Best outdoor watches for 2024

There are a lot of fun approaches when choosing a watch for hikes and outdoor adventures. You can go analogue and choose between a minimalist military field watch or something big and tough with a billion features. Or, you could dive into the world of smartwatches and feel like you've strapped a little iPhone to your wrist.

A smartwatch acts as your personal data logger, smart device, and fitness tracking device all in one. It's an increasingly popular accessory for sportspeople. There are an awful lot on the market today, but for those after one to take into the wilderness on their expeditions, there are certain features that you'll need to keep an eye out for. We cover those just below, and recommend our favourite watches for hiking and outdoor pursuits.

Something we'll point out immediately is that smartwatches with a focus on sport and outdoor activities aren't just about tracking your outings. They also take on the role of data analyst and training coach. These products assume you want to get better, so they'll constantly push you, which can be irritating. But, if you are aiming for improvement, they're a great investment for motivation.

Our Shortlist

Suunto 9 Peak Pro – Best in test

Garmin Instinct 2 – Best value

Coros Apex 2 Pro – Best watch for runners

Eliot Brown Canford – Best field watch

Amazfit T-Rex Pro – Best budget outdoor watch

Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GG–B100 – Best rugged watch

Suunto Vertical – Best watch for remote adventures

Field watches, on the flip side, won't beep or buzz you at any point (unless something has gone seriously wrong within the mechanism). They were developed in the 19th century for the military, their sole aim is to be precise, reliable, and sturdy. Today, a field watch remains a fantastic choice for hikes or climbs where you aren't after a lot of bulk, but still want a durable timepiece on deck. Or, if you're looking for more features, there are plenty of options.

Before screens took over everything, outdoor watches were typified by those big chunky analogue clocks with a bunch of bells and whistles around them. The proud tradition of maximalist rugged watches lives on today, and you may find they're right up your street. Take a look at our wide-ranging selection below and find out which camp your heart belongs to.

The best smartwatches in detail

What to look for in a smartwatch

Size: Some smartwatches and sports watches are particularly chunky, while others are more slimline, and some others are available in a range of sizes. Consider how the watch will sit on your wrist, particularly if you intend to use it as an everyday watch too.

Mapping: Some watches can show detailed mapping on their screens. Although not great for route-planning (even the largest watches have relatively small screens), it can be a helpful extra navigational tool.

Battery life: Battery performance has increased dramatically over the past few years. Check the watch’s spec for battery life, paying attention to the times stated with GPS turned on and any battery-saver modes that might reduce features.

Sensors: In addition to GPS, these little watches can contain a range of sensors, including an altimeter, barometer, accelerometer, compass, heart rate monitor, blood oxygen and more. Make sure your choice has the sensors that are important to you.

Fitness and sport features: Do you just want a watch that gives a grid reference, or one that can also track your walks, runs, swims, or even your golf? Most smartwatches now offer multi-sport functions, but the specifics vary.

Satellite compatibility: GPS is just one global satellite network (American). The four others are GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (Europe), QZSS (Japan), and BeiDou (China). The more your watch is compatible with, the more accurate it will be.

How to choose from the best smartwatches

Smartwatch vs fitness tracker: what's the difference?

You could be forgiven for thinking the two are the same. But when you see the average price difference you'll wonder why on earth does a smartwatch cost more? Fitness trackers are focused on what their name suggests. They track your fitness activities, count your footsteps, and other such things. Smartwatches do this too but with more detail and have the addition of extra smart features.

Smartwatches can display more detail because they have bigger screen. You can also use their navigation features (such as GPS and compass) to map and track your routes. The sports and sleep metrics you see on some smart watches listed above and in their accompanying apps are quite impressive. The line between smartwatch and fitness tracker isn't solid. There's certainly a grey area between top-end fitness trackers and smartwatches.

How do smartwatches track sleep?

As a wrist wearable, a smartwatch tracks your movement to make educated estimations about your sleep. The Suunto 9 Peak Pro for example uses an accelerometer and a motion sensor to do this.

When you log your bedtime and sleep target into the watch, it monitors your movement. Periods of no movement are considered deep sleep, and periods of significant movement suggest you're awake.

Where should you wear a smartwatch?

On your non-dominant wrist, yes that's right. But because a smartwatch carries sensors, it needs to be positioned properly for accurate heart rate readings.

Try and position the smartwatch one or two finger widths above the wrist bone. And make sure it's tight enough so that it doesn't slide down during exercise and you can't see the sensor flashing on the underside.

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