Embrace the beauty of the great outdoors without fear of getting lost with reliable safety and navigation tools. Wearing a quality GPS watch can make a world of difference.
GPS watches have become essential companions for hikers with reliable features like offline navigation, SOS alerts, and elaborate trail maps. These travel tools can make a user’s hiking experience more efficient while exploring remote areas where cell phone service is nonexistent. In this article, we’ll define the importance of these tools and what top GPS watches to consider investing in for your next outdoor adventure!
Trail Maps, SOS Alerts & Offline Navigation – How They Can Help You When Hiking
Having essential tools like SOS alerts, offline navigation, and trail maps is critical for having a safe hiking. Below, we will uncover the benefits of these smartwatch features and how they can be a practical part of your outdoor adventures in the remote areas within national parks.
Trail Maps
Purchasing a watch with a trail map feature is critical for hikers who may go on more adventurous journeys through national parks, where signal and WiFi are practically nonexistent. Calling for help, if any is needed, may prove unavailable when needed at a crucial time. The same goes for if you happen to get lost and can’t catch a signal to use your GPS.
Trail maps give hikers a visualization of the trail to help them better picture and understand the landscape and unfamiliar terrain. Using this tool can provide hikers with a better option for making informed decisions about their route and alternative routes. When trails are unclear, with multiple forks in the path or blockages, trail maps can be invaluable.
SOS Alerts
SOS alerts are a must-have when hiking in remote areas where traditional phones cannot rely on cell towers for signal. With this tool, hikers can call for help via satellite when phone service is unavailable.
Tapping on the SOS alert sends a distress signal with your exact location to emergency services. Some devices, like the Garmin inReach Mini, allow users to send and receive messages from the rescue team to provide critical information on the situation and any necessary instructions.
Offline Navigation
Another vital feature to have on your watch when hiking is offline navigation. This tool allows hikers to access maps and directions in areas without internet or cellphone service.
Since cellphone service is limited or nonexistent in remote areas like heavily forested or mountainous regions, the offline navigation feature on smartwatches equips hikers with GPS through satellite for location tracking. Hikers in Natural Parks can more accurately assess their location and progress as they venture into remote areas.
Top GPS Watches for Hiking
Uncover the usefulness of high-quality GPS watches for hiking with featured tools for safety and navigation. From accurate navigation to essential safety features, these watches can upgrade your experience so you can confidently and securely navigate the best national parks in the United States and abroad.
COROS Apex 2 Pro
Brand: COROS
Price: $449
Battery Life: 66 hours in GPS mode/30 days of regular use
Boasting an impressive battery life of 30 days during regular use and 66 hours in GPS mode, the COROS Apex 2 Pro is a remarkable find. As one of the top GPS watches for hiking in national parks, this tool is masterfully designed to produce precision and improve performance for outdoor adventurers.
This tool also integrates multi-GNSS support, which is the device’s capacity to receive and process Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to improve accuracy and signal availability. The watch’s durable display showcases ideal tools like altitude data, trail maps, and other metrics that keep hikers informed and on track along their ventures.
Pros
- Large display.
- Comfortable.
- Accurate GSP with multi-GNSS tracking.
- Excellent mapping features.
Cons
- Doesn’t have some desirable smartwatch features.
- Buttons are easy to press accidentally.
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Brand: Garmin
Price: $400
Battery Life: 28 days regular use/30 hrs GPS
The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is a top-notch GPS watch featuring multi-GNSS tracking. It is an excellent find for outdoor enthusiasts who want a more rugged, durable, and functional watch during rugged conditions. This Garmin watch was craftily designed to meet military standards for water, thermal, and shock resistance.
Another significant aspect of this watch is that it integrates solar charging to extend battery life, ensuring wearers remain oriented throughout their excursions. Other desirable features of the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar are its topographic mapping, built-in GPS, and performance tracking metrics that users can implement to navigate trails and monitor progress confidently.
Pros
- Waterproof up to 100 m.
- Lightweight and comfortable.
- User-friendly.
- Multi-GNSS tracking.
Cons
- Bulky.
Suunto 9 Peak Pro
Brand: Suunto
Price: $249
Battery Life: 21 days regular use/40 hrs GPS
A premium GPS watch, the Suunto 9 Peak Pro is a multi-sport device made for outdoor athletes who desire comprehensive performance tracking and unmatched military-grade durability. Its sleek and fashionable design is made from sapphire glass and a titanium bezel, ensuring it withstands extreme conditions.
Featuring advanced GPS navigation, this watch implements four different satellite systems for quick and efficient connectivity, regardless of location.
Pros
- Accurate GPS tracking.
- Large display.
- Fast processing.
Cons
- Lacks comfortability.
Garmin Forerunner 965
Brand: Garmin
Price: $250
Battery Life: 11 days regular use/19 hrs GPS
Another incredible find of the Garmin brand is the Garmin Forerunner 965. This high-performance GSP smartwatch is specially designed for outdoor enthusiasts and runners who desire precision in their training.
The vibrant AMOLED display offers clear visibility, regardless of lighting conditions, along with advanced navigation and mapping features. Its in-depth health metrics provide data such as recovery time suggestions and VO2 max estimates for users to optimize performance and reach their health and fitness goals.
Pros
- Comfortable.
- High-quality display.
- Accurate GPS tracking.
- Built-in sports apps.
Cons
- Integrated AMOLED display lowers battery life.
Garmin Enduro 3
Brand: Garmin
Price: $899.99
Battery Life: 90 days regular use/320 hrs GPS
The best of the best, the Garmin Enduro 3 has been masterfully curated for ultra-endurance athletes. It features 320 hours of GPS and 90 days of regular use for its battery life, plus solar-charging to optimize battery life during GPS mode.
Made with a titanium bezel and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, the built-in LED flashlight helps light up the dark. Its lightweight design of only 63g, combined with an UltraFit nylon band, provides reassuring comfort for long-distance travel. The pre-loaded TopoActive maps help optimize adventures to keep users on track towards their goal. Paired with its multi-band satellite technology, improving GPS accuracy, the Garmin Enduro 3 is an excellent choice for a GPS watch.
Pros
- Exceptional battery life.
- Lightweight design.
Cons
- Expensive.
Amazfit T-Rex 3
Brand: Amazfit
Price: $279
Battery Life: 27 days regular use/42 hrs GPS
A cheaper option in comparison to some other top GPS watches, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 is crafted for fitness fans and outdoor enthusiasts who desire functionality and durability. Its military-grade construction, water resistance up to 10 ATM, and resistance to shock, humidity, and high temperatures make this GPS watch great for withstanding extreme conditions.
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is equipped with advanced GPS technology, supporting multiple satellite navigation systems to provide accurate tracking. It also boasts a comprehensive suite of health and fitness tracking, including sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, 150 sports modes, and more.
Pros
- The offline maps feature.
- Decent battery life.
- Large, readable screen.
- Health and fitness tracking features.
Cons
- The companion app isn’t user-friendly.
- Bulky.
COROS Pace 3
Brand: COROS
Price: $229
Battery Life: 15 days regular use/38 hrs GPS
Another recommendation from the COROS brand is the COROS Pace 3. This powerful GPS watch is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes who wish to track and optimize their performance. Its lightweight design, long-lasting battery life, advanced navigation, and ideal fitness tracking features produce comprehensive data on elevation, heart rate, pace, and distance. Athletes and hikers alike can receive real-time updates on their performance.
The user-friendly interface is easy to maneuver, providing customizable workout modes and the capacity to download offline maps for safety purposes.
Pros
- Affordable.
- User-friendly companion app.
- Accurate GPS tracking.
- Waterproof 50m.
Cons
- Not the most attractive for those looking for a smartwatch-style fashion.
Our Thoughts
Purchasing a high-quality GPS watch can significantly enhance your hiking experience in national parks in the United States and abroad. Features like SOS alerts, offline navigation, and detailed trail maps upgrade your adventures so that you can explore with confidence and prioritize safety.
The right GPS watch can be an invaluable asset. Take your pick from one of the recommended GPS watches in this article as your reliable guide on your next hiking trip into nature’s wild landscapes.
Is a GPS watch worth it for hiking?
Definitely! A GSP watch can be beneficial in critical scenarios like getting lost in unfamiliar areas, limited or zero cellphone service, extreme weather conditions, or unexpected injuries. This tool can be proactive for tracking progress, assessing location, heart rate monitoring, and emergency alerts.
What’s more accurate, a GPS watch or a phone?
A GPS watch is more accurate than a smartphone for a few reasons. The first is that a smartphone is susceptible to interference based on signal obstructions, the phone’s service, and battery-saving measures. The second is that GPS watches are made with specialized GPS chips and antennas for optimal accuracy and signal reception.
How to choose a hiking watch?
When picking a hiking watch, it is essential to evaluate different aspects like durability, GPS accuracy, battery life, comfort, and whether it fits your style and hiking environment. Some may not care for a heart rate monitor, while others do. Assessing what you would like best feature-wise for your watch is the first step.
