All of us are longing for a vacation. Not only to relax but to have time for an outdoor adventure.
It is the only time when we can wake up late, lay all day, and just literally do nothing.
But for those adrenaline junkies, this is their time to explore Mother Nature. This is the perfect time to try new things, explore the unknown, and just enjoy the breathtaking scenes.
What activities can we do outdoors?
There are lots of adventure recreation that you can do. Tag along your family, friends, co-workers, classmates, and all the people that you know. Because an outdoor setting needs a team to enjoy every sport.
You can try camping, sailing, caving, or any activities that you have not tried before. These will give you an exciting and challenging vacation that you will remember all your life.
What to prepare?
For first-timers, you might ask, what do you need to pack? Or what preparations you have to do? And it’s good if you think ahead because you have a lot of things to get done first before you start your own journey.
One of the essential things, aside from food, clothing, and shelter, are top outdoor watches. You might ask why since it’s just another accessory, but beyond that, this can help you big time.
What is new with an outdoor watch?
Just like any other watches in the world, the main purpose of an outdoor watch is to track time. But since the evolution of technology is non-stop, they include additional features.
Active individuals need a durable and functional watch that can support their sports without damaging their timepiece. GPS receivers, heart rate monitors, and activity monitors are some of the important features of an outdoor watch.
Top 5 Outdoor Watches
The objective in designing an outdoor watch must meet the needs of a sport-active person. Different watches offer different qualities, it just depends on the user what features they need. So to help you in choosing the right one for you, here are the top five outdoor watches in 2022.
This outdoor watch has a soft and flexible black silicone band that makes it look and feel luxurious. Its Chroma display is 1.2 inches visible to sunlight, high-resolution, and has Sapphire lens. Garmin offers a Wrist Heart Rate Technology that gives you an option to track your heart rate and records data. This is suitable for swimmers that goes under the water up to 100 meters. With Wi-Fi, you can automatically sync your data with Garmin Connect.
This outdoor watch has a Tough Solar Power. Its battery is solar rechargeable with approximately 5 months life and 23 months in Power Saving Function. Casio’s other features are Digital Compass, Barometer, Altimeter, and even Thermometer to keep a track on your body’s temperature. Also, it is Water-Resistant up to 200 meters, with Multi-Band Atomic Timekeeping, Moon Data, and Tide Graph. This Dual LC Display watch includes a Full Auto EL Backlight with Afterglow, Daily Alarms, World Time, Stopwatch, and Time Signal. There is also a button to switch the tone on and off, Calendar, Timer, Battery Indicator, and Storage.
This outdoor watch has a GPS/GLONASS Navigation. It displays altitude, topographical maps, compass, and time update. Suunto is your daily companion for outdoor sports like trekking and hiking. Ideal for long distances adventure, it can measure your burning calories and paces, records speed, and can warn you for upcoming storms and weather updates. The manufacturer also includes applications like Suunto Movescount and Suunto Movie. The battery life can last up to 100 hours.
4. Casio Men’s GW-9400BJ-1JF G-Shock Master of G Rangeman
This outdoor watch has a full access Triple Sensor Version that includes a thermometer, barometer, altimeter, and a digital compass. Being the most popular and most desirable style in the Master G line up, this is one of the best watches for outdoor activities. With its Tough Solar Power, rechargeable battery, and Multi-Band Wave Timekeeping, it makes an excellent survival watch for you. It also has a mud and temperature resistance, world time, alarms, timer, and stopwatch. The useful features and affordable price is the perfect watch for all sports.
This outdoor watch has a multisport mode. It can track all you indoors and outdoors activities such as hiking, skiing, swimming, running, etc. It is a GPS sports watch with a music player that can last up to 6 hours. You can see real-time altitude, pace, and 3D distances while keeping up with your performance. Also, with the heart rate monitor, you don’t have to worry about checking your heart rate, calories and step count. This is the ideal outdoor fitness watch for active people who want to discover new routes and takes on new heights with built-in compass and barometer.
Things to Consider in Buying an Outdoor Watch
In choosing the best outdoor watch, it must have the basics and some add-on features. Although, users have a different perspective on what they think they need and want. To help you with this problem, here are some factors you need to take note before buying your sports watch.
- Toughness
We all know how tough it is to go outdoors. The long walk, run, hike, and the climb is just exhausting. And with this, we can’t avoid the fact that things can get bumpy and messy. You need a watch that will remain functional even how much impact, shocks, and rubs it encounters.
The lens should be scratch free so you will be able to read the time clearly. It is better if it’s made out of Sapphire. Why? Because it is the second hardest and most scratch-resistant mineral next to a diamond. Not to mention affordable. You can go for a stainless steel case, ceramic, or polymer-plastic for the watch case. It is a durable material that can last long.
Check the watch if it underwent an extreme testing. Sapphire lens and high-grade stainless steel are useless if the overall watch is poorly put together. You should not compromise on the materials as it will dictate how much pressure it can stand.
- Accuracy
Having an accurate outdoor watch is very important. Especially when you plan to go alone, a great watch can be your best buddy on your trip. If you are going for a long distance adventure, precise coordinates will help you to keep track.
Digital or quartz watches are more accurate than mechanical watches. It may not be as fashionable, but experts consider them as watches with accuracy and precision. Also, mechanical watches are more prone to shock and heat.
- Luminescent Hands
You might think that it’s not necessary since most watches have a light button built-in. But mind that being outdoor means you are out there for 24 hours, day and night. It’s helpful to check the time without having your other hand press the button for the backlight.
Hands with glow will make reading time simpler. When you stuck in the mountain, trees, or holding something, checking your watch won’t be a problem. A watch featuring a luminescent hand should be on your must-have list.
- Water and Pressure Resistance
Atmospheres are units that represent the amount of pressure a watch can endure. A 3 ATM can withstand a pressure under 30-meter deep water. But if you plan to go snorkeling, it’s advisable to wear a watch with 5 ATM. Or better yet, choose a watch with at least 10 ATM, so you don’t have to worry how deep your watch can survive.
- Analog
Although digital watches are more accurate, analog is best if you’re going for an adventure. Despite the classic and sophisticated look of a digital watch, it would not matter if you are in outdoor places. When you have a tight schedule or just tracking your pace, the hands of the clock can enhance your grasp of time. It’s more of a real-time feel that every tic matters. It is not the most important factor but it also a big help for some sports lover.
Things Needed for and Outdoor Adventure
Aside from a functional outdoor watch, there are other essentials that you need to bring with you. Take note, you are far from your house for hours or days so bringing the things you need is very important. Leave behind everything that will not be as useful and will just add weight and space to your bag. Here are ten things you need before you go out your house and start your outdoor adventure.
Injuries and accidents are very unpredictable so it is always safe to bring a first aid kit. It must have the basic needs to cure burns, cuts, bites, scratches, and other minor wounds. You can also include your daily medicine and other medicinal for a headache, diarrhea, painkiller, and so on.
- Lighter and Flashlight
It gets cold and dark outside, especially at night. You don’t want anything that will crawl in your body so always bring a flashlight to see things in the dark. Also, lighters are essential for making fire. Without fire, you will have limited options for food. Canned goods are okay but if you still want to have a hot sizzling food and to make your cold nights warmer, don’t forget to bring a lighter.
- Rope, Pocket Knife, and Other Outdoor Tools
Tools are also important to bring. It can help you in all your activities, to cut the rope, slice foods, and creating a temporary shelter. This can also be your ultimate weapons from animals or other people in times of emergencies. Look for tools that are handy and has a compact size to fit in your bag.
- Clothes
Even if you already checked the weather for the upcoming days, it can still change. It can be sunny today but you might experience a rainy day tomorrow. So pack clothes for different weather conditions. You don’t have to bring all but all items you need like underwear, jacket, socks, boots, gloves, etc. With extra clothes, you won’t have to worry about the sudden change of the weather.
- Foods
Of course, how can you survive without bringing some foods? One great tip is to get foods that can give your high energy like protein bars. Foods that are in a can are also an alternative if you fail to catch some fish. So whatever it is, don’t forget to bring all the foods you need, and also lots of water.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that outdoor adventure takes a lot of hard work. From preparation of the things, you need, practicing yourself for an adrenaline rush, and making sure that it will be a great journey for you. It can be overwhelming, but if you have the necessary things, then you can calm your mind and enjoy the ride.
Outdoor watches are a must item for every sports lover. It’s not just about having a fashion statement to brag about. It is a super useful thing for you, especially for beginners. When it’s your first time to hike, climb, or stay outdoors for days, having a watch that gives so many features is plus. You can check your heart rate, monitor your activities, and you will be at ease knowing that you will never get lost. Thanks to the GPS features, every track for you is possible.
So what’s next?
After you have your own outdoor watch and you have already packed your bags, it’s time for you to go outside and enjoy the nature. Relax and have fun while burning your calories and reaching your body goals. Keeping a healthy lifestyle isn’t just about a boring salad. If you know how to live your life to the fullest, every journey is a memory to remember.
So what are you waiting for? Grab now one of the top five outdoor watches and invite your family and friends to explore the outdoor adventure.
My name is Eugene Thornhill. I'm an outdoor enthusiast who loves nothing more than being one with nature. I've lived in numerous outdoor homes and even constructed my own. Living off-grid is something I'm very familiar with, more so than living in the city. For many years I've dealt with the many problems of living off-grid. It's time to pass on my knowledge through Cabinguides.