I trekked the Cascade Mountains with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Garmin Instinct 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — this is the one I'd take on my next hike

During my recent adventure in North Cascade National Park, I tested the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and Garmin Instinct 3 to determine which smartwatch excels in outdoor hiking conditions. Wearing each device on separate wrists, I logged the data using Strava from my iPhone 16 Plus.

Upon concluding the hike, it became evident that the Garmin Instinct 3 outperformed the other two smartwatches. The Garmin's elevation data proved the most accurate, closely matching Strava and AllTrails' measurements of 1,050 feet of climb. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 significantly overestimated the elevation by nearly double, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 showed a slightly inflated figure.

The Garmin Instinct 3 also consumed the least battery power during the three-hour, five-mile, roughly 1,169 feet climb, making it the ideal choice for multi-day outdoor enthusiasts who may not have access to a charger. Additionally, the Garmin Instinct 3's smaller, lighter design and more comfortable fit made it the most comfortable option for my wrist. Based on these findings, the Garmin Instinct 3 emerges as the top smartwatch for my next hike.