You could thru-hike with the Instinct 2 Solar using regular GPS tracking. The Instinct 2 Solar has nearly twice the GPS mode battery life (up to three times the battery life with the right solar conditions). I love the Instinct-but it does not have the battery life to use standard GPS tracking on multi-day hikes. There are many models, and we describe their differences below.įor two years, I used the first generation Instinct for multiple thru-hikes, including a PCT southbound hike, and as a daily activity tracker. In November 2022, Garmin introduced the Instinct Crossover model (an Instinct with analog hands and a digital display). The Instinct is now available in a smaller “S” version. Since then, Garmin has added activity and health tracking features, significantly improved battery life, and introduced solar, tactical, camo, surfing, and truck driving (dezl) models. We have loved the Garmin Instinct since it was first released in 2018. It also has an easy to use companion app to help keep you on track for fitness goals. The Instinct 2 Solar combines the essential ABC (altimeter, barometer, and compass) functions, smartwatch features, and excellent battery life in an incredibly durable watch. We think the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is the best GPS hiking and backpacking watch for most people. Outdoor light varies from 1,500 lux on a cloudy day to 100,000 lux on a sunny day. *Solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions. Garmin sells a USC-C charging cable with the proprietary connector separately. Nylon band available.īattery Life: 28 days / unlimited with solar* (Smartwatch Mode)ģ0 hours / 48 hours with solar* (GPS Mode)Ĭharging Cable: The watch has a USB-A cable and a proprietary connector. Three bands are available.Īvailable one size and two colors. Smaller versions are available at a lower cost, but have a shorter battery lifeĪvailable in different trims including a brushed steel.Īvailable in one size. Surf, Camo, Tactical, dezl, and Crossover versions available I bring to this review many years and miles of experience using hiking watches and their features in real-life scenarios to inform my analysis of hiking watches on the market today. I then further upgraded in late 2022 to the fenix 7X Sapphire Solar for the Northern New Mexico Loop. In 2020, I updated to the Garmin fenix 6X Solar to use the full GPS capabilities for thru-hikes of the Blue Mountain Trail, Oregon Desert Trail, and Mogollon Rim. I switched to the Garmin Instinct in early 2019 and used it on thru-hikes of the Arizona Trail, Pacific Crest Trail (southbound), and Ouachita Trail. I used the Suunto Core as an essential part of my hiking kit on the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Appalachian Trail, and other thru-hikes. I have used Treeline’s top hiking watches on many long-distance thru-hikes. We also examine how our top winners stack up against the new Apple Watch Ultra, Coros Vertix 2, Suunto 9 Peak Pro, and Casio Pro Trek PRW3500-1. For folks who just want ABC functionality without GPS or lifestyle functions like activity tracking, the Suunto Core is still a great option. We also love the Garmin Enduro 2 if you want all the fenix 7X Sapphire Solar features with even more battery life. If you want more features and exceptional battery life, the fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is our upgrade pick. The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is the best GPS hiking and backpacking watch for most people. We put in 100s of hours of research and over 300 hiking days to determine the best hiking and backpacking watches. Choosing the best GPS watch or ABC watch depends on how you plan to use it. An ABC hiking watch-a watch with altitude, barometer, and compass functions (the ABCs)-is an essential piece of backcountry gear.
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