Under the warm sunlight, with the wind gushing through your face, you can find real happiness in nature only. Hiking can be a great way to exercise and enjoy your vacation. However, before you take your first step, you should do little planning. Why? Do you know around 2,000 hikers get lost on the trail in the US? And you probably do not want to be another one on the list. So, while you are packing, make sure to add a Gps Tracker to your bag.
Why? Because with the help of the best GPS trackers for hiking, you can find your way out of the trails. And your family or friends can locate you in case of emergency. In this guide, we have listed different GPS devices for hiking in the market.
Why do you need GPS Trackers for Hiking?
The use of GPS trackers has become quite common in the modern world. From logistics businesses to tracking your new teen driver, GPS devices serve different purposes. While you are on your adventure, following the sun may seem like an ideal approach but not a logical one. Why? Because the trees in the woods are high, you will not be able to see the sun. Moreover, you cannot solely rely on topographic maps and compasses to find your way out of the forest.
GPS devices for trail hiking are a more rational and reliable option for safe hiking in the market. These systems make it easy for you to find a way and explore nature without any fear. So, if you have a portable GPS hiking tracker in your bag, you can make your trip more adventurous and fun. Additionally, a real-time GPS tracker for hiking trail can provide peace of mind to your family and loved ones as they can track you no matter where you are. And in case of emergency, they can send immediate help. In the same way, you can press the SOS button to call for assistance.
GPS Tracker Vs. Smartphone- Which One Is The Best?
You can find two options in the market, GPS tracker and smartphone. Some people find it worthless to invest in portable GPS devices for trail hiking. And prefer smartphone GPS on their hike. But which one is the best? Let us discuss it in the following section:
Smartphones, at first glance, may seem like a worthy choice. Why? Because they are versatile tools that will serve you different functions apart from basic GPS, such as flashlight, camera, and enables two-way calls. On top of that, you will not have to invest any money as you probably own it already.
On the other hand, GPS devices for trail hiking ask for initial investment. They use satellite-based navigation to provide you with location updates. GPS trackers for hiking are preferable to a smartphone. Why? As they have long Battery life, SOS button, and are waterproof. Moreover, a GPS tracker for hiking trail will send you reliable location updates even when there is no cell phone network.
To sum it up, we can say that you can only rely on a smartphone if you are going somewhere nearby, such as front country trails or camps. But you should choose a portable GPS tracker for hiking if you are hiking in mountains or forests.
Importance Of GPS Trackers for Hiking
Still confused, whether to buy a GPS tracker for hiking trails or not? Here are some benefits of the GPS trackers for hiking:
Immediately Locate the Hikers
GPS trackers use a series of satellite networks to locate someone. It is also known as the trilateration technique. And therefore, no matter where you are or if there is any network, the GPS tracker for trail hiking will locate you and send reports. So even if somehow you lost your original part, you can discover a new one with the help of it.
SOS Buttons
Some GPS trackers for hiking in the market come with the SOS button. These buttons are helpful in case of an emergency. You can press the button to receive help immediately. How?
As you press the SOS button, the tracker immediately sends and real-time allows it to the trusted contacts. And then they can send immediate help to you.
Geofence Boundaries
If your child is hiking and you are worried for their safety, then a GPS tracker for hiking trail will come in handy for you. With the help of a geofencing feature, you can drop virtual boundaries to the predetermined path. As they cross it, you will immediately get an alert. And hence you can contact them to correct their way.
Weather Forecasts
Nowadays, with the help of GPS tracking device for hiking, you can know the weather of a place beforehand. It will help you to be prepared to face the situation. For instance, you can check if it will rain and take the necessary steps to enjoy the day.
Gives Freedom
With the help of a GPS tracker for hiking trail, you can get closer to nature freely. You can wander freely, even in the deepest part of the forest, and explore its secrets. Sometimes doing something unplanned makes the whole hike more fun. Also, you will not have to fear remembering the path as the hiking GPS tracker is doing its duty.
How To Choose GPS Trackers for Hiking?
Now that you are convinced to purchase a GPS tracker for your hiking trip. Here are the necessary factors to look at before you choose a perfect GPS device for yourself:
Size And Weight
Who will love extra baggage while hiking? And therefore, before you come up with any decision, you should always pay attention to the dimension of the product. An ideal GPS tracker for hiking should be small in size and lightweight.
Battery Life
Always look for a GPS tracker for hiking with good battery backup.
Why? So that when you are in the forest, you can wander without any worry. On top of that, you will not have to find a charging outlet in the wilds. And as if your GPS tracker’s battery dies, you will be left alone by yourself.
Waterproof
You cannot know what circumstances you may have to face during your hike. If a tracker falls in the puddle or you left the water bottle leaks, your investment will go in vain. And you will have to purchase a new one after finding your way back home. To avoid such sceneries, they should always choose a waterproof GPS tracker.
Easy To Use
Also, look for a GPS tracking device for hiking with a user-friendly interface. So that it is easy to use and anyone in your family can use it without any stress during hiking.
Connectivity
There are several GPS trackers for hiking available in the market with different connectivity options. Some GPS devices use a 2G network, while others have 5G compatibility. Always go with a GPS hiking tracker with faster connectivity, such as 4G or 5G.
9 Best GPS Trackers For Hiking
Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is to list the best GPS trackers for hiking available in the market, and not review or rank them. All the products listed here have several unique features catering to a wide range of customer requirements.
Family1st GPS Tracker
Overview
Family1st portable GPS tracker is a small and compact GPS tracker for hiking trail that can track almost anything from anywhere. It is the most cost-effective device in the market and is feasible for all of us. You can purchase the hardware by paying $28.95. On top of that, it has a low monthly subscription charge of $19.95. You can enjoy several features at such nominal fees, such as an SOS button, geofence, Smart alerts, instant reports, and many more.
Why Do We Recommend The Product?
Whether you or your family is hiking or any other adventurous activity, you can never go wrong with this product. It is no bigger than a D-size battery, and therefore, will not occupy much space in your backpack. You can set up this device by following three simple steps.
As the device has a decent battery life, you can keep on exploring the jungle without any fear of losing your way. It uses lightning-fast 4G connectivity, and therefore, can deliver accurate location updates anywhere in North America. You can purchase the device with a waterproof case and take it with you on any adventurous trip.
Product Highlights
- Real-time GPS tracker
- Pocketable size
- Lifetime Warranty
- 14-days battery Life
- 30-days money-back guarantee
Battery & Specs
- Size: 2.8” x 1.8” x 1.1”
- Weight: 3.60 Oz
- Battery: 2400 mAh Li-Polymer
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 2-weeks active battery life with 1-minute update
- 6-months sleep mode battery life at one update per day
Amcrest GPS Tracker
Overview
Amcrest GL300 GPS tracker is a portable and compact GPS tracker for hiking that you can use to monitor vehicles, loved ones, and assets. It uses 4G connectivity to offer real-time location tracking. It can send you location updates for up to 5 seconds, and hence you can access them through a web portal or mobile application.
The Amcrest GPS trackers offer different features to make your tracking experience smooth. For example, you can use the geofencing feature to drop virtual fences over the map. You will receive a real-time alert whenever the target passes by. You can purchase the device at $39.99 plus monthly subscription fees of $19.99.
Why Do We Recommend the Product?
Amcrest GL300 is another affordable solution for gps tracking device for hiking. You can choose the device for your outdoor adventures, let it be hiking, motorcycle travels, or trekking. It uses a 4G network, and therefore, you can get accurate location updates in the deep woods. You can lower the frequency rate to five seconds and hence stay assured that you are going on the right track. It has a pretty long battery that will last for two weeks and thus becomes ideal for hiking.
Product Highlights
- Compact size – smaller than a matchbox
- Intelligent Battery Alerts
- Motion and SOS Alarm
- Weather-resistant
- Supports up to 20 geofences
Battery & Specs
- Size: 3” x 1.5” x 1”
- Weight: 3.52 Oz
- Battery: Li-Polymer, 2600 mAh
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 10-12 days active battery life for minutes updates
- 2-weeks battery life on sleep mode (no activity)
Trak-4 GPS Tracker
Overview
Trak-4 is another reliable GPS tracker for hiking on our list that you can take on your adventure. It is a simple GPS tracker that starts tracking within a few minutes out of the box. Installing the device is a matter of breeze. Moreover, it is easy to use and therefore anyone in your family members, be it your child, can use it.
It is an affordable GPS tracking device for trail hiking that you can own by paying $48.80. The company also charges monthly charges of $12.99 for hourly pings. The device has impressive battery life that can last up to 12 to 18 months on a single charge. Moreover, it is a durable and weatherproof device that you can use for any outdoor activity.
Why Do We Recommend The Product?
Trak-4 is a durable device that you can take on your different journeys. The rugged device will deliver reliable location updates even in extreme weather conditions. The device has a giant battery life that can last up to 18 months on a single charge. So you won’t have to worry about the battery in the wild.
Product Highlights
- Location Sharing
- Small and compact design
- Weatherproof device
Battery & Specs
- Size: 2.5” x 1.75” x 1.25”
- Weight:3oz
- Battery: 4600 mAh
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 2-weeks active battery life with one-minute updates
- 18 months battery life with one update per day
LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker
Overview
LandAirSea 54 GPS tracker is a mini waterproof GPS tracker for hiking. Owing to its ultra-compact design, it can easily fit in pockets, backpacks, purses, or cases. You can even enjoy discreet tracking with this small-sized device. The device uses 4G LTE plus satellite technology to deliver reliable and accurate location updates.
It has an ultra-strong non-slip magnetic mount, and therefore, you can mount it on any metal surface without any tension. It also has a rechargeable battery that lasts two weeks with one-minute updates. You can even increase it by lowering the report frequency.
Why Do We Recommend the Product?
LandAirSea 54 GPS tracker is 100% waterproof, and therefore you can rely on the device even on different weather conditions such as sunny, rainy, windy, or snowy days. It is a portable device that can easily fit into your backpack, and you won’t feel like you are carrying extra baggage with you. It offers worldwide coverage, so you can purchase it no matter where you are hiking.
Product Highlights
- Waterproof Device
- Google Maps integration
- Immediate Alerts and notifications
- Versatile use
Battery & Specs
- Size: 2.25″ x 2.25″ x 0.8″
- Weight: 8 Oz
- Battery: Lithium-ion battery
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 3-weeks active battery life with 3-minute updates
- 6-months battery life on Sleep mode
Geozilla GPS tracker
Overview
Geozilla GPS tracker is a portable GPS that can help you monitor your family or personal belongings. The device uses GPS and cell ID technology to deliver accurate location updates. You can view them on the Geozilla application. It is user-friendly, and therefore, you can easily navigate through the app to access its different features.
It is a real-time GPS tracker and provides worldwide coverage. It allows you to create geofences and has an SOS button for emergencies. It has a decent battery life that lasts up to five days with one minute update. You can even lower the report frequency without any extra cost. You can purchase the device by paying $59.99. It also charges an additional $19.99 as monthly fees.
Why Do We Recommend The Product?
Geozilla is a small and lightweight GPS tracker and comes with a range of accessories such as lanyards and attachment pouches. So you can either hang the GPS around your neck as an accessory or keep it in your backpack. It provides worldwide coverage. So no matter where you are hiking, you can use this GPS tracker. It also has an SOS button that you can press in case of emergency to call for help. Other notable features of this product are:- decent battery life, geofence feature, reliable location updates, etc.
Product Highlights
- Lightweight and portable
- Blends with surroundings
- User-friendly app
- Affordable tracking services
Battery & Specs
- Size: 8″ x 1.6″ x 1″
- Weight: 1.05 Oz
- Battery: Li-ion 520mAh
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 2-3 days active battery life for 1-minute updates
- 6 days in sleep mode (no activity)
Tracki GPS tracker
Overview
Tracki GPS tracker is a small and intelligent device that uses a combination of GPS and GSM network to provide reliable location updates. It is a real-time GPS tracking device for hiking, you can use to track almost anything. The device works worldwide, so you will not have to worry while about crossing international boundaries.
Tracki is a lightweight and small device. You can use this for discreet tracking too. Also, it won’t bother that person anyhow, they won’t face any problem carrying it with them. It has a rechargeable battery that can last up to five days with 1-5 minutes of the update on a single charge. You can increase it further by purchasing an additional battery and magnetic waterproof case for a better tracking experience. You can buy the device at $28.8 and monthly subscription fees of $19.95.
Why Do We Recommend The Product?
Are you planning to hike in an unknown country? Well, in that case, protect yourself and assure the safety of your loved ones with the Tracki GPS tracker. It uses a combination of GPS & GSM networks and provides worldwide coverage. It is small and lightweight, so you won’t have to carry any extra baggage. Your loved ones can use the mobile app to track you and ensure your safety. You can also press the SOS button to seek immediate help.
Product Highlights
- Smallest And Lightest GPS Tracker
- SOS Alert Button + 2 Extra Buttons
- 3500 mAh Battery
- Five Years Of Tracking History
- Coverage Of 190 Countries
Battery and Specs
- Size: 1.74”x 1.5”x 0.6”
- Weight: 1.26 Oz
- Battery: 3500 mAh Li-Polymer
- Battery Type: 1 Lithium-ion battery
- 5 days active battery life with 1-5 minutes update
Americaloc GL300 GPS tracker
Overview
Americaloc GL300 GPS tracker is a small and compact device that you can use to fulfill your tracking needs. You can attach it to the clothing or place it in the backpack, purse, or pockets to get real-time location updates of your loved ones. You can also use this to track your valuable possessions, such as vehicles, ATVs, etc.
It has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 14 days with a one-minute update frequency. You can lower the frequency to track location every minute. You can switch to 10, 20, or 3 seconds without paying the additional cost. You can purchase the device by paying $87 and a monthly subscription fee of $25.
Why Do We Recommend the Product?
When you are exploring nature, your parents or loved ones are left worrying about your safety. There is no active cellular network in the jungle or mountains, so they are unable to reach you. You can ensure their peace of mind by using the Americaloc GPS tracker.
You can lower the update frequency to track anyone in almost real-time without additional cost. It also does not bind you in my contract or charge any hidden fees. You can enter or exit the plan as per your need. So, when your vacation ends, you can drop the subscription and place the device in our cupboard for the next trip.
Product Highlights
- Record location history for up to 1 year
- You can use it as a Wired device
- It does not bind you to any contract
- No activation or cancellation fee
Battery and Specs
- Size: 7” x 1.51” x 0.92”
- Weight:24 oz
- Battery: Lithium-ion battery
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 10-14 days active battery life with one-minute updates
Jiobit GPS tracker
Overview
Jiobit is a real-time GPS tracker that uses GPS, cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth networks to provide you with reliable location updates no matter where you are. It can work anywhere outdoors, indoors, and even in remote locations.
Jiobit is small, lightweight, and durable that you can attach to clothes & shoes or place in the backpack or purse with the help of multiple wearing options to enjoy real-time location tracking. It has a long-lasting battery life that can work for 10-days on a single charge. It provides fast and reliable location updates nationwide. You can also set up custom trusted alerts to receive alerts whenever your loved ones enter and exit the location.
You can own the device by paying $129.88 and a monthly subscription fee of $14.99.
Why Do We Recommend The Product?
Jiobit GPS tracker is a safe and reliable location-tracking device for trail hiking. When you explore nature, you can keep it by your side. It will protect you and help you to keep track of your location. You can not only know where you are with this tracker but also seek help in an emergency. As you press the SOS button, the care team will receive a notification, along with your location information. They can send the same to the emergency dispatchers, who will contact you immediately.
Product Highlights
- Small Size
- Waterproof
- SOS Button
- Lifetime Warranty
- Real-time tracking
- Custom Geofences and alerts
- SOS mode, 911 emergency Dispatch
- Can add trusted contacts
Battery and Specs
- Size: 1.96” x 1.45” x 0.47”
- Weight: 1.76 Oz
- Battery:
- Battery Type: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries
- 7 Days with constant tracking
Brickhouse Security Spark Nano 7 GPS tracker
Overview
It is a small and portable GPS tracking device for hiking that you can use to cater to your different tracking needs. It provides full 4G coverage over North America. It ensures you peace of mind and can determine the location of the people you love. It is also a suitable solution to protect your valuable assets from theft. It allows you to set up multiple geofences over the map and get notified when the device passes through it. It also has a panic button that your loved ones can press to get your attention in an emergency.
You can own the device by paying $17.97 and a monthly subscription fee of $29.95.
Why Do We Recommend The Product?
Hiking with kids is a great family activity. It allows your child to connect with nature and enjoy time outdoors without technology. It can be at the same time intimidating for you. If you are worried about your child’s safety in the wild, here is a simple solution- Spark Nano 7 GPS tracker for hiking trail.
It provides 4G coverage all over North America. You don’t have to worry about staying connected to your child, even in remote locations. You can create geofences over the map to get notified if your child accidentally crosses the preset place. It also has a panic button that they can press to get immediate help. You can switch to Rapid track mode to get live updates if they get lost.
Product Highlights
- Magnetic waterproof case
- Panic button
- Rapid track lets you switch to a faster-tracking speed.
- Compact size
- Full 4G coverage
Battery and Specs
- Size: 3.0” x 1.58” x 1.0”
- Weight: 3.3 Oz
- Battery: 2600mAh
- Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
- 6 Days on one-minute tracking
- 15 days of battery life in sleep mode
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a GPS tracker for hiking?
A GPS tracker can help you navigate your way through unknown terrain, track your progress, and alert you to potential hazards such as steep drops or dangerous wildlife. It can also provide peace of mind to your loved ones back home by letting them know your location and ensuring your safety.
What are some important features to look for in a GPS tracker for hiking?
Some important features to consider when choosing a GPS tracker for hiking include battery life, accuracy, durability, ease of use, and the ability to connect to a network or smartphone app.
How do GPS trackers work?
GPS trackers receive signals from GPS satellites orbiting the earth, which provide information about the device’s location. This information is then transmitted to a central server, where it can be accessed by the user.
Are there any subscription fees associated with using a GPS tracker?
Many GPS trackers require a subscription fee for access to their services, such as real-time location tracking or geofencing. However, there are also some models that do not require a subscription fee.
Can GPS trackers be used in areas without cellular coverage?
Some GPS trackers can function without cellular coverage by using alternative means of communication, such as satellite or radio signals.
What is the average battery life of a GPS tracker?
The battery life of a GPS tracker can vary depending on the device and its usage. Some models have a battery life of several days, while others can last for weeks or even months on a single charge.
How do I choose the best GPS tracker for my needs?
When choosing a GPS tracker for hiking, consider your specific needs and requirements, such as the size and weight of the device, its battery life, and the features you need. You may also want to read reviews and compare prices to find the best option for your budget.
Final Words
I hope this guide helped you to find out a suitable alternative to GPS trackers for hiking. Do share your thoughts in the comment section below.
