Hello everyone! I’ve been hiking for years using just my phone or physical maps, but now I’m ready to upgrade to a smartwatch. I’m primarily looking for a device that can track my steps and provide metrics about my activity and the trail. If possible, within my budget, I’d also like a watch that can display the trail map, but that’s a secondary concern. I’m considering checking out local stores like Decathlon, but I wanted to get some opinions here first on what I should look for. Thanks in advance for any advice!
I’d recommend going for a Garmin if it’s within your budget. Starting with a cheaper model often leads to needing an upgrade sooner than expected.
If you can, it might be worth it to save up for a Garmin. They tend to be more reliable and could save you money in the long run.
Consider starting with a Garmin Instinct. It’s more budget-friendly and can pair with your phone, making it a good entry point into Garmin’s products.
You might want to look for a used Garmin Instinct. It’s a great watch for tracking hiking activities and not too expensive.
The Garmin Instinct 2 is quite similar to the Fenix series but without the solar option, which isn’t very effective due to the small size of the solar cell. Expect to charge it every five days or so, depending on usage. It’s a great device for tracking your fitness metrics.
I recently got a reconditioned Apple Watch with GPS for about $350. It’s loaded with fitness features like step counting, heart rate monitoring, and blood oxygen levels. It supports map apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps, and you can sync trails from AllTrails. I’m still figuring out how to download maps, but it’s been a fantastic gadget so far.
Check out the Garmin Fenix 7. It’s on the pricier side but covers all the features you might need for hiking and more.
Lennon said:
Check out the Garmin Fenix 7. It’s on the pricier side but covers all the features you might need for hiking and more.
Thanks! I’m leaning towards a Garmin, possibly a Fenix. I’m considering whether to save up for it directly or start with a more affordable model in the meantime.
Definitely consider Garmin. Their Forerunner series is a good start for essential metrics. I’d advise against Apple for GPS hiking as it can be unreliable.
The Garmin Instinct can track your set routes from a desktop or app. The Garmin 7 also offers map navigation, which might be helpful on your hikes.