The Perfect Ultralight and Thruhiking Compass

Most modern backpackers rarely find themselves in need of a compass. With the increasing reliability of cell phone GPS technology and the numerous GPS applications available to guide you in the backcountry, the need for compasses has dropped dramatically. The age old argument that “Technology can always fail, a compass will not.” is a true one, however most backpackers will gladly take the risk of relying on their cell phone over the extra weight of a compass.

Though many trails are now very well marked and easily navigated (I’m looking at you Appalachian Trail), there are still many situations in which you still might want or need a compass. Here are a few off the top of my head:

• Parts of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) may require map and compass navigation. More specifically, navigation may be necessary in the Sierras and parts of Washington, especially in high snow years.
• The entire length of the Continental Divide Trail is a prime candidate for map and compass. There are many instances of unmarked trail, non-existent trail (!), and unannounced turns that will likely send you off course. I would definitely recommend a compass on the CDT.
• As the number of thruhikers and adventure seekers continues to rise, high-routes are becoming ever more popular. They represent a new challenge and are a step up in adventure and difficulty from everyday backpacking or thru hiking. By their very nature, high routes require navigation via map and compass. You should carry a compass on a high route.
• You never know when you’ll get lost and need a compass to find your way back… duh. (Hopefully you have a map as well.)
• Finally, compass navigation is fun! Sure it is way easier to get yourself back on trail by checking your GPS app, but the adventure and skill required in using a compass makes the manual process much more rewarding. I’m no technophobe, but going analog has its perks too!

Throughout my early backpacking years I too was guilty of leaving my compass at home to save weight. Now however, because of this very compass, I’d argue that you should never be without a compass. With a compass as light, compact, and functional as this one is, there is no reason not to take a compass into the backcountry.

Tech Specs / Features

• Weight: 0.2 oz. ( 5 g. )
• Size: about 1” x 1” (Tiny)
• Clippable onto most webbing and watch bands
• Glow in the dark markers for the cardinal directions
• Liquid filled
• Functional rotating bezel with 10 degree increments

Review

There’s not a whole lot to say about this compass so I’ll keep it brief. This is not the cheap watchband compass you find on paracord bracelets. It is an actual functional compass that can be navigated with. I used the same Suunto Clipper compass for both my PCT and CDT thru hikes and still take it on every backpacking trip I go on. It is durable, reliable, and easy to read. The clipping functionality is super secure and it has never once fallen off of my pack. I keep it around one of my backpack shoulder straps to assure that it is at hand when needed. The glow in the dark directions are charged by the sun (unlike the naturally glowing tritium ones) but maintain a strong glow well into the night. The bezel is actually functional and can be used to reliably navigate a bearing. Simply put this compass represents a perfect balance of usability and compactness.  It is the reason you shouldn’t go without a compass in the backcountry. Is the ideal compass for navigating? Obviously not, it’s too small and lacks some of the precision and tools found on a larger compass. But it is a compass that you can always carry and it can get you out of a sticky situation. I’d highly recommend picking up one of these compasses and throwing it on your pack. There’s no reason not to. 

Here’s a link to the compass on Amazon. I’d advise sticking to one that’s sold and shipped by Amazon, apparently there have been some knock-offs going around that are not nearly as durable. If you do pick one up, I’d really appreciate it if you did so through this link. Every compass bought through this link gives a small kickback to me and keeps this blog up and running (and ad free!) Thanks!

Quick Tips

• When using the compass, make sure to hold it far away from any metals and your phone. Metals, power lines, and even large rocks can easily cause the position of the needle to shift and be inaccurate. 
• If you have any 3/4” or less webbing on your pack, this compass will clip very securely to it. It can clip onto 1” webbing strongly, but it is extra secure when the two side walls are beyond the edge of the webbing.
• Keep the compass somewhere handy (Like a shoulder strap) to avoid digging through your pack to find a tiny one inch square item.
• Learn how to use and navigate with a compass before heading out into the wilderness. It is fairly easy to learn and will make your compass infinitely more useful. There are many great resources for this on Youtube.