The 5 Best Hiking GPS Watch 2025 – Top Picks for Every Trail
In this guide, we’re reviewing the best hiking GPS watches 2025 has to offer—factoring in battery life, comfort, ruggedness, features, and price. Whether you’re looking for a budget hiking watch or a high-end solar GPS smartwatch, we’ve got you covered.
Written By: Ian Freng-Meeteer
Last updated 18 April 2025
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links & we may receive a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.
Trail-Tested Picks for Every Hiker – From Weekend Wanderers to Thru-Hiking Pros
Navigating remote trails isn’t what it used to be. In 2025, GPS hiking watches have become essential companions for modern hikers—combining satellite tracking, elevation awareness, and even weather forecasting, all from your wrist.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior exploring local trails or a hardcore backpacker on multi-day treks, the right GPS watch can do more than guide your path—it can track your fitness, alert you to weather changes, and keep you safe with SOS features or offline maps. Today’s top outdoor GPS watches offer powerful tools for real-time decision-making in the backcountry.
What Are The Best Hiking GPS Watches 2025?
- The 5 Best Hiking GPS Watch 2025 – Top Picks for Every Trail
- Trail-Tested Picks for Every Hiker – From Weekend Wanderers to Thru-Hiking Pros
- 1. Garmin Fenix 7X Solar Multisport GPS Watch – Best for: Hardcore hikers & adventure athletes
- 2. COROS PACE 3 Sport Watch GPS – Best for: Lightweight comfort & training-focused hikers
- 3. Garmin Instinct 2 Rugged Outdoor Watch with GPS – Best for: Rugged value & reliability
- 4. SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro GPS Sports Watch – Best for: Long battery life & clean design
- 5. Amazfit T-Rex 2 Smart Watch – Best for: Budget-conscious hikers with big features
How to Choose the Best Hiking GPS Watch
When comparing GPS watches for hiking and backpacking, keep these essentials in mind:
- Battery Life:
Look for extended GPS tracking (not just standby battery). Multi-day hikes require smart power management. - Durability:
Choose a rugged GPS watch for backpacking—one that’s waterproof, shock-resistant, and ready for extreme weather. - Navigation Features:
At a minimum, you want GPS + GLONASS + Galileo support. Offline maps and altimeter/barometer sensors are also key. - Ease of Use:
Clear displays, intuitive button layouts (or touchscreens), and lightweight design matter—especially on long hikes.
Top Hiking GPS Watches for 2025
1. Garmin Fenix 7X Solar Multisport GPS Watch – Best for: Hardcore hikers & adventure athletes
- Trusted button controls that work in any environment are matched with a highly responsive touchscreen interface for quick, convenient access to selections
- Take your training to the next level with endurance and real-time stamina tracking, training status, advanced performance metrics and 30 built-in sports apps
- Get 247 health and wellness monitoring with wrist-based heart rate, Pulse Ox, stress and enhanced sleep tracking
The Garmin Fenix 7X Solar is a top-tier hiking watch built for endurance. With solar charging, up to 37 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, and full topographic maps, this beast is the ultimate GPS watch for long-distance hiking.
It’s packed with advanced features—real-time stamina tracking, multi-band GPS, ABC sensors, and even a built-in flashlight. The rugged titanium case is water-rated to 10 ATM and ready for alpine adventures.
What I Like About It:
- Solar charging extends battery life
- Full-color topo maps & route planning
- Multi-band GNSS for pinpoint accuracy
- Built-in flashlight and touch screen
Cons:
- Expensive
- Bulky for small wrists
Why It Made the List:
It’s the most complete hiking GPS watch on the market—blending mapping, durability, multi-sport tracking, and ultra-long battery life in one device. If you want the best of everything and are planning serious expeditions, this is it.
2. COROS PACE 3 Sport Watch GPS – Best for: Lightweight comfort & training-focused hikers
- Comfort, Lightweight, Durable: Designed as the ultimate running watch, the COROS PACE 3 GPS sports watch merges an 11.7mm ultra-slim profile and 30g featherweight design (with nylon band) for 24/7 wear in completely distraction-free comfort.
- Always-On 1.2″ Transflective Touchscreen: COROS PACE 3 GPS sports watch features a touchscreen experience (Backlight Display settings include three modes: Always On, Navigation & Activity, or Navigation Only)
- Extended Battery Life: Transform your training with a GPS running watch built for endurance and speed. 38 hours of continuous GPS tracking or 24 days of daily use on a single charge.
The COROS PACE 3 is a lightweight hiking GPS watch that delivers impressive performance for under $250. While it’s designed with runners in mind, its 17-day battery life, dual-frequency GPS, and elevation features make it a solid pick for fast-packers and minimalist hikers.
It’s also featherlight (30g with the nylon strap) and syncs with third-party apps like Strava and Komoot.
Pros of This Item:
- Super lightweight & breathable
- Accurate dual-frequency GPS
- Budget-friendly for its feature set
- Excellent training and recovery data
Cons:
- Lacks full map display
- Not as rugged as others on this list
Why It Made the List:
It’s one of the lightest and most affordable GPS watches that still offers dual-frequency tracking and exceptional battery life. Great for active hikers who want accurate GPS without the bulk or cost of premium models.
3. Garmin Instinct 2 Rugged Outdoor Watch with GPS – Best for: Rugged value & reliability
- Rugged GPS smartwatch is water-rated to 100 meters and thermal- and shock resistant with fiber-reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass
- Battery life: up to 28 days in smartwatch mode; up to 30 hours in GPS mode
- Live the ultimate connected life with smart notifications and Connect IQ compatibility when paired with your compatible smartphone.
The Garmin Instinct 2 brings a military-grade build with GPS navigation and robust outdoor features—at a mid-range price. It includes ABC sensors (altimeter, barometer, compass), built-in sport apps, and support for GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.
It’s perfect for off-grid hiking and backpacking trips where durability and battery life matter more than high-end features.
Pros of This Survival Knife:
- Rugged MIL-STD-810 build
- 28-day battery life (up to unlimited with solar)
- Excellent tracking accuracy
- Water-resistant to 100 meters
Cons:
- No topographic maps
- Monochrome display
Why It Made the List:
It delivers military-grade toughness with Garmin’s GPS accuracy at a great price point. If you want a reliable, no-nonsense hiking GPS watch built to take a beating, this is it.
4. SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro GPS Sports Watch – Best for: Long battery life & clean design
- SUUNTO 9 Peak PRO – designed for the most demanding athletes, efforts, and adventures. Fully charges in one hour and provides 40 hrs battery in best GPS mode, 70 hrs in endurance mode and 300 hrs in tour mode. A quick 10-minute charge will provide 2 hours of GPS training
- GPS ACCURACY – uses 4 different satellite systems for speedy connectivity and exceptional tracking even when you’re amongst tall buildings, mountainous terrain, and steep canyons
- DURABILITY – Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high-quality heritage and craftsmanship. Handcrafted in Finland with 100% renewable energy, Military-grade durability features Titanium, Stainless Steel, and Sapphire glass, 100m Waterproof
The SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro is a durable hiking smartwatch that balances Scandinavian aesthetics with serious hiking features. With up to 30 days of battery life in daily mode and 70 hours of GPS tracking, it’s ideal for backpackers who want clean design with muscle.
It supports over 95 sport modes, offers dual-GPS systems, and integrates with the Suunto app for route planning and syncing with third-party platforms.
Pros of This One:
- Excellent battery life (30 days smartwatch, 70h GPS)
- Lightweight titanium build
- Intuitive interface with button + touch controls
- Great for multisport hikers
Cons of This One:
- Limited offline mapping
- Higher price for fewer advanced metrics
Why It Made the List:
It combines minimalist design with pro-level battery and GPS tracking—making it a great choice for style-conscious hikers who don’t want to sacrifice performance.
5. Amazfit T-Rex 2 Smart Watch – Best for: Budget-conscious hikers with big features
- Strong & Accurate GPS Tracking: The city is your playground, so explore it with ease thanks to the support of 5 satellite positioning systems. Import route files and navigate in the urban jungle with incredible precision.
- Ultra-long 16-day Battery Life: Charge less and do more, with 16 days of unstoppable energy. The Amazfit Active Edge keeps you powered up as you find your energy and your edge.
- 10 ATM Water-resistant: Face down the waves with confidence on your next beach trip. The Amazfit Active Edge is built to endure the equivalent of up to 100 meters’ water pressure.
The Amazfit T-Rex 2 punches above its price point, offering dual-band positioning, 24-day battery life, and 10 ATM water resistance for under $200. While it’s technically a fitness smartwatch, it holds its own as a budget GPS hiking watch.
Great for weekend backpackers or casual hikers who still want navigation, heart rate monitoring, and durability—without breaking the bank.
Pros of This Hiking GPS Watch:
- Affordable with premium features
- Dual-band & 6-satellite support
- Long battery life
- Durable & rugged build
Cons:
- Software lacks polish compared to Garmin
- App connectivity can be buggy
Why It Made the List:
It’s the best entry-level hiking GPS watch for the price, offering rugged durability, long battery life, and multi-satellite tracking at under half the cost of its competitors.
Comparison Table: Best GPS Watches for Hiking 2025
| Watch | Battery Life | Maps | Waterproof | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Fenix 7X Solar | Up to 37 days | Yes (Topo) | 10 ATM | $$$$ | Hardcore hikers, multi-day trips |
| COROS PACE 3 | Up to 17 days | No | 5 ATM | $$ | Ultralight hikers, budget athletes |
| Garmin Instinct 2 | Up to 28 days | No | 10 ATM | $$$ | Rugged adventurers, off-grid use |
| SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro | Up to 30 days | Limited | 10 ATM | $$$ | Design-focused hikers, long battery |
| Amazfit T-Rex 2 | Up to 24 days | No | 10 ATM | $ | Budget hikers, casual explorers |
Best Hiking GPS Watch 2025 F.A.Q’s
Are GPS watches accurate for hiking?
Yes, modern GPS hiking watches often use dual-frequency GNSS (GPS + GLONASS/Galileo), providing excellent accuracy—even in canyons or forests.
Can GPS watches work without cell service?
Absolutely. GPS watches don’t require cell service. However, offline maps and satellite signal strength determine navigation quality.
Do I need offline topo maps in my hiking GPS watch?
Not necessarily. Watches like the Fenix 7X offer topo maps, but others focus on breadcrumb trails and navigation waypoints, which may be enough for day hikes.
What’s the most durable GPS hiking watch?
The Garmin Instinct 2 and Amazfit T-Rex 2 both meet military-grade standards for ruggedness and water resistance.
Can I use a GPS watch for backpacking in remote areas?
Yes—especially models like the Fenix 7X, which offer long battery life, satellite navigation, and even solar charging to support multi-day use.
Final Thoughts Regarding The Best Hiking GPS Watch 2025
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the best GPS hiking watch. Your ideal companion depends on how often you hit the trail, what kind of hikes you’re doing, and how tech-savvy (or minimalist) you prefer to be.
If you’re going off-grid for extended periods, the Garmin Fenix 7X Solar is hands-down the most powerful and versatile hiking watch available. It’s built for endurance athletes and long-haul hikers who need full navigation, long battery, and smart safety features.
Prefer something light and budget-friendly? The COROS PACE 3 and Amazfit T-Rex 2 offer stellar value, while the Garmin Instinct 2 brings serious ruggedness at a reasonable price.
For those who want a clean-looking watch with reliable performance and long battery life, the SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro balances beauty and brains.
No matter your style or skill level, there’s a GPS watch on this list to guide your next outdoor adventure. Choose wisely, and let the trail be your teacher.