Best backpacking thermometer in 2022
How prepared are you for your next outdoor trip? You may think you have everything that you need, but do you have a backpacking thermometer? It is important to measure the temperatures of the different locations you visit. Your safety could depend on it. To help you choose the best backpacking thermometer, check out the following list of top thermometers in this category.
Top Backpacking Thermometer in 2022
| Name | Type | Temperature Range | Other Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lad Weather Altimeter Watch Barometer Digital Compass Thermometer | Watch | -10 - 60°C (14 - 140°F) | - Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, Weather forecast - Stopwatch, alarm, 3ATM water resistant | |
| Sun Company Original Zip-o-gage – Zipperpull Thermometer | Zipper or Carabiner attached | -20 to 120 °F | Wind chill chart | |
| Sun Company TempaComp- Ball Compass and Thermometer Carabiner | Carabiner or Zipper attached | -20 to 120 °F | Bubble Compass | |
| Snowmanna NIEGIENNA | Carabiner clip to attach to any loop | -0 to 120 °F | Bubble Compass | |
| Sun Company Brass Zip-o-gage | Zipper or Carabiner attached | -20 to 120 °F | Wind Chill Chart |
Lad Weather Altimeter Watch Barometer Digital Compass Thermometer
This Lad Weather outdoor watch features a plastic case, stainless steel case back and polyurethane straps. It has multiple functionalities and can be very useful for hiking, climbing, cycling, camping, and fishing among other outdoor activities. It works as a watch, thermometer, altimeter, compass, weather forecast, and barometer. This piece can measure temperature ranges of -10 to 60oC (14 to 140oF).
Pros
- It is lightweight
- It is durable
- It is easy to use
- Waterproof
- It is accurate
- It is fairly-priced
- Multiple functions
Cons
- Watch face easily scratches
- The thermometer can be inaccurate when the watch is on your wrist
Sun Company Original Zip-o-gage – Zipperpull Thermometer
This Sun Company zipper pull thermometer features a dual Fahrenheit/Celsius scale on the front and a wind chill chart on the back. As a keyring thermometer, it can be attached to a pack, jacket, coat or anything with a zipper. It can read chilly temperatures down to -20oF.
Pros
- It is very affordable
- Lightweight
- Very easy to read
- It is accurate
Cons
- Difficult to read small units
- Temperature readings can be affected by the surface it is attached to
- Durability issues
Sun Company TempaComp- Ball Compass and Thermometer Carabiner
The TempaComp from Sun Company is another good option for anyone looking for the best backpacking thermometer. It features a large ball-compass and cushion-mounted thermometer. For convenient attachment, it comes with a carabiner clip and split ring.
Pros
- It is easy to read
- It is fairly accurate
- Lightweight
- It is affordable
- Good build design
Cons
- Can be difficult to align the compass with a map
- Challenging to attach carabiner clip
Snowmanna NIEGIENNA- Assorted Colors 1PC Mini Compass Carabiner Clip 3 in 1 Guiding Thermometer
This double-sided Snowmanna accessory has a thermometer on one side and a compass on the other. It has a carabiner clip to attach to a backpack or belt loop. With its compact design and portability, it is a reliable accessory for climbing, camping, hunting, and many other outdoor activities.
Pros
- Affordable price
- It looks good
- Lightweight and portable
- Effective carabiner clip
Cons
- It can be a bit inaccurate
- Too small to read dial
Sun Company Brass Zip-o-gage -Zipperpull Thermometer
This Sun Company accessory that can be handy when used as a keychain thermometer for your outdoor trip. It comes with a black aluminum carabiner clip. The lightly burnished brass material that it is made of gives it a rugged, gleaming appearance. The cushion-mounted thermometer on one side can read temperatures down to -20oF/-30oC. It has a wind chill chart on the backside.
Pros
- It is accurate
- Lightweight and portable
- Affordable
Cons
- It is small and can be a bit hard to read
What to Consider When Choosing a Backcountry Thermometer
A thermometer is clearly an essential item to carry on your outdoor trip. You can use it to measure and log temperature readings for better preparations on subsequent trips. However, choosing the right backpacking thermometer can be a challenge. This is because there are now very many options available, and by not knowing the things to look for, one can easily make the wrong choice.
The weight of the thermometer is something you must always consider. While these accessories are usually not large and bulky, every bit of weight counts for backpackers. The lighter the thermometer the better.
The accuracy of the device is equally important. Because your decisions will be based on the readings you get from your thermometer, it only makes sense for it to be accurate or at least not to be off by a big margin. Read the reviews to get a sense of the thermometer’s accuracy before buying it. You should also test the accuracy of the thermometer once out of the box and after exposure to extreme weather conditions.
The size of the thermometer matters especially when you want something to clip onto a key chain or zipper for the duration of the trip. If that is the case, then a smaller accessory is better. Also, have your eyesight in mind when choosing the size because smaller thermometers can be difficult to read for some people.
Some thermometers can come with additional functions such as a compass, altimeter, and barometer among others. These can be very useful when going on trips into the wilderness. When choosing a thermometer with these additional features, think about your budget and whether you need these features or not.
You don’t have to bust your budget to get the best backpacking thermometer for camping, hunting, climbing or other outdoor trips. With the above list of top thermometer options, you should find something that will help make your next trip more fun and memorable.