Hiking is an excellent way to stay active and connect with nature. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting, having a reliable hiking watch is essential. Hiking watches offer features such as GPS tracking, altimeter, barometer, and compass to help you navigate through the trails and keep track of your progress. However, finding the right hiking watch can be challenging, especially if you’re on a budget.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the best budget hiking watches. We’ll be looking at watches that offer the essential features for hiking without breaking the bank. When choosing a budget hiking watch, it’s crucial to consider factors such as durability, battery life, and water resistance. You want a watch that can withstand the harsh outdoor conditions and last for an extended period.
One critical thing to consider when purchasing a budget hiking watch is the accuracy of the GPS tracking system. A reliable GPS system is essential when exploring new trails, and you don’t want to get lost due to an inaccurate GPS. Additionally, you want a watch with a long battery life that can last for several days without needing a recharge.
In this article, we’ll be highlighting the best budget hiking watches that offer accurate GPS tracking, long battery life, durability, and water resistance. These watches are perfect for hikers who want to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank. So, let’s dive in and find the best budget hiking watch for your next adventure.
Best Budget Hiking Watches
We understand that finding the perfect hiking watch can be a daunting task, especially if you’re on a tight budget. That’s why we’ve done the research and compiled a list of the best budget hiking watches on the market. These watches are durable, reliable, and packed with features to help you make the most of your outdoor adventures. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, one of these watches is sure to meet your needs without breaking the bank. Below is our list of the best budget hiking watches.
GOLDEN HOUR Waterproof Nurse Watch
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly hiking watch with a medical professional’s design, the GOLDEN HOUR Waterproof Nurse Watch might be the one for you.
Pros
- Easy to read dial with 12 & 24 hour markers and Luminous Face
- 3-Hand Quartz Movement with Highly Visible Red Second Hand Makes Taking Accurate Pulse Reading Easily
- Water Resistant Up To 30M(99ft)
Cons
- Watch hands are not real prominent on the black on black
- Wrist band slightly too loose for a small wrist
- The hands do not glow in the dark
This watch is perfect for those who need to take accurate pulse readings with its highly visible red second hand. It is also water-resistant up to 30 meters, making it suitable for outdoor activities such as hiking.
The easy-to-read dial with 12 & 24 hour markers and Luminous Face make it easy to tell the time even in low light conditions. The 100% silicone band is super soft and comfortable to wear, making it perfect for everyday use.
One slight flaw is that the watch hands are not real prominent on the black on black, which may make it difficult to read for some people. The wrist band is slightly too loose for a small wrist, which may cause it to slide around. Additionally, the hands do not glow in the dark, which may be a drawback for those who need to tell the time in the dark.
Overall, the GOLDEN HOUR Waterproof Nurse Watch is a great budget-friendly option for those who need a watch with a medical professional’s design.
Fitpolo Smart Watch
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly hiking watch with a lot of features, the Fitpolo Smart Watch might be a good option.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- 24-hour precise monitoring for sleep, heart rate, and blood oxygen
- 100+ sports modes and fitness trackers
Cons
- Some monitoring features may log out occasionally
- Doesn’t have all the features of more expensive watches
- May not be as sleek as other options
This military tactical watch is designed for outdoor exploration and is built to withstand harsh conditions. It’s made with lightweight materials and has a soft, eco-friendly strap for maximum comfort. The watch is also heat-resistant up to 60°C, cold-resistant to -20°C, and is IP68 waterproof, corrosion-resistant, drop-resistant, and shock-resistant.
One of the standout features of this watch is its 24-hour precise monitoring. It provides blood oxygen, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking. The fitness watch can monitor your sleep status (awake/REM/light sleep/deep sleep) and provide a comprehensive sleep quality analysis to help you become healthier.
The Fitpolo Smart Watch also has 100+ sports modes, including running, cycling, football, rock climbing, hiking, and more. The fitness watch monitors data such as heart rate, distance, steps, and calories burned, making it a great choice for fitness enthusiasts.
One downside is that some monitoring features may log out occasionally, but this isn’t a dealbreaker for the price point. The watch also doesn’t have all the features of more expensive watches, but it still has a lot to offer for its price. Additionally, it may not be as sleek as other options, but it’s still a good-looking watch.
Overall, the Fitpolo Smart Watch is a great budget-friendly option for those looking for a hiking watch with a lot of features.
AVTREK Digital Hiking Sport Watches
If you are looking for a budget-friendly hiking watch, the AVTREK Digital Hiking Sport Watches might be a good option for you.
Pros
- The watch comes with multiple functions, including an altimeter, barometer, compass, temperature, pedometer, world time, stopwatch, 50m waterproof, world time, alarm, countdown, and EL backlight.
- It is designed for outdoor activities such as swimming, climbing, cycling, and fishing. The pedometer and calorie tracker help keep track of your exercise, while the compass quickly determines your direction. The barometer complements the altimeter to provide accurate altitude information. The watch can also display the temperature.
- The watch has a soft PU strap with an adjustable length strap band, which is comfortable to wear. The dial window is made of resin mirror, which is highly transparent, compressive, and abrasion-resistant.
Cons
- Some users have reported that the watch is not water-resistant at all and cannot be read in daylight without pressing the light button.
- The watch case is rather thick, which might not be suitable for some users.
- It might be hard to navigate between different options.
In conclusion, the AVTREK Digital Hiking Sport Watches is a decent budget-friendly hiking watch with multiple functions and a comfortable strap. However, it might not be suitable for users who need a water-resistant watch or prefer a thinner watch case.
Fitpolo Smart Watch
If you’re looking for an affordable smartwatch that can help you track your fitness and health goals, the Fitpolo Smart Watch might be a good option for you.
Pros
- Equipped with a 1.33-inch TFT-LCD full touch screen
- Compatible with most iOS 8.0 & Android 4.4 above smartphones
- Features 24/7 heart rate monitor and sleep tracker
Cons
- Watch tends to lock up at times and needs to be reset
- Pedometer isn’t always accurate
- Some users find the watch to be slow to react
The Fitpolo Smart Watch is a great option for those who are looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch that can help them track their fitness goals. With its 1.33-inch TFT-LCD full touch screen, it offers a great user experience. It is also compatible with most iOS 8.0 & Android 4.4 above smartphones, making it easy to use for most people.
One of the best features of the Fitpolo Smart Watch is its 24/7 heart rate monitor and sleep tracker. This allows you to monitor your real-time heart rate and your sleep (Deep sleep, Light sleep and Awake time) to tell you how long and how well you sleep during the night, helping you to adjust yourself to live a better lifestyle.
However, some users have reported that the watch tends to lock up at times and needs to be reset. Additionally, the pedometer isn’t always accurate, which can be frustrating for those who are trying to track their daily steps. Some users have also reported that the watch is slow to react, which can be a downside for those who are looking for a more responsive device.
Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch that can help you track your fitness and health goals, the Fitpolo Smart Watch is definitely worth considering.
Beeasy Men Digital Sports Watch
If you are looking for an affordable and practical hiking watch, the Beeasy Men Digital Sports Watch is a good option.
Pros
- The imported EL backlit screen makes it easy to read the time in the backlight.
- The high-quality ABS case and PU strap make it shock-resistant and durable.
- The 5ATM waterproof rating makes it suitable for swimming and showering.
Cons
- The alarm sound could be louder.
- The double prong buckle may be challenging to some users.
- The countdown timer only goes down to 60 seconds.
This digital watch has several features that make it a practical companion for outdoor sports. The high-quality materials used in its construction make it durable and shock-resistant. The 5ATM waterproof rating means it can withstand being submerged in water up to 164 feet deep.
The watch has a clear display that makes it easy to read the time, even in low light conditions. It also has several useful functions, including a stopwatch, countdown timer, and multiple alarm settings. The alarm has a snooze function, and it can be set to go off at different times of the day, making it a useful tool for managing your schedule.
Overall, the Beeasy Men Digital Sports Watch is a good choice for those looking for an affordable and practical hiking watch. While it may not have all the features of more expensive models, it offers good value for its price.
Buying Guide
When it comes to buying the best budget hiking watch, there are a few things to consider. Here are some features to look for:
Durability
Since hiking involves a lot of physical activity, it’s important to choose a watch that is durable and can withstand harsh conditions. Look for watches that are made with materials like stainless steel, titanium, or carbon fiber, as they are known for their strength and durability.
GPS and Navigation
GPS and navigation features are essential for hikers, as they help to track your location and provide directions. Look for watches that have built-in GPS and navigation features, such as maps, compasses, and altimeters.
Water Resistance
Hiking often involves crossing streams, rivers, and other bodies of water, so it’s important to choose a watch that is water-resistant. Look for watches that have a high water resistance rating, such as 5 ATM or higher.
Battery Life
Since you’ll be relying on your watch for navigation and other features, it’s important to choose a watch that has a long battery life. Look for watches that have a battery life of at least 8 hours or more.
Comfort
Since you’ll be wearing your watch for long periods of time, it’s important to choose a watch that is comfortable to wear. Look for watches that have a comfortable strap and a lightweight design.
In summary, when choosing the best budget hiking watch, look for a watch that is durable, has GPS and navigation features, is water-resistant, has a long battery life, and is comfortable to wear.
