We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

10 Best Gps Hiking Watches 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.8 score

Military Smart Watches Built-in GPS, 170+ Sport Modes for Men with Flashlight, Smartwatch for Android Phones and iPhone, 1.43" AMOLED Screen Bluetooth Call Compass Altimeter (Black & Orange (2 Bands))

The Tiwain military-style smartwatch is a solid choice for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who want a durable and feature-packed GPS companion. Its built-in GPS supports multiple global satellite systems, providing accurate location tracking almost anywhere, which is great for staying on course during hikes. The watch is built to military standards for toughness, including resistance to dust, extreme temperatures, and water (IP68 rating), so it can handle rough outdoor conditions well.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,103
Battery Life
Durability
Mapping and Navigation

Most important from
381 reviews

Battery Life
Battery life is solid, lasting multiple days on typical use, though continuous GPS use drains it faster than some specialized hiking watches.
Durability
The watch's waterproof and rugged design withstands exposure to water, sweat, heat, and cold without issues.
Mapping and Navigation
Additional features like a remote camera control, flashlight, compass, and alarms enhance its versatility for outdoor use.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Health features like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation tracking work reliably and provide valuable real-time insights.
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC Sensors)
Additional features like a remote camera control, flashlight, compass, and alarms enhance its versatility for outdoor use.
Connectivity
Syncing with the phone app requires manual intervention for up-to-date data, as automatic syncing is infrequent and impacts features like weather updates.
User Interface and Ease of Use
The AMOLED screen is bright and clear with large, easy-to-read letters, but the default quick screen timeout can feel too abrupt.
#2
9.6 score

Garmin Instinct® 3 45mm, Solar Charged Display, Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch, Metal-Reinforced Bezel, Built-in Flashlight, Black

The Garmin Instinct 3 45mm is a rugged GPS smartwatch designed specifically for outdoor and hiking enthusiasts. Its GPS system is enhanced with multi-band SatIQ technology, which helps deliver accurate location tracking while saving battery life, a great plus for long hikes. The watch boasts impressive battery endurance, especially with its solar charging lens that can provide unlimited battery life under ideal sunlight conditions, meaning less worry about recharging on extended trips. Durability is a strong point here, built with a fiber-reinforced polymer case and a metal-reinforced bezel, plus it meets military standards for thermal and shock resistance and is water-rated to 10 ATM, making it tough enough to handle harsh environments.

Rating
9.6
Battery Life
Durability
User Interface and Ease of Use

Most important from
926 reviews

Battery Life
The watch offers exceptional battery life, especially with solar charging, making it ideal for extended outdoor adventures without frequent recharging.
Durability
Durability is impressive, maintaining a rugged, military-grade build that withstands tough environments and harsh conditions.
User Interface and Ease of Use
The interface is snappy and responsive, with intuitive button controls offering double functions through short and long presses.
Connectivity
Smart connectivity features like incident detection, assistance alerts, and Garmin Pay add convenience and safety without compromising ruggedness.
#3
9.5 score

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Outdoor Smart Watch 48mm AMOLED Display, Offline Maps & Navigation, 6 Satellite Systems Dual Band GPS, 27 Days Battery Life, 170+ Sports Mode, 45m Freediving for Android, iPhone

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Military Smart Watch is a robust option for hiking and outdoor enthusiasts. It excels in durability, with its 316L stainless steel bezel, and can withstand extreme temperatures from -22°F to 158°F. Its water resistance makes it suitable for freediving up to 147 feet, which is quite impressive. The ultra-bright AMOLED display ensures visibility in all lighting conditions, with special modes like Night and Glove Mode enhancing usability in low light or while wearing gloves.

Rating
9.5
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Durability

Most important from
1392 reviews

GPS Accuracy
The GPS and health feature set accuracy is proven, with results closely matching those of the Garmin Venu 2.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, consistently lasting 18 days with general use and even longer with reduced notifications and brightness.
Durability
Durability is a standout feature, with the watch surviving a full kitchen remodel without any scratches or damage.
Connectivity
Setting up the watch is easy, and it offers good notifications and text reply capabilities, even without call functionality.
User Interface and Ease of Use
Navigation and menus are smooth and responsive, with a mix of buttons and touch screen enhancing usability, especially with gloves.

Top 10 Best Gps Hiking Watches 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.8  score

Military Smart Watches Built-in GPS, 170+ Sport Modes for Men with Flashlight, Smartwatch for Android Phones and iPhone, 1.43" AMOLED Screen Bluetooth Call Compass Altimeter (Black & Orange (2 Bands))

GPS Accuracy: Supports multiple global satellite systems
Battery Life: 7-10 days normal, 3 days GPS
Durability: Military standard, dust, water, temperature resistant
Mapping and Navigation: 1.43-inch AMOLED, sunlight readable maps
Heart Rate Monitoring: Heart rate, oxygen, pressure tracking
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC Sensors): Included
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Android/iOS, calls, messages
User Interface and Ease of Use: Menu, AMOLED screen, AI voice

Chosen by 1103 this week

Garmin Instinct® 3 45mm, Solar Charged Display, Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch, Metal-Reinforced Bezel, Built-in Flashlight, Black

GPS Accuracy: multi-band SatIQ technology
Battery Life: unlimited with solar charging
Durability: fiber polymer case, metal bezel, military
Mapping and Navigation: 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, ABC
Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based heart rate monitoring
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC Sensors): 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, ABC
Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB, Wi-Fi
User Interface and Ease of Use: 0.9-inch round display, simple interface

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Outdoor Smart Watch 48mm AMOLED Display, Offline Maps & Navigation, 6 Satellite Systems Dual Band GPS, 27 Days Battery Life, 170+ Sports Mode, 45m Freediving for Android, iPhone

GPS Accuracy: Supports six satellite systems, dual-band GPS
Battery Life: Over three weeks, up to 180 hours
Durability: 316L stainless steel bezel, water resistant
Mapping and Navigation: Turn-by-turn directions, free global maps
Heart Rate Monitoring: May not be as accurate
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC Sensors): Included
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
User Interface and Ease of Use: May require time to get used to

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

GPS Accuracy: multi-band GPS
Battery Life: infinite usage with adequate sunlight
Durability and Water Resistance: U.S. military standards
Navigation Features: multi-band GPS, 3-axis compass, altimeter
Fitness and Health Tracking: 24/7 heart rate, sleep, fitness monitoring
Connectivity and Smart Features: Bluetooth, USB
User Interface and Ease of Use: functional, not very user-friendly

COROS PACE 3 GPS Sport Watch–Lightweight, Comfortable Running Watch, 17-Day Battery Life, Accurate GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Navigation, Sleep Tracking, Training Plan, Run, Bike, and Ski-White Silicone

GPS Accuracy: dual-frequency chipset
Battery Life: 38h GPS, 24d regular mode
Mapping and Navigation: breadcrumb routing, app route planning
Heart Rate Monitoring: heart rate monitor
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC Sensors): measures altitude and air pressure
Connectivity: Bluetooth
User Interface and Ease of Use: 1.2-inch always-on touchscreen

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

GPS Accuracy: multi-band GPS with SatIQ tech
Battery Life: extends battery life using sunlight
Durability: fiber polymer case, titanium or steel bezel
Mapping and Navigation: preloaded topo maps and navigation prompts
Heart Rate Monitoring: heart rate, HRV, and Pulse Ox
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC Sensors): ABC sensors: altimeter, barometer, compass
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
User Interface and Ease of Use: touchscreen and physical buttons

Garmin Forerunner® 255, GPS Running Smartwatch, Advanced Insights, Long-Lasting Battery, Slate Gray

Battery Life: 14 days smartwatch, 30 hours GPS
Navigation Features: solid
Fitness and Health Tracking: heart rate, sleep monitoring
Connectivity and Smart Features: Bluetooth, Garmin app
User Interface and Ease of Use: user-friendly

COROS PACE Pro GPS SPORT WATCH, 1.3-inch AMOLED Touchscreen, Fastest in Class Processor Running Watch, 20 days Battery Life, Navigation with Global Offline Maps, Sleep Tracking, Running, Cycling-Black

GPS Accuracy: precise GPS with new satellite chipset
Battery Life: 20 days basic, 31-38 hours GPS
Mapping and Navigation: offline global maps, turn-by-turn nav
Heart Rate Monitoring: included
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC Sensors): included
Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi
User Interface and Ease of Use: 1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen, gesture backlight

SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro GPS Sports Watch, Up to 30 Days Long Battery Life, 95+ Multisport Watch w/Training Workout Analysis,Advanced Health & Recovery Support, Wrist Heart-Rate Measurement, Black

GPS Accuracy: four satellite systems
Battery Life: up to 30 days, 40 hours GPS
Durability and Water Resistance: military-grade, water-resistant up to 100m
Fitness and Health Tracking: 95+ sports modes, health tracking
Connectivity and Smart Features: Bluetooth, music controls
User Interface and Ease of Use: requires getting used to

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

GPS Accuracy: Multiple satellite systems: GPS, Glonass, Galileo
Battery Life: Extended via solar charging
Durability: Meets US military thermal, shock, water
Mapping and Navigation: GPS, Glonass, Galileo; ABC sensors
Heart Rate Monitoring: Wrist-based heart rate
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC Sensors): Included
Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB
User Interface and Ease of Use: Button controls; simple interface
How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

Buying Guide for the Best Gps Hiking Watches

Choosing the right GPS hiking watch can significantly enhance your outdoor adventures by providing essential navigation, fitness tracking, and safety features. When selecting a GPS hiking watch, it's important to consider various specifications that align with your hiking needs and preferences. Here are some key specs to look for and how to navigate them.
GPS AccuracyGPS accuracy refers to how precisely the watch can determine your location. This is crucial for navigation and tracking your hiking routes. Watches with higher GPS accuracy will provide more reliable data, especially in challenging environments like dense forests or mountainous areas. Look for watches that support multiple satellite systems (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, Galileo) for better accuracy. If you often hike in remote areas, prioritize higher accuracy to ensure you stay on track.
Battery LifeBattery life indicates how long the watch can operate before needing a recharge. This is important for long hikes or multi-day trips where access to charging may be limited. Battery life can vary significantly, with some watches offering extended modes that reduce GPS accuracy to conserve power. If you plan on long hikes, choose a watch with a longer battery life or power-saving features to ensure it lasts throughout your adventure.
DurabilityDurability refers to the watch's ability to withstand harsh conditions, including water resistance, shock resistance, and overall build quality. A durable watch is essential for hiking, as it will be exposed to various elements and potential impacts. Look for watches with high water resistance ratings (e.g., 50 meters or more) and robust materials like stainless steel or reinforced polymers. If you hike in rugged terrains, prioritize durability to ensure your watch can handle the environment.
Mapping and NavigationMapping and navigation features include preloaded maps, route planning, and turn-by-turn directions. These features are important for navigating unfamiliar trails and ensuring you stay on course. Some watches offer topographic maps and the ability to download additional maps. If you often explore new areas, choose a watch with comprehensive mapping and navigation capabilities to help you find your way.
Heart Rate MonitoringHeart rate monitoring tracks your heart rate during hikes, providing insights into your fitness level and exertion. This is important for managing your pace and ensuring you don't overexert yourself. Watches with advanced heart rate sensors offer more accurate readings. If you are focused on fitness and health, select a watch with reliable heart rate monitoring to help you track your performance.
Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC Sensors)ABC sensors provide altitude, atmospheric pressure, and directional information. These are crucial for understanding your environment and making informed decisions during hikes. An altimeter helps track elevation changes, a barometer can predict weather changes, and a compass aids in navigation. If you hike in varied terrains, choose a watch with accurate ABC sensors to enhance your situational awareness.
ConnectivityConnectivity features include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and compatibility with smartphones and apps. These features allow you to sync data, receive notifications, and access additional functionalities. Connectivity is important for staying connected and accessing real-time information. If you prefer staying connected and using apps for tracking and planning, choose a watch with robust connectivity options.
User Interface and Ease of UseThe user interface and ease of use refer to how intuitive and accessible the watch's controls and menus are. This is important for quickly accessing features and making adjustments on the go. Watches with touchscreens, customizable buttons, and clear displays are easier to use. If you value simplicity and efficiency, select a watch with a user-friendly interface to ensure a smooth experience.

FAQ