15 BEST BINOCULARS FOR HIKING REVIEWS

Planning on your next hiking trip? Confused about buying the right set of binoculars for the next outdoor expedition?  

No matter what the occasion, owning a high-quality pair of binoculars that delivers a great view is essential. But buying suitable binoculars can be difficult, especially if it is your first purchase. And it is most likely that you won’t be buying a new pair of binoculars every couple of years. 

There are various binoculars in the market to choose from, but not all are suitable for hiking. To make it simple and help you choose carefully, we have provided a buyer’s guide for the 15 best binoculars for hiking. 

From factors such as the set of optics, magnification features to the durability and price points, we have listed down everything. Be sure to stick around to get all the insights you need to make the right choice.

 

Top 5 binoculars for hiking

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Celestron – Nature DX 10×42 Binoculars	Great value for money Wide Field of view of 304 feet at 1000 yards	Check Price on Amazon
	BARSKA AB12528 Air View 10×42 Binoculars	Affordable High magnification feature and large objective lens ensure crisp images	Check Price on Amazon
	BARSKA AB11852 Blackhawk 8×42 Waterproof Binoculars	Affordable Strong magnification feature and large objective lens ensures image clarity	Check Price on Amazon
	ESSLNB 7X50 Marine Binoculars IPX7 Waterproof Binoculars	Affordable 7x magnification with 50mm objective lens for optimal viewing	Check Price on Amazon
	Barska Waterproof Blackhawk 10×42 Binoculars	Affordable 10x magnification with 42mm objective for optimal viewing	Check Price on Amazon

 

15 Best Binoculars for Hiking Reviews

1. Celestron – Nature DX 10×42 Binoculars

If you are looking for the best compact binoculars within a budget, the Celestron Nature DX should fit right into your pockets. 

The Celestron Nature DX 10×42 combines many high-quality features and impressive optics performance to give the perfect viewing experience. With its 10x magnification and a wide field of view of 304 feet, you can expect stunning imagery at 1000 yards. 

At the same time, the pair comes with 42mm objective lenses. It’s fully-multi coated lenses with a BAK-4 roof prism that ensures to remove any glare. As a result, crisp, clean and brighter images even in low light conditions.

You will find viewing with its long eye relief of 14 mm far more comfortable if you wear eyeglasses.

The great thing about the Celestron Nature DX 10×42 is the price factor. It happens to be well under $150. You can expect the same level of performance as the expensive ones.

The external casing of these binoculars is nitrogen enforced, making it completely water and fog-proof, suitable for all weather conditions. Also, for extra comfort, the rubber-armoured body offers a firmer grip and prevents shocks too.

Convenient for backpacking and hiking, this lightweight device weighs around 1.75 pounds making it easy to carry on the go. Know that the Celestron Nature DX 10×42 comes with multiple accessories, including a compact carrying case and tripod adaptable. 

The Celestron Nature DX 10×42 offers high-performance optics to give the perfect viewing experience. It is durable and compact, perfect for hiking adventures.

Product specifications

• Magnification: 10x
• Objective Lens size: 42mm
• Field of view: 304 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 14 mm
• Lens coatings: Fully multi-coated
• Prism: BaK4
• Weight: 1.75 pounds
• Protection features: Water/fog proof with rubber coating

 

2. BARSKA AB12528 Air View 10×42 Binoculars

The Barska AB12528 Air View features 42mm objective lenses with 10x magnification power. It’s portable, weighing just about 1.25 pounds, making it the ideal choice for every hiking and camping trips.

Let’s talk about the optics performance on this baby. It comes with a pretty impressive field of view for a compact binocular with a 10x zooming power. 

Measuring 319 feet at 1000 yards, it offers a broad view, perfect for exploring open grounds where targets are at a long distance.

The BaK4 roof prism on this bad boy offers excellent transmission of light. 

Coupled with its fully multi-coated lenses, you can bet crisp, clean images with high contrast even in low light conditions. It also comes with an anti-reflective coating on its optics means no more annoying light glare.

You won’t have to worry about those wearing eyeglasses as it provides a long eye-relief of 16.1 mm, making it easy for better viewing. 

Design-wise, it is well-built with rubber coating to prevent slip and shock. The nitrogen-filled body, along with its O-ringed sealed lenses, protects from moisture and fog as well. It is guaranteed to work under any weather conditions. 

The great thing about this binocular is how affordable it can be. It comes under the $ 160 mark, offering stellar performance compared to its competition within this price range.

Further adding value to your purchase, these lightweight binoculars include a neck strap, a carrying case as well as a cleaning cloth for the lenses. 

The Barska AB12528 Air View is ideal for all outdoor activities, including hiking and camping. It comes with some impressive optics, is durable and offers excellent value for money.

Product specifications

• Magnification: 10x
• Objective Lens size: 42mm
• Field of view: 319 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 16.1 mm
• Lens coatings: Fully multi-coated & anti-reflective
• Prism: BaK4
• Weight: 1.25 pounds
• Protection features: Water/fog proof with rubber coating

 

3. BARSKA AB11852 Blackhawk 8×42 Waterproof Binoculars

We are back with another review on the Barska series. The Barska AB11852 Blackhawk 8×42 comes with large 42 mm objective lenses and features an 8x magnification perfect for all outdoor activities. 

When talking about high-quality images, the optics on these bad boys work incredibly well, even in low light conditions. With its large objective lenses combined with a multi-coated BAK-4 roof prism, you can genuinely enjoy crisp, clean images every time. 

On top of that, the long eye relief offers comfortable viewing. It comes with a 21mm eye relief and an exit pupil of 5.25mm, making it ideal eyeglasses wearers. At the same time, you won’t have to worry about eye strain using these binoculars.

Mainly designed for hiking, the lightweight structure is easy to carry around. Weighing in just below 2 pounds, it is perfect for most outdoor activities.

Overall we were pleased with the protection features of the Barska series binoculars. The body is nitrogen-filled, and the lenses are O-ring sealed to prevent moisture from seeping in. 

Also featuring a rubber-armoured body, it is shock resistant and can survive harsh weather situations. The diamond-cut grip on these binoculars makes it easy for gripping even in moist conditions. 

Whether scanning the trail condition or the surroundings 1000 yards away is not a Biggy for this guy. It offers a wide FoV of 360 feet and comes with a central focus, thus no more stress about having to adjust your lenses every time you view something.

They are affordable, coming in just under the $100 mark. Additionally, with the purchase, you get a carrying case, a neck strap and lens covers.

The Barska AB11852 Blackhawk 8×42 are budget-friendly and compact binoculars perfect for the next hiking trips. 

Product specifications

• Magnification: 8x
• Objective Lens size: 42mm
• Field of view: 360 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 21 mm
• Lens coatings: Multi-coated
• Prism: BaK4
• Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Protection features: Water/fog proof with rubber coating

 

4. ESSLNB 7X50 Marine Binoculars IPX7 Waterproof Binoculars

[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Check Price On Amazon” color=”green” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3grU4gj||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][vc_column_text]If you’re looking for hiking binoculars with stellar upgrades and also fits in the low-priced range, then the ESSLNB 7X50 marine binoculars are the one for you. 

First, let’s begin with the optics performance on these set of eyes. It features stunning 50mm objective lenses and 7x magnification. These binoculars are capable of taking in much more light despite the light conditions. As a result, it delivers vibrant images without washing the images out, even on a rainy day. 

Also, its wide FoV of 396 feet at 1000 yards is perfect for all-around nature viewing, including bird watching.

You will be glad to know that it comes with a fully multi-coated BaK4 Porro prism, allowing the maximum amount of light to enter through its optics. On top of that, the lenses have an anti-reflective coating to prevent light reflection while viewing. 

Whether you set out camp early in the morning or need to find your back before sunset, you can trust these baby to be your guide. The low-light night vision helps users view better even in low-light conditions. Note that the night vision feature does not entirely work in utter darkness.

As an added feature, the binoculars have an internal rangefinder and a built-in compass for better navigation, which is great for hikers.

If you wear eyeglasses, you will be relieved to know it has a long eye-relief of 23mm.

Accidently dropping them in the water won’t cause any damage to these binoculars as they are IPX-7 rated. It means they are 100% waterproof and can stay afloat for 30 minutes. So next time you go sailing or whale watching, make sure to take your ESSLNB binoculars with you.

Additionally, the nitrogen-filled body and o-ringed sealed lenses also ensure that no moisture seeps in. 

Compared to others on the list, it is not the lightest binoculars (it weighs about 3.09 pounds) but offers excellent features worth the purchase.

If you’re looking for hiking binoculars within a budget offering excellent optics features, then the ESSLNB 7X50 marine binoculars should be your first pick.

Product specifications

• Magnification: 7x
• Objective Lens size: 50 mm
• Field of view: 396 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 23 mm
• Lens coatings: Fully multi-coated 
• Prism: BaK4 Porro
• Weight: 3.09 pounds
• Protection features: IPX7 waterproof rated

 

5. Barska Waterproof Blackhawk 10×42 Binoculars

You know the saying ‘third time’s a charm, well we are here with another review on the Barska series. The Barska WP Blackhawk 10×42 is an outstanding choice performance, and budget-wise, you will not be disappointed with this one. 

 

With a high magnification feature and powerful optics, this black matte beauty is a sure thing. The zooming power on these binoculars can go up to 10 times more, giving you the perfect shot of your target at a greater distance. 

Also, with its spacious Field of view of 344 feet at 1000 yards and central focus system, getting the wide shot while on the move is a piece of cake. These pair of eyes are as good as the others with a higher price tag within this price range.

The lenses on this model are multi-coated and come with a BaK-4 roof prism. Similar to the Barska Blackhawk 8×42 model, the objective lenses on this model are 42mm. It offers crisp, clean images with high contrast even in the dim light situation. 

If you wear glasses, you can sure to leave them on. As viewing through its eye relief (17.5mm) is super comfortable. 

Thanks to their compact size and lightweight structure, these binoculars fit easily into your small backpack. It weighs just about 1.5 pounds, perfect for backpacking and hiking activities. 

Enforced with nitrogen and O-ringed sealed lenses, there is no chance of water or fog entering the lenses. These binoculars are well built and designed to last long. The protective rubber casing and diamond-cut grip make it a sturdy device to carry for any hiking adventure.

Finally, along with its great features and affordable price offer (falls below the $ 100 mark), the Barska WP Blackhawk 10×42 comes with complementary accessories, including a carrying case, lens covers and a neck strap.

Product specifications

• Magnification: 10x
• Objective Lens size: 42 mm
• Field of view: 344 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 17.5 mm
• Lens coatings: Multi-coated 
• Prism: BaK4 roof 
• Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Protection features: Water/fog proof 

 

6. Carson RD Series Open-Bridge Compact and Full-Sized Waterproof HD Binoculars

If you’re looking for hiking binoculars that are compact, easy-to-use, then the Carson RD series is one of the best option money can buy. 

Let’s start with the optics on these compact binoculars. The objective lenses are 34mm in diameter, excellent for allowing maximum light through their lenses. The magnification power on this baby can go up to 10x; zooming in on your target won’t be a hassle. 

The Carson RD-034 has a BaK-4 optical prism for HD views and multiple layers of coatings. As a result, it enhances the brightness and produces sharp images even in bad lighting.

Scanning the grounds at 1000 yards is not an issue with this binocular. It features a wide FoV of 318 feet at full zoom. Also, it comes with a decent 16mm eye-relief, perfect for eyeglass wearers. 

These lightweight binoculars are suitable for all types of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and hunting. They weigh less than a pound and can fit into any pocket. 

The nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed makes them completely water and fog proof and can perform well under any weather conditions. Plus, the rubber coating gives you a steady grip and is shockproof as well. 

You will be extremely pleased to know that it is tripod adaptable and comes with additional accessories, including a protective case, lens covers, and a neck strap. 

The Carson RD-034 combines some powerful optics performance with durability and portability, making it the perfect fit for any hiking trip.

Product specifications

• Magnification: 10x
• Objective Lens size: 34 mm
• Field of view: 318 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 16 mm
• Lens coatings: Multi-coated 
• Prism: BaK4 roof 
• Weight: 0.9 pounds
• Protection features: Water/fog proof 

 

7. Meade Instruments – CanyonView ED 8×42 Powerful Outdoor Binoculars

If you’re looking for the best compact premium binoculars for hiking, you should check these out. The CanyonView ED delivers impressive performance by combining some powerful optics features. 

The CanyonView indeed lives up to its reputation when it comes to offering the best viewing experience. With its high-quality ED glass, you can expect the view through its lenses to be incredibly sharp with no compromise on the colour execution. 

Also, thanks to its dielectric and fully multi-coated lenses, more light enters the lenses, offering crisp, clear images even in low light. Add these features to its BAK-4 prism and large objective lenses (42mm), and you have a masterpiece. 

The magnification power on this beauty comes at 8x, which is decent for any hiking or camping activity. Also, the FoV is 395 feet at 1000 feet, perfect for wildlife observers and birdwatchers to get a wide shot of their target on open grounds such as sea or coastlines. 

Even if you wear eyeglasses, it will not be an issue with these binoculars. It offers a good eye relief of 17.8 mm and a wide exit pupil (5.25 mm) for comfortable viewing at all times. 

These compact binoculars weigh in just about 1.5 pounds and come with a carrying case ideal for backpacking. 

On top of that, the nitrogen enforced body and o-ringed sealed lenses make it completely water/fog proof and suitable for all weather conditions. The rubber exterior is particularly designed to increase grip and protects from further impact.

It is one of the best options for hiking which comes under the $170 mark. It offers a neck strap, lens covers and cleaning cloth along with its purchase. 

The CanyonView ED 8×42 is the best robust binocular, offering great value for money with premium optics performance; it is the ideal option for any hiking expedition.

Product specifications

• Magnification: 8x
• Objective Lens size: 42 mm
• Field of view: 395 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 17.8 mm
• Lens coatings:  Dielectric and fully multi-coated lenses
• Prism: BaK4 roof 
• Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Protection features: Water/fog proof 

 

8.Carson VP Series Full Sized or Compact Waterproof High Definition Binoculars

[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Check Price On Amazon” color=”green” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3q3PHwE||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][vc_column_text 0=””]Get a perfect close up of nature while you hike with the Carson VP 8×42 binoculars. These compact binoculars weigh in just about 1.55 pounds, are easy to carry and won’t slow you down on any adventure. 

These are best for hiking as they have 8x magnification with 42 mm objective lenses. The large aperture allows more light to enter and ensures you get the best result no matter where you point your lenses. 

Together with fully multi-coated lenses and BaK-4 Porro prism, they create spectacular imagery even in low light. Furthermore, it has a phase-corrected coating on its prism that enhances the colour contrast and resolution to produce better quality images. 

Durability wise, it comes with a sturdy design and waterproof feature. Along with its nitrogen enforced body, it has O-ringed sealed lenses to keep moisture seeping into its interior. 

For extra comfort, the eye relief is 17mm, easy for eyeglass wearers to view distanced objects without the need to take them off. 

The wide FoV is pretty good on these compact HD binoculars, which comes at 393 feet at 1000 yards – making it ideal for bird watching, hunting or camping. 

For the user’s convenience, these compact binoculars are tripod adaptable. Along with its purchase, it also includes accessories like a carrying case, neck strap, covers for lenses and a cleaning cloth. 

 

The Carson VP 8x42mm binoculars provide a robust package with high performing optics built for all outdoor expeditions. Expect nothing but a great viewing experience with these compact binoculars.

Product specifications

• Magnification: 8x
• Objective Lens size: 42 mm
• Field of view: 393 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 17 mm
• Lens coatings:  Fully multi-coated lenses with phase-corrected coatings
• Prism: BaK4 Porro
• Weight: 1.55 pounds
• Protection features: Water/fog proof

 

9. AOMEKIE 10×50 Binoculars for Adults Low Light Night Vision Marine Military Binoculars

[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Check Price On Amazon” color=”green” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3gwNjeN||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][vc_column_text 0=””]The next in line for being the best lightweight binocular for hiking is the AOMEKIE 10×50 Binoculars. These powerful binoculars are compact and feature a stunning 50mm objective lens with a 10x zooming power, perfect for hiking and camping.

Binoculars with a large aperture tend to be more on the high-end price range, but not this one. It features 50mm objective lenses, which are pretty good for something in its size and price. No matter how poor the lighting maybe, with its multi-coated BaK-4 Porro prism, the images will always appear brighter and sharper. 

To top it all, it comes with a low light night vision that further enhances the colour even in dark environments. The inbuilt range finder and compass is something that makes these binocular unique. It is a handy device particularly for finding your direction at night.

Also, with its 10x zooming range, the wide FoV of 396 feet at 1000 yards is great for identifying fast-moving objects such as birds. The long eye relief of 22mm is outstanding on these binoculars, ideal for glass wearers. 

These lightweight binoculars can last even in the worst weather conditions. A nitrogen-filled body and o-ringed sealed makes them completely waterproof. 

You will be glad to know that these compact binoculars for hiking come well under $100. It includes a couple of accessories, including a carrying bag, comfortable neck straps, and a lens cleaning cloth to complement the purchase.

The AOMEKIE 10×50 Binoculars offer high performing optics, and their robust construction makes them ideal for outdoor activities. 

Product specifications

• Magnification: 10x
• Objective Lens size: 50 mm
• Field of view: 396 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 22 mm
• Lens coatings:  Multi-coated lenses 
• Prism: BaK4 Porro
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Protection features: Water/fog proof 

 

10. Steiner BluHorizons 10x26mm Binoculars

When looking for the perfect compact binoculars for hiking, key features to look for are portability, optics performance and durability. With the Steiner BluHorizons Binoculars, you can fit all those features right into your back pocket. 

Let’s start with the optical components and coatings on this bad boy. The Steiner brand employs the best optical glass for all its products. Therefore, all of its optical components to be made from top-notch material. 

It houses a large objective lens of 26mm at a 10x zoom power, which is pretty great for this size. It comes with a double hinge design; it is not that heavy compared to others with larger objective lenses. 

The lenses are perfectly set at 8mm from the end of the barrels, providing further protection for the lenses and preventing glare.

For a comfortable vast view experience, it has FoV is 322 feet at 1000 yards.

It features a unique type Schmidt Pechan roof prism designed to fix the inverted image and produce a better quality image. You will be glad to know; the lenses are fully multi-coated. As a result, images are brighter, sharper with reduced glare. It also comes with a creative auto bright sensor that automatically adjusts light under any lighting situations.

What we loved the most about these binoculars is the compact folding up design and double hinge feature, which gives these binoculars the massive advantage over all binoculars for hiking. Also, it weighs in less than a pound, highly portable for all outdoor activities. 

Complementing the compact design has a nitrogen-filled body with an armoured rubber coating to protect it from weather conditions.

Price-wise, it is expensive. Nevertheless, with its stellar performance delivering nothing but top-notch image quality, it is worth the purchase. Adding more value, it includes a couple of accessories, including a carry bag, neck straps and a lens cleaning cloth. 

Steiner BluHorizons 10x26mm Binoculars is one of our top five. By combining high-quality optical performance along with durability and lightweight features, every hiking trip is worth the while with these compact binoculars.

Product specifications

• Magnification: 10x
• Objective Lens size: 26 mm
• Field of view: 322 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 12 mm
• Lens coatings:  Fully Multi-coated lenses 
• Prism: Schmidt Pechan roof prism
• Weight: 0.6 pounds
• Protection features: Water/fog proof 

 

11. MEADE Instruments – Rainforest Pro 10×42 Compact Binoculars

The Meade Rainforest Pro 10×42 compact binoculars offer the best value money can purchase. With their lightweight features, 42mm objective lenses and 10x zoom, they make the ideal choice for any hiking adventure.

These compact binoculars feature 42mm objective lenses and 10x magnification. The advantage of having large objective lenses is their potential to capture more light. As a result, images are much brighter and appear to be of high quality even from a far distance. 

Speaking about distance, the wide FoV on this baby is 330 feet at 1000 yards at maximum zoom, great for birdwatching. It has a close focus of 2m (6.6 ft), which is excellent for observing objects such as insects or butterflies at close range.

Whether it’s raining or the sun is below the horizon, you can expect clear images despite the low lighting. Thanks to its fully multi-coated lenses and BaK-4 prism, images are sharp with less glare. 

You will be pleased to know that it comes with a phase correction coating on its lenses that ensures better resolution images. Considering the price factor, this is a plus point.

The sleek black body comes with a protective rubber exterior, making it durable and scratch proof. Also, the nitrogen enforced body and O-ringed sealed prevent misting up the inner lenses. 

The lightweight binoculars weigh just 2.1 pounds. It is tripod adaptable and comes with accessories such as a carrying case, neck strap, lens cleaning cloth as a bonus. 

The Meade Rainforest Pro 10×42 compact binoculars are perfect for backing and camping. Lightweight, durable, and offering excellent optics performance, this one is another one of our top five. 

Product specifications

• Magnification: 10x
• Objective Lens size: 42 mm
• Field of view: 330 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 15 mm
• Lens coatings:  Fully Multi-coated lenses 
• Prism: BaK-4 roof prism
• Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Protection features: Water/fog proof

 

12. Celestron – TrailSeeker 10×32 Lightweight Binoculars

Celestron has established quite a reputation in the optics industry for delivering high-quality optics at mid-level prices. If you’re in search of the best binoculars for your next hiking trip within the affordability range, then these binoculars are the right ones for you.

The optics performance on this beauty is a phenomenon! It features a BaK-4 Porro prism and 32mm objective lenses with a fully broadband multi-coating. The outcome; images are incredibly sharp, with a favourable amount of contrast.

The Celestron TrailSeeker 10×32 makes no compromise on delivering the perfect viewing experience while hiking. Whether you wish to view it at dusk or dawn, the images will still appear bright and clear despite the low light conditions. 

The Celestron TrailSeeker 10×32 model’s added advantage is the use of dielectric and phases corrective coatings on its prisms. The inclusions of these coatings further enhance light transmissions and the highest amount of reflectivity. Within this price range, getting such a high level of optics is outstanding. 

Along with its superior optics quality, it comes with a wide field of view at 325 feet at 1000 yards at 10x full zoom. The close focus range on these pairs is 8.2 feet which are great for wildlife observers. 

What makes these compact binoculars perfect for hiking enthusiasts is the magnesium-alloy body on this baby. It is lightweight (weighs just 1 pound), durable and waterproof, and ideal ingredients to make it the perfect hiking binoculars.

Additionally, its tripod adaptable and comes with plenty of accessories, including a comfortable neck strap, carrying case and lens caps.

Fit for every outdoor expedition, the Celestron TrailSeeker 10×32 binoculars truly sticks to their promise. You will find these compact hiking binoculars very reasonable. 

Product specifications

• Magnification: 10x
• Objective Lens size: 32 mm
• Field of view: 325 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 14.4 mm
• Lens coatings:  Fully Broadband Multi-coated lenses 
• Prism: BaK-4 porro prism
• Weight: 1 pound
• Protection features: 100% Waterproof

 

13. Pentax SP 12×50 WP Binoculars (Black)

Pentax has been a trendsetter in the industry for a while now. Its high-quality optics and robust construction make it stand out as one of the premium binoculars for hiking.

Let’s start with the optics performance on these binoculars. Featuring jaw-dropping 50mm objective lenses and a 12x magnification, you can already understand the power of these bad boys. 

Because of its massive lenses, it can capture more light than the standard binoculars. In turn, images appear brighter irrespective of the poor lighting conditions. Great for skywatching and other astronomical activities, you will surely fall in love with these binoculars.

Paired with the Bak-4 Porro prism with fully multilayered coatings, it allows images to be crisp clean with minimal reflection. 

If you find viewing through binoculars when wearing eyeglasses annoying, you will have any complaints with these binoculars. It comes with a long eye relief of 20mm, giving you a comfortable viewing experience like never before. Also, it has fold-down eyecups for extra comfort to seal away any light that dims your view.

At 12x zoom, the Field of view is quite good, which is 219 feet at 1000 yards. 

It houses nitrogen enforced body with O-ringed sealed lenses, protecting from extreme weather conditions and making it 100% waterproof. Combined with a rubber armoured body, you won’t have to worry about losing your grip.

Binoculars with larger objective lenses tend to be heavier, but not this one. It weighs about 2.1 pounds making it lightweight ideal for hiking trips. You will be glad to know it is tripod adaptable; mounting them on a tripod stand is easy.

It seems to be a bit on the expensive end price-wise, coming just under the $200 mark. But all and all, it is a worthy purchase. 

Pentax SP 12×50 WP binoculars are durable, compact, and provide a premium viewing experience, great outdoors, including hiking and astronomical activities.

Product specifications

• Magnification: 12x
• Objective Lens size: 50 mm
• Field of view: 219 ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 20 mm
• Lens coatings:  Fully Multi-coated lenses 
• Prism: BaK-4 porro prism
• Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Protection features: 100% Waterproof

 

14. Orion 15×70 Astronomy Binoculars

Taking the lead in producing powerful binos and telescopes for astronomy, Orion has set itself apart from all its competitors. 

Let’s start with the most apparent feature here; the 70mm objective lenses on these binos. These large lenses can capture more light than any regular binoculars. The outcome, breathtaking view with super-refined images.

Pair these enormous objective lenses with their BaK-4 Porro prisms, and you have a beast in your hands. The optics are fully multi-coated and internal baffling to prevent light from scattering inside the barrels. You can rely on these set of eyes to give you the perfect crisp, clean image with maximum brightness even under the dark starry night. 

Further magnifying your stargazing experience, it features a 15x magnification power and FoV of 231 feet at 1000 yards. Zooming into the cosmos or seeing the moons of Jupiter with these bad boys is in every way possible.

To make the viewing experience more comfortable, it has a long eye relief of 18mm. It also comes with foldable eyecups convenient for eyeglass wearers. 

Whether viewing the night sky or scanning the hiking grounds, these binoculars are ideal for both. It weighs 3.1 pounds considering large objective lenses, and it is perfectly normal. The downside is that it does not come with any waterproof features.

You will be astonished to know that these binoculars come just above the $100 mark. With its superior optics and features, it is the best you can get within this price range. It is tripod adaptable for the user’s convenience and includes several accessories like the neck strap, objective lens cap, and a carrying case.

With its high performing set of optics and great value for money, the Orion 15×70 astronomy binoculars are by any means the best for all outdoor activities, including hiking.

Product specifications

• Magnification: 15x
• Objective Lens size: 70mm
• Field of view: 231ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 18 mm
• Lens coatings:  Fully Multi-coated lenses 
• Prism: BaK-4 porro prism
• Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Protection features: Not Waterproof

 

15. Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Porro Prism Binocular

The Bushnell champions its way into being the leading producer of high-quality optics in the industry. If you’re looking for the best lightweight binoculars for hiking within the $100 budget, then perhaps this one is for you.

Housing 42mm objective lenses with 12x magnification, the Bushnell H2O 12×42 is a powerful option for hiking enthusiasts and avid bird watchers. The use of the BaK-4 prism and the multi-coatings on its optics ensure maximum light transmissions. Every time you view through its lenses, images will appear crisp clean with high-resolution quality. 

The larger aperture on these binoculars helps to deliver brighter images despite the lighting conditions. So whether you are exploring the deep forest or finding new roads on your next hiking trips, be sure to carry these with you. 

Talking about its impressive durability, the Bushnell H2O is designed for the outdoors. The fact that it is IPx7 rated, it is 100% waterproof. Also, the nitrogen enforced body and O-ring sealed lenses keep moisture at bay and prevent it from fogging the interiors. 

The exterior of these compact binoculars is built to provide a firm grip and further protection from shock and hard impact. Another reason why it is ideal for hiking and backpacking is its lightweight component, and it weighs about 1.7 pounds. 

At a 1000 yards’ distance, you get a wide FoV of 314 feet and a central focusing system, making it easy to adjust viewing without any issues. Also, for eyeglass wearers, the long eye relief (16mm) is suitable for comfortable viewing. 

With stunning optical performance, durable nature, the Bushnell H2O 12×42 binoculars are amongst the best lightweight binoculars for hiking. 

Product specifications

• Magnification: 12x
• Objective Lens size: 42mm
• Field of view: 314ft at 1000 yards
• Eye relief: 16 mm
• Lens coatings:  Multi-coated lenses 
• Prism: BaK-4 porro prism
• Weight: 1.68 pounds
• Protection features: IPX7 rated, 100% Waterproof

 

Buyer’s guide when choosing the suitable binoculars for hiking?

Selecting the right pair of binoculars can be tricky, especially when they all look the same. However, each set of binoculars is unique in its way in terms of features and applications. 

It would help if you considered some factors when finding the best binoculars that fit your needs. Aspects from the magnification power, Field of view, optics quality to the weight and protection features; we have listed down the essentials. By working through these points, finding the perfect binoculars will be simple. 

1. Magnification: One of the essential factor to consider when buying the right binocular is magnification power. The magnification number on the model will tell how much it can magnify far away objects and give the Field of view. A set that offers magnification power between 7x to 12x is good, with 8x being the ideal number. 

While some may say higher the magnification power, better the view, it may not always be the case. Anything beyond the 10x limit, viewing becomes difficult, and images quality tend to fall. For hiking and travelling activities, the 8x models are more recommended.  

2.Eye relief: The distance between your eyes and the devices’ s eyepiece to look at the image is called eye relief. Generally, it is an important spec if you wear eyeglasses. Also, it will indicate how the images appear from the borders. If your eyes are too far or too close from the lens, the images appear darker. 

Consider getting binocular with longer eye reliefs that are around the 15mm to 18mm mark. 

3. Field of view: The Field of view is another factor to consider alongside the magnification power. The Field of view, in simple terms, means the area seen through the lens. 

Binoculars with high magnification power tend to have a narrow field of view and vice versa. Also, with a smaller field of view, less light will enter through the lens, and as a result, images will appear to be slightly darker. If you prefer to focus more on a particular target rather than the surroundings, get a pair with higher magnification power. 

The trick is in the balance between the FoV and magnification power. Particularly for hiking trips, binoculars with an 8x magnification with an FoV close to 400 feet at 1000 yards will give you the best view.

4. Objective lenses size: The diameter of the objective lenses is essential to check when buying suitable binoculars for hiking. The accurate lens size indicates how big the binoculars are and impacts the amount of light entering the binoculars. It, in turn, affects the viewing experience. 

Binoculars with larger objective lenses tend to deliver better and brighter images even in low light conditions and vice versa. For hiking purposes, a set with an objective lens size less than about 28mm is just about right.

5. Lens quality and coatings: The quality of the glass used for making the lenses and prisms is important as this affects the image quality. Binoculars with specialized glass such as ED (low dispersion) produces more transparent images with high contrast, and they tend to be a bit pricy than the others.

Lens coating is equally essential compared to the quality of the glass used. The coatings help to reduce the reflection as well as increases images clarity even in low-light conditions. Different models have different layers of coatings from single, to multi-coated to fully multi-coated. A pair with fully multi-coated lenses is the best choice as this will protect the lenses from external damages and keep the glare out of the way.

6. Protection features: Protection features such as waterproofing, fog-proof and rubber coating are important, especially outdoor activities. Most of the binoculars have the WP marked on them to indicate waterproof. Regular binoculars have low waterproofing and cannot stay in the water for too long. However, if you’re looking for the long term, buying high-end binoculars with powerful WP feature is recommended. Fog proof features are essential as the mist can sip inside and damage the interior surfaces and hamper image clarity. 

Binoculars with a rubber coating are designed to protect the body from minor shocks and bumps, particularly in the harsh outdoor environment. Get a device that comes with some water and fog resistance for more extended durability.

7. Weight & Size: Binoculars comes in three different sizes, depending on the size of the objective lens; compact, mid-size and full-size models. Compact models have an objective lens that is less than 30mm. The length of the objective lens in the mid-size models falls between 30mm to 40mm, while in full-size binoculars, it is above 40mm. Note that models with the same size objective lens will vary in size and weight.

For backpacking and hiking trips, adding extra weight to the bag can slow you down; thus, lightweight & compact models are more suitable. Something that weighs less than 2 pounds is about right for a lightweight device.

Frequently Asked Questions

When thinking about buying binoculars for hiking, factors such as lightweight and compact binoculars are vital points. Consider getting compact binoculars with a magnification power between 8 to 10 along with an objective lens size less than about 28mm. Another important factor is the durability of the pair. Binoculars with rubber coating and water-resistant factors will help protect the interiors from damage. The model number on binoculars generally indicate the magnification power and the size of the objective lens. For instance, in 8×42 binoculars, the ‘8x’ stands for the magnification power, which means the object will appear eight times larger. The ’42’ refers to the diameter of the objective lens (in millimetres). The larger the diameter, the clearer the images. 

Final thoughts

No matter what the occasion, whether you enjoy watching the concert from far, or setting out on a new hiking trip, or star gazing, owning a good set of binoculars is essential. 

We have reviewed the best binoculars for hiking, from the overall optical performance to the durability and compact nature of these binoculars. With the basic guidelines we have provided in this article, we hope you will find the right pair for your next hiking trip! Enjoy viewing!