watches!?!

I have a solar Casio Pathfinder. Thermometer isn't accurate when wearing it or exposed to direct sulight but is fine other than that.

If that's the most important feature for you, you may want to consider an Accurite thermometer and hang it off of your pack.

I'll typically set up my Accurite thermometer outside of my shelter, leave my watch off of my wrist but in my shelter, and then compare the temps in the morning to get an idea of the temperature benefit.

I use the barometric altimeter feature the most.

I never use the compass.

I have both a Suunto and a Casio, both with thermometers (and other good stuff). The thermometers are about one tick better than useless.

The readings are meaningless while you're wearing the watch, and it takes so long to equilibrate after removing it I forget I wanted to know the temperature in the first place. Much better to get a real thermometer and hang it somewhere on the pack. Just my $0.02.

ETA: I guess I should mention that I do get good use of the watch thermometer inside the tent–I hang it from a clip on the ceiling so I can see the temp when I wake up in the morning. But that's the only time I get any use out of it.

The most important feature for me is a smaller face for my small wrist.

The thermometer is a nice extra and ill be using it as described above (hanging from tent) to check in the morning when I'm just curious what the temp is. So accuracy doesn't matter so much. The other features are nice also, but I use my eTrex for the altitude on the rare occasion that I actually change elevations (Texas).

I have a solar Casio as well, the Casio Pathfinder PAW13000 and I love it.

After looking at this issue I went with a cheap, simple Casio. It has a small face, it's thin, it's light, water resistant for swimming, dirt cheap, includes a 10 year battery. This is what I got, there are many other models with similar features and price: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00134L97K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Separate thermometer hangs on the pack.

I really wouldn't worry about features on a watch.

I have a Suunto which I bought for backpacking, and I have quite a few aviation watches for flying. I don't like resetting the altimeter everyday on the Suunto and the thermometer only works when I have taken the damn thing off. More frustration than its worth. (The compass seems alright, but I feel like the one time I need it to work it won't)

I'm not even going to explain the uselessness of aviation watches. They're only good if you plan on also wearing a leather bomber and aviators. Some people will consider that a controversial opinion but those are the ones wearing the leather bombers. (If by some small chance my uncle reads this site, yeah I'm referring to you!)

In the end I went with a cheap plastic watch a friend of mine grabbed up for me. He's a corrections officer and pilfered one of the ones sold to inmates. Pretty much just the cheapest and lightest Casio on the market with a harder plastic front.

nm

Ultralight, minimalist backpackers with wristwatches the size of deep dish pizzas…

You all should be ashamed!

Casio MQ24-7B2 Analog Watch. Weighs a scant ounce or so, barely any metal on it. Good, long-lasting battery. I've worn it in the shower for 8 months and it's still ticking, for what that's worth. It only does one thing, but it does it well.

$7.00.

"I've worn it in the shower for 8 months and it's still ticking, for what that's worth."

Your skin must have been so pruney after that!

I'm with you on going with the simplest watch around. Larger watches feel super awkward on my wrists, and I find it really annoying to get my hand through the cuffs of my jacket sleeves if I have a larger watch on.

Another solar Casio, PRW3000 here.

Sold as a wristwatch, but I seldom wear it (mainly during multi-day mountain biking).

On a hike, it hangs from the shoulder straps on my pack, where it is always accessible no matter my long sleeves, sleeve cuff design, gloves or no gloves, number of layers, etc.. Besides, it recharges the battery better this way, its face fully exposed to daylight.

Thus its measurements of ambient temperature are quite believable.

The pack spends the night either hanging from my hammock, or propped at my tarp's pole in the vestibule.
Easy reach, and acceptable measurements.

Pretty decent altimeter. Never really used its compass though.

Isn't the UL alternative "no watch at all"?

For those of you who don't use the bells and whistles, why carry a watch? Or are you going phoneless?

>> Isn't the UL alternative "no watch at all"?

And good point about the phone. Though it tends to sit in a not accessible part of my pack which interferes with the bells I do like to have:

– Hourly Chime: Reminds me to fuel up. Used when I'm hiking with maltodextrin as fuel.
– Alarm: For straight trails it gives me a heads up more or less when I need to turn around. It also wakes me up before dawn.

To be fair, the only other time I wear a watch is at work. Otherwise I use my phone.

"Sold as a wristwatch, but I seldom wear it … it hangs from the shoulder straps on my pack, where it is always accessible no matter my long sleeves, sleeve cuff design, gloves or no gloves, number of layers, etc…"

+1

"why carry a watch?"

1) I know junction-to-junction distances, and with a watch can estimate my speed. Then knowing my speed, I know when to expect the Next landmark/turn/lake/campsite. Otherwise I tend to blow through them. Also, even though I'm pretty good a guessing at "DarkThirty", it is nice to know how much time I have left to hike.

2) As mentioned above, it is essential to maintaining a feeding and hydration schedule.

3) For cooking it eliminates the need to check if food is "done".

4) For early starts I know I'm getting up at 5am versus 3am.

"why carry a watch?"

An analog watch will suffice as a compass to get a rough direction of travel assuming you can figure out where the sun is. I use a watch more than a map to determine how far I've walked.

I can do all these things with a smart phone. I probably would if the choice was between a smart phone and that butt ugly watch Max owns.

First off I will say I have a Highgear Alterra that I purchased off steep and cheap in 2006 for $55. I have been really happy with it and have looked at getting a new one (Sunuto Core) but I really don't think it would be an improvement. My watch is a little big and bulky (thick) but is only 1.2oz and I find it very useful. I use the altimeter every time I am out to aide in navigation and to view progress on climbs and descents. I find it to normally be fairly accurate (within ~100ft) for a week in the backcountry. I use the thermometer every night and find it very useful in preparing for future trips (so I know what temps I can use what gear in). Like others have said it is NOT accurate while on your arm. I find it runs 10-15* warmer than actual temp. I am not sure how accurate it is but I think it is quite accurate when it is off my arm. It is within a few tenths of a degree of all three digital thermometers I have at home.

That being said I think Highgear went out of business a few years ago.

For those who propose not wearing a watch at all, I wouldn't do well with that at all. I use a watch all the time to gauge my progress (I am generally pretty good at knowing my Miles per hour over different terrain), know when to take breaks or eat (I often have to force myself to eat at altitude), and know when to stop to camp (do I have time to get over the next good possible campsite or do I need to stop now?). I use my watch all the time in the backcountry.

Edited to say I do not carry a phone backpacking except for a sat phone if I am off trail in a remote area.

Great. I just bought a fricking camera, now I have to go buy a watch too!?

>> Great. I just bought a fricking camera, now I have to go buy a watch too!?

Nope. Just use the camera as a watch. :)

(snap a pic and check the time if it doesn't show on your display)

"Nope. Just use the camera as a watch. :)"

Brilliant! Thanks!

>"I've worn it in the shower for 8 months and it's still ticking, for what that's worth."

Your skin must have been so pruney after that!

"…butt ugly watch Max owns"

Ian B:

How do you know that Max actually owns it?
I've seen photos of his bike – the man definitely has a taste….

Ian has long envied my good taste and cycling-related fashion. I'm not surprised to see his jealousy rear its ugly head.

Rumor has it, he's been wearing skin-tight lycra out on the trail. The chamois, I hear, saves weight on a sit-pad… until your first river crossing.

I'd normally be inclined to forgive that sad excuse for a watch due to the fact that Max has a bicycle habit to support and is going to college.

But damn.

That Casio is the strip malls of watches. It's the McDonalds of watches. It is, Walmart on a wrist.

For gawdsakes Max. You're a young man. Stop wasting your precious time on this planet with that watch. You've got a bright future ahead of you. Do you really want to look back at this time in your life and have to explain not only to your wife and kids, but yourself, why you were wearing Starbucks of Watches? I think not.

Am I suggesting that you bankrupt yourself buying a Rolex submariner? No. You have the rest of your life to bury yourself in debt. Focus on getting through college first.

But c'mon man! Surely you can do better than that!

Throw that turd in the bin, look yourself in the mirror, and proclaim to the world…

"I Max am all that is man! From this day forth, I shall walk the path of a man! I shall abandon the Nickelback of watches for a watch suitable for an adventurer of my stature! On this day, I've not only found my huevos, I have found a purpose for my timepiece! No more shall I look at my watch and say 'Ooh! Gilmore Girls marathon starts in 10!' Nay sir! I will either look to my wrist and see the watch of a man or see no watch at all!"

So do it now Max! Throw it away! Go buy yourself a real watch! One you can afford! Go buy yourself a timeless timepiece that you will one day give to your son with pride knowing that you counted your minutes on this planet with a real watch!

So if you're happy with Casio, I'd suggest the Casio AMW320D-9EV. It's a classic design that won't break the budget.

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-AMW320D-9EV-Ana-Digi-Alarm-Chronograph/dp/B000GB1R5K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425531307&sr=8-2&keywords=casio+divers+watch

If your budget will allow, you may want to consider the Seiko 009 but DX the strap for a decent Nato or Zulu strap.

http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SKX009-Divers-Automatic-Watch/dp/B000B5MI40/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1425531424&sr=8-3&keywords=seiko+pepsi

But if you want to stay with simple/classic analog watch, maybe a Marathon military field watch with tritium

No, the OP should not listen to Ian. I suggest the opposite: Do not be a man about it.

You want a small face? Look at lady-specific models.

I'm with Katherine:

a "a men's watch for smaller wrist" is a woman's watch.

Smaller watch, smaller band, fits a smaller wrist. More importantly, it has all the same features while WEIGHING LESS.

That's what I've used for years. I've got a women's Swiss-Army brand with date. A Timex Indiglo with date. And a very simple, plain, analog, Timex, woman's "sports watch".

A thermometer belongs on a zipper pull or pack strap, not your wrist. On your wrist, you won't know what the temperature reading means.

A date function isn't a bad thing on a longer trip. Get into camp really late one night or hiking through the night and your previously solid sense of what date it is goes out the window (says the guy who red-eyes at 33,000 feet 20 times a year).