Watches that watch where you're going

While some hikers favor simple, clean wristwatches that keep reliable time, others seek out the most advanced technology to wear on their wrists.

We've previously addressed the first group (see May 21 review of the Wenger Raid Commando) and now we're tackling the techies. An array of digital tools can be packed into wristwatches today, and after thorough testing, we've found a few products worth considering.

We found the Axio by Highgear to be the best choice of altimeter watches. The Axio, and its smaller sibling, the Axio Mini (designed to comfortably fit women's wrists), features a Swiss-made altimeter (effective from 2,300 feet to 29,520 feet), a chronograph, dual altitude alarms, a hydration alarm and, of course, all the basic timepiece functionality. Whether we were snowshoeing up to Camp Muir or running up and down the hills of the Swakkane Canyon in the Columbia Basin, the Axio kept accurate track of our altitude changes. In fact, the altimeter functions proved to be the most accurate of all the units we tested, but also the least expensive. Finally, the Axio line features a stylish design that looks good in the office and performs well in the field. What more can you ask for, especially at a price of $125? More information: www.highgear.com.

For explorers who want to add a digital compass to the arsenal of features, andwho prefer to have all their travel data available on one screen, Timex offers the new Expedition WS4. This beefy wristwatch offers more data at a glance than any other watch on the market, making the WS4 a useful tool for high-altitude adventures (as you'd expect from a product designed in part by Conrad Anker). The WS4 puts an array of data on the 1.5-inch wide screen so users don't have to toggle through menus to get all the information they need. The WS4 sports an altimeter, barometer, digital compass and chronometer. It performed well on multiple ski and snowshoe excursions around Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. Multiple alarms keep you on time and can keep track of how long you are above a set altitude (important for those who venture into the death zone). $200. See www.timex.com.