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What Are The Best Waterproof Hiking GPS in 2025

"Navigating the Great Outdoors: A Friend's Guide to Choosing the Best Waterproof Hiking GPS" When you're hitting the trails, having a reliable waterproof hiking GPS can make all the difference in ensuring you stay on track, no matter the weather. First and foremost, look for a device with robust waterproof ratings, ideally IPX7 or higher, to withstand unexpected rain or river crossings. Battery life is also crucial—opt for models that can last for days on a single charge, especially for those longer treks. User-friendly interfaces are key; you want to focus on the scenery, not fumbling with your device. Don't forget to check for features like topographic maps and route tracking; these tools will help you explore new areas without getting lost. Additionally, consider the weight and durability of the GPS—after all, every ounce counts when you're carrying your gear. Lastly, read reviews from other hikers to see how well the device performs in real-world conditions. With these tips in mind, you'll find the perfect waterproof hiking GPS to enhance your outdoor adventures!

1

Garmin GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S. 100K

Garmin GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S. 100K
Buy Now $279.99

Why We Love It

Users love the Garmin GPSMAP 64st for its reliable performance, even in dense forests and deep valleys. Its high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS reception ensure accurate positioning, and the dual battery system keeps it going for long trips. The device's robust construction and water resistance are ideal for outdoor use. Additionally, users appreciate the preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K mapping for its detailed topography, trails, and points of interest.

Pros

  • Highly accurate
  • Long battery life
  • Durable and waterproof

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Complex features may confuse beginners

Waterproof handheld GPS device with TOPO U.S. 100K mapping.

The Garmin GPSMAP 64st is a robust, high-performance GPS navigation device designed for serious outdoor enthusiasts. It comes with a preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K mapping and a high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver with a quad helix antenna for superior reception. It's waterproof, and it features a 2.6-inch sunlight-readable color screen. This device has a dual battery system and offers up to 16 hours of battery life.

2

Garmin GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S. 100K with High-Sensitivity GPS and GLONASS Receiver

Buy Now $280.00

Why We Love It

The Garmin GPSMAP 64st is praised for its superior reception and preloaded topographic maps. Its high-sensitivity receiver and quad helix antenna ensure you won't lose your way, even in dense wilderness. The wireless connectivity is another feature that users love, allowing for easy sharing of tracks, routes, and geocaches with other compatible devices. The device is also built to last, with a rugged, waterproof design that can withstand the elements.

Pros

  • Highly sensitive GPS and GLONASS receiver
  • Wireless connectivity
  • Preloaded with topographic maps

Cons

  • Screen can be difficult to read in bright sunlight
  • Battery life could be improved

Rugged, full-featured handheld with GPS, GLONASS and wireless connectivity

The Garmin GPSMAP 64st features a 2.6 inch sunlight-readable color screen and a high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver with a quad helix antenna for superior reception. It includes a 3-axis electronic compass with barometric altimeter, wireless connectivity, and preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K maps plus a 1-year BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription.

3

Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator

Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator
Buy Now $139.90

Why We Love It

Outdoor enthusiasts love the Garmin eTrex 10 for its compactness, ruggedness, and impressive accuracy. They appreciate its superior satellite reception even in challenging terrains, thanks to the high-sensitivity GPS receiver and HotFix satellite prediction. Its waterproof design and long battery life make it an excellent companion for long trips. While the monochrome display is simple, users find it easy to read in a variety of lighting conditions.

Pros

  • Compact and rugged
  • Good battery life
  • Accurate positioning

Cons

  • Monochrome display
  • Limited map details

Handheld GPS navigator with worldwide basemap and high-sensitivity receiver.

The Garmin eTrex 10 is a compact, rugged handheld GPS navigator suitable for all outdoor adventures. It features a high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and HotFix satellite prediction to maintain accurate location information even in heavy cover and deep canyons. It's waterproof and has a monochrome display that's easy to read in any lighting conditions. The device has a long battery life of up to 20 hours.

4

Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator

Buy Now $140.00

Why We Love It

Users appreciate the Garmin eTrex 10 for its simplicity and reliability. Its rugged, waterproof design makes it perfect for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. Despite its small size, it tracks both GPS and GLONASS satellites, ensuring accurate positioning even in difficult environments. Its easy-to-use interface is another plus, making it suitable for beginners and experienced users alike.

Pros

  • Rugged and waterproof
  • Easy to use interface
  • Tracks both GPS and GLONASS satellites

Cons

  • Monochrome display
  • Lacks advanced features of more expensive models

Compact and rugged GPS navigator with monochrome display

Garmin eTrex 10 has an enhanced 2.2 inch monochrome display that’s easy to read in any lighting situation. Both durable and waterproof, eTrex 10 is built to withstand the elements. It has an interface that is easy to navigate, and it can track both GPS and GLONASS satellites simultaneously.

5

Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS

Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS
Buy Now $450.44

Why We Love It

The Garmin Foretrex 401 stands out for its hands-free navigation, allowing users to keep their hands free for other tasks. Its high-sensitivity GPS receiver provides accurate tracking even in challenging environments. Users also appreciate the additional outdoor features like sunrise/sunset times and hunting/fishing information. The device is praised for its durability, long battery life, and waterproof design, making it a reliable companion for any outdoor adventure.

Pros

  • Hands-free navigation
  • Accurate tracking
  • Useful outdoor features

Cons

  • Small screen
  • Heart rate sensor sold separately

Wrist-worn waterproof GPS device with high-sensitivity receiver.

The Garmin Foretrex 401 is a lightweight, wrist-mounted GPS navigator designed for outdoor activities. The device offers high-sensitivity GPS reception with HotFix for improved performance and reception in heavy tree cover or deep canyons. It tracks routes, waypoints, and heart rate with an additional sensor. It's waterproof and features a dual-position readout, sunrise/sunset times, hunting/fishing information, and electronic compass. The device operates up to 17 hours on two AAA batteries.

6

Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS

Buy Now $455.00

Why We Love It

The Garmin Foretrex 401 is loved for its compact, wrist-mounted design that keeps your hands free for other tasks. Users appreciate the high-sensitivity GPS receiver that offers precise positioning, even in dense forest cover or deep canyons. The electronic compass and barometric altimeter are also highly praised features, providing valuable data for outdoor navigation.

Pros

  • Compact, lightweight design
  • Wrist-mounted
  • High-sensitivity GPS receiver

Cons

  • Small display
  • Battery life could be improved

Wrist-mounted GPS navigator with high-sensitivity GPS receiver

The Garmin Foretrex 401 is a slim, wrist-mounted GPS navigator perfect for outdoor activities that require the use of both hands. It combines a high-sensitivity waterproof GPS receiver, electronic compass, and barometric altimeter into a lightweight device ideal for hikers, skiers, and campers.

7

Garmin inReach Explorer+, Handheld Satellite Communicator with Topo Maps and GPS Navigation

Buy Now $720.00

Why We Love It

Users rave about the Garmin inReach Explorer+ for its two-way text messaging capabilities and global satellite coverage. Its preloaded topographic maps and built-in navigational features make it a valuable tool for wilderness navigation. The ability to send and receive text messages anywhere in the world is a major plus, giving users peace of mind during their outdoor adventures.

Pros

  • Two-way text messaging
  • Preloaded with topographic maps
  • Global satellite coverage

Cons

  • Subscription required for satellite features
  • Relatively expensive

Handheld satellite communicator with GPS and preloaded TOPO maps

The Garmin inReach Explorer+ is a handheld satellite communicator with built-in GPS navigation. It features preloaded TOPO maps, a built-in digital compass, barometric altimeter, and accelerometer. In addition to its navigational capabilities, it also allows for two-way text messaging via the global Iridium satellite network (satellite subscription required).

8

Garmin inReach Explorer+, Handheld Satellite Communicator with Topo Maps and GPS Navigation

Garmin inReach Explorer+, Handheld Satellite Communicator with Topo Maps and GPS Navigation
Buy Now $719.99

Why We Love It

The Garmin inReach Explorer+ is highly praised by users for its satellite communication capabilities, providing a lifeline for hikers in remote areas. The interactive SOS feature has been lauded for its potential to save lives in emergency situations. Users also appreciate the preloaded DeLorme TOPO maps, which provide valuable navigation aid.

Pros

  • Satellite communication capability
  • Interactive SOS
  • Preloaded DeLorme TOPO maps

Cons

  • Requires monthly subscription for satellite features
  • Heavier than other models

A handheld GPS with 100% global Iridium satellite coverage and interactive SOS.

The Garmin inReach Explorer+ is a GPS device that also serves as a satellite communicator, allowing you to send and receive messages from anywhere in the world. It features 100% global Iridium satellite coverage and has an interactive SOS to the 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center. This device comes preloaded with DeLorme TOPO maps and offers onscreen GPS routing. It also includes a built-in digital compass, barometric altimeter, and accelerometer.

Product Comparison

Compare features across all products in this category

6 Features 4 Products Updated Oct 03, 2025
Product Waterproof Display Type Battery Life Internal Memory GPS Technology Additional Features
1 Garmin GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S. 100K
Yes 2.6-inch Color Up to 16 hours NA GPS + GLONASS Preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K mapping
2 Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator
Yes Monochrome Up to 20 hours NA High-sensitivity WAAS-enabled HotFix satellite prediction
3 Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS
Yes Small monochrome Up to 17 hours NA High-sensitivity GPS with HotFix Wrist-mounted, heart rate tracking
5 Garmin eTrex 30x, Handheld GPS Navigator
Yes 2.2-inch Color Up to 25 hours 3.7 GB GPS + GLONASS Sunlight-readable display
1

Garmin GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S. 100K

Waterproof
Yes
Display Type
2.6-inch Color
Battery Life
Up to 16 hours
Internal Memory
NA
GPS Technology
GPS + GLONASS
Additional Features
Preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K mapping
2

Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator

Waterproof
Yes
Display Type
Monochrome
Battery Life
Up to 20 hours
Internal Memory
NA
GPS Technology
High-sensitivity WAAS-enabled
Additional Features
HotFix satellite prediction
3

Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS

Waterproof
Yes
Display Type
Small monochrome
Battery Life
Up to 17 hours
Internal Memory
NA
GPS Technology
High-sensitivity GPS with HotFix
Additional Features
Wrist-mounted, heart rate tracking
5

Garmin eTrex 30x, Handheld GPS Navigator

Waterproof
Yes
Display Type
2.2-inch Color
Battery Life
Up to 25 hours
Internal Memory
3.7 GB
GPS Technology
GPS + GLONASS
Additional Features
Sunlight-readable display

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterproof Hiking GPS

What makes a waterproof hiking gps the "best"?

We evaluate products based on quality, performance, value for money, user reviews, durability, and ease of use. Our rankings are updated regularly to reflect the latest market offerings and user feedback.

How often do you update your waterproof hiking gps recommendations?

Our team continuously monitors the market for new products and updates our recommendations quarterly. We also adjust rankings based on user feedback and new testing results.

Do you test all the products you recommend?

Yes, whenever possible, we physically test products in our labs. For products we can't test directly, we rely on verified user reviews, expert opinions, and detailed specifications to make informed recommendations.

What if I'm looking for a specific type of waterproof hiking gps?

Our top 10 list covers the most popular and highly-rated options. If you have specific requirements, check our detailed product descriptions and pros/cons to find the best match for your needs.