10 Best Hiking Watches 2025 in the United States

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.

Additionally, the watch includes extensive health monitoring features such as wrist-based heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, sleep score, and Body Battery energy monitoring. These features help you better understand your overall health and fitness levels. However, the vívoactive 5 lacks dedicated altimeter, barometer, and compass (ABC) sensors, which may be a drawback for serious hikers who rely on these tools for navigation and weather forecasting.

Durability-wise, the watch is designed for various activities, including swimming and HIIT workouts, indicating it can withstand rigorous use. Smartwatch features like music download, Bluetooth connectivity, and various sports apps add to its versatility. The device also offers personalized insights on sleep and recovery, as well as adaptive training plans via the Garmin Connect app. Despite its comprehensive health and fitness features, the absence of ABC sensors might make it less appealing to hardcore hikers. Nonetheless, for casual hikers and fitness enthusiasts looking for a reliable and multifunctional smartwatch, the Garmin vívoactive 5 is a solid choice.

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.

On the positive side, the watch includes a heart rate monitor, stress tracking, and Body Battery energy monitoring, which provide valuable health insights. Its durable design with a stainless steel bezel and silicone band ensures it can withstand physical activities. The smartwatch features such as phone call handling, text responses, and compatibility with both Android and iOS make it versatile for everyday use.

The wide range of sports apps and animated on-screen workouts can benefit users looking to diversify their fitness routines. Despite its strengths, it may not be the best fit for hardcore hikers who require advanced navigation tools. Casual hikers and fitness enthusiasts looking for a combination of health monitoring and smart features might find it a compelling option.

The Garmin Instinct 3 hiking watch is designed to be a strong companion for outdoor adventures. One of its most impressive features is the solar-charged display, which can provide unlimited battery life under optimal sunlight conditions. This means you can rely on it for extended trips without worrying about recharging. The watch is built tough with a fiber-reinforced polymer case and a metal-reinforced bezel, making it highly durable and resistant to thermal and shock impacts as well as water-resistant up to 10 ATM. This ensures it can withstand harsh outdoor conditions.

For navigation, it includes a multi-band GPS, barometric altimeter, and a 3-axis compass, which are essential tools for hiking. Additionally, the built-in flashlight is a handy feature for visibility and emergency situations. In terms of health monitoring, it offers wrist-based heart rate tracking, advanced sleep monitoring, and Pulse Ox, helping you keep track of your body's metrics. However, it's important to note that these health metrics are meant for general use and not as accurate as medical devices.

The smartwatch features, like Garmin Pay and smart notifications, add convenience, though they require pairing with a compatible smartphone. The safety and tracking features, including incident detection and Assistance, can be reassuring, especially for solo hikers. Despite its robust features, the watch's 0.9-inch display might be considered small for some users, and its 128 MB memory storage capacity is relatively limited. These factors might be minor inconveniences considering the comprehensive functionality it offers, making the Garmin Instinct 3 a well-rounded choice for hikers looking for a durable, feature-rich, and reliable companion.