Best Hiking Watch in 2023

Advances in modern technology mean that hiking watches have come a long way since the days when they could simply tell you the time and resist a splash of water.

Our Top Picks

Not only are they now built to endure the harshest of environments but they’re packed with heaps of extra features too. The most common features that you’ll see are altimeters that measure elevation, barometers that monitor changes in air pressure (which can help to predict short-term weather changes), and compasses to keep you on track.

You’ll also find that lots of the higher-end hiking watches have various ways of tracking your fitness, ranging from a heart rate monitor to race predictors. Plus, if you like to explore routes that take you off the beaten track, you’ll love that many hiking watches now come equipped with some kind of navigation system. And, if you’re really tech-savvy, you can even sync some watches to your smartphone, so you can receive updates on the go.

Although hiking watches aren’t always easy on the wallet, their vast array of quirks and perks means that you’ll end up using your watch for more than just hiking. Many double up (or even triple up) as fantastic watches for running, swimming, and even casual day-to-day wear, making the investment much more worthwhile.

However, with such a range of models out there, deciding which one is right for you can be a little tricky. To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of the best hiking watches currently on the market, and picked out some key things to bear in mind when you’re shopping around.