Best Compasses for Hiking

The Cammenga 3H is a civilian-issued compass model that has a lot of features that were initially meant for military use. 

First of all, it’s the great build quality that you can actually feel when you take this tool into your hands. The aluminum body makes the compass waterproof, which makes it easy to utilize in bad weather conditions. On top of that, the powder-coated frame ensures that the compass’ face won’t scratch easily regardless of working conditions.

The military-grade plastic scales and measures, on the other hand, feature a 360-degree scale and a 64-degree mil scale that allow measuring both direction and distance. The latter requires you to use the adjustable magnifying lens that this compass is equipped with.

To help you in navigating the course during nighttime, the scale features 7 Tritium micro-lights that can glow for up to 12 years thanks to the long half-life of the element. What makes them good, though, is that these lights only lose about 40-60% of their initial brightness and can be utilized even longer than for 12 years, despite turning a tad bit murkier.

Furthermore, the handheld compass features quite a few accessories, including a convenient belt clip and a carrying pouch that fits both the compass and the lanyard that comes with it inside.

All in all, the Cammenga with Tritium is simply the best compass for hiking for its price out there. Reliable and nearly indestructible, it provides accurate readings in almost any circumstances, making this navigational tool a must-have for hikers that love lengthy trips. 

The Suunto SS004239001 is designed to be lighter and smaller than regular compass models. Still, even with its compact size, the unit is accurate enough for use in field conditions.

On top of the pocket-size dimensions, the versatility of this baseplate compass is quite impressive for its price. With a deviation of only 1-2 degrees, you won’t have any issues navigating the correct route for your trip.

The only thing that did bother us is the inconvenient Suunto logo placement that actually interferes with the correct readings of this compass. But other than that, there’s nothing else that obstructs the view of the compass’ markings.

On the bright side, the baseplate compass features both 1:50000 and 1:24000 scale rulers, so you won’t have any troubles with the measurements on standard USGS maps. To make the process more accurate, the compass also features an adjustable magnifying lens that makes the markings easier to read even in bad weather conditions. On top of that, the luminescent markings are visible during nighttime but may take longer to read compared to models with Tritium.

All things considered, this model from Suunto is a decent choice if you are looking for a backpacking compass that has everything for precise measurement.

The EK1001-M compass for hiking from Eyeskey does pretty much everything you could expect from a navigational compass: it helps to find the correct bearing to the target, it allows finding the right path, and it works flawlessly regardless of the weather conditions or amount of light.

To start off, the face of the compass features fluorescent markings that require light exposure to be used in the dark. So it is recommended to carry the compass using the provided lanyard for at least several hours a day.

For added measuring accuracy, the compass features an optical sighting eyepiece that allows reading the correct bearing of the target you are aiming at. This feature will be convenient for hikers that prefer walking in hilly areas that have a lot of obstacles and will definitely come in handy for finding the right direction.

As a pleasant addition to an already great package, the kit is supplied with a handy carry pouch that firmly protects the compass’ face from scratching during transportation.

In the end, this model from Eyeskey is the best compass for hiking in the budget price range available today. The durable build coupled with a highly accurate optical sight makes this model a must-have product for hikers that don’t own a compass yet.

The Sportneer military compass may not seem like something special at first glance, nevertheless, it has quite a few details that make it an invaluable tool for hiking.

Firstly, this compass for survival works great in field conditions regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. However, it is recommended to carry the tool inside the provided carry pouch or a lanyard since the unit is rather heavy compared to similar products.

Secondly, the product features an adjustable magnifying tool that, combined with luminescent markings, makes the dial easily readable. This is achieved thanks to the special Lensatic technology that features a high-quality lens and provides an accurate reading of the dial. As for the dials themselves, the kit includes a clinometer, rulers, and a 360-degree scale, making the compass quite a versatile tool.

Even though the accuracy of this compass model and the build quality is fairly durable, some parts are a little bit flimsy, which may interfere with accurate measurements. Fortunately, the compass is water and shockproof, which makes it an ideal option for hiking.

Wrapping things up, despite some minor issues, this model from Sportneer is the best orienteering compass for general use out there. Built to last and to outperform, this model proves that quality products can also be affordable.

Measuring 1.97 x 0.63 inches, this portable compass fits almost any pocket out there, which makes it easier to carry during long walks.

The vintage look of this tiny navigation tool is achieved thanks to its brass-coated housing. But even though it is mostly metal, the manufacturers recommend keeping the compass closed during transportation to make sure the face doesn't get scratched.

The magnetic needle of the compass is quite stable, which makes it reasonably accurate in terms of determining the needed direction.

Due to the fact that the compass doesn’t have ferromagnetic protection, we recommend keeping it away from any electronic gadgets including music players, phones, and tablets. Moreover, we also advise storing the tool away from any cards that have magnetic stripes.

What makes this model highly convenient is its fluorescent dial that is easy to read even in pitch-black environments, an ideal solution for hiking.

Despite its minimalistic design, the DETUCK hiking metal compass is great for almost any purpose including hunting, mountaineering, as well as hiking in the wilderness. If you are looking for a reliable land navigation tool without any bells and whistles, the ultralight compass from DETUCK will be the right pick for you.