Best 14 Altimeters And Activity Trackers For Climbers In 2024

In case you want to track your altitude and elevation while hiking climbing or running then you need to check out the Altimeters in this article.

Altimeters are short of “Altitude Meters” and it is the instruments used by the climbers and aviators to measure the altitude at a certain level. The altimeter is a very important instrument for climbers as it allows them to know the Altitude.

Here is a related article that might interest you on the Best 11 Activity Trackers Without Screen | You Won’t Feel Them On Your Hand.

There are hundreds of Altimeters available in the market but not all of them are good enough. That’s why we have handpicked the Best Altimeters for Climbers and we will share them with you. Let’s get into it.

Top 14 Best Altimeter And Activity Trackers For Climbers In 2024

The devices in this list are the best ones in 2024 and the big variety will ensure that they will fit anyone, whether you are a professional climber or a fitness enthusiast.

The Altimeters in this list come as popular sport watches and Smartwatches that are capable of tracking many more features such as heart rate, calories, steps counting and many more.

Others come as an advanced rugged Altimeters for professional climbers with lots of data but without activity tracking.

1. Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS

If you are looking for a perfect tool for climbing or hiking then you can try the Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS. It is manufactured by Garmin which is known for its accurate gear and Foretrex 401 is no exception.

It comes with the highly accurate Altimeter and GPS technology which not only provides accurate information but you can also use it to track your route.

The gadget also provides other useful information such as sunrise/sunset time and it also comes with the compass which also works really well even in jungles.

Moreover, Garmin Foretrex 401 also comes with a battery life of 17 hours and you can always extend the battery life by keeping the extra AAA batteries. If you are looking for a simple yet accurate Altimeter tool for climbing then Garmin Foretrex 401 is a great option for you.

2. Suunto Core

Suunto Core is an advance sports watch that is designed for mountaineers and climbers. It comes with a very accurate altimeter, barometer, and compass which will ensure that you get the accurate readings.

The watch is capable of tracking the weather, sun and it also provides intelligent storm alerts which can be crucial for the hikers at great altitude.

The watch comes with the Suunto’s weather tracking system which provides the trends about weather condition and you can use it to take the stuff which you can possibly need.

Moreover, it is also completely waterproof and it can resist water up to 100 feet which makes it very durable. If you are looking for a compact altimeter sports watch then Suunto Core is a great option for you.

3. LAD Weather Watch (lad004bk)

LAD Weather Watch is another very capable sports watch that comes with all benefits of chronograph watch but it also comes with the Altimeter, Barometer, and other features.

The watch comes with an accurate altimeter that provides accurate information and also makes the altitude graph on the information which can be useful for the climbers.

Moreover, it also comes with the German Sensor Weather Forecast system which provides information about the weather so that climbers could take the informed decision. Also, the watch comes with the timer, barometer, track mode and other features which can prove very useful during climbing.

The watch also features an accurate digital compass that you can use to check directions. You can also calibrate the compass using the built-in calibrating mode. Overall, LAD Weather is a great sports watch and its accurate altimeter makes this watch an ideal option for the climbers.

4. Suunto 9 GPS Sports Watch

Suunto 9 GPS watch is a very popular sports watch which is designed for the athletes. It is a full-fledged smartwatch that comes with the Altimeter, GPS tracking and navigation, and other modes.

The watch is designed for the professionals and that’s why it comes with more than 80 sport modes which you can pick according to convenience.

Moreover, it also comes with a waterproof design that can resist water for up to 100 meters. The watch also comes with the wrist heart rate monitor which will provide accurate information about your heartbeat.

Suunto 9 also comes with the altimeter which can easily find the elevation between 5000 to 9999m. Overall, Suunto 9 GPS Watch is an excellent option for casual climbers.

5. Garmin Foretrex 701 Ballistic Edition

If you are looking for a more rugged Altimeter then you can try the Garmin Foretrex 701 Ballistic edition which is designed for the military.

This device is strong enough to handle the harsh conditions and is designed on military standards. The device is intended to be used by the military so it is also compatible with the night vision goggles.

The device comes with the GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellite system which provides accurate locations. Moreover, the device also comes with the 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter which ensures that the information you are getting is accurate.

It also comes with a battery life of 48 hours which you can extend to 1 week with the advanced UltraTrac Mode.

The device also comes with the Applied Ballistics Elite Software which can be useful for the hunters. If you are looking for a rugged GPS navigator with the Altimeter then you can try Garmin Foretrex 701 Ballistics Edition.

6. Casio Pro Trek Smartwatch (WSD-F30)

Casio Pro Trek Smartwatch is another rugged watch which designed to be used in the wild. It comes with the rugged design which is constructed following the military standard. The watch is also 5-bar water resistance and it can be used in the rain.

The watch also comes with the GPS, GLONASS and Michibiki tracking technologies which ensure that you get an accurate location. It also comes with the offline map supports which can be very useful for the climbers and hikers.

The Casio Pro Trek also comes with the digital compass, Altimeter, and Barometer which you can use for finding direction, elevation and air pressure. Overall, Casio Pro Trek is a great rugged smartwatch and if you are looking for a great smartwatch with Altimeter then you can Casio Pro Trek is a great option for you.

7. Sun Company 203

If you are looking for an analog Altimeter then you can try the Sun Company 203 analog Altimeter. The device doesn’t need any battery and it is completely analog so you won’t need to carry the batteries around.

The device is also very lightweight and you can comfortably wear it around your neck. Overall, the accuracy of the Sun Company 203 is also good but it is not an ideal device for the beginners or enthusiasts as it is difficult to read the readings.

If you are someone who is an experienced climber and looking for a simple analog option then you can check this device. However, if you are an enthusiast or beginner then you can try the other options on this list.

8. Jolly Logic AltimeterTwo

If you are looking for a simple digital altimeter then you can try the Jolly Logic AltimeterTwo. It comes with a simple design and it features a smart display that provides the information about your altitude.

This Altimeter is capable of reading the elevation up to 29500 feet which makes it an ideal option for the climbers.

However, Jolly Logic AltimeterTwo is a very basic Altimeter and it doesn’t come with the other sensors which can help the climbers. If you are an enthusiast and looking for a simple Altimeter, just to measure your elevation then you can try this one.

9. Liberty Mountain SB-400

Liberty Mountain SB-400 is another very accurate Altimeter which can provide accurate readings at height of up to three miles. This Altimeter comes with a very simple design which makes it easier to carry it around.

When it comes to accuracy, SB-400 is very accurate. If you are an experienced climber then you will be able to easily read it but if you are a beginner then you will have a difficult time reading it. Moreover, it is also pretty difficult to read the readings from a distance.

The build quality of SB-400 is not good and you can break it if you drop it from a certain height. If you are looking for a sturdy Altimeter then SB-400 is not an ideal option.

10. Casio Pathfinder PAG240

Casio Pathfinder PAG240. is another very capable watch that is designed to be used by the climbers and other adventure travelers out there. This watch comes with the solar-power option which can run for up to 6 months without the sun and you can easily charge it by keeping in the sunlight.

The watch comes with an accurate Altimeter, Barometer, and compass which can be very helpful for the climbers.

It also comes with other information such as sunrise/sunset data and also world time which includes the time of 48 cities around the world.

Moreover, the rugged design of the watch enables it to handle the bumps and scrapes without any issue. If you are looking for a sturdy watch with the Altimeter then you can try Casio Pathfinder PAG240.

11. Polar M430

The M430 model by Polar is a device that is packed with features that give you amazing value for money. This is a smart built-in GPS based watch that automatically calculates your pace, distance as well as altitude using the altimeter.

This is device calculates your every movement and gives you all the information that you need regarding steps taken, calories burned, distance covered, the quality of sleep that you are getting and all of your activities 24 hours a day.

The M430 uses a Wrist-based heart rate but it is also compatible with the H10 sensor which is Polar’s chest strap for those of you who are looking for very accurate heart rate tracking.

You can make customized running and workout plans and your watch will give you notifications according to the plan that you have made and selected.

This is a waterproof watch so don’t have to worry about removing it if you are going for a swim. With sleep quality tracking the watch will make sure that you get enough sleep to be able to perform all your tasks with vigilance the next day.

Stay connected with the world while you are out there doing your workout routine because this tracker can give you smart notifications wherever you are. So even if you are out for a run you won’t be missing any important update or notification.

Like I have mentioned, the Trackers with the Built-in GPS are bulkier than the ones without and this one is no different. Actually, this is the main con of this amazing device, so if the size of the tracker is in your top priority than the M430 is not the choice for you.

This GPS enabled watch comes at a higher price tag of the Fitbit Charge 3 but once you look at its features the price becomes totally justified. If you prefer a smartwatch than this is the best smartwatch with an altimeter for your money.

12. Fitbit Charge 3

Another fitness tracker that will give you amazing value for its price is the Fitbit Charge 2 and 3. The Charge 3 is so featured rich, looks great and offers great upgrades from the 2nd Gen in the form of a touchscreen, waterproof resistance and stronger battery life.

Charge 2 and 3 are activity tracker wristbands and doesn’t come with a built-in GPS. However, while connecting them with your phone’s GPS, they become a great tracking device that will track everything, including sleep, 15+ different sports activities, and altitude.

The Fitbit Charge 3 is very light and comfortable(as a quality wristband supposed to be) and it is meant to stay on your wrist for 24/7 tracking.

The altimeter is quite accurate and along with all the other features, this tracker is one of the best fitness trackers in the world for its price.

If you prefer to save a bit then the Charge 2 will give you tons of fun and also includes an altimeter while connecting to your phone’s GPS and is a bit cheaper than the 3 GEN, so you might consider it too.

13. Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR/Ultra HR

Suunto is known for its amazing outdoor and field watches and Spartan Sport HR is the perfect combo of a field watch and activity tracker.

Suunto Spartan Sport HR is an advanced multisport GPS watch with a wrist-based heart rate monitor and a color touch screen. Measuring the pulse from the wrist directly from the watch is made possible by Valencell’s sensor – which, according to Suunto, has shown an advantage over competitors.

The watch is waterproof to 100 meters and will hold 8 hours of accurate measurement or 12-16 hours in a slightly less precise workout mode. The watch enables heart rate monitoring and analysis – including a last 12-hour heart rate graph and daily calorie burning.

The Spartan HR is amazingly featured reach and includes about 80 different sports modes, so you will be able to track and differentiate between the different sports activities.

The Spartan HR can measure altitude when the built-in GPS is on, there is no Barometric-based altimeter like in the Spartan Ultra And its working times are shorter than the Ultra (although in Ultra there is no pulse reading from the hand and it weighs a few more grams).

• Check out SUUNTO Spartan Sport HR on Amazon.
• Check out the SUUNTO Spartan Ultra HR on Amazon.

14. Garmin Fenix 5 plus series

The three smartwatches in Garmin’s new Plus series come with a 1.2-inch display of 240 x 240 pixels resolution and a stainless steel structure, with the Fenix ​​5 Plus and Fenix ​​5X Plus models further reinforced by titanium.

The watch straps come in 22 mm for the Fenix ​​5 Plus model, with the 5S Plus receiving a 20 mm strip and the 5X Plus with a 26mm band.

All models support water resistance under the 10ATM standard that allows for swimming and diving, although the watches are not designed for scuba diving.

The watches come with a built-in GPS component with support for GLONASS and Galileo. They offer a built-in pulse rate meter, altimeter, barometer, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, and thermometer. Fenix ​​5X Plus also comes with a sensor to measure blood oxygen level SpO2).

Best Altimeters And Activity Trackers For Climbers- Buying Guide

These are some of the recommended features which should be present in altimeters and activity trackers for climbers. Hence, this buying guide will help you to choose the suitable one for you.

Built-in GPS 

Climbers have a tendency to explore places that are far away from their homes. That’s why they should make sure they have built-in GPS technology in their device. GPS is necessary because it can track how far you went. It can also provide accurate time. GPS can eliminate the risk of missing the right exits.

Water Resistance

A water resistance activity tracker makes it easy for climbers to explore. You can swim underwater wearing this. Also, you never know when the climate changes and starts raining. Hence, a rainwater resistance device prevents the device from getting wet.

Battery Life

You don’t want your watch to stop working idly. So it’s important to make sure your watch has good battery life. The bigger the battery life, the longer the usage. You don’t have to worry about the charge and can complete your climbing. 

Supports Compass

Compass doesn’t work the same way as GPS but still, it can be used as a backup for those devices which don’t have access to GPS. Some devices support compasses which will help the climbers in which direction they are heading.

Tracking Capacity 

Other than measuring elevation and altitude, users should also see their device can track their health issues. It can be sleep heart rate blood oxygen level how many calories you burned.

Display

The display should be made of good material. Climbers need to pass harsh areas where if your display is vulnerable, then it can break or create a problem reading that information. Stainless steel display is recommended with a 1.2-inch display of 240 x 240 pixels resolution material.

Solar Power 

Some devices come with solar polar which demonstrates that they can be charged while kept under sunlight. It is preferable for those enthusiastic climbers who stay out for many days.

Height Measuring Capacity

The main purpose of an altimeter is to measure altitude. So a climber needs to ensure their device can measure the accurate elevation and altitude. Many climbers choose that altimeter which can read the elevation up to 29500 feet.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

Can I Use My Phone As An Altimeter?

Yes, any phone with GPS has the capability to use it as an altimeter.

How Accurate Are Digital Altimeters?

Barometric altimeters are more accurate in measuring elevation whereas digital altimeters are extremely precise.

Is There A Free Elevation App?

You can find it on an app store named my altitude which is free for both android and ios users.

Conclusion

I think for climbers, these are the best products they can ask for. Those who climb up the hill can easily measure the elevation and altitude. From having built-in GPS to keeping records of health like oxygen level, and heart rate- it has multipurpose.

These devices are trustworthy as they give accurate information. Bad weather is not an issue as it will give an advance update. In short, it comes with many features which help it to function efficiently and accurately.

Here is an article on my website that you must read, its about the Best Smartwatches & Activity Trackers With Wireless Charging.