Hiking with mechanical watches

I’m a big hiker too, and I love wearing my mechanical field watch out on the trails. In my mind, it adds to the experience. It’s also why I wear my G-Shock when I go camping. I could wear any of my watches and be fine, but those watches just feel like they belong in that situation. 

Why not? I hiked Mt. Fuji with a Rolex Explorer II once. 

not in summer. don't want my sweat and dirt getting stuck in the bracelet links

It generally cones out with soap and an old toothbrush! I am more concerned with rotting out leather straps as I see to have the most corrosive sweat known to mankind.

Nup. Zero functionality. G-Shock or smart watch FTW.

The hikes I go on I rarely feel like I am going to damage a watch, so I don’t worry about it from that perspective. I will wear a light weight mechanical like my explorer, but more often than not my G-shock is going to be more comfortable while hiking 

Always, why not?😀

How do you like that Hermes? 

Isn't the Rolex explorer the epitomy of a hiking watch? Didn't it literally go up Everest? What puts you off taking it hiking?? I'm going to be very disappointed when I finally get one in about 40yrs and I can't even go for a walk around the peak District with it ☹️ (presuming the nursing home lets me out for that kind of thing).

Very much! Comfortable, slim and light. Also wears well on the bracelet.

The Explorer is absolutely capable of going up there, but it wasn't the first watch at the summit. https://www.outdoorjournal.com/featured/opinion-editorial/rolex-vs-smiths-which-watch-summited-everest-in-1953-putting-a-controversy-to-rest/

It's really just the feeling of excessive sweat under/on the bracelet that results in me leaving it home for warm weather hikes

I once hiked in Austria with an Apple watch and completely destroyed the screen while climbing trough a crevice 😪 next time I take a Casio with me

I used to go with the Explorer, and might repeat in the future, but after a "near hit" falling in a slope, now I wear the Traska Summiteer. 

Ouch yeah that would scar and scare me too!

I've definitely contemplated getting a g shock for hiking only 

Older thread, but I just joined and am an avid hiker/backpacker. so I figured I'd add my take. I only own mechanical watches and wear them hiking all the time. If I'm going for a quick hike after work, I just wear whatever I wore to work that day. Usually my BB36 or SMP300. If I'm going on a multi-day trip with more challenging terrain I'll wear my SKX or Willard. I've fallen my fair share of times, but I have yet to break a watch. 

I find hiking is a great way to wind my automatic watches.

My friend, you have some nice watches. Love to see them worn in the wild too. I’ve resisted wearing my pricier pieces hiking but you’ve inspired me to think otherwise. Enjoy!