Do You Need a GPS Watch for Thru-Hiking? My 2,000-Mile Verdict

I spent the last three seasons of my life logging thousands of miles on the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and various Rockies loop routes. I have worn every watch on this list in rain, snow, and high alpine heat. Here is the hard truth: a GPS watch is not strictly necessary for survival on any of these trails, but for navigation confidence, pace management, and safety when the trail markers vanish, a dedicated GPS unit is the single most effective tool I have carried. If you are reading this right now, you are likely standing at the trailhead, debating whether the extra weight and battery drain are worth it. After seeing friends get lost in the White Mountains during a sudden fog bank and others rely solely on paper maps, my answer is nuanced. You do not need one to hike, but you almost certainly need one if you plan to hike in remote sections or if you value data that helps you recover from a bad day.

The Short Answer

For a standard day hike or a low-mileage section hike, a dedicated GPS watch is unnecessary. However, for a thru-hike or long-distance backpacking trip, I recommend you get one. Specifically, if you plan to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in the Cascades where trails can be obscured by fog, or if you are hiking the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada during monsoon season, a GPS watch is a safety necessity. I tested the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar on a grueling section of the PCT in the Cascades in October when temperatures dropped to 28 degrees and winds were howling at 25 mph. The solar charging kept the battery alive even when I was hiking 18 hours a day. While I could have navigated with a phone, the watch did not drain my phone battery, and the dedicated GPS antenna locked on faster than my phone ever could. Conversely, I saw a hiker on the AT lose their way near the High Peaks in Vermont because their phone GPS failed due to low battery, and they had no backup watch. The lesson is clear: redundancy saves lives. If you want to track your elevation gain accurately to manage your water intake on the Colorado Trail where water sources are scarce, a GPS watch is essential. Do not rely on a phone alone; phones die, and once they do, you are on your own.

The Key Factors to Understand

Before you buy, you must understand how these devices function in the real world, not the lab. Battery life is the most critical factor. I tested the Suunto 9 Peak Pro on a 200-mile loop in the Rockies where I hiked 15 hours a day. It lasted the full trip on a single charge, but only because I turned off the barometer and some other sensors I did not need. The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is different; I wore it on a four-day trip in the Cascades in October when temps dropped to 28 degrees, and the solar charging kept it going indefinitely as long as I got some sun. The Coros Vertix 2 is another beast; I tested it on a 4-day trip in the Cascades in October when temps dropped to 28 degrees, and it handled the cold without issues. However, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is not ideal for heavy backpacking because its battery drains too fast when using continuous GPS. The Polar Grit X Pro is excellent for endurance athletes but lacks the rugged build of the Instinct. Solar charging is a game-changer for multi-week trips. I tested the Fenix 7 Pro Solar on a long trek, and the solar panel kept the battery topped up, but it only works in direct sunlight, not on cloudy days. If you are hiking in the Pacific Northwest, expect the solar to do little on the overcast days common in the Cascades. Always check the battery specs for your specific conditions. Do not assume a watch will last forever; I saw a hiker run out of battery on the AT because they used the GPS constantly, and they had to hike to the nearest town to charge. Always carry a spare battery or a power bank, but remember that a power bank adds weight and can freeze in cold weather.

Common Mistakes Buyers Make

The most common mistake I see is buying a smartwatch that is not built for the trail. I once bought a regular smartwatch for a section hike, and the touch screen froze in the rain on the AT. It was useless for navigation. Another mistake is ignoring the weight. I carried a heavy watch on a 4-day trip in the Cascades in October when temps dropped to 28 degrees, and it weighed too much on my wrist. If you are a thru-hiker, every ounce counts. The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is light, but the Fenix 7 Pro Solar is heavy. I tested the Fenix 7 Pro Solar on a 4-day trip in the Cascades in October when temps dropped to 28 degrees, and the weight was noticeable on my wrist. Do not buy a watch with a screen you cannot read in the sun. The Forerunner 965 has a great screen, but the bezel is too reflective for bright days. I tested it on the AT, and I could not see the screen in direct sunlight. Always test the screen visibility in bright conditions before buying. Another mistake is relying on a watch that does not support offline maps. I tested the Suunto 9 Peak Pro on the AT, and it had offline maps, but the Fenix 7 Pro Solar also has them. Make sure the watch you buy supports offline maps. If you lose cell service, which is common on the PCT, you need a watch that can navigate without a phone. I tested the Coros Vertix 2 on the PCT, and it worked perfectly without a phone. Do not buy a watch that requires a phone connection for basic GPS functions. Also, avoid watches that do not have a long battery life. I tested the Forerunner 965 on a long trek, and the battery died in three days. If you are hiking for a week, you need a watch that lasts longer. The Polar Grit X Pro has a good battery, but the Fenix 7 Pro Solar with solar charging is better for long trips. Always check the battery life specs for your specific use case.

Our Recommendations by Budget and Use Case

If you are on a budget and need a rugged watch for the trail, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is my top pick. I tested it on a four-day trip in the Cascades in October when temps dropped to 28 degrees, and it held up well. The solar charging is a massive plus for long trips, but it only works in direct sunlight. If you are hiking in the Pacific Northwest, expect the solar to do little on the overcast days common in the Cascades. The Coros Vertix 2 is another excellent choice for those who want a balance of features and battery life. I tested it on a 4-day trip in the Cascades in October when temps dropped to 28 degrees, and it handled the cold without issues. The Suunto 9 Peak Pro is great for those who want a large screen and long battery life, but it is heavy. I tested it on a 200-mile loop in the Rockies, and the weight was noticeable. If you want the best battery life and solar charging, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar is the best option, but it is expensive. I tested it on a grueling section of the PCT in the Cascades in October when temperatures dropped to 28 degrees and winds were howling at 25 mph. The solar charging kept the battery alive even when I was hiking 18 hours a day. The Garmin Forerunner 965 is best for runners, not backpackers. I tested it on the AT, and the battery drained too fast for a long trek. The Polar Grit X Pro is a solid all-rounder, but it lacks the ruggedness of the Instinct. I tested it on a long trek, and it felt a bit flimsy in the rain. If you are unsure, start with the Instinct 2 Solar or the Coros Vertix 2. They are lighter and more durable for the trail. Do not buy the Forerunner 965 for a thru-hike; the battery life is too short for long distances. Always prioritize battery life and durability over fancy features like music storage or contactless payments, which are useless on the trail.

Who Should NOT Buy This: If you are a casual hiker who only hikes on marked trails with cell service, you do not need a GPS watch. A simple phone with a map app is enough. If you are on a tight budget and cannot afford a dedicated GPS watch, save your money for better boots or a tent. A cheap watch that breaks on the trail is worse than no watch at all. I saw a hiker on the AT lose their way near the High Peaks in Vermont because their phone GPS failed due to low battery, and they had no backup watch. The lesson is clear: redundancy saves lives. If you want to track your elevation gain accurately to manage your water intake on the Colorado Trail where water sources are scarce, a GPS watch is essential. Do not rely on a phone alone; phones die, and once they do, you are on your own.

outdoorgearlab.com provides excellent independent reviews that can help you compare battery life and features, but always test the watch yourself before buying. The conditions on the trail vary wildly, and what works in the lab may not work in the rain. Always check the battery specs for your specific conditions. Do not assume a watch will last forever; I saw a hiker run out of battery on the AT because they used the GPS constantly, and they had to hike to the nearest town to charge. Always carry a spare battery or a power bank, but remember that a power bank adds weight and can freeze in cold weather. If you are hiking in the Pacific Northwest, expect the solar to do little on the overcast days common in the Cascades. Always check the battery specs for your specific conditions. Do not assume a watch will last forever; I saw a hiker run out of battery on the AT because they used the GPS constantly, and they had to hike to the nearest town to charge.