8 Best GPS Trackers for Hiking in 2026 – Expert Reviews & Top Picks

Customer Review: “This watch is truly exceptional! I chose it mainly because I was fed up with the battery life of my Apple Watch 8. I wear my Apple Watch while I sleep to track my sleep patterns, but I find it frustrating that by lunchtime the next day, it’s dead. While I have an office, I’m usually out in the field without a charge. That’s not an issue with this watch. I’ve been wearing this watch for a couple of days, using all the features, and the battery level is over 90%. My Apple Watch would have required a couple of charges. This watch was incredibly easy to set up, and it’s extremely comfortable to wear. The functionality continues to impress me. It offers nearly every feature my Apple Watch has, plus additional capabilities that you won’t find on any Apple Watch. One standout feature is the blood pressure reading, which is impressively accurate. I compared the readings from my reliable blood pressure monitor to those from the watch, and they matched perfectly. As a 66-year-old with high blood pressure, having the ability to check my BP on demand is a game-changer. This watch not only alerts you when your blood pressure is dangerously high but also monitors your heart rate. Having this critical information readily available is not only convenient; it could quite literally save your life. Plus, as a sports watch, it feels incredibly durable!”

Customer Review: “The Military Smart Watch has a well-balanced selection of ‘good things you need to know’. The built-in steps track quite well, and the special feature Last Sport also allows you to gather specific information of your walking. Sleeping is surprisingly accurate as is heart beats and SpO2, but there is no detailed blood pressure. The Stress feature just does not capture the condition of the heart and stress in the body. The battery life is surprisingly good, and recharging is very quick. A good price for a quality product.”

Customer Review: “My fiance is a ADK 46rd He climbs almost every weekend. We lose at atleast one person a year to the Adirondacks. I get worried about him when he hikes. This has been able to give me a great peace of mind. My fiance is not a very technical person and he was able to figure out how to work this GPS with little to no effort. This was one of those gifts that you hope you’re loved one never needs it but the security of knowing they have it is worth every penny”

Customer Review: “The GPS works real good. I just wished it would zoom in a little more on your position other than that. Satisfied with the product”

Customer Review: “It seems an affordable size. The battery life is spectacular. What I find most useful is the map and connectivity with other civilized satellites. The quality is great. And I’m able to see the screen even outside.”

Customer Review: “good , compact, reliable and pretty basic and easy to use”

Customer Review: “It is very small GPS with an adequate view screen. The buttons, need to be pressed in the center, and are a bit stiff. It took a while to get used to the menus and buttons. Within a day of taking it out on a trail, It became easier to operate. Downloaded the manual from Garmin since the manual that comes with it is just a few pages. I paired it to a large screen phone. It works flawlessly with the phone. You get to see a nice trail map with elevation reading and all waypoints along the trail. The GPS lacks an elevation history page. The map on the GPS is really useless but the electronic compass works perfectly. Several other pages on the GPS give you ample information. This is a back-up for my other Garmin GPS… I found it small but extremely useful and accurate. Hooked it up to a phone at the end of the day and downloaded the information to my phones. The phone has a big nice map. Since I need to carry a phone, linking the two together is easy. If I need extra information I just bluetooth to my phone in seconds. For the cheapest GPS Available it a very good buy.”

Customer Review: “I love this thing, I give it 5 stars because it’s not trying to be fancy and it works well. If you’re going out hunting or into the woods it’s great for tracking your every movement and the simplicity of adding markers and marking animal tracks and trees is so great! I feel safe with its extremely ridiculous battery life! Never going hunting without it again. Find your way back to your car with ease. Important- it does. It beep when your off track… I like this for my own reasons but some may not.”

Customer Review: “I’ve been using the Garmin products for a while now, and they’ve proven to be a highly reliable GPS manufacturer. Pros: The GPSMAP 67 offers extremely accurate tracking and navigation. It quickly locks onto satellite signals, even in dense forests or remote areas, providing consistent and reliable location data. It comes preloaded with detailed maps, and the ability to add more maps is a huge plus. This is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need various types of terrain maps at their fingertips. One of the standout features is its impressive battery life. It can last for several days on a single charge when used intermittently, which is ideal for multi-day trips. The device feels robust and well-built. It’s waterproof, impact-resistant, and designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. The GPSMAP 67 includes a variety of helpful tools such as an altimeter, barometer, and compass. These are great additions for those who need more than just GPS for navigation. Cons: While the device is packed with features, there’s a bit of a learning curve to fully utilize them. The interface could be a bit more user-friendly, especially for beginners. It’s on the expensive side, but given the level of functionality and durability, I think it’s worth the investment if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Overall, the Garmin GPSMAP 67 is a top-tier GPS device for serious adventurers. It combines accuracy, durability, and long battery life in one package, making it a reliable companion for all outdoor expeditions. Highly recommended for hikers, explorers, and anyone needing precise navigation in rugged environments!”

Customer Review: “First – This thing is fantastic. I’ve not needed to use the inreach feature yet but I used to carry a 66ST and an inreach mini. Having the 2 combined is fantastic. Map abilities are amazing. Screen resolution is very good. Not as high as an iPhone but it’s very purpose built so it’s great for navigation and assessment. GPS accuracy is remarkable with the multi-band GPS. Most of the time, you only need GPS. Battery life is unbelievable. I’ve always had the 8-15 hours on 2 AA or rechargeable. To have a battery that lasts 4-5 days makes it so even if you forget to turn it off, you will rarely be in situations where it renders you inoperable. Also, you don’t need to carry extra batteries or charger unless you are on a longer adventure. The ‘down’ side (not really). The interface is so feature-packed that it does have a learning curve. Once you have it, it is cake to use. It works wonderfully with Garmin Explore. You can download your favorite track from Alltrails or other sites and import them into collections. They sync via your iphone or laptop effortlessly (setting up phone connection can have some issues but is a set and forget thing). Overall, this thing is rugged beast that covers a fantastic range of functionality. TheHikingGuy indicated he doesn’t need it because of his Garmin watch of which I have one. It is so much nicer to have a handheld that has a bigger screen for map reading and orientation without needing to unfold a map unless absolutely necessary. If you are a serious hiker, you are probably carrying a satellite device anyways and this thing is so worth adding a couple ounces of weight in my opinion. If you are thinking about it and have the budget – Go for it!”

Customer Review: “I’ve had several models of Spot devices over the years, and this is the best one yet. Message transmission is incredibly fast and reliable – almost instant in many cases. The batteries last a very long time, too. I use it several times a week as I travel to remote, mountaintop locations for work, and can easily let my family know I’ve arrived safely and, using the custom message feature, let them know heading home. If I had one complaint, it is that the unit turns off after maybe an hour. It would be nice if it stayed ‘armed’ to send a message for longer, so you don’t have to hold the power button for 3 seconds and allow it to re-acquire GPS before sending another message. The first gen model stayed on for days and I loved that feature. But seriously, this is an awesome PLB and half the price of other brands. Go for it.”

Customer Review: “Very good product, I had a little difficulty understanding how it worked, but it was super easy. I went trekking in Venezuela and used it; it worked great, thank God I didn’t need to use the SOS function, and the product tracked everything perfectly.”

Customer Review: “Go this after my legend CX died from batteries leaking. unit was over 10 years old. The 64 is awesome and doesnt feel like a toy at all. very powerful with built in maps. routing works, uploading maps and tacks from all trails is super super easy. edit… still works very well, after many 5+ mile treks. I did end up getting a GPSMAP65S and it is hands down the one you want. if you cant pony up 400 for the 65S, then get this one. ABC sensors are a must”

Customer Review: “Good product. Battery lasts long. Screen could be a bit bigger.”

Customer Review: “The concept I really like, but there are some glaring issues. Pros: Both of the units out of the box worked and will work for my application. The setup of the units is relatively easy. Cons: The app functions differently on Iphone vs android. On Iphone the message feature does not work at all/works on android. On Iphone you don’t have to log in or set up an account/have to on android. On android you can not view the location of the actual devices/Iphone shows the devices and your phone location. On android you can’t download the app from the google play store/will not show up using their provided qr code, you have to download the apk file from a third party (i used APKPure) then install the app. When one of the devices loses sat signal or out of communication range with the group it either takes forever to reconnect or needs to be reset to jump back into the group. The main miss with these is the app. The devices themself are ok, clunky interface but it works. I am going to do further testing in the woods this weekend and I’ll update with more details. This product could be great they really need to work out the kinks.”

Customer Review: “goTele ASIN: B0C3X17YKQ GPS COMMUNICATIONS TRACKING DEVICES ( PAIR ) SYSTEM includes the Device, Charger Cable ( NO AC POWER CHARGING MODULE ), Wrist Strap and User Manual. APP provides latest version of Manual and expanded capability. Warranty- Device 1 Year / Accessory 90 Days. The GPS Communications Tracking Device is connected to cellular unit through APP and NOT Bluetooth. The unit is IP67 Waterproof with all controls rubber covered. The readout is clear but washed out in bright sunlight. The GPS unit need clear sky sight to locate satellites. Locked to Satellites in my experience about one minute. Very quick. The device would not pick up any satellites near windows inside wooden building. When Satellites acquired the time set automatically in 24 hour mode. I don’t like that at the current price point no AC Charging Module included. One unit can setup a group. The Master unit also can disassemble the group. The members can track and maintain contact. Setting up and calibrating the compass is three function process. The OnScreen prompt guides user through process. Initial setup includes naming each unit for identifying. Reset to Factory Mode is line item. The unit can be used as Watch when not in GPS Tracking Mode. Four ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Your time and interest are appreciated. Thank you! INTENT, you find the Review Valuable, Informative, Useful and HELPFUL. 😃”