5 Must-Have Watches Every Trekker And Hiker Should Own

Love watches and getting outdoors? Chances are you already have the perfect wrist companion locked down and loaded. But, with watches getting ever more features (like calculating the timing of high and low tides based on your location), finding the right watch for your needs can be time-consuming. If a watch has reliable GPS tracking, topographic maps, waypoint markers and compass functionality; monitors key health markers like heart rate and VO2 max; has a long battery life for multi-day treks; can withstand harsh outdoor conditions; and comes with weather forecasting sensors like barometers, then does it really matter if it has a subdial or not?

While we can’t answer that question for you, we can offer some of the top mid-range to high-end watches for your trekking adventures in India. Here are five you should consider buying if you are on the hunt for a new model.

Suunto Vertical

Made in Finland with 100 per cent renewable energy, the large-screen Suunto Vertical GPS sports watch is ideal for expeditions into the outdoors. Fitted with detailed outdoor offline maps that are free of charge and make advanced route navigation much smoother, you can comfortably plan routes with 3D maps, road surface-type layers, heat maps or avalanche terrain maps. The battery life is also excellent: 85 hours of continuous exercise tracking with the titanium solar variant and 60 hours with the stainless steel variant. Tour mode, which still provides accurate tracking, offers 500 hours of continuous exercise tracking. In daily mode, Suunto Vertical accompanies you for up to 60 days—in the titanium solar variant even up to one year without charging. The watch can connect with up to five satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BEIDOU and QZSS) and up to 32 individual satellites simultaneously. Buy the watch from the official Suunto website for INR 59,999.

Garmin Fenix 8

The Garmin fenix 8 series replaces both the fenix 7 series and the Epix Gen 2 by adding an AMOLED display to the mix. The standard AMOLED model is ideal for users prioritising a sharp, vibrant display that enhances visibility in varied lighting. For rugged use, the Sapphire Solar model is the top-tier choice, featuring a scratch-resistant sapphire lens and a strong titanium case, though it comes at a higher price. This model stands out for those who need durability alongside premium tracking features. Across the range, each model excels in multisport and fitness tracking, including real-time stamina and strength training metrics, making it a versatile choice for various activities, from hiking to diving. Buy the series from the official Garmin India website for a starting price of INR 119,490.

Coros Apex 2

Designed for performance over all types of terrain, the Apex 2 and Apex 2 Pro watches have a durable exterior, a redesigned GPS antenna for stronger performance, an enhanced navigation experience, next-generation optical heart rate sensors and longer GPS battery life. Thanks to the low power consumption from the latest satellite signal system design, the Apex 2 provides 40 hours of full GPS battery life, while the Apex 2 Pro provides 66 hours. Plus, it takes less than two hours for the watch to go from zero to full charge. This watch is perfect for those embarking on backyard trail adventures or scaling glaciated mountains. It is retailing on Amazon India for INR 42,990.

Amazfit T-Rex Pro

The T-Rex Pro is tough, chunky, reliable and accurate, and it does exactly what you need it to: track your location, record kilometres logged (with cumulative stats for weeks, months and years) and present the data very simply on a free app called Zepp. The buttons are simple, and the watch is a fraction of the price of its big-name rivals. In fact, it’s the same price as many far more basic trackers. This watch won’t let you down when it comes to finding your location accurately, logging the precise number of kilometres you have walked or battery life. Buy the series from the official Amazfit India website for INR 10,999.

Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GG-B100

The Casio G-Shock watch is a uniquely rugged sports watch, and its GG-B100 series is beefy and chunky. This watch doesn’t have a heart rate monitor or built-in sports apps like the others. Instead, it has a magnetic compass, altimeter, barometer, accelerometer, gyrometer, step counter and thermometer. In terms of functionality, it’s relatively straightforward. However, you can still connect the GG-B100 to a smartphone via Bluetooth to record activity logs. The mineral glass is scratch-resistant and protected by the protruding bezel, and the watch is water-resistant down to 200 metres as well. What will appeal to the average trekker is that the watch is incredibly comfortable to wear. Buy the series from the official Casio India website for a starting price of INR 27,896.