You’ll know that you have a good timepiece on your wrist when it has all the most essential and fundamental features for its price. The functionalities of wrist watches, especially those mainly used for hiking, differ from one model to another. While there are variants that have all the bare essentials down to a tee, some hikers might be looking for more than just the standard features.

Generally speaking, the more expensive the hiking watch, the more features it has. As such, it all boils down to how much you’re willing to invest in the acquisition of the product. Aside from the cost, consider how you want to use the timepiece and the functionalities included in the package so you can have peace of mind knowing that you’ve got a quality timepiece on your wrist. Read on to know the essential features of a good hiking watch to help you narrow down your search.

Ruggedness

Unlike ordinary wrist watches, most hiking watches are bulky and large, especially when they’re worn on slim wrists. It’s because most hiking watches, especially the good ones, are built to last. They offer top levels of durability so you can take them along with you wherever you may go, whether it’s the mall or the peak of a mountain. Due to its excellent levels of durability, hiking watches can withstand more than just the usual bumps and scrapes. Some can even retain their proper functionality when doused in water, dirt, and mud.

Compass and GPS

It’s easy to get lost while you’re hiking on a mountain, even when you’re already following a map. Reliable hiking watches may have a compass functionality that’ll help you get back on track. Some modern hiking timepieces will even have electronic features such as GPS to help you keep track of where you are through digital means.

Altimeter

Another essential feature to look into when browsing around the market for excellent hiking watches is the altimeter. This functionality allows the user to check their relative altitude above sea level. In doing so, you’ll know how high you’ve been hiking for the past few hours or days. You can use the watch’s altimeter to find out your relative height from your starting position.

There are other features to watch out for when looking for good hiking watches on the market, such as a barometer, a thermometer, and even a heart rate monitor. To get you started on your search for the best hiking watch for your specific requirements, you can head on to http://www.donatwald.com/best-hiking-watches/.