Hiking Binoculars

How to choose hiking binoculars

For most hikers, the best choice is an 8x32 or a compact 8x25: light enough to carry all day, and 8x is steady enough to use while you're still catching your breath. Choose 8x42 only if you hike at dawn and dusk for wildlife and don't mind the extra weight.

Weight decides whether binoculars actually leave the house. A pair that stays in the bottom of the pack because it's heavy is worth less than a lighter pair you keep on your chest. As a rule of thumb, aim for under 21 oz (600 g) for day hikes and under 14 oz (400 g) for backpacking.

Format Typical weight Exit pupil* Strengths Best for
8x25 / 10x25 compact 9–14 oz (250–400 g) 3.1 / 2.5 mm Pocket size, lightest pair Backpacking, thru-hiking, daylight use
8x32 16–21 oz (450–600 g) 4.0 mm Best balance of size, brightness and view Day hikes, forest trails, all-round use
8x42 / 10x42 21–28 oz (600–800 g) 5.25 / 4.2 mm Brightest image, best at dawn and dusk Wildlife hikes, glassing open country
Monocular 8x–10x 4–8 oz (110–230 g) 3–4 mm Ultralight, one hand Quick checks, trail markers, ultralight setups

*Exit pupil = objective diameter ÷ magnification. The bigger it is, the brighter the image in low light, under tree cover or at the end of the day.

8x or 10x on the trail?

8x is the better default for hiking. After a steep climb your heart rate is up and your hands move with it, and 8x hides that shake far better than 10x. It also gives a wider view, which helps you find a bird in a tree or a deer at the edge of a meadow before it moves. Choose 10x if you mostly hike open country, such as alpine ridges, deserts or canyon rims, and like to scan distant slopes for elk, bighorn sheep or mountain goats. In that case, sit down and brace your elbows on your knees.

Features that matter on the trail

  • Waterproof and fog-proof. Look for O-ring sealed, nitrogen- or argon-purged bodies. Rain, river crossings and the temperature swing between a cold morning and a warm afternoon will fog an unsealed pair from the inside.
  • BaK-4 prisms over BK-7. BaK-4 glass gives a round, evenly bright exit pupil. BK-7 is cheaper and shows grayish, squared-off edges, which means a dimmer image, especially in the shade of a forest.
  • Fully multi-coated lenses. They improve contrast and color in flat light, under clouds or in the woods.
  • Close focus around 6–8 ft (2–2.5 m). Useful for butterflies, wildflowers and lizards on the rock beside the trail.
  • Eye relief of 15 mm or more if you hike in glasses or sunglasses, with twist-down eyecups.
  • A matte dark or camo finish. It doesn't flash in the sun, so you're less likely to spook wildlife when you raise your binoculars.

Hiking binoculars by trail type

Trail type What matters most Our pick
Day hikes Comfort over several hours, all-round use 8x32
Backpacking and thru-hiking Every ounce, packed size 8x25 compact or a monocular
Forest and wooded trails Wide view, close focus, brightness in shade 8x32 or 8x42
Mountains, deserts, canyon country Reach across open distance 10x32 or 10x42
Birding hikes Fast focus, color, wide field 8x42, or see our bird watching binoculars

Binoculars or a monocular for hiking?

Binoculars are more comfortable for watching wildlife for more than a few seconds; a monocular is lighter and fits a hip-belt pocket. Using both eyes is less tiring and gives a sense of depth, so binoculars win for birds and animals. A monocular is a good choice for ultralight hikers, or for anyone who mainly wants to read a distant trail sign or check the route ahead. See our hiking monoculars.

Carrying your binoculars on a hike

  • Keep them on your chest, not in your pack. Most sightings last a few seconds, and they're over by the time you've dug the binoculars out.
  • Use a harness rather than a neck strap. It spreads the weight across your shoulders and keeps the binoculars from swinging when you scramble or bend over.
  • Tether the lens caps and use a rain guard over the eyepieces in wet weather.
  • On ultralight trips, a hip-belt pouch holds a compact pair or a monocular within reach without a strap.

Want the smallest pair possible? Browse our compact binoculars. Planning to stay out after dark? See our night vision binoculars. Or browse all binoculars.

Hiking binoculars FAQ

What magnification is best for hiking binoculars?

8x is best for most hikes. It gives a steady image even when you're out of breath after a climb, and a wide field of view that makes wildlife easy to find. Choose 10x if you mostly hike open terrain like mountains or deserts and want to scan distant slopes. Above 10x, the image is hard to hold steady without a tripod.

How much should hiking binoculars weigh?

For day hikes, aim for under about 21 oz (600 g), which covers most 8x32 models. For backpacking, look for under 14 oz (400 g), the range of compact 8x25 and 10x25 binoculars. Full-size 8x42 binoculars usually weigh 21 to 28 oz (600 to 800 g), which is fine for short wildlife walks but heavy over a long day.

Is 8x32 or 8x42 better for hiking?

8x32 is better for most hikers. It is lighter and smaller and still bright enough for daytime and forest trails. 8x42 gives a brighter image at dawn and dusk, when animals are most active, but adds roughly 5 to 7 oz (150 to 200 g). Pick 8x42 if wildlife is the main goal of your hikes and weight is a secondary concern.

Is a monocular better than binoculars for hiking?

A monocular is lighter and fits in a hip-belt pocket, so it suits ultralight hikers and quick checks of a trail sign or the route ahead. For watching birds or animals for more than a few seconds, binoculars are more comfortable because you use both eyes, which is less tiring and gives depth perception.

Do hiking binoculars need to be waterproof?

Yes, for any hike longer than a stroll. Rain, river crossings and sweat can get into an unsealed pair, and temperature changes between morning and afternoon can fog the lenses from the inside. Look for O-ring sealed binoculars purged with nitrogen or argon, usually labeled waterproof and fog-proof.