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August 21, 2018 Hiking Accessories

10 Best Backpacking Compasses of 2018

Backpacking can be extremely enjoyable; this is especially true if you’ve got the right gear. Having the ability to map and navigate a course is critical when you’re out in the wilderness. In order to do this, you’ve got to have a top-notch backpacking compass. The best backpacking compass will be durable, reliable, accurate, and easy to use.

Finding the best hiking compass may seem like a daunting process. That’s why we have created this comprehensive list of the 10 best backpacking compasses available in 2018. We have rated these items based on material construction, consumer ratings, design utility, suitability, etc.

Top 5 Backpacking Compasses – Editor’s Pick

For the top 5 compasses on our list, we have included some additional product specifications and information. Take a look to easily see how these products stack up side by side.

Product Name Weight Size Type Material Our Rating
Eyeskey Multifunction Military Army Aluminum Alloy Compass 6.2 oz 2.75 x 2 x 0.98 in / Lanyard: 18 in Military compass Aluminum alloy 5/5 stars
SUUNTO A-10 Recreational Field Compass 2.88 oz 11.5 x 5.2 x 1 in Recreational compass Scratch-resistant acrylic 5/5 stars
Suunto MC-2 Compass 2.56 oz 1 x 0.3 x 1.6 in Precision mirror compass Acrylic 4.5/5 Stars
Brunton TruArc 3 Compass 1.12 oz 2.5 x 0.5 x 3.5 in Entry-level compass N/A 4/5 Stars
SUUNTO A-30 Compass 1.1 oz 2.2 x 4.3 in Lightweight, versatile compass Scratch-resistant acrylic 4/5 Stars

10. Eaggle Classic Compass

Eaggle Best Backpacking Compass

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Perfect for: Accurate navigation in hiking, camping, and scouting scenarios.

This is an exquisite and reliable compass that is simultaneously elegant and utility friendly. It’s a no-nonsense option that features an attractive engraved design and smooth closing mechanisms.

Pros
Beautiful design
Accurate navigation
Waterproof and Shakeproof
Cons
Does not include a lanyard

9. Proster Professional Compass

Proster Best Backpacking Compass

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Perfect for: Hiking, hunting, backpacking, geology, and other outdoor activities.

With an easy to read face and durable design, this compass can be used in many different situations. It has lots of extras and helpful features. A true sighting optic is included with this model. The lens lets you get a direct read on the internal compass card. You can also measure the different height slopes of rough terrain using its built-in clinometer.

Pros
Sighting window
Foldable lid made of metal
High strength durability
Fluorescent display
Cons
Eyepiece isn’t very helpful

8. SE CC4580 Military Lensatic and Prismatic Sighting Survival Emergency Compass

SE-CC4580 Best Backpacking Compass

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Perfect for: Backpacking, camping, scouting, or hiking.

Durable and loaded with helpful and practical features, this compass is a good choice for basic outdoor activities. Its rugged die-cast body helps protect the components of this navigation tool from the elements. The thermoelastic capsule has a floating dial and rotating bezel to assist you when navigating difficult areas.

Pros
Liquid-filled capsule
Thermo-elastic floating dial
Lens has an adjustable diopter sighting
Heavy-duty camouflage print cover
Water-resistant nylon pouch included
Cons
Not reliable in complicated navigational or tactical scenarios

7. TurnOnSport Orienteering Compass

TurnOn Sport Best Backpacking Compass

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Perfect for: Survival, hiking, hunting, camping, backpacking, scouting, and navigation.

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.

Pros
The baseplate is made of durable acrylic
Lightweight and durable
Includes many useful mapping features
Inexpensive and easy to use
Cons
No compass housing
Not ideal for beginners
No lanyard included

6. Sportneer Military Lensatic Sighting Compass

Sportneer Best Backpacking Compass

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Perfect for: Backpacking, hiking, tactical use, and navigation.

This is a professional grade compass that features a fluorescent interface and accurate lens function with a rear sight that magnifies the card dial. It’s waterproof and shake-proof so that you can take it with you anywhere.

Pros
Professional grade
Ergonomic design with lens function features
High-end construction
Fluorescent interface
A carrying case is included
Waterproof and Shakeproof
Cons
Heavy
Dial tends to stick

5. SUUNTO A-30 Compass

SUUNTO A30 Best Backpacking Compass

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Perfect for: Backpacking, terrain navigation, scouting, and trekking.

Lightweight, easy to read, and inexpensive, this compass is the best backpacking compass for anyone who needs a basic navigation tool. It is very accurate and provides clear and reliable readings. It is not, however, very durable.

Pros
Lightweight
Versatile
Two-zone system for reliable reading
Fixed declination correction scale
Jewel bearing
Luminous bezel navigation markings
Lanyard with snap-lock detachment
Cons
Breakable
Not very durable or crush-proof

4. Brunton TruArc 3 Compass

Brunton TruArc 3 Best Backpacking Compass

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Perfect for: Basic orienteering, backpacking, and mapping.

If you need a great basic compass that can be used for no-nonsense navigation, this is the best backpacking compass you can buy. The compass is easy to use, read, and hold. It’s of high-quality construction and design. Manufactured in Riverton, Wyoming, this compass is not designed to be used in complicated mapping, and there are no cardinal points in the degree markings on this model.

Pros
Resists magnetic interference
Will not lose polarity
Global Needle system for northern and southern hemispheres
Made in the USA
Easy to read imperial and metric units
Cons
Not ideal for advanced mapping
No cardinal points

3. Suunto MC-2 Compass

Suunto MC 2 Best Backpacking Compass

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Perfect for: Day and nighttime viewing, backpacking, and hiking.

The base plate of this compass features a magnifying lens, and the fixed declination adjustment system is perfect for areas with interfering magnetic variation. It includes extra sighting holes for added precision, as well as an easy to read bezel for low-light situations. It’s an impressive high-end compass option.

Pros
Compact mirrored design
A global needle that works anywhere
Fixed declination system for magnetic variations
Additional sighting holes for precision
Luminous bezel
Premium design
Cons
Costs more than similar compasses

2. SUUNTO A-10 Recreational Field Compass

SUUNTO A10 Best Backpacking Compass

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Perfect for: Recreational or field navigation applications.

A lightweight compass that is easy to hold and read, this is a great tool for many different navigational scenarios. The Fixed declination correction scale is helpful and the jeweled bearing is also nice. It has dual scales for quick measurement conversion as well.

Pros
Lightweight
Durable
Two-zone system for reliable readings
Ergonomic and easy to hold shape
Includes lanyard
Impressive user ratings
Cons
Not sold in some areas

1. Eyeskey Multifunctional Military Army Aluminum Alloy Compass

Eyeskey Best Backpacking Compass

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Perfect for: Essentially any situation that requires a navigational compass.

With exceptional consumer reviews, this is the best backpacking compass on our list. It works well in a variety of scenarios, and it is of good construction and design quality. It’s easy to use, carry, and navigate with. It also has lots of helpful extras and seems to be a popular choice among many outdoorsmen.

Pros
Super versatile
Durable rugged design
Compact
Includes lanyard
Easy to carry
Reliable
A good value
Impressive consumer reviews
Cons
A bit heavy

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many impressive compasses out there for 2018. We hope that you have found the best backpacking compass for you on our list! We value your feedback, so feel free to let us know which products you prefer. Additionally, tell us about the best backpacking compass you’ve ever tested out.

You Might Also Like: 10 Best Handheld GPS for Hiking of 2018

Categories: Hiking Accessories

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