If you hike or climb in the mountains, you may find that a high quality altimeter watch can help you with your next adventure.
Altimeter watches use a watch that measures your elevation.
The watch then uses this data in combination with wind speed, temperature, and more to determine the direction and speed of your ascent or descent.
Using this data, the watch will give you the forecasted weather and temperature at your predicted destination, as well as potentially alert you to upcoming inclement weather or even tell you if you are ascending or descending when you weren’t trying to.
Beyond just hiking and climbing, altimeter watches can be useful to those in the military and search and rescue.
Additionally, they can be helpful to those with breathing issues in the event that you need to ascend or descend during severe weather.
There are lots of altimeter watches on the market, but it can be really difficult to narrow it down to just the best one.
We’ve done the work for you by highlighting the coolest looking altimeters in our comprehensive list below.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Casio Men's Pro Trek Stainless Steel Quartz Watch | Best Overall |  |
| Casio Men's Twin Sensor Multi-Function Digital Sport Watch | Budget Pick |  |
| Casio Men's Pro Trek PRW2500R Tough Solar Digital Sport Watch | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Casio Men's Pro Trek Stainless Steel Quartz Watch
Pros:
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Reliable digital altimeter
This is certainly a classic altimeter watch in the style of a digital Casio watch. It comes in a 40mm stainless steel case with resin strap and black face. One of the things that make this watch so appealing is that it’s water resistant up to 200 meters.
The altimeter features four different readouts on the face, including altitude, barometric pressure, time zone, and digital compass. And it’s easy to read in the dark.
The watch also features an automatic horizontal calibration, and an automatic altitude adjustment function. The LCD backlight is also a nice touch.
2. Casio Men's 'PRO TREK' Solar Powered Silicone Watch
Pros:
- Thin profile
- Solar powered
- Altimeter – measure altitude and temperature
- Barometer – measures atmospheric pressure
- GPS – measures essential data for each of the basic outdoor activities
- Water resistant to 100m
- Stainless steel casing & band
- Datum display and reference location in 29 cities around the world
- Tide graph
- Full auto calendar (previously displayed)
Cons:
- A little bulky on the wrist
- The numbers are small and hard to read
- The altimeter function is not as accurate as my old Suunto
- A bit pricey
This is a very capable, high-end GPS and altimeter watch that is a worthy competitor to the Suunto Ambit series.
It's certainly not the cheapest GPS watch available. It has a high-end look and feel to it, and is thick and bulky (but comfortable). The buttons are easy to push if you have large fingers.
The interface is very simple to get used to, but is not quite as intuitive as other watches out there.
3. Casio Men's Pro Trek PRW3500 Solar Powered Atomic Digital Watch
Pros:
- Tough build quality
- Can be worn everywhere
- Big display
- Solar panel recharges the battery
Before you go out into the remote wilderness, you have a lot of things on your mind. Body, gear, and health are obviously top-of-the-list. However, your watch is a big part of that trio.
If you were to drop a few hundred dollars on a watch that doesn’t have the best tech for a rugged trek, doing so would just make the smartwatch market seem like a sham. Thankfully, the Casio Men s PRW3500G-7CR is here to offer you the perfect blend of durability, features, and price. Not to mention, it’s designed for different climates, from the dry deserts of Africa to the humidity of the rainforest.
4. Casio Men's Pro Trek PRW2500R Tough Solar Digital Sport Watch
Pros:
- Casio is known for its watch quality
- Waterproof up to 100 meters
- 24-hour chronograph
- Stopwatch function
- Hiking and adventure feature
- Advanced Accurate Altimeter
- Barometer and Thermometer
- Solar charging
- Auto LED Light
- Tide Graph
The Casio is a watch anyone would love. It’s got all the features you’d want in this adventure to help you stand out as you time your hike or time your paddleboard. The waterproof capability is a big plus if you’re hiking or backpacking, and need to take it off while taking a dip or something.
This is a rugged watch that’s ready for whatever you throw at it. It’s a great balance between lightweight and large. It’s among the best altimeter watches available that you can get in the market today.
5. Casio Men's PAG240T Pathfinder Triple-Sensor Stainless Steel Watch
Pros:
- Highly Accurate Altimeter
- Easy to Read Display
- Numerous Functionalities for Outdoor Activities
- Carabineer
- Start/stop elapsed timer
- Countdown timer
- Alarm duration independently adjustable
- Secondary time (12/24 hour format)
- Daily alarm
- Auto calendar
The Casio Pathfinder triple-sensor is a pretty heavy duty adventure watch that has numerous features for hiking, climbing, and plenty of other outdoor and indoor activities.
The Pathfinder watch is 100m water resistant, and the mineral crystal glass is incredibly scratch resistant. Its ruggedness comes from its stainless steel housing, but some have claimed the body of the watch is susceptible to scratching.
6. Casio Men's Pro Trek PRG-270-1 Tough Solar Triple Sensor Multifunction Digital Sport Watch
Pros:
- Stopwatch function
- Updateable firmware
- Solar panel to charge the watch battery
Cons:
- High price
- Hard to read
- No GPS
The Casio G-Force PRG270-1 is lightweight but also extremely rugged. This watch can handle anything you toss at it including high altitude.
The Casio G-Force PRG-270-1 is also highly accurate. In fact, by measuring against the US Standard Atmosphere, the watch is able to know exactly what altitude you are at. Many other watches can be off by several hundred feet. The auto-calibration is a rare feature on a watch, so it's definitely a bonus.
In addition to its Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass features, the G-Force has an alarm, countdown timer, and stopwatch. All of these features make this watch great for outdoorsmen.
7. Casio Men's SGW-450H-2BCF Twin Sensor Analog-Digital Black Watch
Pros:
- Accurate altimeter
- Good watch for everyday use
- Functions are easy to read
- Good face size
Cons:
- Poor magnification
- Poor water resistance
- No backlight
Your interest might have been piqued at the idea of you using the altimeter feature of a smartwatch to navigate through new terrain, but how about you focus on finding a good watch that you can wear for everyday use as well. The best altimeter watch for hiking and mountaineering should of course be fairly accurate in its readings, but we want it to have the best features and be the most convenient to use.
You need a watch that you can have all the features that you want and need in a watch. The Casio SGW-450-2ACF is a great and affordable option for you. It showcases a multitude of features like an altimeter and digital compass, which is what you need. The watch is equipped with a bold and strong looking case measuring 54mm (7 1/2 inches) in width, which is perfect for everyday use.
The truth is that most watches tend to look too small and dainty on large men hands, and if that’s the case for you, go for the larger one that’s less prone to being lost on your wrist.
8. Casio Men's Twin Sensor Multi-Function Digital Sport Watch
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Easy to read digital display
- Easy to set
- Tells you temperature, altitude and barometric pressure
Cons:
- Not a very good compass
- A little expensive
This is a fantastic compass. It’s easy to use and quite accurate if you’re standing in place. The watch displays the dreaded “circular error probable” that’s found on military compasses. To get an accurate reading, you need to be standing beside a piece of paper with bearings written on it.
9. EZON Military Watch
Pros:
- Heavy Duty Strap
- Eco-friendly material
- Displays time, date, temperature
- Has 3 stopwatch timer and compass
- Perfect for everyone
EZON Military Watch for Men Tactical Watches with Altimeter Barometer Compass Thermometer Waterproof H001 is a must have for all outdoor adventures. This is a multi-function military sport wrist watch with LED light and backlight. This is a compact watch that is loaded with so many awesome features that you will never want another watch again.
If you are always engaging in the high activity sports such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, or hunting, this wrist watch is a perfect choice for you.
This military watch is water-resistant and is perfect for heavy-duty outdoor use. It can be worn on any occasions: daily uses, office work, outdoor activities, running, climbing, hiking, adventure, travel, business casual.
10. Lad Weather Altimeter Watch Barometer Digital Compass Thermometer Brand of America and Japan Climbing Trekking Camping Hiking Outdoor
Pros:
- Nice design
- Easy to operate
- Waterproof
- Affordable
- Sharp display
Cons:
- Bulky
- Somewhat difficult to adjust
- Not suitable for the pool or ocean
I like this watch for its affordable price and its ease of use. There are a few things I didn’t like about this watch, such as setting the functions. The instruction manual can be a little confusing at times. It does not have as many functions and options as some of the more expensive altimeter watches, but they’re still pretty good.
The watch is water resistant to 30 meters and is perfect for daily use. I never go way under 30 meters, so I am not sure how well it works under those conditions, but for a regular day at the beach, it works great. It comes with a 12 months limited warranty.
The biggest challenge for me was learning to use the features. The instructions are too complex and don’t explain things the way I need them to be. I needed to go to Youtube to learn how to use it.
11. PYLE PSWWM82GN Digital Multifunction Active Sports Watch
Pros:
- Make, receive, and answer calls
- Waterproof to 50 meters
- Digital compass
The Pyle Arrow is an elegant looking watch that checks multiple items off your “wish list.” The watch has a digital compass, thermometer, altimeter, and barometer. That’s right,”barometer.” For a product with features this impressive, the price is definitely reasonable. Other features that make it stand out are four daily alarms, a stopwatch, and a daily countdown timer.
The brightest feature of the Pyle Arrow is the visibility of its digital display. When you’re wearing the watch at night, you are able to unlock special backlight mode so that you can still read the screen. The watch also features a rugged, stainless steel case and a tough, plastic strap that gives it a look like it was ripped off the wrist of a badass military officer.
12. SKMEI 1358 Waterproof Digital Smart Outdoor Sports Watch Black
Pros:
- Great battery life of up to 40 days on standby
- Can be used in any weather condition
- Easy to use
- Stylish look
A simple, lightweight, and stylish smartwatch that comes at a very reasonable price is what you get from the SKMEI 1358. This is an excellent choice for people who would like to monitor their activity level at a reasonable price and who don’t want to be bothered by the latest technology.
The smartwatch’s features include a 100m water resistance rating, with temperature, date, alarm, calculator, and the capability of time and travel. The whole thing weighs less than 10 ounces and is designed not only to look good but to be comfortable.
This is one of the highest rated products in the market and is a bestseller as well. This is a surprise considering its price.
13. Pyle PSWWM82BK Digital Multifunction Active Sports Watch
Pros:
- Affordable
- Quality package
If you're at the beginning of your quest to take any field or avocation that requires navigation, then an altimeter watch can be the most important and helpful little gadget imaginable. An altimeter watch can be used for things like adventure sports, orienteering, boating, biking, climbing etc.
This affordable wristwatch has a digital curved altimeter that displays altitude, barometers with a maximum range of 300 meterHg, a dual time LED display, and an extreme weather overlay. As a general rule, it's accurate to within 30 meters.
You can easily switch between standard time zones and daylight saving time. There's a countdown timer and stopwatch, so you can precisely time your backpacking efforts. The watch has a 32-memory log, meaning you can record up to 32 sets of data such as speed, temperature, or altitude changes.
14. LAD-WEATHER Outdoor Watch Heart Rate Monitor Altimeter Barometer Compass Thermometer USB Rechargeable Climbing Watches
Pros:
- Military-grade material
- Satellite-activated
- Intelligent backlight
- Waterproof
- Adjustable (unisex watch)
- Available in three colors
- 24 time zones
Cons:
- Faces do scratch
- Batteries can be tricky to replace
- Luminosity not great for night use
For Men Women Outdoor Sports Watches, White.
This top-of-the-line watch from LAD-WEATHER takes the top spot on my list of the best altimeter watches of 2019.
LAD-WEATHER has over ten years of experience designing and manufacturing world-class wearables. It offers this watch in an extremely affordable price point and makes it available in other color options as well.
Conclusion
An altimeter watch is a very handy piece of gear for anyone who hikes, skydives, bungee jumps, or generally does stuff that can get them into trouble high in the sky, because it can tell them how high up the ground is, as well as the barometric pressure at that height.
Why would you want to know either of those things when you’re outdoors?
Well, for example, the air is thinner the more altitude you gain, so you would want to know when to take oxygen before you seriously get into trouble.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Casio Men's Pro Trek Stainless Steel Quartz Watch | Best Overall | |
| Casio Men's Twin Sensor Multi-Function Digital Sport Watch | Budget Pick | |
| Casio Men's Pro Trek PRW2500R Tough Solar Digital Sport Watch | Upgrade Pick | |