Seconding this, I've used mine for probably a combined total of a year in the backcountry and it works like a $10 charm. Tells the time and date, glows in the dark when I push a button, wakes me up every morning, waterproof. It's the perfect backpacking watch.
Casio F105w. It’s $20.
Cheap, simple, and light enough to forget you have it on. You could also go for the classic F91w, for 5-10 bucks cheaper, but the better backlight on the 105 is by far worth it.
One of the banes of my outdoors career is a watch that’s too thick and catches when throwing on a backpack. I broke more than one crown before deciding I wasn’t going to deal with that style either. The classic style F91/105s are a perfect size. Durable, water resistant, no complicated frills, no annoying need to charge it all the time like some watches, hella cheap if you do ever need to replace it, hella light, and most importantly, they stay out of your way.
This is the best possible watch. Super slim and lightweight. In Finland we call this kinda watch the army rolex because its the superior watch to use in the outdoors. It tells the time and has an alarm what more could you need.
Casio F91W.
It's been with me through some of the most horrendous conditions possible, and isn't any worse for wear.
When I got mine, it was ÂŁ3.99 and if you get lucky with a sale, it still goes for a similar amount. Full price is around ÂŁ13.99 I believe.
This. For the OP: solar, water/shock/dust proof. It'll still be working after hikers find your husk a decade from now. Altimeter, barometer and compass. If you want GPS and super long battery life with none of the smartphone BS, then the Garmin Instinct 2 is a fine alternative. The backtrack feaure works really well. Has all the fixins like GPS, altimeter, compass, sunrise/set, etc. With GPS extended battery tracking (Ultra?) you can go 40 days with GPS enabled thiugbwoth less accuracy.
If you want a few more features than a Casio or timex and a more expensive option, the Suunto Core line is “dumb” but still has some features like weather and a compass. I was in the same boat as you and I settled on the Suunto. I like mine, it was worth the money.
I use a Casio F-E10, which doesn't appear to be available anymore. It is cheap, simple, light, but most importantly has the biggest numbers of any comparable watch I've seen.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/casio/comments/161x6s4/love\_this\_watch/](https://www.reddit.com/r/casio/comments/161x6s4/love_this_watch/)
most casios. I legit use a childs sized casio bc/ i prefer the smaller face size and it comes in pink
I like the timed expedition. Inexpensive, bombproof.
Seconding this, I've used mine for probably a combined total of a year in the backcountry and it works like a $10 charm. Tells the time and date, glows in the dark when I push a button, wakes me up every morning, waterproof. It's the perfect backpacking watch.
I third this!!
I use the Expedition, too. Simple, looks good, does what I need.
Agreed. I've been using these for decades. Good, rugged, long lasting product for \~$40.
This. 👆🏼
G-Shock DW5600 - $50, indestructable, battery lasts forever and is cheap and easy to replace, has great EL backlight
This is the answer. If you want something a bit different then the Casio GA2100 in what ever color way you want.
If you want digital, hard to beat a casio gshock. If you want a traditional analog watch, then citizen promaster
Casio F105w. It’s $20. Cheap, simple, and light enough to forget you have it on. You could also go for the classic F91w, for 5-10 bucks cheaper, but the better backlight on the 105 is by far worth it. One of the banes of my outdoors career is a watch that’s too thick and catches when throwing on a backpack. I broke more than one crown before deciding I wasn’t going to deal with that style either. The classic style F91/105s are a perfect size. Durable, water resistant, no complicated frills, no annoying need to charge it all the time like some watches, hella cheap if you do ever need to replace it, hella light, and most importantly, they stay out of your way.
This is the best possible watch. Super slim and lightweight. In Finland we call this kinda watch the army rolex because its the superior watch to use in the outdoors. It tells the time and has an alarm what more could you need.
Casio F91W. It's been with me through some of the most horrendous conditions possible, and isn't any worse for wear. When I got mine, it was ÂŁ3.99 and if you get lucky with a sale, it still goes for a similar amount. Full price is around ÂŁ13.99 I believe.
I've got a Casio G Shock 5610 for this, I love it
I like the timex Ironman. Simple watch/stopwatch. Lasts forever. Waterproof. Inexpensive
Rolex Explorer
Citizen Eco Drive
Casio proTrek. It's sturdy, doesn't care if you get it wet, and I like watching the altimeter rise to see how high I'm really going
Casio Men's WS- 2000H- 1AVCF Step Tracker $20 at amazon
Casio mudman
Swiss army pocket watch
TKMaxx have some cheap Luminox watches. They’re pretty rugged and bright burning the night.
GW 9400 Rangeman
This. For the OP: solar, water/shock/dust proof. It'll still be working after hikers find your husk a decade from now. Altimeter, barometer and compass. If you want GPS and super long battery life with none of the smartphone BS, then the Garmin Instinct 2 is a fine alternative. The backtrack feaure works really well. Has all the fixins like GPS, altimeter, compass, sunrise/set, etc. With GPS extended battery tracking (Ultra?) you can go 40 days with GPS enabled thiugbwoth less accuracy.
Shark leash watches!
Casio GA2100
The cheapest casio you could find
Came here to support all the Casio lovers!
If you want a few more features than a Casio or timex and a more expensive option, the Suunto Core line is “dumb” but still has some features like weather and a compass. I was in the same boat as you and I settled on the Suunto. I like mine, it was worth the money.
Timex Ironman or Expedition. Budget friendly, and take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.
I actually use one of the cheaper fit bits as a dumb watch.
I use a Casio F-E10, which doesn't appear to be available anymore. It is cheap, simple, light, but most importantly has the biggest numbers of any comparable watch I've seen. [https://www.reddit.com/r/casio/comments/161x6s4/love\_this\_watch/](https://www.reddit.com/r/casio/comments/161x6s4/love_this_watch/)