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In this weekly column, Android Central Fitness Editor Michael Hicks talks about the world of wearables, apps, and fitness technology related to running and health in his quest to get faster and fitter.
The most popular smartwatches are perfect for casual turn-by-turn navigation using Google or Apple Maps. But for hikers who need detailed maps, trailhead data, SOS tools, and more, they can be hard to find. One The perfect hiking watch that has it all.
Also consider fitness smartwatches with the ability to download offline GPX maps, topographic maps, and other niche navigation tools for trekking in remote areas without cell phone coverage.in other On the other hand, you may prefer a traditional smartwatch that offers cellular support in case your phone dies or for accessing third-party mapping apps like AllTrails, which a typical fitness watch can’t support.
Of course, the best option may not be a smartwatch. With a handheld GPS or bike computer like the GPSMAP 67i, you get a larger display and a UI centered around maps and navigation. But that’s not my area of expertise. The majority of non-cyclists want something compact and convenient for the trail.
Below, we’ll break down some of the key smartwatch mapping tools to look out for, as well as the best fitness watches that support them. We won’t go into detail about every watch or feature, but you’ll know where to start and which watch to buy.
GPX maps and custom courses
Ideally, you want a watch that (A) allows you to create custom courses for turn-by-turn navigation during your activity, and (B) allows you to download third-party maps from apps and race organizations for offline tracking. In any case, if you’re hiking somewhere without service or want to avoid wasting your phone’s battery with 5G data usage, you can get real-time data on where to go.
Garmin, Suunto and COROS all support the option to import GPX files from other apps or Create your own custom routes within each app. Note that entry-level watches like the Forerunner 265 use “breadcrumb navigation,” where your route is displayed in a blank space with no surrounding terrain to provide context. To see the full map instead of lines, you’ll need a higher-end model like the Forerunner 955.
Polar watches support route guidance from GPX files or past runs, but there’s no direct way to create your own routes that I’ve found. You have to rely on Strava, Komoot, or another app.
Looking at more mainstream watches, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a root tile for GPX files that can be uploaded through the Samsung Health app. Other Galaxy Watch or Wear OS smartwatches must rely on third-party apps to create and follow courses. Komut As a best bet.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Series 9 is compatible with Komoot and work outdoors Unfortunately, it is not possible to follow GPX files.
Speaking of Komoot, the mapping app has direct partnerships with brands like Apple, COROS, Garmin, Polar, Samsung, Suunto, and several others. So if you want to start building a database of routes to follow, it’s better to build through those routes instead of your own, which you’ll lose if you switch watches.
topographic map
Searching and downloading routes before every hike can be a pain. Also, if you end up taking a different path, that his GPX file won’t help you get back to your starting point unless you intend to retrace your steps every time. A better option is to pre-download topographic maps of your region, country or continent. That way there’s no chance of getting lost and you’re free to improvise and explore.
Your Garmin Forerunner 9XX, Fenix, or Epix watch comes with topographic maps pre-installed, and you also have the option to purchase and download other packs if you travel the world. The Forerunner 965 or Epix 2 Pro offer gorgeous AMOLED-quality maps with sharp details, while the MIP Fenix 7 Pro or Forerunner 955 Solar excels in terms of battery life.
And if you want something more sport-specific, a Fenix or Epix watch gives you access to 43,000 golf course maps and 2,000 ski resort maps. When you pay for Outdoor Maps+, you get “premium contours and maximum detail” on topographic maps, as well as satellite imagery and private property boundaries.
With Suunto Race or Vertical, access the app to download terrain data for a specific area. You won’t get the convenience that’s already there, but can You can pre-download everything about Yellowstone Park (for example) before your trip by circling that part of the map without needing a specific route.
COROS watches like the VERTIX 2 and APEX 2 Pro have 32 GB of storage for landscape or topographic maps of the continent of your choice, but you must connect your watch to a computer to add storage. The same applies to Polar Vantage V3, but you have to use the Polar Flow desktop app to download it.
In most cases, maps are only displayed during GPS tracking activity. If you just want to see where you are without doing any actual tracking, Garmin has a map “Activity” next to other sports on some watches.
On the traditional smartwatch side, Apple added topographic maps to watchOS 10 as part of its recent fitness efforts. On your iPhone 15 Pro Max (or other models), search for a location in Apple Maps,[道順]next to the button[ダウンロード]Simply tap an option and drag the map selection area around the area.
Maps on your phone will be displayed on your connected watch. I was annoyed to learn that you can’t save topographic maps on your Apple Watch separately from your phone in case your Apple Watch malfunctions. In that case, you’ll have to hope your LTE-enabled Ultra 2 or Series 9 has a cellular signal and can get up-to-date map data.
Unfortunately for Wear OS watch owners, Android smartphones don’t even offer such syncing when you download offline maps with Google Maps. Google’s Fitbit integration focuses on indoor training, so there’s no terrain data or offline downloads on the Pixel Watch 2 either. Suunto 7 was his only good Wear OS option with maps for hikers, but he never moved on to Wear OS 3.
That said, many hikers using Android recommend this third-party maps app from Trackwear.io to download topo to their watch. You just can’t see it directly in regular workout apps.
How to choose the best hiking smartwatch for you
A hiking-friendly smartwatch lets you download routes and maps, and use the touchscreen, crown, or buttons to zoom in or out for more useful context. You can usually place waypoints along a route to return to later, or even reverse the route and return to the beginning.
That’s all very useful, but that’s about all most smartwatches can do for hiking. That’s enough for some people, but if you want a more detailed mapping tool, Garmin has a few tricks up your sleeve.
On my Forerunner 965, I have the following map options: around me Displays related icons such as nearby waypoints, landmarks, and restrooms. On courses and trails, ahead The view shows the time until the next turn or water stop. climb pro The view shows the upcoming hill elevation map and average slope. Or, if you want to go somewhere you can see but can’t reach, like across a lake or dirt valley, site and go This tool creates a fixed compass point and always points the arrow in that direction, so it never changes direction.
This is not to say that other brands lack unique hiking tips. For example, Suunto’s app has a heatmap that shows you the starting points and routes for popular hikes in your area, making it easy to choose or create your own. Polar’s elevation profile tells you about the hills you’re about to climb. Hill Splitter, on the other hand, counts the number of hills climbed and provides a useful post-hike overview of how well your endurance and speed are maintained over time. And if you’re hiking in a more civilized area, Apple Maps is likely to have up-to-date points of interest to help you.
Overall, there are many good options. We recommend prioritizing your favorite brand, even if it’s not as robust as Garmin for hiking software. Some hikers choose “boring” Garmin models like the Instinct 2X Solar, which doesn’t display any maps, simply because battery life is more important to them. It’s a matter of taste and priorities.
What other factors should you consider when choosing a hiking watch?
It goes without saying that no matter the brand, you want a hiking watch with long battery life, accurate GPS tracking, a compass for turn-by-turn navigation, and an altimeter to measure elevation gain and loss.
If you’re a day hiker, a dual-frequency GPS means you’re less likely to deal with signal loss from foliage or nearby mountains. Those on multi-day adventures should consider a battery-saving mode that reduces the frequency of GPS tracking or a watch with a solar panel to extend its lifespan.
Additionally, of course, some smartwatches are more accurate than others when it comes to elevation data. For reference, I recently climbed a mountain summit trail wearing five smartwatches to see which brands I can trust.
Another factor to consider is emergency/safety features. Double-check whether your watch has fall detection, the ability to send a message to emergency contacts or call 911, or the ability to let your family track your progress in real-time via GPS data. need to do it. Garmin would be the obvious choice. only The previous generation Forerunner 945 LTE supports mobile phones, so the rest relies on your mobile phone to relay data. So, to be on the safe side, you may prefer Apple, Google, or Samsung watches that add independent cellular functionality instead.
Finally, you should pay attention to durability and weight.Some of the high-end Garmin watches with the best mapping tools are also heavy many Even more due to steel or titanium materials. This gives you a better chance of surviving a fall, but it also puts more strain on your wrists on long hikes.
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