Play harder, stay safer and enhance your hiking experience with a GPS watch! An essential gadget for hikers, these watches come with the ability to monitor distance and pace. As well as this, they can help you navigate your way through unfamiliar terrain. While the features of a GPS watch are of the utmost importance, their design should also be well thought-out; they must be tough, durable and robust. There is a wide range of these trusty companions in the current market, so to help you with purchase decisions, we have put together this list of our favourite GPS watches for summer hikes. Whether you’re at the peak of a mountain or exploring a new trail, these watches will help you make the most of your adventures!
Our Top 5 GPS Watches for Summer Hikes
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Moss Green Silicone Strap 010-02805-05
Tough enough to keep up with you yet unique enough to fit your style, this rugged 50mm GPS smartwatch is a great companion for summer hikes. Its expansive solar charging lens keeps a larger battery, so you don’t have to worry about your watch losing power mid-hike. As well as this, the watch is water-resistant up to 100 metres and it has been tested to U.S. military 810 standards for thermal, shock and water resistance. Reminiscent of the great outdoors, the watch follows a moss green colour scheme. A fibre-reinforced polymer case houses the solar-powered movement and Corning Gorilla Glass protects the display. Providing ultimate comfort on the wrist, the smartwatch is finished with a moss green silicone strap.
Equipped with features such as multi-GNSS support, ABC sensors and trackback® routing, the Instinct 2X is ideal for those who enjoy summer hikes. The wearer can ensure that even on their most challenging of routes they have a navigation system that precisely guides them on their way. In addition to the navigational features, this smartwatch comes with advanced fitness, health and wellbeing, and connectivity features. Together, they help you to stay connected, train your way and know your body; three elements that are just as important in daily life as they are in hiking. Reliable, rugged and robust, with a Garmin Instinct 2X on your wrist, any challenging hike is within reach!
Suunto VERTICAL Solar Multisport Adventure Watch (49mm) Black Canyon SS050987000
With exceptional battery life and accuracy, Suunto Vertical is an ideal companion for demanding hikes. Bold and beautiful, the watch features a glass fibre-reinforced polyamide case and a titanium grade 5 bezel. In addition, the vivid 1.4″ touchscreen adds convenience and ease like never before! A strong sapphire crystal protects the display, and to ensure optimal durability the watches are tested according to military standards. To guarantee comfort, the watch fastens with a bright orange silicone strap with holes; the holes allow your skin to easily breathe. Thanks to solar charging capabilities, the model’s battery life will last up to 85 hours in the most accurate GPS setting and up to 60 days in daily mode. Moreover, the watch is water-resistant up to 100 metres; making it a great choice for daily wear.
This adventure watch comes with an array of impressive features. Intuitive maps tell you all you need to know about the landscape. In addition, contour lines, paths and other important landmarks are available in three different map styles. For maximum safety, all navigation features are accessible in offline mode too! Whilst on a tough hike, it is important to understand your surroundings, so the altimeter, barometer and compass will help you maintain spatial awareness with ease. As well as this, a storm alarm and up to date weather forecast will help you prepare to face the elements. Allowing you to stay safe in challenging environments, it makes total sense that this Suunto is one of our favourite GPS watches for summer hikes.
Polar Grit X Pro Titan Premium GPS Smart Sports Watch (M-L) Brown Leather Strap + Black Silicone Strap 900110288
Rough and rugged, this GPS watch is ready for summer hikes! Highlighting the durable nature of this model, both the case and bezel are made of aerospace titanium. The 1.39″ AMOLED touchscreen shows every detail sharper and brighter than ever before. Even with the bright display, you can still enjoy impressive battery life; up to 43 hours in training mode and 10 days in smartwatch mode. In addition to this, the watch is water-resistant up to 100 metres. So even if you encounter heavy rain on your hike, you can remain confident the watch will still be fully functional. This GPS watch is finished with a brown leather strap, however, it comes with a black silicone strap as well. If you ever feel like switching up your strap, the option is always there.
Polar Grit X2 Pro has all of the same features as the original Polar models. However, there are some impressive additions which improve the watch’s overall functionality. For a more accurate position in challenging environments, dual-frequency GPS supports multiple satellite frequencies. And thanks to the high-detail, full-colour topographic maps, the world is your oyster. You can choose the way you want to explore and know your watch is there to guide you if you get lost. Unsurprisingly, the watch comes with a range of features that aid you on your hiking adventures. Track Back helps you to navigate back to your starting point via the route you came on. Hill Splitter™ automatically detects all up/downhills by using your GPS-based speed, distance and barometric altitude data.
Reflex Active Series 14 Multi-Function Smartwatch (45mm) Digital Dial / Blush Pink Silicone RA14-2142
An ideal GPS watch for those who don’t want to splash their cash, this Reflex Active keeps it simple. Pretty in pink, the watch features a 45mm rose gold-tone base metal case. In addition, the 1.28″ touchscreen showcases every detail with a crystal clear view. With normal use, the model’s battery can last up to 4 days, and on standby can last up to 10 days. So you can go on a lengthy hike and remain confident that your watch won’t lose charge. To guarantee comfort, the watch fastens with a blush pink silicone strap and a rose gold-tone pin buckle. Moreover, the watch has a water resistance rating that makes it both a practical and suitable choice for everyday wear.
Although this model is not as expensive as the others mentioned in our list of GPS watches for summer hikes, it still comes with a range of impressive features. While the heart rate monitor and step counter give you an idea of how hard you are working, sedentary reminders remind you to take a break and recover. Drinking water whilst on a hike is key, however sometimes it can slip our minds. As a result, this watch comes with hydration alerts; ensuring its wearer remains healthy throughout. On a hike, it is important to be aware of your ever-changing surroundings, so a GPS connection and weather updates keep you constantly in the loop. As well as this, to aid in low-light conditions, the watch has a built-in flashlight. If you’re searching for an affordable GPS watch, with a range of basic hiking features, this Reflex Active is a great choice.
Garmin MARQ Adventurer (Gen 2) – Premium Tool Watch 010-02648-31
Built to make a statement and destined to explore the unknown, this Garmin reflects a great passion for adventure. Its ultra-durable design is comprised of a 46mm Grade 5-titanium case and a stunning AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls. Further contributing to this durability is the Grade 5-titanium bezel, with 360-degree compass markings, and the domed sapphire crystal lens which protects the always-on display. Ensuring that you can keep up to date with your adventures, the watch features a rechargeable lithium battery which lasts up to 16 days; and up to 6 days in always-on mode. The watch is finished with a leather and FKM rubber hybrid strap, so you can ascend in style and comfort. This Garmin is also water-resistant up to 100 metres; making it an ideal companion for any exciting experience.
This watch comes with an extensive range of navigational features that ensure your safety whilst on a lengthy hike or expedition. TopoActive Europe maps allow you to view terrain contours, elevations and other geographical features, while the NetFork map guide makes maps more glanceable. While also optimising the watch’s battery life, multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology secures superior positioning accuracy in any environment. Thanks to an altimeter for elevation data, a barometer which monitors the weather and a 3-axis electronic compass, navigating your upcoming hikes has never been easier. Navigational features aside, this premium tool watch also comes with an impressive range of fitness and health and well being features. So if you’re looking for a GPS watch that is perfect for not only summer hikes but for any sporting challenge, the Garmin Marq Adventurer is an ideal choice.
What did you think of our selection of GPS watches for summer hikes? Which model was your favourite? Let us know in the comments!
