The 10 Best Compass For Hiking Of 2024, Tested By CampFireHQ

Hailey Abbott By, Hailey Abbott
Updated
Best Compass For Hiking
Best Compass For Hiking

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Sportneer Lensatic Military Compass

This compact and tactical compass is designed for precise navigation in any environment. With durable construction and accurate readings, this compass will be your trusty companion in the great outdoors. Read Review

2. Best For Price: SUUNTO MC-2 NH USGS Mirror Compass

This precision-engineered compass is built with high-grade materials for maximum durability and accuracy. It features a mirror sighting system for excellent visibility and accuracy and a fixed declination correction scale to make navigating easier. Read Review

3. Best Quality: AOFAR Military Compass AF-4580

This durable military metal compass is crafted with a thermoelastic liquid-filled capsule for high accuracy and waterproof performance, making it ideal for all weather conditions. With its small size, you can take this reliable compass on any adventure. Read Review

4. Best Waterproof: Cammenga Military Tritium Lensatic Compass

This top-quality pocket compass has an aluminum body and a glowing Lensatic lens. With its luminous tritium illumination, you'll always have bearings in the dark. Read Review

5. Best Accuracy: Eyeskey Tactical Survival Compass

The Eyeskey Tactical Survival Compass has both a base and cover that are made of metal so that it can withstand use for many years. It is appropriate for driving, boating, and other activities that take place in the great outdoors. Read Review

When you’re trekking out in the woods, you need a reliable companion to guide you through. A compass is that companion. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced hiker or someone who is just getting into this outdoor activity, everyone needs a compass to find their bearings and get back home safely.

If you are planning on taking your hiking skills to the next level and going for longer treks or overnight hikes, then choosing the best compass for hiking is an important purchase as well. This article will cover everything you need to know about compasses so that next time you are out in the wild, you can confidently locate your way home again with ease!

To make things even more confusing, there are various brands of compasses on the market today, each with its unique version and style of its compass. So what should you look for when shopping for a hiking compass? After nearly -research hours, We think the best compass for hiking is Sportneer Lensatic Military Compass. With durable construction and accurate readings, this compass will be your trusty companion in the great outdoors. Or you can check the SUUNTO MC-2 NH USGS Mirror Compass as the other great option, even if the first option didn't meet your requirements. It features a mirror sighting system for excellent visibility and accuracy and a fixed declination correction scale to make navigating easier.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Sportneer Lensatic Military Compass
Our Score:
9.7
Sportneer

You can rely on this military compass of professional standards to point you in the proper direction. Ideal for use in the outdoors, the military, in times of crisis, and anywhere else that takes you off the main path. A lens on the back sight magnifies the card dial, which allows the sensation function to boost the reading's precision. This ensures that you will always receive an accurate reading. The only issue is it is a bit heavier than other models.

The military-grade structure, which is waterproof and shake-proof, is designed to withstand the most strenuous of hikes thanks to its tenacity and tenacity. So that you can continue to keep your grip on the mountain you're climbing, keep the compass close to you by attaching it to your belt loop or place it in your pocket inside of a carrying case to keep it secure. The user interface of the compass emits a glow that can be seen in the dark, allowing you to continue your journey even when night falls.

TOP Choice #2 SUUNTO MC-2 NH USGS Mirror Compass
Our Score:
9.5
SUUNTO

This professional mirror compass was intended for exact directional measurement, and it has been balanced for global use with metric UTM scales and an inch ruler. The MC-2 Compass is designed to function even in low-light environments. This compass comes with a sighting hole and notch for accurate bearings, a clinometer, and a declination adjustment tool. It is also designed to assist you in correctly and safely navigating the great outdoors. Great for Alpine skiing, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, trail running, and more.

This expedition-ready Compass is quick, steady, and easy to use since it is the product of a combination of cutting-edge engineering and design, as well as ultra-durable materials. Even so, a flashlight could still be required to read the ruler marks. This product comes with a removable lanyard that has a snap lock that may be used, and it also has a wrist lock. 

TOP Choice #3 AOFAR Military Compass AF-4580
Our Score:
9.3
AOFAR

Get your bearings with the AOFAR Military Compass AF-4580. This durable metal compass is designed to survive any terrain and works well in all weather conditions. The thermoelastic liquid-filled capsule ensures high accuracy and is waterproof, making it ideal for outdoor activity. With its compact size and lightweight design, you can easily carry it in your pocket or pack. It is essential that you should keep it away from corrosive liquids at all costs; else, it will be broken.

This multifunctional compass is perfect for camping, hiking, positioning, mapping, and more. The floating compass dial has a 360° scale and adjustable prism lens, making it a reliable companion for outdoor activities. It's also waterproof and shake-proof, so you can be sure it will always be there when you need it. You can either put the compass in the waterproof pouch that comes with it or hang it from the black lanyard that comes with it. This allows you to safely keep the military compass close to you with a leather belt or place it in your pocket with a carrying case.

Get the most accurate and reliable directional guidance with the Cammenga Military Tritium Lensatic Compass. Featuring sturdy aluminum construction and an accuracy of +/- 40 mils, this compass performs flawlessly in extreme temperatures and is perfect for camping, hiking, military use, and more. With its long-lasting tritium illumination technology, you can find your way even in the darkest environments. This accurate compass is perfect for backpacking and outdoor activities, providing a reliable source of orientation in any environment.

The self-powered lighted lensatic pocket compass will provide illumination for over 12 years, ensuring you always stay on track. This waterproof and sand-proof handheld compass is constructed with a powder-coated aluminum frame for maximum durability, making it the ideal choice for any adventure. With its self-illuminated tritium gas light source, you can rest assured that you will never be lost in the dark. However, it can have scratches on the glass surface if you drop it, so you need to use it carefully.

5 Eyeskey Tactical Survival Compass
Our Score:
8.9
Eyeskey

Built with an optical eyepiece for easy viewing of bearings, as well as an azimuth 360-degree scale and a reversed 360-degree scale, this compass allows you to quickly take directions from you to the objects or take reverse bearings from the thing to you. If you expose the north arrow and display it to an adequate amount of light, it will light up in the dark with fluorescent light. This will allow you to see the reading even if it is dark.

The dial of the floating compass has a scale that goes all the way around and is filled with liquid to ensure it operates reliably. A sighting glass that is easy to see and read, along with a reticle that makes it simple to aim and read, are both featured on this firearm. In addition, a rotating bezel ring allows you to lock in your bearing, ensuring that you are moving in the right direction. Nevertheless, it is possible that the fluid can be leaked, and after extensive use, the dial may become stuck and difficult to turn.

6 SUUNTO A-10 NH Compass
Our Score:
8.7
SUUNTO

This well-known compass has a needle made of high-grade steel that rotates on a jewel bearing. It is balanced for use in the Northern Hemisphere and offers excellent precision. And in addition to the compass itself, it comes with two rulers, one measuring in centimeters and the other in inches. You may use these rulers with a map to determine how far you will need to go along your path to arrive at your final destination. This ruler is see-through, allowing you to view your map even while it is placed over a compass.

You can keep the compass on your person during your journey thanks to the detachable snap-lock lanyard that comes with it. This way, you won't have to worry about it dropping out of one of your pockets while on the trail. On the other hand, this compass doesn't come with a magnifier. In general, it's not too pricey and offers a great investment return.

7 Suunto M-3 G Compass
Our Score:
8.6
SUUNTO

The Suunto M-3 G Compass comes with a transparent ruler with metric and imperial scales and a globally balanced compass that you can use with a paper map to establish how long it is to each waypoint on your journey. This will allow you to plan your route better and avoid getting lost. The M-3 is a top-quality precision compass that allows easy and accurate bearing determination in challenging environments.

There are also some other features that are included, such as a built-in magnifying lens, an adjustable declination correction, and fluorescent markers for usage in low light, which contribute to the overall cost of the product. In addition to that, it features a removable lanyard with a snap-lock that also includes a wrist lock. The only downside is that it is a bit more expensive than other models. Despite this, the product is high quality and worth the cost.

More To Consider

9 Silva Ranger S Compass
Our Score:
8.0
Silva
10 HEVIHAY Compass Hiking
Our Score:
7.9
HEVIHAY

What Should You Know Before Selecting best compass for hiking?

Our website is an online source that provides clients with a diverse selection of best compass for hiking. Many items on the site perfectly suit the demands of clients and serve their intended function.

So, how can you determine which of the best compass for hiking is the best fit for your needs? Don't be concerned! This article will walk you through all you need to know about the best compass for hiking before you buy it.

 

Stability And Speed

It is better if the needle points north faster. You can be slower with older compasses. You might argue that speed does not matter when you're hiking or mountaineering, as you don't have to rush like orienteering race participants. You will want to get down as quickly as you can if it is bad.

Quality

Although there are many affordable options for compasses, it is important to be able to rely on your instrument to get you where you need. It's not a question of safety, but it is a matter for life and death to have dependable and reliable compass.

Clinometer

The clinometer is usually found with an advanced compass and used to determine the slope angle (or rockbed for those geologists). A clinometer is a free-moving arrow that moves freely within a liquid capsule below the magnetized needle.
The feature was designed for mountaineers or backcountry skiers, and is used to assess avalanche dangers. This feature is unlikely to be used if you are hiking on maintained trails. This feature is essential for all students of geology.

Global Needle

Some compasses can't be used everywhere in the world. A compass that has a global needle is required if you plan to use your compass in any part of the world. It is usually indicated by the last 'G' in the description.
Compasses are sometimes only balanced in one of the two hemispheres for compasses which aren't global.

Features

For hiking, the compass should include a declination and rotating scales, as well as a plate that has a ruler. The declination scale allows you to make adjustments to declination for specific areas, so the compass points towards magnetic north. While the rotating bezel lets you measure azimuth easily. When measuring distances on a map, a ruler is useful.

Durability

Because it is possible for your compass to get knocked around in your pack or land on the ground, a hiking compass must be strong. It happens more frequently than you might imagine, particularly since you'll likely be using a map while hiking. The risk of it being dropped increases when you add a little wind resistance and gloves. We only selected durable items in this list.

 

FAQs

What is a compass?

A compass is a navigational tool used for finding directions. It consists of a magnetized needle that always points north, allowing hikers to determine the cardinal directions and plot their course.

How do I use a compass for hiking?

To use a compass for hiking, first determine the cardinal directions (north, east, south, and west). Then, align the red end of the needle with the direction you’re facing and the direction you’re heading. Finally, plot your course using the compass to help you determine the direction of travel.

What features do compasses for hiking typically have?

Many compasses for hiking have features such as a base plate, adjustable declination, sighting mirror, rotating bezel, magnifying lens, and luminous markings for nighttime navigation.

Conclusion

In short, you have just been shown all the things related to best compass for hiking, including the top models, buyer’s guides, and the comparison between products as well. At this moment, it’s obvious that you acquire the mentioned information and are ready to pick one among the list of best compass for hiking above. In case there is no model that suits your needs, then Brunton TruArc5 Baseplate Mapping Compass will be the best to pay attention to. Hopefully, our sharing today will help you choose the best item for your requirement. 


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About Hailey Abbott

Hailey Abbott
Hailey Abbott is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer for CampfireHQ. She has a passion for hunting and fishing, which she often enjoys with her family and friends. Hailey also enjoys staying active through sports such as golf, basketball, and softball. Hailey has worked as an editor for several years, providing content that is both accurate and engaging. She has also had the opportunity to interview numerous experts in various fields. This wealth of experience gives her a unique perspective when writing about the outdoors and other topics.

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