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10 Best Hiking Watches 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.9 score

Garmin vívoactive 5, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Up to 11 Days of Battery, Black

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a feature-packed health and fitness GPS smartwatch designed to cater to various needs, including hiking. One of its standout features is the bright, colorful AMOLED display, which offers clear visibility in various lighting conditions. With up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, it provides ample usage time for long hikes without frequent recharging. The built-in GPS ensures accurate tracking of your hiking routes, a crucial feature for outdoor activities.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
GPS
The tracking and health features, including sleep tracking and GPS, are impressively detailed and motivating.
Battery Life
The battery life is significantly longer compared to Fitbit, making it a reliable choice for extended use.
#2
9.8 score

Garmin Venu 3S Soft Gold Stainless Steel Bezel 1.2-Inch AMOLED Touchscreen Display Smart Watch with 41mm French Gray Case and Silicone Band

The Garmin Venu 3S is a stylish smartwatch with a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, designed for health and fitness enthusiasts. It boasts a long battery life of up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, which is excellent for extended use without frequent recharging. The built-in GPS is essential for hiking, providing accurate location tracking. However, it lacks specific hiking-oriented features like an altimeter, barometer, and compass (ABC), which are crucial for serious hikers for navigation and weather prediction.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
GPS
Fitness tracking is spot-on, with accurate data for running, biking, and swimming, alongside seamless GPS tracking.
Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, lasting several days even with heavy use.
Heart Rate Monitor
Automatic workout tracking and precise heart rate monitoring provide invaluable health insights.
Smartwatch Features
The Body Battery feature helps understand energy levels throughout the day, and sleep and stress tracking are invaluable for overall well-being.
#3
9.6 score

Garmin 010-02626-10 Instinct 2, Rugged Outdoor Watch with GPS, Built for All Elements, Multi-GNSS Support, Tracback Routing and More, graphite

The Garmin Instinct 2 is a robust hiking watch designed to withstand extreme environments, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. It boasts a durable build with water resistance up to 100 meters, thermal and shock resistance, and a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass, ensuring it can handle rugged terrains and harsh conditions. The watch's battery life is impressive, offering up to 28 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours in GPS mode, which is excellent for long hiking trips without frequent charging needs.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
GPS
GPS accuracy is excellent, even in max battery GPS mode.
Battery Life
Battery life is measured in weeks, not hours, making it ideal for long trips.
Heart Rate Monitor
Heart rate data is quite accurate and minimally affected by moisture or sweat.

Top 10 Best Hiking Watches 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.9 score

Garmin vívoactive 5, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Up to 11 Days of Battery, Black

GPS: Built-in
Battery Life: up to 11 days
Durability: for swimming and HIIT workouts
Heart Rate Monitor: wrist-based monitoring
Smartwatch Features: music, Bluetooth, sports apps, insights

Chosen by 1415 this week

Garmin 010-02626-10 Instinct 2, Rugged Outdoor Watch with GPS, Built for All Elements, Multi-GNSS Support, Tracback Routing and More, graphite

GPS: GPS Enabled
Battery Life: 28 days smartwatch, 30 hours GPS
Durability: Water, thermal, shock resistance, scratch-resistant
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC): 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter
Heart Rate Monitor: Heart rate tracking
Smartwatch Features: Smart notifications, Connect IQ compatibility

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar - Tactical Edition, Rugged GPS Smartwatch, Built-in Flashlight, Ballistics Calculator, Solar Charging Capability, Coyote Tan

GPS: True
Battery Life: infinite in smartwatch mode with sunlight
Durability: U.S. military standard 810 compliant
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC): True
Heart Rate Monitor: True
Smartwatch Features: Bluetooth, 64 MB memory storage

Garmin 010-02293-10 Instinct Solar, Rugged Outdoor Smartwatch with Solar Charging Capabilities, Built-in Sports Apps and Health Monitoring, Graphite

GPS: True
Battery Life: extended with solar charging
Durability: U.S. military standard 810
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC): built-in altimeter, barometer, 3-axis compass
Heart Rate Monitor: Wrist-Based Heart Rate
Smartwatch Features: notifications, Bluetooth, Android Wear 1.0

Garmin fēnix 7S Pro Solar, Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Built-in Flashlight, Solar Charging Capability, Graphite

GPS: multi-band GPS
Battery Life: 336 Hours
Durability: 42 mm polymer case
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC): advanced sensors
Heart Rate Monitor: heart rate monitoring
Smartwatch Features: Touchscreen, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
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Buying Guide for the Best Hiking Watches

Choosing the right hiking watch can significantly enhance your outdoor adventures by providing essential information and features tailored to your needs. When selecting a hiking watch, it's important to consider various specifications that will help you navigate, track your performance, and stay safe. Understanding these key specs will ensure you pick a watch that best fits your hiking style and requirements.
GPSGPS (Global Positioning System) is a crucial feature in a hiking watch as it helps you track your location, navigate trails, and record your routes. A watch with GPS can provide real-time data on your position, distance traveled, and elevation. When evaluating GPS capabilities, consider the accuracy and battery life. Some watches offer multi-GNSS support (using multiple satellite systems) for improved accuracy. If you often hike in remote or challenging terrains, a watch with robust GPS functionality is essential.
Battery LifeBattery life is a critical factor, especially for long hikes or multi-day trips. Hiking watches typically offer different modes, such as GPS mode, smartwatch mode, and expedition mode, each consuming different amounts of power. Watches with longer battery life in GPS mode are ideal for extended hikes. If you plan short day hikes, a watch with moderate battery life may suffice. Always consider your hiking duration and choose a watch that can last throughout your adventures without needing frequent recharges.
Durability and Water ResistanceDurability and water resistance are important for withstanding the harsh conditions you may encounter while hiking. A durable watch is made from robust materials like stainless steel or reinforced polymer, and it should have a high water resistance rating (e.g., 50 meters or more) to handle rain, river crossings, and sweat. If you hike in rugged environments or wet conditions, prioritize a watch with high durability and water resistance to ensure it can endure the elements.
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC)The ABC sensors (Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass) are essential for navigation and weather prediction. The altimeter measures altitude, helping you track elevation changes. The barometer monitors atmospheric pressure, which can indicate weather changes. The compass aids in navigation by showing your direction. Watches with accurate ABC sensors are beneficial for hikers who venture into mountainous or unfamiliar terrains. If you rely on precise navigation and weather forecasting, a watch with reliable ABC sensors is a must.
Heart Rate MonitorA heart rate monitor tracks your heart rate during hikes, providing insights into your fitness level and helping you manage your exertion. This feature is useful for monitoring your health and ensuring you stay within safe heart rate zones. If you are focused on fitness and health, or if you have specific health conditions, a watch with a heart rate monitor can be very beneficial. For casual hikers, this feature may be less critical but still useful for overall wellness tracking.
Smartwatch FeaturesSmartwatch features, such as notifications, music control, and contactless payments, can enhance your hiking experience by providing convenience and connectivity. These features allow you to stay connected without needing to check your phone frequently. If you prefer a blend of outdoor functionality and everyday convenience, look for a hiking watch with comprehensive smartwatch features. However, if you prioritize simplicity and focus solely on hiking-specific functions, you may opt for a watch with fewer smartwatch capabilities.

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