The Best Digital Watches for Outdoor Enthusiasts: Features to Look For and Top Models

Exploring the outside world and the untamed wilderness, breathing in the breeze of summer wind, basking under the sun, discovering endless horizons, hiking through dense forests, running out and about to mingle with the wonderful creatures of nature, the adrenaline rush as you navigate hidden waterfalls, all these and more, they are absolutely freeing and life-changing. 

If you have resonated well enough with the first paragraph and felt every single word, then you are a true outdoor junkie. You know how important it is to always have your watch with you whenever you head out the door and explore the world. 

The question would be, what features should you be looking for in a watch to meet the demands of your active lifestyle? In this blog, we are going to walk you through surefire tips you can use to find the best digital watch for your outdoor adventures. 

These are the features you should look for.

1. Durability

As an outdoor enthusiast and an active individual, it's important to invest in a digital watch that can keep up with your adventures. The last thing you would want to have in your adventure gears and stuff is a flimsy timepiece that can't handle the wear and tear of outdoor activities.

It is only logical to look for a watch that is highly durable and not only stylish. These types of watches can withstand the challenges of any active lifestyle. Whether you're scaling a mountain or going for a run on a rocky terrain, your watch must have the ability to handle scratches, bumps, water, and extreme temperatures.

A durable watch is your assurance that you have a reliable tool for all your adventures and will surely stay with you for a very long time.

2. GPS

With GPS on your digital watch, you can easily navigate through unfamiliar locations. If you are biking through mountainous areas and is your first time there, there is a big chance you might get off track and get lost along the way. However, with a GPS, you will be guided accordingly in every turn and twist.

GPS does not only provide real-time location tracking but it also has the ability to record and monitor your speed, route, and distance. It is an absolute game-changer for active people, especially athletes.

Apple Watch Series 8, Garmin Forerunner 955, Coros Apex 2, and Polar Vantage V2 are among the top models in terms of GPS features. 

3. Altimeter

Another hiking must-have is an altimeter. Look for a digital watch that has this feature to make trekking a little less hard. This can significantly help you track your body’s response to the changes in altitude and track your ascent and descent.

You probably already know that training at altitude can help athletes recover faster because there is improved oxygen delivery and increased red blood cell count. If you want to try this on your next session for a stronger you, make sure you have a digital watch with an altimeter with you to keep you company.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot, Citizen ProMaster Altichron, and Casio Pro are among the top models with high-quality altimeter features.

4. Strong battery life

Of course, you cannot settle for anything less when it comes to battery life. Despite the availability of power banks, your digital watch needs to have its own reliable battery that won’t easily drain and give up on you in the middle of your hiking, biking, running, swimming, or whatever outdoor activity you are doing. 

The current king of strong battery life in digital watches is Garmin Fenix 6X Pro and it boasts 21 days of use alongside its tough build and water-resistant feature of up to 100 meters.

5. User-friendly interface & applications

Check if the watch has a user-friendly interface because outdoor adventures require quick navigation skills and a complicated interface is not something you need specifically during challenging moments. Make sure you also have easy access to a heart rate monitor, stopwatch, timer, and other apps that can check your physical status.