5 Best Watches For Kayaking and Canoeing in 2024

Last Updated on August 4, 2024 by Luis Cooper

Kayaking lovers know the worth of having gear, and a GPS watch is not compromised. 

The right GPS watch could make the difference if you are having fun in open water or exploring streams. 

In this guide, we’ll feature the best watches for kayaking and canoeing in 2024, mentioning their pros and cons, features, and a buying guide. 

Are you ready to explore the best watch guide for canoeing? 

Which are the Best Watches For Kayaking and Canoeing?

Here are my recommended 5 Best GPS Watch on the market right now:-

1. Garmin Fenix 7X: (Best GPS adventure smartwatch for Canoeing)

Battery Life: 

Charging a watch daily is useless if you are an adventure lover, and monitoring sleep metrics is challenging.

This Garmin Fenix 7X claims it can run for 28 days in regular mode.

After all, bike rides with GPS on Garmin stayed with 37 percent battery.

It gets charged quickly and completely in two hours. 

The sapphire solar glass extends the battery life by 33 hours under normal conditions.

I tested this in the ocean while kayaking, which requires extra battery life.

The sun was on the top, and I quickly charged my watch.

This is quite convenient while riding. 

GPS and Navigation: 

The Garmin watch comes with GNSS to track your location.

Your ride is tracked through Strava on your mobile.

Routes are also uploaded to the device, and your watch gives directions. 

The navigation features are superior on Fenix 7X.

That comes with proactive maps so you can follow your track, and this version is large enough to make navigation easier.

The topo maps came multiple times while in the backcountry. 

Fitness Tracking: 

The Garmin isn’t user-friendly for the gym as it has limited sports modes, but it mainly has adventure sports like kayaking or skiing.

You can add any activity, but it doesn’t come preloaded.

Running and cycling are supposed to be added in the settings. 

After a workout, the Garmin provides me with a summary of max heart rate and burned calories.

Then it shows the time spent in every heart zone, gives training status, and after how many hours you should work out. 

The Garmin watch’s display shows heart rate, workout duration, and speed. You can then scroll through buttons to access the data.

It also has a large display so you can see numbers easily.

This has eliminated my need for any other watch. 

Specs:

Brand	Garmin
Model name of the product	Garmin fenix 7X
Weight of the item	‎3.2 ounces
ASIN	B09NMKW4YJ
Connectivity technology	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+, GPS
Colour	Black DLC Titanium w/ Black Band
Special features	Visual Race Predictor; PacePro™ Technology; ClimbPro Feature; Performance Metrics; Real-Time Stamina; Recovery Time Advisor, Built-in Sports Apps; Backcountry Ski; XC Ski Dynamics; Surf-Ready Features; MTB Dynamics; HIIT Workouts; Daily Workout Suggestions
Screen size	1.4 inches
Size of the band	Standard
GPS	Enabled

2. Polar Grit X Pro: (Best Multisport Smartwatch)

Design: 

The Grit Pro has sapphire glass over the display and is water-resistant.

It can be operated between -4 to 122 degrees.

That’s all I need for my day.

In my three weeks of testing, I wore it while showering and in the rain in freezing temperatures.

It worked fine and had no scratch on it. 

But it’s a robust and stylish watch. It’s not a comfortable option for smaller people.

On the wrist, it looks tiny compared to what you’d expect.

Robust watches are also heavier than standard watches, even though I wish for a bigger size. 

However, I enjoyed the design.

Apart from comfort, I have a few gripes with the screen.

The display is too dim for inside use.

I have weak eyesight. 

Battery Life:

Its battery life is impressive compared to other watches, but it doesn’t have an OLED display.

I used this for a week on a single charge with 30 minutes of activities per day.

You can save a little battery by switching the backlight to a button.

In my testing, 30 minutes of battery use decreased to 3-5 percent with GPS use. 

I have complaints, but the Pro is an incredible sports watch.

You get media controls but no onboard music storage, so you must take your phone along. 

Specs:

Brand	Polar
Model name of the product	Polar grit X pro
Weight of the item	2.6 Ounces
ASIN	B09GY55XZL
Connectivity technology	Gps
Colour	Arctic Gold
Special features	GPS
Screen size	1.2 inches
Size of the band	Standard
GPS	Modern

3. Amazfit T-Rex Ultra: (Best Water-Resistant for Kayaking and Canoeing)

Design:

The Amazfit T-Rex features a solid stainless steel and mud-resistant bridge.

This watch is built to withstand any conditions.

The watch’s AMOLED display can reach peak level brightness for clear visibility.

The adjustable lugs provide maximum comfort for adventures so that you can enjoy responsive displays and buttons. 

Freediving Support: 

This multi-talented watch, the Amazfit, supports indoor and outdoor freediving to 30 meters depth.

It can work in 100 meters of water pressure, making it accurate for swimming. 

GPS/Navigation: 

The smartwatch has dual-band positioning and works with six satellite systems for more excellent coverage.

You can also import a route file to the watch and navigate the environment professionally. 

Specs:

Brand	Amazfit
Model name of the product	Amazfit T-Rex ultra
Dimensions of the item	1.86 x 1.86 x 0.53 inches
ASIN	B0BV2SM914
Connectivity technology	Gps
Colour	Abyss Black
Special features	Mud-resistant, Altitude Assistant, 30m Freediving Support, Ultra-low Temperature Operation
Screen size	1.3 inches
Size of the band	Standard
GPS	T-Rex Ultra

4. SUUNTO Race: (Best GPS Sports Watch with Global Offline Map)

Design: 

The Suunto race watch comes with a 49mm case, which is quite huge.

Its dominating bezel could be chosen in titanium or stainless steel.

It has three buttons on the right side of the case and a twisting crown style to help you scroll through menus and mapping. 

I experienced comfort wearing it with a polymer case and a silicon strap.

The straps can be swapped quickly, and Suunto also gives you options for brighter straps. 

Its display is impressive, as Suunto has launched its AMOLED display for the first time.

AMOLED is a brighter and more brilliant technology used by well-known watch brands.

Even in the swimming pool, I did not have issues with visibility because of its strong panel, brighter display, and unique colors. 

There is a minor caveat: I wouldn’t say I like to interact with the Suunto race, which has laggy Software.

Suunto has made quite an effort to create a brighter display, but unfortunately, this does not make this watch a better choice for those who live on a colored display. 

However, this smartwatch is quite suitable for swimming and can go 100 meters deep.

I also experienced fantastic pool and open water swimming support where tracking does not help. 

Battery Life: 

This smartwatch’s most notable and impressive feature is its 40-hour battery life in GPS.

I noticed that the Suunto watch lasted for a week while monitoring and tracking daily workouts in GPS mode and using features like notifications. 

But bafflingly, when you opt for an always-on display, the battery does get dropped, but not as severely as I anticipated.

It tends to decrease by 10% a day, depending on your training. 

I love its battery performance during tracking.

Suunto mentions that this would last 40 hours in GPS mode and increase to 120 hours indoors, which ditches heart rate monitoring at a less frequent rate.

Overall, this Suunto watch is incredible with an AMOLED display.

It gives you a pretty premium feel. 

Specs:

Brand	Suunto
Model name of the product	Suunto Race
Dimensions of the item	6.89 x 0.87 x 0.52 inches
ASIN	B0CFT1CC3J
Connectivity technology	Bluetooth
Colour	Black
Special features	100m Water Resistant, HRV Recovery, High-definition AMOLED Touchscreen, Dual-band GNSS Tracking, Global Offline Maps
Screen size	1.43 inches
Size of the band	Standard
GPS	Stainless steel

5. COROS PACE 3: (Best Lightweight Watch with Navigation)

Sports and Navigation: 

When you hear the word corps pace 3, one thing that comes to mind is it must be sporty.

Pace Three has increased its sports modes, allowing you to track your activities, including swimming, running, or cycling.

This watch also includes navigation capabilities, which help you set waypoints and follow the trail back to your starting point.

It also has launched a new feature that displays points of interest around you.

GPS and Heart Rate Accuracy: 

Coros has invested so much time in its significant antenna design, resulting in incredible GPS accuracy.

The Pace 3 has an advanced GPS chipset, fast satellite, and enhanced precision while managing your running pace.

Regarding GPS accuracy for activities, pace 3 is hard to beat.

With clear improvement in GPS data, the corps has been inventing it in coming models. 

Moreover, the heart rate monitor of Pace 3 works so well and provides accurate readings during strenuous workouts. 

Health and sleep tracking: 

The Coros 3 offers detailed day health tracking, including sleep insights, steps, and heart rate.

It also has a blood oxygen sensor that measures the quality of oxygen in your blood.

This is accurate for users who love high-altitude adventures where air is thinner. 

Specs:

Brand	Coros
Model name of the product	COROS pace 3
Dimensions of the item	1.65″L x 1.65″W x 0.46″H
ASIN	B0CFQFSTSN
Connectivity technology	Bluetooth
Colour	Black
Special features	Bluetooth
Screen size	1.2 inches
Size of the band	Standard
GPS	Modern

Our Verdict:

In conclusion, it is crucial to find the best GPS watch for kayaking, one that offers safety, excellent performance on the water, and convenience. 

Considering the critical points in this guide, you can make a perfect decision and choose an ideal watch for kayaking. 

Please choose your favorite from our list and experience the difference today! 

Buying Guide:

So you have seen GPS watches for kayaking and canoeing, but how do you know if they are right?

Let’s break it down.

Assessing the environment for kayaking habits: 

Do you love doing adventure casually on weekends or exploring remote waters? Your kayaking habits influence the type of GPS you need: 

Casual Paddlers:

Go for a watch with GPS and fitness-tracking features. You don’t need the most rugged model. 

Serious Adventurers:

Buy a watch with solid GPS accuracy, long battery life, and unique features like weather updates. 

Comparing features: 

What features matter the most to you? Here are some features to consider: 

Water Resistance:

Excellent for kayaking. Make sure the watch can handle 50 meters of water resistance. 

Battery Life:

Long battery life is essential, especially for long trips. Solar charging is a game changer. 

GPS Accuracy:

Multi-band GPS and additional sensors like altimeters and barometers enhance tracking accuracy.

Comfort and Design:

The watch should be comfy and match your style. 

FAQs:

What is a kayak tracking system?

This relates to how a straight kayak moves. If it moves in straight forward motion after paddling is stopped, it has good tracking. 

Can I try kayaking on my Apple Watch?

The standalone application from Apple has all tracking iPhone features, including the use of the button on the Apple Watch

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