The Best Garmin Watches for Hiking: Top 2024 Picks
Whether you’re out hitting the trail for a day hike or trekking and camping over long distances, it is essential that you always have a system in place to help you navigate your way through the outdoors.
Equipping yourself with a GPS watch is one of the best ways to stay on track and find your bearings while in the wild, and few brands are as reliable in that regard as Garmin.
But which model should you bring with you on your next hike in the outdoors?
To help you decide, we’ve created a list of our favourite Garmin watches that we love to bring out on our hikes. All of the models we have included are equipped with at least one form of navigation system and ABC sensors (altimeter, barometer, compass), in addition to being rugged and having long lasting batteries.
So, let’s jump right in.
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Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
© Garmin
Size and Weight: 45 x 45 x 14,50 mm ∙ 52 g
Case and Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer
Glass: Power Glass
Display: Monochrome MIP
Battery Life in Smartwatch-Mode: 28 days - Unlimited
Water Resistance: 10 ATM
Other Versions: Instinct 2X Solar
The Instinct 2 is one of the most unique models Garmin has ever put out; the monochrome MIP screen is the most basic out of their entire current lineup, but this is a tradeoff to allow the Instinct Solar to be the only smartwatch series in the world to be able to technically run indefinitely on solar power, given it receives enough regular sun exposure.
Even without relying on the solar charging feature, the Instinct 2’s battery life in smartwatch mode is still amazing, as it can easily push over 3 weeks in smartwatch mode.
This watch is built up to military specs, meaning it is extremely resistant to impacts, heat and water pressures up to 10 ATM. In addition to being rugged, the Instinct 2 can also be used for simple path navigation, even though it lacks the ability to display topographical maps. All of these characteristics make it an ideal choice to use on the trail!
An alternative version you might want to check out is the Instinct 2X Solar; this larger model has an even superior battery life, although it might be too big if you have smaller wrists.
Garmin Forerunner 165
© Garmin
Size and Weight: 43 x 43 x 11.6 mm ∙ 39 g
Case and Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer
Glass: Chemically-strengthened glass
Display: AMOLED
Battery Life in Smartwatch-Mode: 11 days
Water Resistance: 5 ATM
Other Versions: Forerunner 165 Music
The Forerunner 165 is one of the latest additions to the Garmin lineup and, while mainly designed primarily for sports and training, it comes loaded with useful features to use on the trail. This affordable watch also offers incredible value for money if you consider its price point, although this does come at the cost of a few shortcomings.
This watch comes equipped with a highly detailed AMOLED screen and basic GPS path and track navigation to help you find your way during your hike, even though it cannot display topographical maps. The battery life is also pretty decent, giving you up to 11 days in smartwatch mode.
The main drawback of the Forerunner 165 is that it lacks Multi-Band GPS connectivity, which can cause it to be less accurate in areas with tall trees or other terrain features that could interfere with the satellite signal.
While you will rarely risk loosing the signal all-together, it is something that ends up making this watch more suitable for day hikes rather than more challenging excursions. This is also due to the fact that this is not a very rugged watch, and you should take care not to trash it around too much while outdoors.
Something else this model lacks, unlike all the others on the list, is the “Music” function, which allows it to store songs and podcasts to listen to without having to carry your phone with you. It’s a really nice feature to have for long solo walks, and you can have it on the just slightly more expensive Garmin Forerunner 165 Music.
With that said, despite a couple of drawbacks, the Forerunner 165 is still an incredibly affordable option that is ideal for beginners looking for their first Garmin watch to use in the outdoors!
Garmin Forerunner 265
© Digital Trends
Size and Weight: 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm ∙ 47 g
Case and Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer
Glass: Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Display: AMOLED
Battery Life in Smartwatch-Mode: 13 days
Water Resistance: 5 ATM
Other Versions: Forerunner 265s
If your budget allows you to invest a little more, you might want to consider the Forerunner 265. This premium sports watch offers all the features you’ll find on the Forerunner 165 with none of the shortcomings, along with a small boost in battery life and a better, more durable screen. The addition of a triathlon mode and more advanced training metrics, while not essential for hiking, are also definitely worth considering.
What’s more, the Forerunner 265 features Multi-Band GPS, ensuring you have a better signal for maximum accuracy while on the trail. It still only comes with basic path and track navigation instead of maps, but the improved satellite connectivity is worth the price tag in our eyes!
This model also exists in a smaller size, making it more accessible for people with smaller wrists or anyone looking for a less imposing watch.
Garmin Forerunner 965
© Gear Patrol
Size and Weight: 47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm ∙ 53 g
Case and Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer ∙ Titanium
Glass: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX
Display: AMOLED
Battery Life in Smartwatch-Mode: 23 days
Water Resistance: 5 ATM
A step up from the Forerunner 265, the Forerunner 965 features the same training functions but with the addition of a complete GPS map system, allowing you to plan your routes on the go, create itineraries and see topographical maps, which are even easier to use thanks to the large AMOLED screen!
In addition to the improved navigation features, the Forerunner 965 is also equipped with a titanium bezel, which helps protect the screen from glancing blows and makes this watch a little more rugged when compared with lower-end alternatives. The Forerunner 965 also surpasses most other watches in terms of battery life, offering up to 23 days in smartwatch mode.
If you want to take full advantage of Garmin’s amazing navigation feature, the Forerunner 965 should be high up on your list. It’s not the most affordable option on the list, but it offers amazing value for money.
Garmin Forerunner 955
© Garmin
Size and Weight: 46.5 x 46.5 x 14.4 mm ∙ 53 g
Case and Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer
Glass: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX
Display: MIP
Battery Life in Smartwatch-Mode: 15 - 20 days
Water Resistance: 5 ATM
Despite already being a couple of years old, this watch offers the same functions as the Forerunner 965, with the only notable differences being a slightly smaller MIP screen without a titanium bezel and a drop in battery life, which can be almost entirely be offset and pushed up to 20 days in smartwatch mode by relying on this model’s addition of solar charging. Not only, when relying on the GPS the Forerunner 955 actually surpasses the new 965.
If the Forerunner 965 is out of your budget, you definitely might want to try and get your hands on this one, it is still an amazingly designed watch full of useful functionalities to help you both on and off the trail!
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro
Size and Weight: 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm ∙ 47 g
Case and Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer
Glass: Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Display: AMOLED
Battery Life in Smartwatch-Mode: 13 days
Water Resistance: 5 ATM
Other Versions: Fenix 7S Pro ∙ Fenix 7X Pro
Built like a tank to military standards, with scratch-resistant sapphire glass and titanium bezel and case back, the Fenix 7 Pro is and extremely rugged device, and Garmin’s ultimate outdoor watch.
The Fenix 7 is also fully equipped with maps and navigation features to help you on your hike. It does have a MIP display instead of AMOLED, but this is a smart tradeoff to allow the inclusion of a solar panel that can push the battery life up to 22 days of use in smartwatch mode!
If this watch has any drawback, it’s that it is really bulky and thick, which doesn’t make it a great choice for people with small wrists, or anyone looking for a discreet watch. If that’s the case, you’ll be happy to know that the Fenix 7 Pro comes in a smaller size, as well as a larger 51 mm alternative.
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
© Garmin
Size and Weight: 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm ∙ 78 g
Case and Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer ∙ Titanium
Glass: Sapphire
Display: AMOLED
Battery Life in Smartwatch-Mode: 16 days
Water Resistance: 10 ATM
Other Versions: Epix Pro 42mm ∙ Epix Pro 51mm
If you’re already familiar with the Fenix 7, then you already know everything you need to know about the Epix Pro (Gen 2). This is essentially a Fenix 7 with an AMOLED screen and no solar charging, with the same casing and specs.
While it does have a reduced battery life, the AMOLED screen does give it an advantage in legibility, and is great for making full use of the map features.
Like the Fenix 7 Pro, the Epix (Gen 2) Pro also comes in two more sizes, the Epix Pro 42mm and the Epix Pro 51mm.
Garmin Enduro 2
Size and Weight: 51 x 51 x 15.6 mm ∙ 70 g
Case and Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer ∙ Titanium
Glass: Sapphire
Display: AMOLED
Battery Life in Smartwatch-Mode: 34-46 days
Water Resistance: 10 ATM
So the Fenix 7 Pro lacks an AMOLED display, and the Epix Pro (Gen 2) lacks solar charging and has a reduced battery life. What if, however, you could have the best of both worlds?
With an AMOLED screen to allow you to make full use of Garmin’s navigation features, an extremely rugged build and the best battery life out of any Garmin device apart from the Instinct, the Enduro 2 is one of the best smartwatches to wear in the outdoors!
The only problem is that it only comes in one size, and it is a pretty massive watch. If you have small wrists this won’t be for you.
And there you have it, these are our favourite Garmin watches to carry on our hikes in the outdoors.
Some offer better performance and features, while others are a must-have due to their ruggedness or affordable price, but all will be perfect for hitting the trail!
Which one will you choose?
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