Every hiking journey is made possible with the best equipment. You can’t really explore the wilderness unprepared, right? Hiking essentials range from food and water supply, appropriate clothing and footwear, and a spacious backpack, but you’ll need navigational tools such as a decent GPS tracker and an accurate altimeter, as well. Modern wristwatches have now integrated altimeter functions, making it easy to navigate your way in the woods by just taking a peek at your watch.
Planning a hike over the weekends? Make yourself ready for the adventure and check out the best altimeter watches chosen by our experts!
01. SUUNTO Core Military Men’s Watch
$196.11 in stock
3 used from $144.42
The SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men’s Watch has the ABCs of an outdoor sports watch: altimeter, barometer, and compass.
This multifunctional wristwatch notifies you of any possible storm approaching the area so you can decide whether to push through with your activity or not ahead of time. Coupled with preloaded sunrise and sunset times for over 400 locations, you’ll always know what to expect for every adventure. The silicone band is durable and breathable, and the digital face comes with large numbers and backlight options that allows you to check the time or any other feature at a glance, no matter what you are doing. This watch is perfect for military personnel and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
02. Casio Twin Sensor Multi-Function Watch
In rainy situations, the Casio Twin Sensor Multi-Function Digital Sports Watch has a water resistance of 100 meters, making it impenetrable by rain. Its resin casing is tight enough to block any drops of water seeping into the interior, so you won’t have to worry about your watch malfunctioning in the middle of a hike.
You can set up to 5 alarms, as well as a countdown timer, barometer, altimeter, and thermometer. The watch comes with G-SHOCK technology, meaning it resists high impact forces and water pressure. This means it will be extremely durable and will last through bumps, scratches and drops that come as a normal part of backpacking and hiking.
03. Garmin Forerunner 935
$262.99 in stock
6 used from $169.99
The Garmin Forerunner 935 has specialized settings for different kinds of sports, including hiking. Simply choose which setting you prefer, and the watch will optimize its features suited for the sport. It also has added smartwatch features that notify you of any incoming calls or received messages when paired with a compatible mobile phone (the latest versions of Android, iPhone IOS, and Windows).
This watch will also notify you whenever you are over or underperforming in a physical activity, a handy detail that makes it easy to keep tabs on your body even while on a hike. For an outdoor watch, this is extremely lightweight and heavy-duty, definitely a perfect watch for those with an active lifestyle.
04. Garmin Fenix 6 Pro
$439.99 in stock
7 used from $249.99
For the style-conscious, the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro has various selections of watch bands that you can choose from. Not only that, but it also has over 2,000 pre-programmed TOPO maps that you can easily access. This watch is also compatible with both IOS and Android, so pairing it with your mobile phone is made easy regardless of the operating system. The display comes with the always-on feature on a 1.3” sunlight-readable display.
Our favorite feature is the enhanced wrist heart rate that comes with Pulse Ox, a feature that provides advanced sleep monitoring. The battery life is also impressive with up to two weeks in smartwatch mode, and a whopping 28 days in GPS expedition mode.
05. Coros Apex Pro
The Coros Apex Pro comes in a highly durable titanium casing and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal screen. This wristwatch also has an impressive 30-day battery life without any charging! A long battery life is definitely a plus for smartwatches, especially if you want to bring it with you on your outdoor activities.
This model’s special feature is the improved digital knob with increased sensitivity that allows you to operate your watch even with thick gloves and underwater. Additionally, it’s the only watch that provides hourly updates on altitude acclimatization, letting you know when it’s safe to move forward or warning you to head back down to lower altitudes.
Not quite what you’re looking for? We have a range of other outdoorsy watches, check out our best tactical watches and survival watches.
