Watches for outdoor adventure don't just tell time anymore. These days they can identify your elevation, determine your precise location, monitor your heart rate, tell you which way is north, and even track the tides. So which of these tricked-out, wrist-top computers is right for you?

Elevate Yourself
When it comes to backcountry adventure, few pieces of wrist-fed information are as useful as your elevation. It allows you to identify your approximate location on a map quickly by identifying the corresponding contour line. It gives you the ability to track your upward or downward progress, helping you to establish an appropriate pace. Altimeter watches also function continuously with minimal power drain, providing a constant stream of data. Most models will run for at least a year before you'll need to replace the battery.

Altimeters measure elevation based on barometric pressure, which varies at a fixed rate as the altitude changes. Barometric pressure, however, also fluctuates depending on the weather and atmospheric conditions. This means that your elevation reading may become slightly off over the course of the day; you’ll want to recalibrate it any time you're at a known elevation. For this reason, the most important feature to consider is the ease of resetting the altitude—the fewer button strokes, the better. Altimeter watches run $75 to $300, depending on other features.

Pinpoint Precision
Some watches incorporate a tiny GPS receiver, enabling you to identify your location precisely. They continuously track your movement, measuring your speed and the exact distance you've traveled. They can even identify your elevation using a satellite fix. Sound perfect? It almost is, except for one huge drawback: battery life.

GPS receivers are power hogs. They require a substantial battery to operate for any length of time, forcing manufacturers to create large and clunky watches that often fit poorly, especially on smaller wrists. Even then, most still drain the (rechargeable) batteries in fewer than eight hours (6 to 8 hours on average). As a result, GPS watches ($175 to $400) are best suited for running or other activities of limited duration. They are not the best option for long trips in the backcountry, though some newer models do give you the ability to extend battery life by turning off the GPS receiver when not in use.

Rate Yourself
Heart rate monitors consist of two components: a watch and chest strap. In order to measure your pulse continuously, the chest strap must be worn directly against the skin under your shirt. From there it wirelessly transmits your cardiac data to the watch. Every model will display your current pulse, as well as record your maximum, minimum, and average heart rate. Basic styles start around $60. As the price goes up, so do the number of features, including estimated calories burned, increased memory storage, various training modes, and more.

Heart rate monitors are popular with runners and athletes, especially those following a specific training regimen, but have limited value for backcountry use. If you want a watch that does it all, consider one of the many GPS watches (and some altimeter watches) that provide heart rate monitor capabilities as well.

Compasses, Tides, and More
Watches that incorporate an electronic compass are useful for providing a quick and rough orientation, but not much more. They are too small to take a precise sighting and must also be held level to obtain an accurate reading, a difficult thing to gauge with such a small object. Other watches can keep track of high and low tides, a useful feature for ocean kayakers and surfers. Lastly, be wary of watches that measure the temperature. Your body heat affects the sensor; you'll need to take off your watch to get an accurate measurement.