how quickly the compass needle settles and points north after movement. This is important for getting accurate readings quickly. Compasses with fast-settling needles are more convenient and efficient, especially in challenging conditions. If you often hike in areas with a lot of movement or need quick readings, look for a compass with a high needle stability. For casual hikers, a standard needle stability should suffice.
Declination AdjustmentDeclination adjustment allows you to account for the difference between true north and magnetic north. This is crucial for accurate navigation, especially in areas with significant declination. Compasses with adjustable declination are more versatile and accurate. If you plan to hike in various regions or need precise navigation, choose a compass with declination adjustment. If you mostly hike in areas with minimal declination, this feature may be less critical.
Sighting MirrorA sighting mirror helps you take more accurate bearings by allowing you to see the compass dial and the distant object simultaneously. This is particularly useful for long-distance navigation. If you often hike in open areas or need precise bearings, a compass with a sighting mirror is beneficial. For general hiking in wooded or less open areas, a compass without a sighting mirror may be sufficient.
Luminescent MarkingsLuminescent markings on a compass make it easier to read in low-light conditions, such as early morning, late evening, or dense forest cover. This feature is important for safety and convenience. If you frequently hike in low-light conditions or plan overnight trips, look for a compass with luminescent markings. For daytime hikers, this feature may be less necessary.
Durability and Build QualityDurability and build quality ensure that your compass can withstand the rigors of outdoor use. A well-built compass will be resistant to water, shock, and general wear and tear. If you hike in harsh conditions or on challenging terrain, prioritize a compass with high durability and robust build quality. For casual or fair-weather hikers, standard durability may be adequate.