How you choose a watch for hiking or camping depends on water resistance, weight, how easy the band is to handle, and features such as an altimeter or compass. This article selects 2 watches covered on R13 Picks whose sales pages list outdoor-oriented specs, and organizes them with a comparison table and use-case recommendations. The digital LAD WEATHER LAD024 with an altimeter, barometer, and digital compass, and the LAD WEATHER LAD017 with radio-controlled solar and a military design on a nylon band, are both rated 100m water resistant. Use it as a reference when choosing a men’s outdoor watch, whether sensor features or everyday versatility matter more to you.
Models in this guide
LAD WEATHER LAD024
Hiking / sensor features
Check price on the store page
Read more
LAD WEATHER LAD017
Camping / everyday wear
Check price on the store page
Read more*Altitude, air pressure, weather forecast, and similar items are function descriptions based on the sales page specs. Prices change often, so they are not listed. Check the latest price and stock on the sales pages.
How to choose an outdoor watch
Water resistance
Outdoors, a watch may be exposed to rain, sweat, or use near water, so water resistance is worth checking. Both watches here are listed on their sales pages as 100m water resistant. Even with a 100m water resistance rating, check the water resistance precautions in the instruction manual to see how far it can be used underwater or in situations involving water.
Case size and weight
Outdoors you often wear a watch for long periods, so the balance of weight and size matters. The LAD024 is listed at approx. 46 × 46 × 15mm and approx. 65g, and the LAD017 at approx. 43mm in diameter, approx. 12mm thick, and approx. 72g. The LAD024 has a larger but light case, while the LAD017 has a slightly smaller case. Fit depends on your wrist size, so check the dimensions and photos on the sales pages.
Band material
The LAD024 has a polyurethane band and the LAD017 a nylon band; both are approx. 22mm wide with a pin buckle. Polyurethane is a typical pairing for a sporty digital watch, while nylon gives a casual, military look.
Digital vs. analog and readability
A digital watch shows the time and readings as numbers and lets you switch between many functions. The LAD024 has an EL backlight and a contrast setting. An analog watch shows the time with hands, and the LAD017 uses luminous hands. The display type changes how the watch reads, so check the dial or LCD in the sales page photos.
Altimeter, barometer, and compass
If you are looking for an altimeter watch, a barometer watch, or a compass watch, whether it has sensors is the key difference. Of these 2, the LAD024 has a German-made sensor with an altimeter (measuring range approx. -706m to 9164m), a barometer (measuring range approx. 300 to 1100hPa), and a digital compass (16-point direction display / 0 to 359 degree bearing display). Temperature display and weather forecast functions are also listed. The LAD017 is an analog model without sensor functions. Displayed values may vary with conditions, so treat them as functions based on the sales page specs.
Solar and radio reception
The LAD017 combines solar charging from light with radio reception of 2 Japanese stations. It can correct the time by automatic or forced reception, but the listing states that the time cannot be corrected using the crown. The LAD024 is battery powered, with a power-saving function and a low-battery icon. Deciding between less battery replacement and more features is one way to choose.
Hiking, camping, and everyday wear
For a hiking watch that lets you check altitude, air pressure, and direction on your wrist, a digital model with sensors is a candidate. For a camping watch, water resistance, an easy-to-handle band, and readability in the dark are points to check. If you also want to wear it every day, whether the design matches your outfits is another criterion.
2 outdoor watches comparison
| Product | Display | Movement | Water resistance | Key features | Case size | Weight | Band | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAD WEATHER LAD024 | Digital | Battery | 100m | Altimeter, barometer, digital compass, temperature display, weather forecast, step counter | Approx. 46 × 46 × 15mm | Approx. 65g | Polyurethane | Hiking / camping / sensor features |
| LAD WEATHER LAD017 | Analog | Solar charging, radio reception (2 Japanese stations) | 100m | Perpetual calendar, luminous hands, automatic / forced reception | Approx. 43mm (approx. 12mm thick) | Approx. 72g | Nylon | Camping / everyday wear |
LAD WEATHER LAD024
- Display
- Digital
- Movement
- Battery
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Key features
- Altimeter, barometer, digital compass, temperature display, weather forecast, step counter
- Case size
- Approx. 46 × 46 × 15mm
- Weight
- Approx. 65g
- Band
- Polyurethane
- Best for
- Hiking / camping / sensor features
LAD WEATHER LAD017
- Display
- Analog
- Movement
- Solar charging, radio reception (2 Japanese stations)
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Key features
- Perpetual calendar, luminous hands, automatic / forced reception
- Case size
- Approx. 43mm (approx. 12mm thick)
- Weight
- Approx. 72g
- Band
- Nylon
- Best for
- Camping / everyday wear
Product details
LAD WEATHER LAD024
A 100m water-resistant digital outdoor watch with an altimeter, barometer, and digital compass.
Check price on the store page
Key features
- German-made sensor, altimeter (approx. -706m to 9164m), barometer (approx. 300 to 1100hPa), digital compass, temperature display, weather forecast
- Step, distance, speed, and calorie tracking, world time, 2 alarms, EL backlight
- 100m water resistance, approx. 46 × 46 × 15mm case, polyurethane band, approx. 65g, battery powered, 16 color patterns
Recommended for
- People who want to check altitude, air pressure, and direction on their wrist while hiking
- People looking for a light, multifunction digital watch
Notes
- Readings such as altitude, air pressure, and weather forecast may vary with conditions
- It is battery powered, so the battery level needs checking
LAD WEATHER LAD017
A military watch on a nylon band with radio-controlled solar (2 Japanese stations) and 100m water resistance.
Check price on the store page
Key features
- Solar charging, radio reception (2 Japanese stations), automatic and forced reception, reception result check
- 100m water resistance, screw caseback, perpetual calendar, luminous hands
- Approx. 43mm stainless steel case, nylon band, approx. 72g, 5 colors
Recommended for
- People looking for a military design that works outdoors and for everyday wear
- People who want less battery replacement and time setting
Notes
- The time cannot be corrected using the crown
- Whether signals can be received depends on the location and environment
Recommendations by use case
For hiking
LAD WEATHER LAD024
It has an altimeter, barometer, and digital compass, and the listing also mentions altitude history, summit data storage, and an altitude alarm.
For camping
LAD WEATHER LAD017
A military design with 100m water resistance, a nylon band, and luminous hands. Solar charging helps reduce the effort of battery replacement.
If water resistance matters
LAD WEATHER LAD024 / LAD017
Both are listed as 100m water resistant on their sales pages. Check the instruction manual for the range of use in situations involving water.
If sensor features matter
LAD WEATHER LAD024
Besides altitude, air pressure, and direction, it supports temperature display, weather forecast, and step, distance, speed, and calorie tracking.
If lightness matters
LAD WEATHER LAD024
It is listed at approx. 65g. The LAD017 is approx. 72g, so both are relatively light.
For everyday wear too
LAD WEATHER LAD017
An approx. 43mm analog watch available in 5 colors: black, khaki, navy, beige, and all black.
To compare by price
Best Men’s Watches Under 10,000 Yen: 4 Picks
A roundup of men’s watches under 10,000 yen, including the LAD017 and LAD024.
To compare more widely
Best Men’s Watches: 10 Picks
Compares 10 different types, from affordable and radio-controlled solar to outdoor, brand, and mechanical watches.
To compare radio-controlled solar
Best Radio-Controlled Solar Watches: 3 Picks
Compares 3 models with radio reception and solar charging, including the LAD017.
Things to keep in mind with outdoor watches
- Even with a 100m water resistance rating, check the instruction manual for underwater use and the range of use in situations involving water.
- The altimeter, barometer, compass, and weather forecast are functions listed on the sales page. Displayed values may vary with conditions, so also check maps and weather information when hiking.
- Whether signals can be received depends on where you use the watch, such as in mountainous areas or inside buildings. The LAD017 is listed as not allowing time correction using the crown.
- The LAD024 is battery powered. Check the low-battery icon and the battery condition before heading out.
Summary
The 2 recommended outdoor watches suit different uses. If you value sensor features such as the altimeter, barometer, and digital compass for hiking, the LAD WEATHER LAD024 is an easy choice; if you want radio-controlled solar to reduce battery replacement and time setting, and to wear it both camping and every day, the LAD WEATHER LAD017 is an easy choice. Both are 100m water resistant and relatively light at approx. 65g and approx. 72g. If price matters, also see “Best Men’s Watches Under 10,000 Yen: 4 Picks”, and to compare more widely beyond outdoor watches, see “Best Men’s Watches: 10 Picks”. See each product article for detailed specs, and check the latest price and stock on the sales pages.
