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 Instinct Solar is a rugged outdoor smartwatch tailored for hiking enthusiasts. Its standout feature is the solar charging capability, significantly extending battery life, a big plus for long trips where recharging might be a challenge. The watch is built to U.S. military standard 810, ensuring excellent durability against thermal, shock, and water exposure (up to 100 meters), making it reliable in harsh environments.

The inclusion of GPS, along with support for Glonass and Galileo, enhances navigation accuracy, even in challenging terrains. The built-in altimeter, barometer, and 3-axis compass provide critical data for outdoor navigation, which is vital for serious hikers. On the health front, the watch offers comprehensive monitoring, including heart rate, stress, sleep estimates, and Pulse Ox, although it's important to remember that it's not a medical device. Additionally, it supports various sports applications, making it versatile for tracking different physical activities.

However, the display resolution is relatively low at 128 x 128 pixels, which might affect the clarity of detailed maps or stats. Also, while the watch supports basic smartwatch features like notifications and Bluetooth connectivity, it runs on the older Android Wear 1.0 operating system, which might not have the latest features of more recent smartwatches. The watch is on the heavier side at 159 grams, which could be a consideration for those seeking a lightweight option. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Instinct Solar is a robust choice for outdoor adventurers looking for a reliable, durable, and feature-rich hiking watch.

The Garmin Enduro™ 3 is a feature-packed hiking watch designed for ultra-endurance athletes, offering many strengths and a few drawbacks. Weighing just 63 grams, it is lightweight and aims to enhance performance during long activities. One of its standout features is its exceptional battery life, providing up to 90 days in smartwatch mode and 320 hours in GPS mode with solar charging, making it ideal for extended adventures without worrying about frequent recharging.

Its titanium bezel, scratch-resistant sapphire lens, and built-in LED flashlight ensure durability and usability in harsh conditions, while the UltraFit nylon band guarantees comfort during prolonged use. The inclusion of preloaded TopoActive maps and dynamic round-trip routing aids in navigation, ensuring you stay on track and can easily return to your starting point.

Additionally, the watch supports a variety of activities with targeted strength training plans, real-time stamina tracking, and sport-specific workouts, making it versatile for ultrarunners, cyclists, and hikers. On the downside, the Garmin Enduro™ 3 may be considered pricey for some, and its 1.4-inch screen might be small for users who prefer larger displays. However, for those seeking a durable, long-lasting, and feature-rich hiking watch, the Garmin Enduro™ 3 is a compelling choice.