Apple VS Garmin - Which watch is best for hiking/navigating?

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Apple Watch ultra. Garmin Fenix. Garmin Epic. Best tech for the backcountry. Camping and hiking. Day hiking. Which watch to buy for camping and hiking.

[BackcountryExposure]

I’ve had two Apple Watches, and I got my Fenix 7 a year ago. I sold my Apple Watch and haven’t missed it one bit. my Fenix 7!

[marcoloritsch]

Sorry Dan to say it so directly, but if you do sport or hiking on a high level, no one will choose an apple watch:) Garmin is another level!

[mattkob]

Recently got a garmin watch - and once I learned the interface - best watch I have ever owned and the battery life is wonerful.

[christopheraamold]

I'm a tech guy and have been following @hikingguy for awhile. Super excited to see Dan and Cris working together on these topics. Kudos to you both!

[max_larum]

Garmin for sure. Cant beat the battery life 🎉

[jahshuah]

Just one thing to remember, neither brand of watch is going to hike for you. Being in the IT industry the last 20+ years (in the military for 14 of those), I've learned that tech is an aid, but there is no such thing as a single tech device that will do literally everything for everyone. You'll have to layer up, for sure. For example, if you wear an Apple Watch in the backcountry, bring a battery pack to recharge. But, I'd also encourage bringing a Garmin InReach or similar device, and laminated paper maps with a grease pencil, grid square, and a compass. Gotta layer your resources like swiss cheese: each layer will have holes, but the more you layer, the more the holes disappear.

[motorolas]

Have an AW for years, but battery life isn’t great. Got a 2018 Garmin Instinct for outdoor use this year. Works great for my use and I still use the AW for day to day.

[bcloetta]

Owned 3 aws and have a garmin instinct solar. Ready to offload my latest AW. Used the AW as daily until I started traveling and got comfortable with the Garmin. The screen isn’t as flashy, but the buttons work. It does every thing I need and I only need to charge it every 10 days or so even using tracking on hikes. Bought it for backcountry trips, but now just love it for every day.

[paulhatzig]

Garmin 100%. I have the Fenix 6X Saphire and I charge it once every 17-20 days. You can't beat that. I just hate having to charge every 2 days.

[Mainer_in_Oklahoma]

Great video that answered some of my questions as I get back into hiking and camping.

[brholder]

The Enduro 2 battery lasts over 20 days for everyday use. It will last a few days on a multi-day using the GPS while hiking. And it has a light that I found convenient.

[bmwman]

Great review guys. Yup, this crossroads for me was a couple of months back. My two issues with the Apple, ( and this would have been my 4th Apple Watch), was the battery life and the idiotic notifications every 15 minutes. I went with the Garmin Fenix 7 because the battery life is to a point I don't need to worry about charging it for a trip. If I do, it's not a big power hog. It's not my primary navigation. Its my backup to the OnX with the In-Reach being #3 and a compass being #4. Great review. Keep doing what you do and I'll keep watching.

[anitam]

I have the Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar and it does so much more then just gps. I wear mine every day. I link it to my inReach when I go backpacking and it works great.

[KirstenBayes]

My trusty Garmin Instinct Solar does all the hiking things. Big battery life, very rugged and once you get the hang of the interface, super speedy to use. A+

[beeee]

This is the video I’ve been waiting for! Thanks for all the great info ❤

[latitudeoutdoor]

I was so excited for AW Ultra. Bought it and been wearing it since it's release. Went on a weekend trip with family and after a single day filled with mountain biking, battery dropped to 20% within 12 hours. I did not bring a charger (who brings a watch charger for outdoor activities), and by midnight even at battery saver mode activated the Ultra was dead. I am sorry to say it but AW while packed with stunning features, is just no longer my go to outdoor watch.

[michalfiraYT]

Garmin! Always. I have 920XT for over 6 years and I love it. Plus other Garmin devices/accessories you can have/you have (heart rate monitor, cadence sensors, maps, scale, blood pressure monitor, and many more) it’s a nice ecosystem and you do t have to enter (almost) any data manually. And it is pretty darn accurate.

[l.a.]

Old timer here.
I love my handheld GARMIN GPS !!

[ECMOHunter]

I bought a Garmin Fenix 5x a few years ago. Never looked back. The battery life is incredible.

[armedmindset]

I wear a Garmin Fenix 6 solar everyday and love it. Battery life is not even comparable.