10 Best GPS For Hiking

You wouldn’t think of taking a cross-country road trip without a GPS. Truth be told, many people wouldn’t even drive as far as the grocery store without their Waze app-enabled. So why would you go into the deep woods without a device to help you find your way out?

We’ve searched for the best GPS for hiking, and these ten tools are at the top of the pack. The best handheld GPS is going to be different from what you’d expect to see out of a standard driving GPS device or app. After all, you’re not going to be worried about roads or traffic alerts.

Instead, we looked for features like topographic maps, tracking, weather resistance, weather alerts, and battery life. These are all features that can help you out in the wilderness, whether you’re trying to find a place to camp or retrace your path home.

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1. Magellan eXplorist 310

The Magellan eXplorist 310 has a long-lasting battery and a compact, waterproof case.

Key Features

• 2.2-inch display
• Topographic map
• Displays elevation
• Active tracking mode available
• Waterproof
• Uses a custom rechargeable battery pack
• 18 hours of battery life
• Weighs 5.1 ounces

The Magellan eXplorist 310 is the only GPS on our list that’s not made by Garmin. It’s also very affordably priced. The 2.2-inch display is bright enough that we didn’t mind its small size, enough for you to read it clearly even in direct sunlight. The case is also rated to withstand up to 30 minutes of water immersion, so there’s no need to panic if you drop it in a creek.

This GPS has an optional active tracking mode. When this mode is turned on, the eXplorist 310 will keep a log of your movements. This comes in handy if you want to retrace your steps; simply load up your log, and you can follow your own path home. The display will also show your elevation, with both flat and topographic map modes to help you identify features in your environment.

The eXplorist 310 uses a rechargeable battery pack, which lasts for about 18 hours. To extend this time, you can put the device into sleep mode. This shuts off everything but the tracker, so you can keep track of your steps without running any other functions. Even so, be careful about using this feature on long trips; since the battery pack can’t be replaced by standard batteries, 18 hours is all you get.

Pros

• Long battery life
• Lightweight
• Optional sleep mode
• Bright screen
• Accurate
• Affordable

Cons

• Small screen
• No replacement batteries

If price is a major concern, this hiking GPS is a solid choice.

2. Garmin eTrex 20x

The Garmin eTrex 20x is another compact GPS, but it’s loaded with plenty of features.

Key Features

• 2.2-inch high-resolution display
• Topographic map
• Displays elevation
• Manual tracking with waypoints
• Water-resistant
• Uses 2 AA batteries
• 20 hours of battery life
• Weighs 5 ounces
• 3.7 GB of internal memory
• Reads both GPS and GLONASS satellites

The Garmin eTrex 20x has a small, 2.2-inch screen. However, the 240 x 320 resolution is very high for the size, providing plenty of clarity. And you’re going to want clarity; the topographical map is exceptionally detailed, with an elevation display. You can also keep track of your travels by manually logging waypoints throughout your hike.

This GPS unit is powered by two AA batteries and lasts for up to 20 hours on a pair. A small internal battery maintains the memory to retain your tracking information while you switch over, so you’ll still be able to retrace your steps even if you have to replace your batteries.

The eTrex can lock on to Russian GLONASS satellites in addition to GPS. This gives you more options and can help you get a fix on your location even if you’re having trouble locking on to GPS. It also has 3.7 GB of internal memory, allowing you to download additional maps.

The only downside is that its interface is different from other Garmin GPS units, and it will take some time to learn how to use the new interface.

Pros

• Long battery life
• Lightweight
• Bright, high-resolution screen
• Accurate
• Acquires a signal quickly
• Affordable

Cons

• Small screen
• Steep learning curve

If you’re already comfortable with GPS units and want a powerful unit with lots of features, this Garmin hiking GPS has got you covered.

3. Garmin Oregon 700

The Garmin Oregon 700 provides up-to-date weather forecasts and radar for your location.

Key Features

• 3-inch touchscreen display
• Topographic map
• Automatic route tracking
• Displays elevation
• Waterproof
• Uses 2 AA batteries or rechargeable battery pack
• 12 hours of battery life
• Weighs 8 ounces
• Provides up-to-date weather information

The Garmin Oregon 700’s bright three-inch display is easy to see even in direct sunlight. The GPS features a standard topographical map and accepts a pair of AA batteries as an alternative to its rechargeable battery pack.

In addition to a map, the Oregon 700 also provides a current weather radar and forecast. You’ll have to be within range of a wireless signal in order to use this feature, but it’s a great tool to have on shorter outings.

Pros

• Rugged design
• Bright display
• Includes weather forecast
• Affordable

Cons

• Prone to freezing

This hiking GPS has an exceptionally bright, easy-to-read display.

4. Garmin Oregon 600

 

The Garmin Oregon 600 has 1.5 GB of internal memory for storing additional maps.

Key Features

• 3-inch touchscreen display
• Simple 2D map
• Displays elevation
• Manual tracking with waypoints
• Waterproof
• Uses 2 AA batteries with backup rechargeable battery pack
• 16 hours of battery life
• Weighs 7.4 ounces
• 1.5 GB of internal memory
• Reads both GPS and GLONASS satellites

The Garmin Oregon 600 gets 16 hours of battery life, with a rechargeable battery pack or a pair of AAs. It features a 3-inch touchscreen display that shows a clear image and is easy to operate. Like many Garmin GPS units, the Oregon 600 is compatible with GLONASS satellites as well as GPS.

This device features 1.5 GB of internal memory, allowing you to download additional maps. And at 7.4 ounces, it’s one of the lightest premium GPS units on the market. Just hold onto your wallet; it’s on the pricey side.

Pros

• Accurate
• Lightweight
• Acquires a signal quickly
• Good battery life

Cons

• Pricey

The large touchscreen display on this hiking GPS is very easy to use.

5. Garmin Foretrex 401

 

The Garmin Foretrex 401 is a miniature GPS unit that straps to your wrist.

Key Features

• 3-inch black-and-white display
• Simple compass and waypoint display
• Displays elevation
• Automatic route tracking
• Waterproof
• Uses 2 AAA batteries
• 17 hours of battery life
• Weighs 3 ounces
• Built-in wrist strap

The Garmin Foretrex 401 isn’t your standard GPS unit. It mounts on your wrist like an oversized watch, and it doesn’t display any kind of map. Instead, it displays a black and white compass and a written record of your location.

This device will be easy to use if you have some orienteering experience. That said, if you’re looking for a standard GPS unit with a map, an arrow, and other visual features, you’ll be better off with a different unit.

The Foretrex 401 is very reasonably priced and weighs only 3 ounces. It accepts two AAA batteries, which last for 17 hours. A small internal battery prevents you from losing your route information if you have to change the AAAs in the middle of a trip.

Pros

• Long battery life
• Very lightweight
• Easy to use
• Inexpensive

Cons

• No map display

If you’re willing to sacrifice some features to get the most compact GPS possible, this is an ideal choice.

6. Garmin Montana 680t

 

The Garmin Montana 680t’s large, 4-inch touchscreen is one of the largest that money can buy.

Key Features

• 4-inch touchscreen display
• Topographic map
• Displays elevation
• Automatic route tracking
• Waterproof
• Uses 3 AA batteries or rechargeable battery pack
• 16 hours of battery life
• Weighs 10.2 ounces
• Tracks barometric pressure
• Reads both GPS and GLONASS satellites
• Built-in 8 megapixel camera
• Syncs with your PC

The Garmin Montana 680t’s topographic map comes to life in vivid detail on the large, 4-inch touchscreen display. Considering the size of this display, it gets impressively good battery life, 16 hours on a set of three AA batteries. It also comes with a rechargeable battery pack, which has a comparable life.

This GPS includes a built-in digital barometer. It may not quite as good as live weather radar, but it doesn’t require a wireless signal, so you’ll have a heads-up on impending foul weather no matter how deep in the wilderness you travel. When you’re inside of wireless range, the Montana 680t syncs with your PC, updating your loved ones on your location in real-time.

Needless to say, these features have a bit of a learning curve. Plan on spending some time with the user’s manual before you go out on the trail.

Pros

• Large screen
• Long battery life
• Accurate
• Acquires a signal quickly
• Keeps your loved ones updated on your location
• Barometer helps predict weather changes without a wireless signal

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Pricey

If safety is your primary concern, the location updating feature on this hiking GPS can provide a lot of peace of mind.

7. Garmin GPSMAP 64s

 

The Garmin GPSMAP 64s includes an impressive 4 GB of onboard storage.

Key Features

• 2.6-inch display
• Topographic map
• Displays elevation
• Automatic route tracking
• Water-resistant
• Uses 2 AA batteries or rechargeable battery pack
• 16 hours of battery life
• Weighs 1 pound
• Reads both GPS and GLONASS satellites
• 4 GB of internal storage
• Syncs with your PC

The Garmin GPSMAP 64s is an affordable, reliable GPS that’s very well built. Its compact, Nokia-cell-phone-style design and rubberized case make it virtually impervious to damage from drops, bumps, and bangs. It also includes 4 GB of internal memory, enough to store just about the entire surface of the Earth.

The downside of all this is that the 64s are heavy. At a full pound, it adds more to your kit than most GPS units on the market. And like other complex devices that can download their own map kits, it takes some time to learn.

Pros

• Durable
• Good battery life
• Accurate
• Acquires a signal quickly
• Lets your loved ones keep track of your location
• Affordable

Cons

• Heavy
• Steep learning curve

This heavy-duty hiking GPS is a good choice if you need a rugged, durable unit.

8. Garmin GPSMAP 64st

 

The Garmin GPSMAP 64st is a heavy-duty GPS unit that’s designed to take a beating.

Key Features

• 2.6-inch display
• Topographic map
• Displays elevation
• Automatic route tracking
• Water-resistant
• Uses 2 AA batteries or rechargeable battery pack
• 16 hours of battery life
• Weighs 1 pound
• Reads both GPS and GLONASS satellites
• 8 GB of internal storage
• Syncs with your PC

The Garmin GPSMAP 64st is an upgraded version of the 64s we just looked at. It offers most of the same features, with two important improvements.

First, it includes 8 GB of internal storage instead of 4. This allows you to take advantage of its second feature: more detailed topographic maps. The 64st displays information on hunting boundaries, campsites, fishing locations, and other popular hotspots you’ll want to explore.

Pros

• Durable
• Good battery life
• Accurate
• Acquires a signal quickly
• Lets your loved ones keep track of your location
• Affordable

Cons

• Heavy
• Steep learning curve

This GPS displays campsites, fishing locations, and hunting boundaries, making it perfect for hardcore adventurers.

9. Garmin GPSMAP 66st

 

The Garmin GPSMAP 66st is designed to lock on quickly, with pinpoint accuracy.

Key Features

• 3-inch display
• Topographic map
• Automatic route tracking
• Displays elevation
• Water-resistant
• Uses 2 AA batteries or rechargeable battery pack
• 3-16 hours of battery life
• Weighs 8 ounces
• Reads both GPS and GLONASS satellites
• Up to date weather information
• Birdseye satellite mode for real-world imagery

The Garmin GPSMAP 66st is another highly reliable GPS unit that can lock on to both GPS and GLONASS satellites. It also provides live weather updates. One nice feature about this GPS is the birdseye satellite display. It gives you a Google Earth-like overhead view of your surroundings, which makes it easy to spot landmarks and other points of interest.

Pros

• Bright, glare-free display
• Includes weather forecasting
• Accurate
• Acquires a signal quickly

Cons

• Short battery life
• Pricey

This GPS provides live weather tracking as long as you’re in wireless range.

10. Garmin eTrex 30x

 

The Garmin eTrex 30x gets up to 17 hours of battery life on a pair of AA batteries.

Key Features

• 2.2-inch display
• Topographic map
• Automatic route tracking
• Displays elevation
• Water resistant
• Uses 2 AA batteries
• 17 hours of battery life
• Weighs 8 ounces
• Reads both GPS and GLONASS satellites
• 3.7 GB of internal storage
• Includes BaseCamp trip planning software

The Garmin eTrex 30x is a GPS device that can lock on to both GPS and GLONASS satellites. Its 2.2-inch screen is relatively small but bright enough to read under most conditions.

What makes this GPS special is its ability to sync with Garmin’s BaseCamp PC app. This app lets you plan your trip in advance and set waypoints from the comfort of your living room. Download it to the eTrex 30X, and you’ll be ready to hike!

Pros

• Bright display
• Helps you plan your trip in advance
• Good battery life
• Affordable

Cons

• Small screen

This hiking GPS is an ideal choice if you want to make a detailed trip plan in advance.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for the best GPS for backpacking, it’s important to keep in mind how you’re going to use it. For example, the best hiking GPS for long trips will be designed to offer a lot of features outside the range of any kind of wireless signal. On the other hand, a handheld GPS for hiking more local routes is free to include other features, such as a built-in camera or a larger screen.

One feature that’s important on any camping GPS is a powerful battery. This is something you don’t really have to worry about with a car GPS, which can be plugged in directly. Ideally, a camping GPS will accept standard AA or AAA batteries as well as a battery pack, since you can always bring extra batteries if you’re taking an extended trip.

We hope our handheld GPS reviews have been helpful. At the very least, we hope we’ve pointed you in the right direction.