Tested: The Best Compasses For Hiking Adventures

Compasses are a tried and true technology that travelers and outdoorsmen have relied on since the 12th century. Despite the advent of modern smartphones and GPS systems, the compass nonetheless remains an essential piece of kit for any outdoor adventure and can be a literal lifesaver should your phone or GPS unit break or have its battery die. To help you pick out your own analog-style compass for the trails, we’ve put together this guide where we’ve tested out the best of the best.

How We Tested

Because these devices have now existed for more than 900 years, a slew of different types of compasses have been invented, all offering their own unique strengths and weaknesses. While this gives buyers an enormous variety of types and models to choose from, it can make shopping for one of these vintage-style items a rather difficult and confusing experience, only further compounded by the enormous fluctuations in price from model to model. So, with this in mind, we’ve thoroughly pored over the space to deliver this guide to the best compasses, looking at the tried and true brands in the space, spanning across pro-level models, compact EDC units, and your simple, user-friendly baseplates.

First, we looked at which type of compass would best suit us in the outdoors. Not only are magnetic compasses the most common but they’re the easiest to use and balance utility with affordability well. After creating a shortlist of compasses based on our criteria of materials, use, type, size, and special features, we sourced our units for testing. From there, we tested these units from map (when necessary) to field, taking a look at how easy these were to use and what experience level they’d be best suited for, among other things. The results are detailed below.

What to Look For

Type: Now that you know about the different kinds of compasses that exist, you should be able to determine which type will be best for your particular needs based on your intended use, as well as the region or locale in which you plan on using it. While you really can’t go wrong with a classic baseplate compass, we’d recommend reviewing all of the different available types before making your decision.

Durability: Compasses aren’t just relied on for navigation, but also for survival, and as such a compass’s level of durability is of extreme importance, Alongside the housing and its construction type, other elements that contribute to how rugged a given compass will be is whether it not it is liquid filled or has some other type of damping mechanism. Fortunately, the vast majority of outdoor compasses are designed to take a beating without any issues.

Accuracy: Considering the fact that the whole purpose of a compass is to give a directional reading, accuracy is wildly important. The reality here is that the precision of a compass will largely boil down to the type of compass, rather than the manufacturer or model.

Size: Compasses can hugely vary in terms of physical dimensions, and include everything from massive dash-mounted units to handheld items to tiny devices that mount onto a watch band or zipper-pull. Even if you don’t think you’ll need it, we’d recommend investing in a small, budget-friendly compass to keep on hand.

Price: Compasses can run anywhere from a few dollars all the way into the hundreds. And while there’s nothing wrong with opting to spend a lot on a compass, we’d urge any interested parties to fully comprehend the differences that result in higher prices before simply opting for the most exorbitant item on the market, as the most expensive compasses aren’t always the best choice, especially depending on the application.

Power Source: Digital compasses and GPS systems offer unparalleled levels of convenience and ease of use, however, these items are ultimately useless without a charged battery. As a result, a lot of outdoors enthusiasts chose to rely on traditional magnetic compasses — or at the very least keep one on hand as a backup – as they’ll work under almost any conditions.

Marathon Glow-in-the-Dark Clip Compass

Best Watch Compass: If you know how to do it, you could use a rotating watch bezel as a makeshift compass, utilizing the time and the direction of the sun. However, if you want something to glance at really quickly, you’ll need a separate apparatus for finding your way in the woods. Going with its range of rugged tool watches, Marathon’s Glow-in-the-Dark Clip Compass is an affordable accessory that’s made with military personnel and adventurers in mind, just like the Canadian watchmaker’s wristwatches.

The Good

Attractive and surprisingly rugged, the Marathon Glow-in-the-Dark Clip Compass adds essentially no weight or bulk to your watch strap, despite my anticipation otherwise. In order to get it on, I found the easiest way was to thread my band through the top of the clip and to keep it towards the under part of my wrist so I could keep it level easier. It was very easy to adjust the compass on my strap without it doing so on its own. For testing, I used both fabric and leather straps, finding that fabric was the best option, which is great for field watch fans.

Not exclusive for use with Marathon timepieces, the compass goes with other watches too, as long as the strap width is 20mm or less in thickness (at a given point). I liked the click bezel, however flawed, but can see why other compasses opt for a friction bezel instead. Nevertheless, this is a highly affordable add-on to your wristwatch that offers some utility in the process.

The Not So Good

The glow-in-the-dark feature of this eponymous compass looked good when it wasn’t glowing but felt gratuitous in the dark. It illuminated perfectly fine but good luck with actually reading the compass itself. Also, the “clip” part of the name is somewhat of a misnomer. I found it much easier to thread the strap through, which only gave me an issue when it came to removing the compass; I could only take it off when the strap was undone completely.

As a compass, the unit worked perfectly fine, although had issues wiggling when I was walking around. I had to be relatively still in order for it to function properly. Also, while the click bezel is reminiscent of dive watches and the like, the clicking function specifically felt a bit rickety, never quite locking into its grooves well. I should also mention that this is only “splash resistant” so it might not be wise to take it on certain adventures.

Verdict: An attractive and highly affordable piece of utility to add to virtually any wristwatch, the Glow-in-the-Dark Clip Compass from Canadian watchmaker Marathon goes along with the brand’s military-focused ethos. However, it felt more like a somewhat-useful ornament than it did an essential addition to your wrist. Nevertheless, the GITD bezel looks cool and the compass function works perfectly fine (if you’re standing still) to aid you in finding your way back home.

MecArmy CPM-2T Compass

Best Titanium Compass: Available in multiple color options, MecArmy’s CMP-2 model is an objectively top-shelf take on a mini pocket compass. IPX5-rated, this compass features a precision-machined housing — offered in titanium, copper, or brass — with a special encapsulation tech, a sandblasted finish, and a lume dial that can glow for up to six hours. This half-ounce compass also boasts a D-type keyring attachment and is sold with an included beaded chain.

The Good

I didn’t think it were possible for a compass to be smaller than the Marathon Clip Compass above, but the MecArmy CMP-2 is a special piece of equipment that fits a lot into a small package. Quality-wise, you get a compass worthy of your time and money, and at just $40! The dial doesn’t wobble like the Marathon above, which is a plus if you’re wearing it around your neck since it won’t look tilted when hung vertically.

I loved the look of the MecArmy compass as well. While the company makes brass and copper variants too (which are even lower in price), we got hands-on with the titanium version, which has a striking matte finish and color that goes very well with the green and black compass dial. Either piece you select, however, features a sort of DIY, workshop-built aesthetic, enhanced with the quartet of screws at the corners that give off the impression that you made this yourself.

The Not So Good

Despite its affordability, the included metal beaded necklace is pretty chintzy. I’d recommend swapping this out for a higher-quality option –– at least one to match the compass itself. However, the similar-looking D-ring affixed to the compass in-box might be more challenging to swap out, requiring some tools.

Verdict: Available in three metal types, the MecArmy CMP-2 is a sleek, industrial-looking mini compass designed to be worn around your neck for adventures both near and far. Superbly machine-finished, the titanium variant we tested was unbelievably lightweight at 0.49oz, while its overall aesthetic you’d want to wear no matter where you went. We’d swap out the included chain necklace but that’s just a minor quibble for an attractive, well-priced unit.

Suunto M-3 NH Compass

Best for Maps: Protected by a multi-year warranty, adventure watch brand SUUNTO’s M-3 model is a bonafide professional-grade baseplate compass that’s crafted around a durable plastic with a stainless steel needle and jewel bearing. Made in Finland, the liquid-filled 1.62-ounce M-3 compass is equipped with a bevy of advanced features such as adjustable declination correction, a magnifying lens, bright lume, and an assortment of measurements around the edges so you can use this as an inch or centimeter ruler to figure out the map’s scale.

The Good

If you’re a fan of old-school maps, you’ll want a compass like the Suunto M-3. Made by a company most known for its rugged smartwatches, this unit benefits from clear housing, which can be used to see the area around your needle. It’s surprisingly difficult to find a compass that won’t block out nearby waypoints on a map. Seeing your surroundings gives you a better idea of where you are and where you’re going.

Don’t be fooled by the plastic housing here either. The M-3 is totally durable. Although the bezel itself is a frictionless unit, it features a nice cog grip on the outside for easy turning when you need it to, but not too easy that it moves on its own. It also comes with a lanyard that’s easy to take on and off, and without getting in the way of the compass itself. Another extra feature I liked was how well the compass stayed on the table, even when its back end was hanging off a bit. This made it easy when navigating to a point close to the edge of a map, or when lying a map on a smaller tabletop.

The Not So Good

My biggest issue with the M-3 is the placement of the ruler markings. With the numbers of the measurements applied on the bottom side, you run the risk of these wearing down over time, or scratching off altogether. We didn’t come across this problem during our testing but based on previous experience with similar raised paint, we’ve seen this happen before. Also, I found the magnifying glass to be a bit superfluous due to the nature of the compass build. It’s located in a very specific spot that requires me to lift it slightly above the map for use.

Verdict: Purpose-built for use with a physical map, the Suunto M-3 sports a clear bottom and a solid balance no matter how small your tabletop is. Not only that, but this compass has some extra features like a ruler for scaling, bezel lume, and a surface-boosting magnifying glass, albeit we didn’t really find much use for this. At $65, this is a solid, affordable compass for those looking to supplement their tactile adventuring.

Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass

Best Sighting Compass: A sighting compass is for measuring the direction of something at a distance, and there are lots of options cropping up from all over. However, this Ranger 2.0 from Silva was simply the most user-friendly of the bunch. Along with a premium magnetic compass built into a baseplate, the unit features ruler measurements for scaling over a map, a magnifying lens, an opposing lid with a sighting mirror, an attached distance lanyard to aid your distance measurement, and an included slope card for measuring both your risk of avalanche and how challenging a slope will be. It also features 4-hour lume that can be activated by either daylight or flashlight.

The Good

If you take the basic utility of the Suunto unit above and add superb sighting features, you get the Ranger 2.0 from Silva. As a clear plastic baseplate compass, the friction bezel was even easier to turn than the Suunto, which aided with fine-tuning my navigation and distance finding. On the other hand, it didn’t ever move by itself unless it got seriously bumped. Cogs on the outside helped a lot with control over turning. The mirrored lid doubled as a bezel protector, precluding accidental movement when stored in my pocket.

If you want to enhance the basic functions of your compass, you can also utilize the slope card or distance lanyard, which were both a bit out of my level of expertise but many of you will find these handy. I also noticed the mirror on the opposite side was pretty resistant to smudges and fingerprints, which prevented me from having to wipe it down every so often. Since I used the compass most frequently with maps, I appreciated the DryFlex rubber grips on the bottom.

The Not So Good

It’s important to note that the mirror lid can cause the compass to tilt at times, which it did if I had it opened too far (slightly). Although it just needs to be at a 45-degree angle for determining direction, I didn’t always use the mirror, such as when looking at a map. Something I noticed on the Silva that made me prefer the Suunto option over this was the red text on the baseplate. These were much easier to read against a map underneath. However, the Silva employed black text, which was difficult to read at times.

Verdict: You have to hand it to Silva here, who’s made a superb, user-friendly compass that lets you measure distances and even avalanche risk. The brand packs a lot into a relatively small unit, including a smudge-resistant sighting mirror, a scaling ruler, and a friction bezel that’s perfect for fine-tuning. Best of all, you can use this perfectly whether you’re an experienced user or just starting out.

Glow Rhino Waypoint Compass

Best EDC Compass: Measuring less than an inch in diameter and weighing in at only 0.20oz, the Glow Rhino Waypoint Compass is a rugged yet lightweight directional tool that features a rugged machined aluminum housing with an included keyring. The compass’ internal free-floating needle sits in a proprietary anti-bubble, no fog liquid, as well. Not only does this keychain compass feature the Detroit brand’s typical top-shelf fit and finish, but it also boasts a dial with a north arrow that sports one of Glow Rhino’s signature glowing tritium inserts, and a second tritium insert set in the dial’s base.

The Good

Unlike the Marathon compass, the lume in the Glow Rhino Waypoint Compass is actually beneficial. Utilizing tritium, which is a self-illuminating (and radioactive) gas, the bright strip is meant to always point in front of you. You can compare this against the tritium lume at the tip of the “North” end of the compass arrow. Tritium is great because it glows pretty easily, and won’t run out for years. Typically it’s not as bright as most other lume fill, but here it served me quite well. Glow Rhino doesn’t overdo its lume but uses the perfect amount.

The Waypoint is a simple yet effective compass with a good-looking housing to boot. If the titanium MecArmy unit above fits better with a sort of streetwear look, the Glow Rhino compass has more stylistic versatility. Nevertheless, it’s perfect for outdoor use, and only $50, which is a bonus. While I didn’t have any issues with the keyring, and used it prominently, you can also swap it out for a lanyard or D-ring if you so choose.

The Not So Good

Like many fluid-filled compasses, the Glow Rhino Waypoint dial does get stuck when held at an angle. This is why you hold your compass flat to maximize accuracy. However, I did notice a slight delay with the arrow turning, compared to some other compasses such as the MecArmy. However, its overall accuracy is still obviously the same, but I just felt this was worth noting since the unit doesn’t really have any other real flaws. Also, I do wish this were offered in the brand’s usual titanium construction, even though that would undoubtedly add to the price tag.

Verdict: Glow Rhino’s Waypoint Compass is a simple yet highly useful compass whose selling point is its lightweight aluminum housing, compact frame, and effective tritium lume. We loved essentially everything about this unit, especially the $50 price tag. However, we did notice a slight, albeit innocuous, delay caused by the dial fluid. Nevertheless, this is an awesome compass with versatile accessibility.

Cammenga US Military Tritium 3H Compass

Best Military Compass: The longstanding official compass of the United States Military, Cammenga’s classic Tritium 3H model is made in America and features a powder-coated aluminum chassis, a copper induction-damping ring, and seven Tritium micro-lights that can provide solid glow for more than 12 years. Extremely rugged, this compass is shockproof, sand and dust-proof, weatherproof, and can operate in extreme temperatures ranging from -50° F to 150° F. The compass is also designed to lie flat for a 6-inch meter scale built in.

The Good

Easily winning the award for the Coolest Compass on This List, the surprisingly lightweight Cammenga Tritium 3H also benefits from being the most well-constructed. As we mentioned, this thing is incredibly durable, which you can instantly tell from just holding it in your hand. I also love the OD green colorway we tested (other colors are available as well) which goes with the military theme. Like the Glow Rhino, this unit utilizes tritium lume for a long-lasting glow. Here, it’s employed not only as a reference point in front and on the tip of the needle’s north, but also firmly on the east and west sides of the needle. This dial is much larger than the Glow Rhino and can afford to include some extra detail like this. I also loved the included carrying case, which felt properly high-end, as well as featured a two-way strap on the backside which I used to attach to my backpack.

Pretty straightforward in usage for a sighting compass, the Cammenga also features tiny tritium strips on either end of its sighting hairline, as well as on the reference point, adjusted via the click bezel. I’ve seen thin lume strips before but these might be the thinnest. Like the Silva above, this compass can be accessible whether or not you’re an experienced user. And if you’re a beginner, you can still get use out of the unit’s durability, nighttime visibility, and overall attractiveness.

The Not So Good

The main complaint with the Cammenga Tritium 3H will be the price. As easy as it is to use for sighting newcomers, you’ll undoubtedly want to spend $110 at that stage in the game. Another thing I noticed was the click bezel. As one of only two compasses on this list to eschew the friction bezel (the other being the Marathon), the clicking function of the bezel felt both cheap and too difficult to turn. Friction bezels are common here for a reason: They offer a stepless way to adjust your reference points. However, the sub-part clicking made this difficult for me.

Verdict: Chintzy bezel aside, the Cammenga Tritium 3H is still the best-constructed and best-looking compass on this list. We loved the color, the overall aesthetic, and the meticulously-placed tritium lume that allows for easy reference points even in low light. We felt the price was a bit steep, perhaps scaring off some newcomers to the sighting category, but if you want something top-tier, this will be the one for you.

Brunton TruArc 20 Luminous Compass

Best Premium Compass: Brunton’s wide range of compasses span from the super sophisticated $800 units for structural geology to user-friendly premium models for outdoorsmen. If you’re simply after the finest handheld magnetic compass and aren’t particularly concerned with pricing then Brunton’s TruArc 20 is for you. Built inside a rugged housing, this is the brand’s most advanced baseplate compass and includes a sighting mirror, among other handy features. You also get a bubble level to ensure accuracy, a built-in ruler for scaling, an internal vial inclinometer and lid inclinometer for advanced navigation, a luminous azimuth ring, and a lumed sight and arrow with an 8-hour glow time. A Romer scale can also be used in tandem with a handheld GPS unit if you so choose. Sold with an included rubber foot and card holder, this compass is also made in Riverton, Wyoming, and comes protected by a lifetime warranty.

The Good

Truly designed for the biggest compass geeks on the planet, this unit from Brunton pulls out all the stops. Admittedly, my expertise level was below what this unit could do, but from where I stood, it served quite well as an intermediate compass as well. This is the only compass we tested with a built-in declination scale, so you can adjust magnetic north to true north tool-free. I personally liked the magnified azimuth ring, which made it easier to hone in on a given point on the scale without it getting lost in all the other detailing on the compass.

Utilizing a stepless friction bezel, the grip here might not be the same cog-style grip as other baseplate models here but I did like it for its simplicity. There’s a lot going on here so the simpler the better in this regard. I should also note that for all you get with the TruArc 20, I’m surprised it doesn’t cost more than it does.

The Not So Good

Like many pro-rated compasses, the price of the Brunton TruArc 20 will render it too expensive for many beginner to intermediate users. However, it’s a level to aspire to if you’re really getting into wayfinding and navigation. Also, while the removable rubber base is perfect for keeping this thing steady on a countertop, it prevents you from using the compass to its full potential. Likewise, I wish there were some sort of rubber grip at the bottom of the clear baseplate.

I should also point out that the lume, while theoretically long-lasting, requires a sunlight charge that makes you thankful for the constantly-glowing tritium lume models, which require no charge at all.

Verdict: Certainly too much for your average wayfinder, the TruArc 20 from Brunton is an expert model if we’ve ever seen one, equipped with a plethora of pro features that make it almost surprising it’s only $100. It boasts features unseen on any other unit we tested, including an automatic declination adjustment for more accurate navigation. We may prefer the tritium glow to this sub-part lume coating but that’s one of only a couple of things we can really complain about here.

Compass Comparison Chart

Types of Compasses

Magnetic: The oldest type of compass on Earth, magnetic units rely on a needle or card to align themselves with the planet’s magnetic field in order to deliver a bearing. Despite the fact all magnetic compasses share this quality, there are several different types of magnetic compasses used today, such as baseplate compasses, featuring a liquid-filled housing that’s typically transparent so it can be laid over a map, or the more robust sighting compass (aka mirrored baseplate compass) featuring a cover and hairline for sighting. This style is often equipped with an inclinometer as well, allowing the user to measure heights or the angle of a slope.

There’s also the ultra-common liquid compass, which features a magnetic needle moving around in fluid like oil or alcohol.

Gyrocompass: First produced in early-1900s Germany, gyrocompasses are extremely unique. Instead of using the earth’s magnetic field, these items feature spinning internal wheels or balls (i.e. “gyroscopes”) that have a rotation that interacts with that of the earth’s axis. As a result, gyrocompasses — which rely on the law of conservation of angular momentum — point to earth’s rotational poles, and as such give accurate readings of true north.

GPS Compass: This type of compass uses global positioning satellites that are in geosynchronous orbit above the earth to relay an exact coordinate and direction back to the device. These GPS-equipped items are incredibly easy to use, though require a battery to function and are admittedly a bit more prone to breaking or being damaged.

Solid-State Compass: Often used in smartphones and tablets, solid-state compasses are a type of digital compass that rely on a number of magnetic field sensors which provide data that is run through a microprocessor to calculate an accurate directional reading.

Astrocompass: Rather than utilizing traditional magnetic forces, an Astrocompass uses the positions of various celestial bodies to determine the direction of true north (instead of magnetic north). This type of compass is popular in polar and arctic regions in which gyrocompasses and traditional magnetic compasses typically have issues.

How Much Should I Spend on a Quality Compass?

The reality is that it doesn’t cost very much to produce an accurate compass. As such, you can legitimately acquire a solid and dependable compass for hiking for no more than $10 or $20. With that said, you largely tend to get what you pay for in this space, with the more premium models on the market coming loaded with features and amenities that all come at a premium — such as precision-aligned mirrors, damped needles, hinged inclinometers, and sapphire jewel bearings.

The materials used to make these outdoor-focused items will also typically play a major role in a compass’ pricing, as will where it was manufactured. We recommend starting by considering your intended use, and then using that as a jumping-off point to determine which features you’ll likely need, as this will greatly narrow down your search, and help to establish the rough amount you’ll need to spend — which is typically anywhere from $10 to $100, though some super premium compasses can cost upwards of a grand.

Honorable Mentions

Tru-Nord makes a really cool Zipper Pull Compass that replaces the zipper on your hiking jacket or vest. While this is really pricey at $88, the real reason we didn’t include it here is that we weren’t able to get hands-on with a unit for testing.

Suunto’s other popular model, the MC-2, takes the M-3 above and adds a mirror below for sighting. However, it also seems to lose some other user-friendliness in the process. Nevertheless, this is a good sighting version of the ever-popular unit we tested for this guide.

Not as good as a straightforward compass, the Prometheus Design Werx Expedition Watch Band Compass Kit 2.0 is a titanium unit with a glow-in-the-dark silicone band designed to tie onto your bag. We felt this was very expensive for what you get but it gets originality points as well, landing it right down here.

If you’re traveling with little ones and want to get them started on navigation, check out the Brunton 9041 Glow Compass, which is a fun, easy-to-use model for kids with some glow-in-the-dark features.

Tested: The Best Hiking Watches for the Outdoors

Want to explore the possibilities of a wristwatch? Check out our guide to the best hiking watches for the outdoors, where we tested out our favorites.