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The Best Hiking Compasses

Last updated on June 20, 2022

We looked at the top 9 Hiking Compasses and dug through the reviews from 21 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Hiking Compasses.

Our Review Process

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If you hike or camp, a compass is an essential tool to add to your backpack. On a hiking trail, you won’t always have access to GPS, requiring you to rely on maps and compasses for navigation. A compass uses a magnetized needle that rotates to line up with the Earth’s magnetic field, allowing you to determine, at any time, which way is north, east, south or west.

There are different types of compasses, with the baseplate compass being the most common. With a baseplate compass, the compass itself is filled with liquid and mounted on a rectangular base. This type of compass will sometimes also include a magnifying glass to help you read maps.

Most good compasses have features built in to improve accuracy. Declination adjustment helps account for the difference between true north and magnetic north for a better reading. When combined with a sighting mirror, declination adjustment can boost the accuracy of the readout. Sighting mirrors also can help you signal for help in an emergency and, on a less important note, can provide a handy way to check your appearance. One last useful feature is a clinometer, which can help you look out for avalanche hazards.

Our Picks For The Top Hiking Compasses

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

SUUNTO Northern Hemisphere Navigational Hiking Compass

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SUUNTO

Northern Hemisphere Navigational Hiking Compass

Professionals will love the look of this high-class hiking compass. In addition to a built-in mirror, the compass is designed to work in low light, so you stay on the right course even if the weather is cloudy. Thanks to advanced engineering, your measurements are also reliable and precise.

Overall Take

Great for Gift GivingDo you have an avid adventurer in your home? If so, this hiking compass makes for an excellent Christmas or birthday gift.

 Runner Up

Cammenga Waterproof Tactical Hiking Compass

Cammenga

Waterproof Tactical Hiking Compass

When planning your next trip, make sure you have this hiking compass in your pack. It's lightweight, durable and won't take up much space in your backpack. Hikers will love the aluminum construction, as it's both sand proof and water resistant.

Overall Take

Two Color OptionsYou'll find this hiking compass comes in a sleek black or military olive green.

 We Also Like

TurnOnSport Portable Magnetic Hiking Compass

TurnOnSport

Portable Magnetic Hiking Compass

The lightweight build and included lanyard make this a great compass for backpacking. It comes with a magnifying glass to help you read maps and a small ruler built into the acrylic base. A 360-degree rotating bezel will keep you oriented at all times.

Overall Take

Great for BeginnersThis easy-to-use hiking compass is perfect for beginners, with a ruler and directional arrow to help you learn how to use it.

Pros
" Fantastic for beginners and kids alike. With a price under $10, it’s going to take you a long way for the price. It also makes a good backup compass to keep in your car or pack."
Cons
"No compass housing. Not ideal for beginners. No lanyard included."
 Best for Safety

Atomic Bear Survival Paracord Bracelet, 2-Pack

Atomic Bear

Survival Paracord Bracelet, 2-Pack

Get an added layer of safety with this set of bracelets. Each hiking bracelet is equipped with a compass, emergency whistle and fire starter. The bracelet itself is constructed from a military-grade paracord, which can also be handy in a pinch.

Overall Take

Multi-functionalIncludes a compass, emergency whistle and fire starter

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16

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the hiking compasses available to purchase.
9

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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21

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: MOOZ Reviews, Best Reviews Guide, The Guidr, Flip To Outdoor, Outdoor Command.

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User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 9 Hiking Compasses and also dug through the reviews from 21 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Hiking Compasses.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

TurnOnSport Portable Magnetic Hiking Compass

Our Expert Score

8.5
6 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.0
3,155 user reviews

Our Take

The lightweight build and included lanyard make this a great compass for backpacking. It comes with a magnifying glass to help you read maps and a small ruler built into the acrylic base. A 360-degree rotating bezel will keep you oriented at all times.

What other experts liked

Fantastic for beginners and kids alike. With a price under $10, it’s going to take you a long way for the price. It also makes a good backup compass to keep in your car or pack.
- Marine Approved
If you need a lightweight compass that is easy to use and store, this may be the best backpacking compass for you. It’s easy to use if you know how to adjust a navigational course by sight. The scratch resistant acrylic base is nice as well.
- Best Hiking Reviews
Cheap, reliable, and easy to store just about anywhere. The compass is extremely accurate. It does have a magnifying glass and a small ruler built into its base. The extra features make this reliable compass a little more versatile, and they’re a nice addition considering its extremely low price.
- BestCamping
Has all the features needed for learning compass-and-map navigation without the restrictive cost of higher-end compasses. The durable acrylic baseplate sports an adjustable bearing, a compass ruler, a magnifying glass, and a 1:24,000 scale.
- Gear Junkie
This compact compass is a portable, durable, and compact compass which works well as a reliable back-up. Perfect for hunting, camping, industrial use and practically any other situation. Each product is field tested.
- Wilderness Today
Aspiring boy or girl scouts will love this waterproof Orienteering Compass from TurnOnSport, small enough to fit in any backpack. It even has a magnetic needle and attached magnifying glass for reading maps on-the-go.
- Families Love Travel

What other experts didn't like

I don’t recommend this compass to anyone looking for a serious compass that they want to travel to the ends of the Earth with.
- Marine Approved
No compass housing. Not ideal for beginners. No lanyard included.
- Best Hiking Reviews
It doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles that a military-grade compass has, and it doesn’t have any electronic functions.
- BestCamping
No declination feature, no direction box.
- Gear Junkie
This isn’t a compass you’ll want as a primary compass for exploring the unknown.
- Wilderness Today

What to Look For

  • Pay attention to the weight of the compass you choose. If you’re taking it hiking or even for a long walk, a little extra weight can become a burden after a while.
  • Although the magnifying glass can be useful on the trail, it does make it a little less portable. If you won’t need magnification, consider skipping this feature.
  • Some compasses come with lanyards or carabiners to make them easy to wear around your neck or attach to your pack.
  • Compasses can be useful tools for kids to learn to use. If you are choosing one for this purpose, look for one that’s designed for children, using bright colors and easy-to-read bezels.
  • A thermometer-compass combination can come in handy if you’ll be on the trail for a while. This tool will help you keep an eye on the weather while you’re navigating.
  • Hiking gear can be subjected to extreme conditions. If it rains while you’re hiking or you have to go through a body of water, it might get wet. Look for one with a waterproof, durable case if you think your hikes might put you in those conditions.
  • You won’t always be using your compass in daylight. One with a built-in light or one that glows in the dark will prove helpful when things are a little dark.

Hiking Compass Rankings

1. SUUNTO Northern Hemisphere Navigational Hiking Compass

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 1

2. Cammenga Waterproof Tactical Hiking Compass

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 1

3. TurnOnSport Portable Magnetic Hiking Compass

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 8

4. Atomic Bear Survival Paracord Bracelet, 2-Pack

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 1

5. Sun Company TempaComp Aluminum Hiking Compass

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 7

6. Eyeskey Shockproof Liquid-Filled Hiking Compass

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 7

7. YEHOBU Professional Grade Ergonomic Hiking Compass

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 4

8. SharpSurvival Glow In The Dark Copper Hiking Compass

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 5

9. TurnOnSport 360 Degree Rotating Hiking Compass

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 3

More to Explore

These days, you can download an app to your smartphone that will act as a compass. Modern smartphones have magnetometers, which are sensors that measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields. This sensor allows your phone to detect direction, which also makes it possible to use your phone as a compass.

But can you depend on your phone as a compass for a long, tricky hike? A phone can be accurate for light use, but the accuracy isn’t going to be as good as a dedicated compass. Accuracy can also vary from device to device, since the hardware plays a role in how well a phone’s magnetometer does its work.

More to explore