For more of our top hiking gear recommendations, check out these popular articles:

Hiking Solar Chargers | GPS for Hiking  

Hiking Watches | 2-Way Radios for Hiking

Reviews - The Best Headlamps for Hiking

Black Diamond Spot 350

Specs

• Battery Life: High - 25 hr, Low - 180 hr
• Beam Distance: 85 meters
• Weight: 3.9 oz. (with batteries)
• Lumens: 300
• Output Capacity: 350 lumens
• Run Time: 3hrs. 45 mins/200hrs. (High/Low)
• IPX Rating: IPX8

Features

• Waterproof
• Brightness Memory For On/Off At Chosen Brightness
• Red-Night Vision

BEST FOR: BACKPACKING

When it comes to weight and performance, the Black Diamond Spot 325 outshines the competition in its price range. Weighing in at 3-ounces, this hiking headlamp has all the features you need for a backpacking trip. 

To start, the Black Diamond Spot 325 can shed light on 80 meters worth of trail, which is plenty of light to guide your way. At the click of a button, you can go from high to dimming mode or shift over to one of the other modes like the red light to preserve your night vision. Either way, you can still return to your previous mode of choice after you turn the headlamp off. Waterproof and compact, this headlamp is built for adding up overnight miles on the trail.

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Petzl Tikkina

Specs

• Battery Life: High - 60 hr, Low - 220 hr
• Beam Distance: 60 meters
• Weight: 3 oz. (with batteries)
• Lumens: 150
• Output Capacity: 250 lumens
• Run Time: 2 hrs./120 hrs. (High/Low)
• IPX Rating: IPX4

Features

• Easy To Use
• Water-Resistant
• Affordable

BEST FOR: BUDGET

Petzl has been in the headlamp business for over 30 years. Featuring everything from classic to specialized, there’s something in their headlamp product line for everyone. For the budget hiker, we recommend their Petzel Tikkina. 

The Petzl Tikkina offers three lighting modes at the push of a button. With 250 lumens worth of light, it’s bright enough to light the trail and set up camp at night. Although this model doesn’t come rechargeable, it is compatible with Petzl’s proprietary rechargeable battery so you can swap that out if you’d like. Easy to adjust and water-resistant, this headlamp is a viable option for the headlamp user looking for an affordable price.

View at REI

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Petzl Bindi

Specs

• Beam Distance: 36 meters
• Weight: 1.2 oz
• Lumens: 100 - 200
• Output Capacity: 200 lumens
• Run Time: 2 hrs/50hrs. (High/Low)
• IPX Rating: IPX4

Features

• Cord headband lets you wear it on head or around neck
• Can be tilted upwards
• Two Lock functions to avoid it accidentally turning on in pack

BEST FOR: ULTRALIGHT HIKERS

If you’re looking for a high performance headlamp that fits in the palm of your hand and weighs only 35 grams, the Bindi sure fits the bill. Petzl designed the Bindi to be lightweight above all else, but the brand didn’t skimp on the important features, either. The Bindi features three different lighting modes — proximity, distance, and movement.

What we love most about the Bindi — other than its size — is that it can be tilted upwards and includes two locking features.

View at Amazon

BioLite Headlamp 330

Specs

• Beam Distance: 74 meters
• Weight: 2.43 oz. (with batteries)
• Output Capacity: 330 lumens
• Run Time: 3.5 hrs./40 hrs. (High/Low)

Features

• Multiple Modes
• Slim
• Moisture-Wicking Headband
• Bounce-Free Design For Secure Fit

BEST FOR: SECURE FIT

The slim design of the BioLite 330 has an attractive look about it that stands out among the competition. The product of a Kickstarter campaign, the lightweight BioLite 330 fits flush to your forehand to optimize comfort and light direction. This way you can focus on the trail in front of you rather than an annoying bouncing headlamp. 

Featuring five modes, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from when encountering varying terrain. Charge up the battery and get ready to tackle the trail. You’ll have up to 40 hours worth of running time which is more than you’ll need to hike at night.

View at REI

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Fenix HL60R

Specs

• Beam Distance: 116 meters
• Weight: 4.2 oz
• Lumens: 950
• Output Capacity: 950 Lumens
• Run Time: 48 mins/100 hrs (High/Low)
• IPX Rating: IPX8

Features

• Rechargeable battery included
• Super Bright
• High-grade aluminum

BEST HIGH PERFORMANCE HEADLAMP

If you’re looking to have the combined option of one of the brightest lights and longest beam distances available on the market, the Fenix HL60R has you covered. This Fenix headlamp features an impressively durable construction and an over-the-top of-the head strap for extra security. It’s ideal for use in rescue scenarios, night biking, night hiking, spelunking, and any other activities that call for serious illumination needs. The HL60R includes five adjustable brightness levels, a red-light mode, and a USB-rechargeable battery.

What we like most about the Fenix HL60R is its turbo mode, which provides for a 950 max lumen output and 116 meter beam distance. On this setting, you’d be hard pressed to pick out something around camp that you can’t see clearly.

View at Amazon

Petzl Actik Core

Specs

• Battery Life: High – 2.5 hr, Low – 15 hr
• Beam Distance: 90 meters
• Weight: 2.8 oz. (with batteries)
• Lumens: 300
• Output Capacity: 450 lumens
• Run Time: 2 hrs./130hrs. (High/Low)
• IPX Rating: IPX4

Features

• Rechargeable Batteries
• Detachable Reflective Headband
• Water-Resistant

BEST FOR: BATTERY HYBRID

The Petzl Actik Core delivers solid performance at a reasonable price. Packing 450 lumens worth of radiant light into 2.8-ounces, this headlamp is efficient yet lightweight. 

The flood and mixed beam pattern come in several brightness levels along with red light mode. This allows you to adjust between a flat or concentrated light source as well as light strength so you choose your visibility. When you’re not lighting your path, plug the headlamp into a USB port and charge the core battery in as little as 3-hours. No USB access? This headlamp is also AAA battery compatible.

View at REI

View at Backcountry

Fenix HM50R

Specs

• Beam Distance: 80 meters
• Weight: 2.2 oz. (with batteries)
• Output Capacity: 500 lumens
• Run Time: 2 hrs./128 hrs. (High/Low)

Features

• Rechargeable
• Waterproof
• Dust-Proof

BEST FOR: SHORT FORESTED HIKES

Equipped with 500 lumens worth of light, the Fenix HM50R can go from dim to blaring when you need it most. Turn it on turbo mode and use the super bright light to gather your trail bearings. Then, when you’re ready to hike, you can utilize the high or medium mode while low gives you ample light to rummage through a pack. 

Easy to use and adjustable, you can simply tilt the headlamp to get the perfect angle of light. While the rugged and waterproof body is built to handle trail conditions, this headlamp comes with a few spare parts just in case so you never have to worry about going without a light.

View at REI

Petzl Nao+

Specs

• Battery Life: High – 1 hr 30 min, Low – 15 hr
• Beam Distance: 140 meters
• Weight: 6.5 oz
• Lumens: 750
• Output Capacity: 750 lumens
• Run Time: 1.5hrs/12hrs. (High/Low)
• Waterproof Type: IPX4
• IPX Rating: IPX4

Features

• Bluetooth Compatible
• Extremely Bright
• Rechargeable
• Lock Mode To Save Battery

BEST FOR: TECH SAVVY HIKERS

Don’t let poor visibility slow you down. The technologically advanced Petzl NAO+ emits a powerful light that adjusts to your surroundings. 

Whether you’re examining the trail or searching through your pack, this headlamp will automatically adjust the brightness and beam pattern according to your focal point. This means you can operate hands-free while saving battery life. The Petzl NAO+ also features Bluetooth so you can use a phone app to customize your headlamp settings.

View at REI

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Black Diamond Icon

Specs

• Beam Distance: 110 meters
• Weight: 8.1 oz.
• Output Capacity: 500 lumens
• Run Time: 50hrs./250hrs. (High/Low)

Features

• Removable Battery Pack
• Dustproof And Waterproof
• Red/Green/Blue Night Vision Modes

BEST FOR: HARSH WEATHER

Black Diamond features some of the highest-rated headlamps on the market. For the hiker in need of some serious performance, consider the Black Diamond Icon. Waterproof, dustproof, and powerful, the Black Diamond Icon is designed to handle harsh trail conditions. 

This headlamp features one of the highest headlamp beam distances at 110 meters with a strong 500 lumens worth of light. It also offers red, green, and blue night-vision along with 2 strobes and multiple distance modes. When not in use, stash the removable battery pack in your pocket to preserve battery life by keeping it warm.

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Black Diamond Spot Lite 160

Specs

• Beam Distance: 60 meters
• Weight: 1.9 oz. (with batteries)
• Output Capacity: 160 lumens
• Run Time: 28hrs./60hrs. (High/Low)

Features

• Lightweight
• Easy To Adjust
• Waterproof

BEST FOR: MINIMALIST HIKERS

If you’re the type to ditch all the fancy features for a streamlined design, you’ll appreciate the Black Diamond Spot Lite 160. This super lightweight headlamp skips the bulk and narrows down your light beam options to concentrate all the power on a single LED light. 

With the activation of a single button you can find which mode suits you best between the high, dimming, strobe, and red-night vision mode. With a long running time, you’ll find the light output at 60 meters is plenty for a late or early morning hike.

View at Backcountry

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HIKING HEADLAMP

COST

When you’re determining how to choose a headlamp, there are a plethora of features you’ll encounter. As these features add up, so does the cost.

If you plan on using your hiking headlamp for a short amount of time during dawn or dusk, you may find the less expensive options suit you just fine. On the other hand, if you’re a long-distance backpacker who plans on doing a lot of night hiking, you’ll probably benefit from a more expensive headlamp.

WEIGHT

A few ounces may not seem to make a difference, that is until you’re carrying it on your head. How light or heavy your headlamp will be is all a matter of use and preference. If you’re looking to hike fast and light, a lighter option will be in your favor. For casual use, you’re likely to be wearing your headlamp less, so a heavier option that shines more brightly or lasts longer may be right for you.

AVERAGE RUNNING TIME

Do you plan on hiking at night for long distances? Or would you rather be back at the trailhead by dusk? Your hiking headlamp will be the light that guides you, so you’ll want to ensure you have ample light for the trek. The average running time of your light should be long enough to last you the length of your hike before needing to recharge.

BEAM DISTANCE

Beam distance is relative to the use of your headlamp. A far beam distance can be useful in backcountry navigation. You can use it to scan your surroundings and find things off in the distance like trailheads. A short beam distance is more useful for rummaging through your pack or shining light on objects in your immediate area. A combination of both works best. However, keep in mind the further your beam goes, the faster it depletes the battery in max mode.

BRIGHTNESS

Most hiking headlamps come with a variety of modes that alter how bright your headlamp gets. This typically ranges from a high to dim setting. The maximum brightness you need your headlamp to be will vary according to use.

For instance, if you plan on using your headlamp at dusk, you won’t need an incredibly bright light compared to hiking in pitch black. However, it’s good practice to plan ahead in case of an emergency. In this case, we recommend a hiking headlamp bright enough to handle the dark once the sun has gone down.

FIT

Nothing is more annoying than a hiking headlamp that needs constant readjustment. Before deciding on a hiking headlamp, make sure it fits comfortably and securely enough for the activity for which you’ll be using it.

FEATURES EXPLAINED

LUMENS

Unit of measurement representing the brightness of light omitted. This will tell you how bright a hiking headlamp is.

FLOODLIGHT

Wide light that does not go a very long distance.

SPOTLIGHT

Focused light that can be used for long distances or rummaging through your pack.

RED NIGHT VISION

This is the best color to preserve our eyes at night because our eyes are less sensitive to red light. Red light also minimizes the attraction of pesky insects to your headlamp (and thus your head).

BLUE NIGHT VISION

Blue light helps see through fog as well as read maps at night while preserving vision.

GREEN NIGHT VISION

This is a popular light used in hunting because it doesn’t disturb wild animals and helps to preserve vision.

The post Best Hiking Headlamps of 2022 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

Taking a few extra pairs of AA batteries on your hike won’t do the trick. Today, most electronics rely on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. You’ll need an external charger to keep your electronic devices running on your hike. Luckily, there are reliable, lightweight solar chargers that can recharge your devices.

One of our big goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to help you when it comes to gearing up for the outdoors. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to consider when buying a hiking solar charger and show you our selection of the best models available.

For more of our top hiking gear recommendations, check out the Best Hiking Headlamps. 

Reviews - The Best Solar Chargers for Hiking

Anker Port 21

Specs

• Weight: 14.7 oz
• Output Capacity: 21 Watts
• Battery: No

Features

• Charging speed up to 2.4 amps per port or 3 amps overall under direct sunlight
• Enough power to charge two devices simultaneously
• Compact size

BEST OVERALL SOLAR CHARGER

PROS: Ability to charge multiple devices, performs well in cloudy conditions.

CONS: The small, built-in pocket that barely serves to hold even the shortest of cords and small accessories.

View at Amazon

BioLite 10+

Specs

• Weight: 1 lb. 3.4 oz.
• Output Capacity: 10 Watts
• Battery: Yes

Features

• 360° kickstand with integrated sundial to optimize solar charging
• Ultraslim
• IPX4 rating means this can withstand splashing water from any angle

BEST FOR: LONG TERM DURABILITY

PROS: The combined durability of the panel and built-in battery pack, integrated battery pack.

CONS: Only equipped with one USB port.

View at REI

Big Blue 28W

Specs

• Weight: 20.6 oz
• Output Capacity: 28 Watts
• Battery: No

Features

• 3 USB charging ports
• High Energy Conversion
• Attached Micro USB cable

BEST IN CLASS FOR FAST CHARGING

PROS: Reasonably priced for something so efficient.

CONS: Heavy and bulky.

View at Amazon

ECEEN 13W

Specs

• Weight: 0.85 lbs
• Output Capacity: 13 Watts
• Battery: No

Features

• Efficient
• USB smart output
• Compact size
• Zipper pack design

BEST FOR: LIGHTWEIGHT GEAR LOVERS

PROS: Inexpensive, charges electronics quickly, foldable, weather-resistant, comes with micro USB cable, attachments and carabiners to hang solar panels, built-in stand to adjust panel direction, does well in less sunny conditions

CONS: Doesn’t include external/internal battery, built-in stand isn’t flexible

View at Amazon

Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight

Specs

• Weight: 14.4 oz
• Output Capacity: 1 Watt
• Battery: Yes

Features

• Flashlight, floodlight, and emergency light all-in-one
• Two power modes
• Integrated USB ports
• Long-lasting, rechargeable 4400mAh battery lithium battery
• 7-48 hours run time
• Includes solar panel, USB charger, and hand crank

BEST FOR: MULTI-USE

PROS: Solar panel + internal battery; battery is rechargeable via solar, USB, or hand crank,can be used as a flashlight, integrated charging cable, rugged

CONS: Bulky, battery is slow to recharge, crank is inefficient, solar panel is small and can be inefficient in areas with less sunlight

View at Amazon

View at Backcountry

Goal Zero Venture 30 Solar Kit

Specs

• Weight: 1.5 lbs
• Output Capacity: 7 Watts
• Battery: Yes

Features

• Built-in micro USB
• Charges in 4 hours via USB
• Charges in 9 hours via sunlight
• 7,800mAh power pack
• Waterproof
• 2 high-speed USB ports

BEST FOR: HIKING, CAMPING, AND BACKPACKING

PROS: Solar panel + rechargeable battery pack, charges electronics quickly, foldable, weather-resistant, battery pack can recharge via solar or USB, built-in micro USB cable, two USB ports to power two devices at once, attachments to hang solar panels

CONS: Expensive, can be sensitive to salt water, charges best when facing the sun, battery pack is slow to recharge

View at Backcountry

Nekteck Solar Charger

Specs

• Weight: 1.4 lbs
• Output Capacity: 20 Watts
• Battery: No

Features

• Three solar Monocrystalline panels
• Efficient
• USB ports for charging two devices simultaneously
• Included attachment hook

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND USE

PROS: Inexpensive, charges electronics quickly, foldable, weather-resistant, two USB ports to power two devices at once, comes with micro USB cable, does well in less sunny conditions

CON: Doesn’t include external/internal battery, heavy, panels become very hot in sunlight, can warp in heat

View at Amazon

X-Dragon Solar Charger

Specs

• Weight: 1.34 lbs
• Output Capacity: 20 Watts
• Battery: No

Features

• Built-in smart IC chip
• Dual-USB power
• High efficiency
• Water resistant

BEST FOR: VALUE

PROS: Inexpensive, charges electronics quickly, foldable, two USB ports to power two devices at once, comes with micro USB cable, attachments to hang solar panels

CONS: Doesn’t include external/internal battery, not weather-resistant, not durable

View at Amazon

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HIKING SOLAR CHARGERS

AMPERAGE, WATTAGE, AND VOLTAGE

Look at the packaging for solar chargers, and you’ll see a lot of language about amps, watts, and volts. To understand what you’re getting, you need to know what these words mean.

WATTAGE

Wattage (watts) is a measure of power. As Goal Zero explains it, a watt-hour measures the power flow that occurs over one hour. Wattage is the measure of the solar panel’s power output capacity.

AMPERAGE

Amperage (amps) measures electrical current. The amp-hour is the amount of time a battery can supply that current.

VOLTAGE

Voltage (volts) is defined by About.com as the “electric potential energy per unit charge.” If you aren’t science minded that definition probably sounds abstract. Essentially, it’s the charge stored in a battery.

What does this mean? You want to know if your solar charger can supply the power you need. To get there, you can use a simple equation: watt – hours = amp – hours x volts

If there are devices you want to keep charged, find out their amp-hour and volt information. Plug those numbers into the formula. The answer will help you find what kind of wattage you need your solar charger to supply.

EXTERNAL BATTERY

Some solar panels include an external or internal battery. A traditional solar panel only works when the sun is out. Daylight may not be the best time for you to repower your electronics. This additional battery charges from the solar panels during the day. This lets you harness the energy from your solar panels at night.

For external batteries, there’s one more confusing abbreviation you need to learn: mAh. A mAh is a milliamp-hour, which measures battery capacity. This is the current that’s discharged by your charger over the course of an hour.

According to Ubergizmo, the bigger the number, the more energy your unit can store. If you’re going to use charger paired with an external or internal battery, select one with a large mAh number.

CHARGING EFFICIENCY

Some solar panels can take 18 hours or more to power an external charger or electronic device. That amount of time exceeds daylight hours in most places. If you need to recharge your electronics a lot, choose a solar panel that can charge faster.

You should also consider the weather in your region when you select a solar charger. Most solar panels struggle to charge in cloudy weather. However, some fare worse than others. If you’re hiking in the rainy season, solar panel efficiency can make all the difference.

OUTPUT CONNECTIONS

How many devices will you be charging? What kind of cords will you need to plug into your charger?

Most solar chargers have at least one USB port to connect your electronics. Some even have multiple connection points to charge several devices at once. Before you choose your solar charge, think about what you’ll need to charge while on the trail.

SIZE AND WEIGHT

Anytime you’re hiking or backpacking, size and weight is an important factor. The larger your solar panels, the more efficient they will be at charging. However, they’ll also take up more space in your backpack. Some solar chargers fold and take up very little space. Others are larger and bulkier.

You’ll also need to consider the weight of your solar charger. There are some devices that are less than a pound. Others are between one to two pounds. You’ll have to choose whether the benefits of the larger devices are worth the tradeoff of extra weight.

Need even more power while you hike? Check out our guide to the best solar backpacks.

The post Best Hiking Solar Chargers of 2022 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

We’ve sifted through the details for you so you can get outside faster. In this article we’ll cover things to keep in mind when choosing a radio for your next trip and some of the top-rated models of the year.

For more of our top hiking gear recommendations, check out the Best Hiking Headlamps. 

Reviews - The Best 2 Way Radios for Hiking

Midland GXT1000 VP4

Specs

• Type: FRS/GMRS
• Battery Type: Lithium Polymer
• Weight: 8 oz
• Range: Up to 36 miles
• Water Rating: JIS4, splash resistant

Features

• Up to 3,124 channel options
• Five animal call alerts
• Weather resistant
• SOS alert
• Bright LCD backlight
• Includes dual desk charger, AC adapter, mic headsets, and belt clips

BEST FOR: HIKERS NEEDING A FAST RECHARGE

PROS: Comes in packs of 2, fast recharge, headsets included

CONS: Only JIS4 splash resistant

View at REI

Backcountry Access BC Link

Specs

• Type: FRS/GMRS
• Battery Type: Lithium ion rechargeable
• Weight: 12 oz
• Range: Up to 20 miles
• Water Rating: IP56, very water resistant

Features

• Water and dust-resistant to IP56
• Option for pre-set channel selections
• Glove-friendly controls
• Push-to-talk option
• Earphone jack

BEST FOR: COLD WEATHER ADVENTURES

PROS: Separate mic unit to clip to pack, glove friendly controls, separate batteries available, battery indicator

CONS: No hands-free, can’t use AA batteries

View at Backcountry

Garmin Rino 750

Specs

• Type: FRS/GMRS and GPS
• Battery Type: Lithium-ion rechargeable or AA battery pack
• Weight: 12.8 oz
• Range: Up to 20 miles
• Water Rating: IPX7, waterproof to 3 feet

Features

• Large touchscreen display
• Electronic compass with accelerometer and barometric altimeter sensors
• Active weather forecasts
• Smart notifications

BEST FOR: HIKERS WANTING GPS AND A RADIO IN ONE

PROS: GPS too, touchscreen, can use battery pack or AA’s

CONS: Expensive, low battery life

View at Amazon

Midland LXT600VP3

Specs

• Type: FRS/GMRS
• Battery Type: Rechargeable battery pack or 3 AAA batteries
• Weight: 8 oz
• Range: 30 miles
• Water Rating: JIS4, splash resistant

Features

• 36 FRS channels
• 30-mile range
• Up to 2,662 channel options
• NOAA weather scan and alert
• Hands-free

BEST FOR: HIKERS LOOKING FOR GOOD VALUE

PROS: 2-pack, 2 power options, NOAA weather alerts

CONS: No USB charge, limited range in use

View at Amazon

Cobra CXT 145

Specs

• Type: FRS/GMRS
• Battery Type: AAA rechargeable NiMH or AAA alkaline batteries
• Weight: 2.2 oz
• Range: Up to 16 miles
• Water Rating: JIS4, splash resistant

Features

• 10 NOAA weather channels
• Roger beep tone
• Call alert
• Power saver

BEST FOR: HIKERS ON A BUDGET

PROS: Inexpensive, lightweight, NOAA weather channels

CONS: No scan feature, no privacy codes

View at Amazon

Cobra CXT545

Specs

• Type: FRS/GMRS
• Battery Type: AA NiMh rechargeable or AA alkaline batteries
• Weight: 2.31 oz
• Range: Up to 28 miles
• Water Rating: JIS4, splash resistant

Features

• 10 NOAA weather channels
• VibrAlert for notifications
• Hands-free feature
• Voice detection

BEST FOR: FAST AND LIGHT HIKERS

PROS: Small with good range

CONS: Only splash resistant, button lock doesn’t disable flashlight

View at Amazon

Midland LXT500VP3 GMRS

Specs

• Type: FRS/GMRS
• Battery Type: Rechargeable battery pack or 4 AAA batteries
• Weight: 8 oz
• Range: Up to 24 miles
• Water Rating: JIS4, splash resistant

Features

• 22 selectable channels
• Up to 24 mile range
• Water resistant

BEST FOR: HIKERS WHO WANT A SMALL BASE STATION RADIO

PROS: Small and light, keypad lock, base station available

CONS: No weather channels, no privacy codes, low max volume

View at Amazon

Cobra MR HH450

Specs

• Type: VHF/GRMS
• Battery Type: Rechargeable lithium Polymer battery pack or 4 AA battery pack
• Weight: 9.6 oz
• Range: Up to 5 miles
• Water Rating: IPX7, waterproof to 3 feet

Features

• Rugged design
• Recording feature
• Ability to float
• Weather alerts
• 3 different watt selections

BEST FOR: HIKERS NEEDING WATER RESISTANCE

PROS: Replay VHF calls, Weather alerts, floats

CONS: expensive, GMRS volume is low, no FRS support

View at Amazon

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST 2 WAY RADIOS

FREQUENCIES

Most of the handheld radios use FRS or GMRS frequencies. FRS channels are free to use without license. GMRS frequencies have longer range but require a license from the FCC to use. VHF are marine channels only for use on the water. If you’re out sailing, you’ll be using VHF to communicate. Ham or Amateur radios have more frequencies and longer range but require a written test to get the license.

PRIVACY CODES

Privacy codes or “Extra Channels” are additional combinations of the 22 main FRS/GMRS channels that radio makers add to help you find a quiet place to talk. These need to be used with radios from the same manufacturer.

For example, we could decide to talk on channel 13, code 10 and it should eliminate chatter from any other code on channel 13. It’s not perfect and sometimes you can hear people on other channels talking. If the specs list anything more than the 22 main channels, they are just privacy codes and may or may not work with other radios.

RANGE

Maximum range with a radio is very dependent on conditions. The range stated in the specs of the radios will usually be the maximum range under perfect conditions, say 35 miles. Up to 5 miles is a common range for GMRS frequencies and up to 2 miles for FRS frequencies. If there is anything blocking line of sight to the other radio like trees or a building will reduce the range.

WATERPROOFNESS

Many radios claim to be waterproof but are actually just water resistant. If you are in a wet environment, make sure you get a decent waterproof rating. The IP or JIS rating will tell you how resistant they are. The higher the number the better. Many radios are JIS4 which is splash resistant. IPX4 will be splash resistant as well whereas IPX7 will be waterproof to 3 feet.

BATTERY TYPE

Some radios use Lithium-ion batteries which will be better in the cold. Some have different options to use either a battery pack or AA batteries depending on the situations. Newer models can charge through a USB power pack or solar charger. Think about what conditions you will be in and how you want to charge your radio. You might even consider getting a solar backpack to make sure you’re able to recharge while you’re outdoors.

BATTERY LIFE

Battery life can range from a few hours to a few days. How long will you be using your radio each time? Can you take extra batteries or battery packs?

WEIGHT

How much can you carry in your pack? You might need to stick with the smaller lighter radios that might not get the range or battery life as the larger units.

NOAA WEATHER CHANNELS & ALERTS

Most radios these days can use the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather channels to get updates on local weather. Some will alert you if severe weather is heading your direction. Look for NOAA weather alerts if you want to be notified without having to continuously monitor them.

MULTI-USE UNITS

Some units have other capabilities like VHF radio or GPS on them. These can be useful to eliminate carrying 2 items. Make sure the battery life is long enough for your trips while doing both functions. If you are just looking for a dedicated GPS, check out our article on the best GPS for hiking.

CELL PHONE EXTENDERS

New cell phone attachments like the goTenna plug into your phone and allow you to text other phones with a goTenna when out of cell range. You can’t communicate with anything else but if you just need to chat with friends or family it might be a simple way to go.

The post Best 2 Way Radios of 2022 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

One of our big goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to help make your life easier when it comes to buying outdoor gear. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose a hiking watch and show you our selection of the best models of the year.

For more of our top hiking gear recommendations, check out the Best Hiking Headlamps.

Reviews - The Best Watches for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 6

Specs

• Altimeter: Yes
• GPS: Yes
• Thermometer: Yes
• Water Resistant: Yes

Features

• Heart rate tracking and Pulse Ox sensing
• Supports multiple global navigation satellite system (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo)
• Always-on, sunlight-readable display
• Garmin Pay™ contactless payments

BEST HIKING WATCH OVERALL

PROS: Water resistant up to 100 meters and provides for up to two weeks of battery life.

CONS: Expensive

View at REI

Casio Pathfinder

Specs

• Altimeter: Yes
• GPS: No
• Thermometer: Yes
• Water Resistant: Yes

Features

• 51-mm stainless steel case,
• Resin band with buckle closure,
• 100-meter water resistance,
• Barometer
• Backlight with afterglow
• Solar-powered

BEST FOR: DAY AND LONG DISTANCE HIKING

PROS: Amazing value for money, affordable, solar-powered battery, incredibly long (6-month) battery life

CONS: No GPS

View at REI

Casio Pro Trek

Specs

• Altimeter: Yes
• GPS: No
• Thermometer: Yes
• Water Resistant: Yes

Features

• Barometer
• 200-meter water resistance
• Efficient, large-capacity solar battery
• Duplex LCD layout provides a 2-layer display

BEST FOR: ULTRALIGHT HIKERS

PROS: Compass supports magnetic declination correction, barometer

CONS: No GPS, pricey

View at REI

Suunto Traverse

Specs

• Altimeter: Yes
• GPS: Yes
• Thermometer: Yes
• Water Resistant: Yes

Features

• Barometer
• Digital compass
• Calorie and step counter
• Wireless connection
• Hunrise and sunset times
• Heart rate monitor connection

BEST FOR: FITNESS ENTHUSIASTS

PROS: Versatile, comes with five different sports modes, data tracker and overviews, Bluetooth connection

CONS: Short battery life when using the most advanced features

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Garmin Forerunner 935

Specs

• Altimeter: Yes
• GPS: Yes
• Thermometer: Yes
• Water Resistant: Yes

Features

• Heart rate monitor
• 1.7 oz weight
• Barometer

BEST FOR: MULTI-SPORT USE

PROS: Easy to learn how to use, ideal for a wide range of users

CONS: Doesn’t provide for consistently accurate altimeter readings and also has a relatively short battery life for hiking

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Garmin Fenix 5

Specs

• Altimeter: Yes
• GPS: Yes
• Thermometer: Yes
• Water Resistant: Yes

Features

• Wrist-based heart rate monitor
• Wireless connectivity
• 100-meter water resistance
• Pre-loaded activity profiles for sports
• Stainless steel bezel

BEST FOR: MULTI-SPORT USE

PROS: Built-in heart rate monitor, feature-rich

CONS: Shorter battery life due to the heart monitor, expensive

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Casio Pro Trek Tough Solar

Specs

• Altimeter: Yes
• GPS: No
• Thermometer: Yes
• Water Resistant: Yes

Features

• Stainless steel rotating bezel
• Titanium band
• Water resistant to 200 meters
• Barometer
• Digital compass
• Power-saving function
• Weather alarm

BEST FOR: RACERS

PROS: Solar-powered, great value for money, atomic clock, solar-powered, lots of features

CONS: No GPS, not for hikers on a budget

View at REI

Garmin Epix

Specs

• Altimeter: Yes
• GPS: Yes
• Thermometer: No
• Water Resistant: Yes

Features

• Touch screen
• Built-in maps
• 50-meter water resistance
• 8GB memory
• 3-axis compass
• Smart Notifications

BEST FOR: HIKING AND MOUNTAINEERING

PROS: Wireless connection, detailed worldwide maps, exceptionally long (16-week) battery life

CONS: Expensive, no thermometer

View at Amazon

LAD Weather’s Sensor Master

Specs

• Altimeter: Yes
• GPS: No
• Thermometer: Yes
• Water Resistant: Yes

Features

• Weather sensor function
• Negative display
• Digital compass
• Barometer
• 24-hour graphs

BEST FOR: HIKERS ON A BUDGET

PROS: Very accurate compass, affordable, great price/quality ratio, useful weather sensor function

CONS: Thermometer can be off a few degrees, no GPS

View at Amazon

Garmin Tactix Bravo

Specs

• Altimeter: Yes
• GPS: Yes
• Thermometer: No
• Water Resistant: Yes

Features

• GPS that calibrates altitude and air pressure
• Compass
• 100-meter water resistance
• Wireless Bluetooth connectivity
• Hunting and fishing calendar
• Information about tides, sunrise and sunset, and moon phases

BEST FOR: ADVENTUROUS HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN  

PROS: Loads of useful and accurate information, 50-hour battery life, durable

CONS: No thermometer

View at Amazon

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HIKING WATCHES

The newest hiking watches come with a wide variety of features, ranging from GPS functions and compasses to weather alarms. Some even have heart rate monitors.

Finding the best hiking watch for your specific needs involves some consideration. Some have unique functions that make them more suitable for particular outdoor pursuits. Fitness-focused people might consider getting a watch with a calorie and step counter. Adventurers heading to remote areas, on the other hand, will want to look for a watch with a built-in GPS and weather alarm. Here are some tips on how to choose electronics for hiking. 

FEATURES

Hiking watches have three main features an altimeter, barometer and compass. That’s why they are also known as ABC watches. Basic models will have a temperature sensor and lap timers.

What does more money buy you? More information. You’ll get more advanced tracking of elevation gained and lost. They will display graphs for changes to barometric pressure.

Here will talk about common watch features so you can decide which ones are essential for you and which ones you can live without.

ALTIMETER

Altimeters measure the air pressure to calculate your approximate altitude. The great book, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills puts why an altimeter is useful simply, “Since mountains are not two-dimensional…the altimeter is sometimes as helpful as the compass, particularly where topographic maps are available. With altitude known, point-position can often be found with only one visible feature recognized; in any other case, altitude provides a check against map and compass orientation.”

Often times an altimeter is more reliable and more accurate, than a GPS device for measuring altitude. This is because you might not always be able to get a GPS signal if you are inside a canyon or in the bush.

Some hiking watches let you track your altitudes and upload them on a computer. Providing an informative overview of your hike, this fun function is great for data junkies.

BAROMETER

A barometer measures atmospheric pressure. These readings can help you determine if there is a storm coming. You will be able to tell that rain is on its way if the pressure suddenly drops.

If you plan on heading deep into the wilderness for a few days of time, you’ll want this extra feature. If you’re in an exposed area you’ll be able to use the pressure reading to decide if you should hurry up and seek shelter.

COMPASS

Arguably the most useful feature on the trail is a compass. Nowadays, essentially all hiking watches come with a compass.

What you should consider is the type of compass you want on your hiking watch. There are 2D and 3D compasses. 2D compasses work only if the watch is held perfectly horizontal while 3D compasses are accurate in every angle.

This built in compass is designed to be used solely for a general point of reference. If you’re planning a more serious backcountry adventure, bring a standard compass because it will be much more accurate.

THERMOMETER

Not all hiking watches have a thermometer. Probably the main reason for this is that it’s difficult to keep them accurate. Because a watch is worn on your wrist, your body temperature might influence the temperature readings. Nevertheless, this might be a nice additional feature to have.

GPS

While there are specific GPS devices for hiking, some hiking watches offer you the chance to hit two birds with one stone. A wrist-wearable GPS is one of the greatest innovations in outdoor gear.

Some of the best hiking watches have a built-in GPS, which is exceptionally useful in remote areas. The GPS feature doesn’t only show you the way. Often, they are also able to track valuable data, such as distance, speed and location.

WI-FI CONNECTIVITY

Being able to connect your hiking watch with your smartphone or laptop definitely has its perks. This way, you can exchange data between your devices.

You can upload trail data such as distance, altitude and route to your laptop for a detailed overview of your adventure. Additionally, it’s possible to download useful information such as GPS updates and the weather forecast to your watch.

WATER RESISTANCE

Almost all hiking watches are water resistant. The only difference between them might be the depth up to which they keep their water resistance.

Water resistance isn’t just for keeping your watch safe during a downpour. Some watches like the Suunto Ambit3 Sport, are designed for triathletes. These watches can resist 10 ATM of water. 

DESIGN AND STYLE

Are you worried you won’t be able to wear your hiking watch everyday? No worries, many of these watches blend in well with casual wear and even business casual.

If design and style is a real concern for you, be aware of the face size. You’ll want to look for one that has less plastic and has a lower profile design. For a watch you can take from the trail to the office, we recommend the Suunto line of watches.

Some watches survival-style hiking watches are designed specifically for outdoor adventures. They’re durable and tough, but don’t always look stylish.

Women will want to have a look at the Garmin Fenix or Suunto Core. Both of these options have a sophisticated design and don’t look as bulky on a smaller wrist like many other hiking watches tend to do.

BUDGET

The variation in price between the cheapest and the most expensive hiking watch can be huge. With a price range between $150 and $600, you should really consider all the features mentioned above. Typically, a hiking watch’s price increases greatly if it comes with a GPS.

So, if you’re comfortable using a map and compass, you should be able to save a good chunk of money while still keeping all the other features. On the other hand, a GPS can be extremely useful on the trail. It’s also worth considering that a hiking watch with built-in GPS is basically two expensive pieces of gear in one. This may make it worth your money.

Here’s a break down of what you can expect to get for your money.

$70 -$200: Basic no frills ABC hiking watch – Altimeter, barometer, compass, timers and alarms. Watches that fall into this price range are the LAD Weather’s Sensor Master and the Casio Pathfinder. These options are great for hikers on a budget or the outdoorsman who just likes to keep things simple.

$200 – $500: Atomic timekeeping for greater accuracy and GPS capability in some models. Watches in this price range also tend to have more stylish designs (less plastic, low profile and sleek look) than less expensive models. This makes these watches more practical for everyday wear. The Suunto Core, Suunto Traverse and Garmin Tactix are all great options for adventurers who want a quality watch they can wear on the trail as well as at the office.

$500+: High-end watches that are basically a GPS wrist computer – think downloadable routes, GPS tracking to load your profiles and travels, heart rate monitor capability and bike sensors. The Garmin Fenix 3 and Garmin Epix fall into this price range. These watches are great for ultra marathon runners, triathletes, and extreme backcountry adventures such as ski touring and remote trekking.

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