In the age of GPS and smartphones, a reliable magnetic compass remains an indispensable piece of gear for any hiker or backpacker. Electronics can fail, batteries die, and signals get lost, but a well-built compass will always point you true north. Mastering its use with a topographic map is a fundamental wilderness skill that ensures you can navigate confidently through dense forests, over mountain passes, and in any weather condition.
Choosing the right compass depends on your adventure style. From simple baseplate models for trail following to advanced mirror-sighting compasses for precise backcountry navigation, there’s a perfect tool for every journey. This roundup covers the top options available, helping you find a compass that is accurate, durable, and suited to your specific needs in the great outdoors.
Our Top Picks for Hiking & Backpacking Compasses
- Silva Compass Navigation – Ranger S
- Brunton TruArc5 Baseplate Mapping Compass
- SUUNTO A-10 Compass: Compact, simple to use
- SUUNTO unisex adult Northern Hemisphere compass
- SUUNTO Clipper Compass, Micro Compass Attaches
- Silva Ranger 2.0 Advanced Compass with Mirror
- Coghlan’s Map Compass – Lightweight, Durable Navigation Tool
- Cammenga Compass Military Grade Phosphorescent
- SE Survivor Series Army Green Precision Lensatic Compass
- Suunto A-30 Field Compass
Silva Compass Navigation – Ranger S
The Silva Ranger S is a professional-grade sighting compass built for accurate navigation over long distances. Its rotatable mirror housing allows you to simultaneously sight a landmark and read the compass dial, a critical feature for precise course plotting. The non-slip DryFlex grip ensures a secure hold in all weather conditions, making it reliable when you need it most.
This model includes practical features for the serious navigator, such as a built-in scale for declination compensation and fluorescent elements for use in low-light situations. The removable safety strap provides an extra layer of security, preventing accidental drops. It’s an excellent tool for hikers and backpackers who require dependable performance for complex route finding.
Brunton TruArc5 Baseplate Mapping Compass
The Brunton TruArc5 stands out with its global needle, which is accurately balanced for use anywhere in the world, from northern to southern hemispheres. This feature makes it an ideal choice for international travelers and adventurers. The tool-less declination adjustment is a significant benefit, allowing for easy and precise settings without needing an additional tool.
With a high 2° resolution on its bezel, this compass offers fine-tuned accuracy for detailed navigation. The baseplate includes scales in both inches and centimeters, accommodating various map types. Its robust construction and thoughtful design make the TruArc5 a versatile and trustworthy companion for any global expedition.
SUUNTO A-10 Compass
The Suunto A-10 is the definition of a reliable, no-fuss baseplate compass. Its minimalistic and straightforward design makes it incredibly fast and simple to use, perfect for recreational hiking, Boy Scouts, and general orienteering. Balanced for the northern hemisphere, it features a stable, liquid-filled capsule with a jewel-bearing steel needle for quick and accurate readings.
This compass is compact and lightweight, easily slipping into a pocket or attaching to a pack’s lanyard. The clear baseplate has inch and centimeter scales for easy map work. For those who need a dependable, easy-to-use compass without advanced features, the A-10 is a classic and affordable choice.
SUUNTO MC-2 NH US Compass
For the serious navigator, the Suunto MC-2 is a professional-grade mirror compass designed for precise directional measurement. It includes a sighting hole and notch for taking highly accurate bearings, which is essential for cross-country travel and advanced orienteering. This model is balanced for global use and includes Metric UTM scales, making it compatible with a wide range of maps.
Beyond its primary function, the MC-2 features a built-in clinometer for measuring slope angles, a valuable tool for assessing avalanche terrain or general topography. The declination can be adjusted for a set-and-forget navigation experience. It’s a comprehensive tool for those who demand the highest level of accuracy from their gear.
SUUNTO Clipper Compass
The Suunto Clipper is the ultimate hands-free navigation aid. This super-compact, liquid-filled compass is designed to clip onto a watch strap, backpack strap, sleeve, or the edge of your map. Its tiny size and minimal weight make it an excellent backup compass or a primary tool for fast-and-light adventures on well-defined trails.
Despite its small footprint, it doesn’t compromise on functionality. The Clipper features luminescent markings for low-light use and a rotating bezel for taking basic bearings. It’s also suitable for underwater navigation, adding to its versatility. For anyone looking to save weight without sacrificing a basic sense of direction, the Clipper is a brilliant solution.
Silva Ranger 2.0 Advanced Compass
The Silva Ranger 2.0 is an evolution of the classic Ranger, incorporating advanced features for the modern navigator. It includes a unique slope card for measuring terrain angle and calculating extra distance traveled on inclines, which is incredibly useful for route planning and timing. The DryFlex rubber grip provides a secure, comfortable hold in all conditions.
A key feature is the built-in adjuster for magnetic declination, allowing you to calibrate the compass to your specific location for more straightforward map reading. Combining the precision of a mirror sighting compass with these practical tools, the Ranger 2.0 is a comprehensive navigation system in the palm of your hand.
Coghlan’s Map Compass
Coghlan’s Map Compass is a fantastic entry-level option that delivers reliable performance without complexity. Its liquid-filled housing ensures the needle moves smoothly and settles quickly, providing accurate readings for general trail use. The see-through baseplate includes multiple scales, including a 1:25,000 scale, for easy work with standard topographic maps.
This compass is built for durability and ease of use, featuring a jeweled needle and a luminous pointer for visibility at dawn or dusk. It’s an lightweight and affordable tool that is perfectly suited for casual hikers, campers, and those just beginning to learn land navigation skills.
Cammenga Military Grade Phosphorescent Compass
The Cammenga lensatic compass is the real deal, built to U.S. military specifications for extreme durability and reliability. It is fully shockproof, sandproof, and waterproof, designed to perform in the harshest environments. Instead of a liquid-filled dial, it uses a patented induction damping system that prevents needle wobble and provides a stable reading even while on the move.
Its precision lensatic sighting system, complete with a magnifying lens and sighting wire, allows for pinpoint accuracy when taking bearings. The phosphorescent elements glow for hours after being charged with light, enabling navigation in total darkness. This is a professional-grade tool for those who need uncompromising performance.
SE Survivor Series Lensatic Compass
The SE Survivor Series Compass offers the tactical functionality of a lensatic design in a compact and affordable package. It features a 2-inch liquid-filled dial for stable readings, a sighting wire for accuracy, and a clicking bezel ring to help you track your course. The metal body is both durable and lightweight, finished in a classic army green.
This compass includes practical features like a sighting slot and a thumb loop for steady handling. Its robust construction and straightforward design make it a solid choice for hikers, preppers, and outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate the lensatic style and its one-handed operation capabilities.
Suunto A-30 Field Compass
The Suunto A-30 Field Compass strikes a great balance between the simplicity of the A-10 and more advanced features. It is a robust baseplate compass designed for regular use in the field. The design includes a global needle, making it suitable for travel, and it often features declination correction and various map scales for versatile navigation.
Built with Suunto’s renowned quality, it offers a stable, liquid-filled capsule and a clear baseplate for easy map work. The A-30 is an excellent mid-range option for hikers and backpackers who need a bit more functionality than a basic model but don’t require the full feature set of a professional mirror compass.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Compass for Hiking & Backpacking
When I’m picking out a compass for my own adventures, I think of it as choosing a reliable partner for the trail. It’s a piece of gear that needs to work flawlessly when everything else, like your phone’s GPS, might fail. The first thing I look at is the type. For serious backcountry navigation, a baseplate compass is my go-to. These are the clear, rectangular ones with a rotating bezel and ruler marks on the edge. They’re designed to be used with a map, which is how you get truly accurate bearings. If you’re mostly sticking to marked trails and just want a general sense of direction, a simple lensatic or thumb compass could work, but for true orienteering, the baseplate is king.
The next feature I always check is the global needle. If you ever plan on hiking outside of your immediate area, especially in the southern hemisphere or near major magnetic zones like the Canadian Shield, a standard needle can drag or become inaccurate. A global needle is balanced to work anywhere on Earth, and for me, that peace of mind is worth the slight extra cost.
I also pay close attention to the adjustment for declination. Magnetic north (where your compass points) and true north (on your map) are not the same, and the difference varies by location. Manually calculating this difference is a pain and a common source of error. A compass with a declination adjustment screw lets you set this correction once, and then your compass gives you readings that are directly compatible with your map. It’s a huge time-saver and eliminates a major navigational mistake.
Finally, I consider the little things that make a big difference on the trail. Is the baseplate transparent with useful map scales? Is the luminous markings for reading in low light? Is there a sighting mirror? A mirror isn’t just for signaling; it allows for much more precise bearings by letting you see the compass and your distant target simultaneously. It’s a feature I’ve come to really appreciate for cross-country travel. For anyone serious about finding the 10 best compass for hiking & backpacking [2025] for navigation, prioritizing a reliable baseplate model with global needle and declination adjustment is the smartest path forward.
FAQ
What is the most reliable type of compass for backpacking?
In my experience, a baseplate compass from a reputable brand like Suunto or Silva is the most reliable tool for backpacking. Its design is purpose-built for use with a topographic map. The clear base allows you to see the map underneath, the ruler edges help with plotting, and the rotating bezel is essential for taking accurate bearings. While other types exist, the baseplate compass offers the best combination of precision, durability, and functionality for serious navigation.
Can’t I just use the compass on my phone?
You can, and I often do for quick checks, but I would never rely on it as my primary navigation tool. Your phone’s battery can die, it can break if dropped, and it doesn’t work well when wet. A physical compass has no batteries, is typically waterproof and shockproof, and will always work. Think of your phone compass as a convenient backup, and your dedicated hiking compass as your failsafe.
What is declination and why is it important?
Declination is the angle difference between true north (the geographic North Pole) and magnetic north (where your compass needle points). This difference varies depending on where you are on Earth. If you don’t account for it, you could be following a bearing that is several degrees off, leading you far from your intended target over long distances. Using a compass with a built-in declination adjustment is the easiest way to manage this.
How do I take care of my hiking compass?
Compass care is pretty straightforward. I always store it away from strong magnets—this means not leaving it on top of your phone, speaker, or other electronics. The needle is a delicate magnet itself and can be affected. Avoid exposing it to extreme heat, like a hot car dashboard, which can warp the plastic baseplate and fluid-filled capsule. A simple rinse with fresh water after a trip near saltwater or mud is also a good habit.
Do I need a compass if I have a GPS device?
Yes, absolutely. A GPS is fantastic for telling you exactly where you are, but it doesn’t inherently give you a “sense” of direction the way a compass does. Furthermore, GPS devices also run on batteries and can fail. A compass never does. The most skilled navigators I know use them together: the GPS for a precise location fix and the compass for continuous, battery-free direction and route-finding on the move.