Going hiking is always fun, but you can improve the fun and your experience with a great hiking watch to go with it. There are different kinds of hiking watches out there at different price points too. That does not mean you should break the bank, though, when you can get one of the best hiking watches under $200 to go with your adventure.
A good hiking watch should provide good visibility, special features (compass, altimeter, barometer, etc.) and should not get in the way of your hiking either.
Combining all of that, we have curated some of the very best hiking watches to accompany your next adventure.
PS If you happen to be on a tighter budget, we have also selected affordable hiking watches under $100 for men, women and kids here.
In This Article...
Hiking Watches Under $200
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- Solar-powered watch with digital display featuring four daily...
- 42 mm stainless steel case with mineral dial window
- Quartz movement with digital display
- Polyurethane band with buckle closure
- Water resistant to 100 m (330 ft): In general, suitable for...
Casio is already a household name in not just the wristwatch business, especially when it comes to making rugged pieces. They went all-in with the Casio Pro Trek PRG-300CM-4CR, delivering a functionally rugged watch in such a beautiful frame.
The display on the watch is large enough that you never miss the time or any other updates important to you. Unlike the previous generation of Pro Trek watches, this one packs more sensors to boost adaptation to the hiking purpose.
On the side are modestly sized keys that you cannot miss even in the dark. They give the user access to the digital compass, barometric pressure, and temperature readings. They will also tell the current altitude of the hike, among other actionable data.
The best part of the deal is that you never have to worry about the watch going dead during the hike. Powered by solar energy, staying on your wrist and being exposed to the UV rays of the sunlight is enough to keep the watch working with all of its sensors intact. Finally, the Casio Pro Trek PRG-300CM-4CR supports LED lighting, helping to improve visibility and readability in a low light situation.
2. EZON Hiking Outdoors Watch (H001H11)
- ▶ MULTIFUNCTION: Digital Compass,...
- ▶【ALTIMETER】 —— Find Your Way Through Wilderness and In...
- ▶【BAROMETER】 —— Keeping a Close Eye on the Air Pressure...
- ▶【COMPASS 】 ——Safely Find Your Way Through Wilderness...
- ▶【WATER RESISTANT TO 50m/165 ft 】 ——In General,...
The EZON Hiking Outdoors Watch is not only a great watch for hiking, but it is also a great watch for people who spend a lot of time outdoors in extreme areas for considerable times at once.
However, the name tells us all of that already. What does the name not tell us, though?
For one, this watch features a combination of a barometer, altimeter, and compass sensors in one. The compass is also highly accurate, provided it has been calibrated well the first time. We would have loved to see a solar-powered set up here too, but we cannot argue with the 12-months of battery life on this unit either.
A water resistance rating shows that the watch can stay submerged in water up to 50 meters and not suffer any damage. That, and we have not mentioned the accurate timekeeping – with world time of 48 cities from all around the world.
Besides that, it handles the basic functions of a watch very well too. Telling the time, handling calendar needs, and making alarms a breeze are all pastimes for this pick. To add cream on top, you get a vibrant, adjustable display with the EZON Hiking Outdoors Watch.
3. Garmin Forerunner 35
- Easy-to use GPS running watch tracks how far, how fast and where...
- Estimates heart rate at the wrist, all day and night, using...
- Connected features: Smart notifications, automatic uploads to...
- All-day activity tracking estimates steps, calories and intensity...
- Automatically uploads your data to Garmin Connect, our free...
There is no way we go through with this list and not mention anything from Garmin. Given that they have been doing so well in the hiking and outdoors market watch for a while now, that is.
They support that claim for budget buyers with their Garmin Forerunner 35 which is designed to give you all you need in one solid build.
The design element of this watch bears semblance to the Apple iWatch series, which should tell something of how sturdy it would be. Since you will mostly be outdoors with this watch, the choice of plastic screen material is apt. Garmin also sells this watch with an optional heart rate monitor which is recommended to keep track of your vitals while on your hike.
One way this watch edges out others on this list so far is with its built-in GPS. That tracks how far you have gone so far, and in what direction too. This could come in handy to find your way back of you ever found yourself in unfamiliar terrain – or didn’t estimate how far out you are.
That said, the Garmin watch also offers connectivity options with your phone. That allows you to keep your phone stored away in your hiking gear while still being able to receive notifications, control your music, etc.
4. SUUNTO Core Military Outdoors Watch
- SUUNTO Core Alpha Watch: The SUUNTO Core Alpha packs the key...
- Bring Out The Explorer In You: Combining an altimeter, barometer...
- Tested For Military Standards: Designed for the toughest and most...
- Adventure Starts Here: Whether you are fishing, hunting, running,...
- Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years...
Any watch that has been rightly labeled a military watch will be a rugged companion. That already earns this a spot as one of the best hiking watches under $200 for us.
That alone is not enough though – so we are happy to see that it also packs all of an altimeter, barometer, and compass to boot. While hiking watches don’t always go for stylish, the SUUNTO Core Military Outdoors Watch begs to differ. After all, it makes it possible for you to swap out the straps for a collection of other fancy ones as you see fit.
Going deeper into what the watch offers, many users will be pleased to know that it brings a log graph on board too. It follows through with accurate sunlight and sunset settings for more than 400 locations globally. That is only bettered by the promise of a temperature sensor with a range from between -5 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are ever looking for one of the best hiking watches with great value for money, your search could as well end on this pick.
5. Timex Expedition Katmai Combo
- Adjustable black 20mm fabric Fast Wrap strap fits up to 8-inch...
- Black analog dial; Arabic numerals; gray digital display at 6...
- Black 40mm resin case with orange gray; acrylic lens
- Indiglo light-up watch dial; luminous hands
- Water resistant to 50m (165 ft): In general, suitable for short...
For those who want an extremely amazing yet simple hiking watch that does not bring all the bells and whistles, the Timex Expedition Katmai Combo is made just for you.
The engineering of this watch marries both analog and digital in the same frame for a neat design. It also makes it possible to read the watch faster, especially when under the pressure of hiking. We also love the special Indiglo technology which lights up the Timex screen in low-light conditions.
The watch face carries an external bezel thick enough to protect the glass from breaking. This bezel is not too thick that it makes the watch look ugly in any way. Finally, the watch is water-resistant up to the first 50 meters.
6. Casio Pro-Tek Tough Solar Watch (PRW2500R)
- 200 M Water Resistance
- Quad Sensor (Bearing / Altitude-Barometic Pressure, Temperatue &...
- Bluetooth "Phone Link" allows you to connect to your smart phone...
- World Time (38 Time Zones / 38-Cities) w/ Daylight Saving On/Off...
- Moon Data & Tide Graph
Casio cannot seem to get it wrong with quality timepieces that are built to last. Slapping more features on the Casio Pro-Tek Tough Solar Watch, we have something that is any hiker’s best friend out there.
Like any other Pro-Tek series that you might see, this one is also fitted with some of the most accurate altimeter, barometer and compass sensors. What impresses us the most about Casio watches is the optimized display space, showing you everything you need to see at a glance without being too big for comfort.
So, what do you see at a glance here?
Besides the time, you are also treated to a calendar, elevation, and compass readings. Some digging into the watch takes you to the stopwatch feature, a multiple alarm system that allows you to set up to five different alarms and a countdown timer, among other things.
With a Casio Pro-Tek Tough Solar Watch, you never have to worry about losing the right time anymore. That is thanks to the watch automatically receiving correct time readings up to 6 times a day.
7. Garmin Foretrex 401
- Features high-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix for improved...
- Keeps track of routes, tracks and waypoints, and heart rate with...
- TracBack feature retraces user's path on the easy-to-read LCD...
- Supports dual position readout so user can view current location...
- Features trip computer, sunrise/sunset times, hunting/fishing...
All of the other watches on this list have a stronger focus on coming in the basic wristwatch form factor. This is where the Garmin Foretrex 401 does things differently. It, rather, places a stronger focus on the needs of hikers, skiers, and campers. The fact that Garmin was able to fit all of that functionality onto a hand-worn unit is something to write home about.
This pick best identifies as a GPS navigator, given how it plots your steps and records them for easy reading. The watch maps all the areas you have walked with a dotted line so that it is easy to retrace your steps if you ever get lost.
The vibrant screen also provides an accurate readout for temperature, distance covered, compass, and barometric pressure, among others. Since it is featured under watches, we should mention how accurate the sunrise and sunset times are too. Never miss a sunset anymore with this on your wrist.
Garmin designed this unit for maximum connectivity. They allow you to connect the watch to a computer to export your hiking data for other analytics, or just storage. You can also connect units like your heart rate sensor to this watch for better tracking of vitals while on your hike.
The only bone we have to pick with this Garmin Foretrex 401 is its lack of solar power support. The battery lasts longer on the average, anyways, so that should not be an issue.
8. Casio Men’s Pathfinder Multi-Function Sport Watch
- 100 M Water Resistance
- Solar Powered - Solar panel features rechargable battery with...
- Triple Sensor - Digital Compass, Altimeter, Barometer &...
- World Time w/ 31 Time Zones (48 Cities) and Daylight Saving...
- 1/100-Second Stop Watch (Measuring Capacity 23:59'59.99")
This Casio Men’s Pathfinder Multi-Function Sport Watch promises a battery that lasts at least six months without any exposure to sunlight at all. That is a very impressive lifetime for the internal battery. We should also probably mention that it packs support for solar charging. As long as you are wearing it outdoors, you will have a steady charge to rely upon.
That is not all that makes this watch impressive, though.
Like the other Casio watches on this list, this beautiful pick also comes with an assortment of altimeter, barometer, and compass sensors. A thermometric reader is also on board to keep track of external temperature ranges to a degree of fault.
A neat automatic LED feature is in-built to make the watch light up anytime you turn your wrist to view. Offering five daily alarms, you can also use this watch in water for as much as 100 meters in depth.
Packing a total of 38 time zones across 48 cities globally, you can never go wrong on time with this unit.
Have we mentioned how rugged it is, though? Cos this watch brings a new definition to ruggedness.
9. Garmin Forerunner 235
- GPS running watch with wrist based heart rate and display type is...
- Customize your watch and your training, larger screen a 44...
- Audio Prompts: Receive Audio Prompts from your connected...
- Smart notifications: See incoming email, text messages, call...
- Battery life 11 hours training, 9 days watch, activity tracking,...
Is it a fashion piece? Is it something I can go on a run with? Will it stand a test against the elements?
All of these were questions running through our mind when we saw the Garmin Forerunner 235. Fortunately for us, it checks all the right boxes. Its ability to connect with a compatible smartphone makes it an even more valuable wristwatch to have when going on a hike.
For the basics, you get a watch that is designed to track your run, walk, and hike – no matter how long it goes on for. You get an accurate reading of distance, time, and pace on the impressive lovely screen.
Garmin follows that up with audio prompts, an updated weather widget, and user oxygen support – letting you know a recommended ballpark of oxygen to expend.
Besides that, the watch has a dedicated app store from which you can get more apps to boost its functionality for your hikes and everyday living. Speaking of everyday activities, being able to download multiple watch faces means you can wear the same watch different ways on multiple days of the week.
We might not be impressed with a lack of in-built compass and barometer, but we figure Garmin could provide a solution to that in the official app store.
Choose Your Champion
There you have it: 9 of the best watches for hiking that you can get for under $200.
Which one does it for you? Depending on what feature you are looking for, we believe you will get the best value for money up there.
