The Best Backpacking Binoculars | Top 8 Picks
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Backpacking binoculars can turn your hitchhiking into a great adventure. But not every binocular will let you have the feeling when you’ll look through the terrains, try to enjoy the night sky, or watch birds fly.And if it’s heavy, that’s going to ruin your hitchhiking.
You need a pair of lightweight, compact, and lasting binoculars with a crisp field of view and unparalleled magnification.
Binoculars are worth spending every buck because they will enrich your hiking adventure without a doubt. So, we bring you eight of the best backpacking binoculars that are convenient to use, built to last, and don’t empty your wallets.
Our recommend – 3 best backpacking binoculars
- The binocular shows off 32mm lens
- You can use 8X zoom
- 362ft field of view
6 Best Backpacking Binoculars – in Depth Reviews
Without further ado, here are the 8 of the finest binoculars that you can find in the market right now.
1. Hontry Compact 10×25 Binoculars
It’s one of the best backpacking binoculars for anyone looking to get a great distant view from a device that doesn’t weigh too much. Plus, it is a well-balanced pair.
First up on the list, we have a nice, well-balanced pair in Hontry’s 10×25 compact binoculars, it is a solid contender for the top spot. Let’s see the key features that make it so special.
This product is one of the best when it comes to magnification. The 10x magnification means you can see quite far. You probably won’t miss much with such a high magnification; it will more than suffice for basic sightseeing.
In terms of the lens diameter, Hontry wins again with a large 25mm lens which gives a clear and sharp image. We’re not saying there aren’t any better options, but you certainly won’t find many at its size.
It also sports fully multi-coated optics, which means that you get maximum luminosity from the lens.
The field of view is pretty impressive as well, at 372 ft. from 1000 yards. Again, these binoculars are more than enough for any sightseeing purposes you may have.
It is made of rubber, meaning that it has unrivaled comfort. The unrivaled comfort is accompanied by a great non-slip steady grip along with waterproof qualities and shock resistance. You can’t question its build.
Speaking of its build, this pair is still pretty small despite its impressive features at 4.33 x 3.94 x1.97 inches and quite lightweight at 9.6 ounces.
Pros
- Top-tier 10x magnification to view faraway objects
- Provides bright image quality
- Ensures the clearest view possible at its size
- Binocular has amazing durability thanks to the non-slip rubber
- It is small and easy to carry
Cons
- Unimpressive eye relief
2. Wingspan Optics 8×32 Binoculars
This is the sports binocular to buy. It sacrifices a few of its features for amazing image quality. You will not be disappointed with the clarity.
At number 2, we have another great sport binocular on this list. What features make it such a brilliant backpacking binocular?
First and foremost, this binocular gives you an insanely clear view with the 32mm lens. The quality of the view that you are getting from these bad boys is almost incomparable with the rest of the products on this list. It is on another level.
The magnification on this sports binocular is nothing to worry about. It stands at 8x to the power of the human eye, but we wouldn’t be disappointed either. It is still great for backpacking unless you want to see what’s happening in another country or something.
In terms of field of view, it is a little more constricted than the previous product at 362 ft. from 1000 yards away. Like its magnification, it’s not impressive, but it’s nothing to cry about either. This field of view covers most of the view.
The material is pretty solid here too. It is super comfortable to hold, but perhaps the most interesting features in terms of material are the lenses which are fog-proof. That’s right. Gone are the days where you have to wipe your lenses every time to get to a high altitude.
Lastly, the size is a little inconvenient, with dimensions of 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.75 inches, but that still doesn’t stop it from being one of the best outdoor binoculars on the market. It is naturally heavier, too, at 15.2 ounces.
Pros
- 32 mm lens ensures top-notch image clarity
- Magnification up to 8x for high zooming
- Fog-proof, so you don’t have to wipe the lens frequently
- Offers a moderate 362 feet field of view
- Comes with a comfortable rubber coating
Cons
- Might be a little too heavy for some customers
3. SkyGenius 8×21 Compact Binoculars
These are the best compact binoculars for hiking in the business. If you aren’t a stickler for image quality and want a light product, this is the one for you.
SkyGenius brings another great set of backpacking binoculars into the foray as it provides a fresh alternative to the bulkier models. But we are getting ahead of ourselves, let’s start by noting down its specialties:
The size makes them perhaps the best compact binoculars for hiking because, damn, is it convenient. At 8 ounces, you will not find any binocular near its caliber at its size. This makes it super easy to carry, and your neck will thank you every step of the way.
At the same time, the dimensions are impressive as well at 4.14×3.62×2.35 inches. This tiny size means you can pack it up pretty easily. We would take the time to appreciate its design too, and this is one good-looking binocular.
You’ll find the magnification to be 8. Similar to the previous product, this one is also pretty satisfactory. 8x zoom should get you close enough to see anything you want to pretty comfortably.
The only con of this size is the image clarity which suffers quite a bit due to the 21mm lens. That’s not to say it’s horrible; you can still see things, just not as well as with the other products.
On the other hand, the field of view is insane for its size. It not only rivals but beats the previous product with a field of view of 369ft at a distance of 1000 yards. It is not as good as that of the 1st product but at its size, what do you expect?
Pros
- Weighing only 8 ounces, it is insanely light
- It is small in size and feels compact
- The binocular looks pretty stylish
- Has a good 369 feet wide field of view
- Great eye relief of 16
Cons
- 21 mm lens provides a lower quality of the view
4. Carson VP Series 12×50 Binoculars
Good for backpacking if you want the best view possible. It functions as a better bird hunting binocular, in our opinion, however.
Now, we go at the opposite end of the spectrum with a pretty heavy-duty backpacking binocular. Let’s take a look at the features that make it such a heavy-duty affair.
This is not a pair of binoculars for the average Joe. The view from this pair is so clear that it seems like the objects are right in front of you. We reckon you won’t find a sharper image on the market.
At 12x magnification, this product is simply a beast. One important note for this overpowered zoom feature is that we recommend you use a tripod as a very slight shake can blur the view due to its intense zoom.
Another great feature of this product is the eye relief of 18.2mm, which puts very little strain on your eyes. It is a godsend for spectacle wearers.
Along with these great perks, the material is amazing as well since it is also a waterproof binocular. Talk about added benefits.
The only big negative is its size. It’s quite heavy at 30.4 ounces and thus a lot harder to carry around for hiking purposes, but the high-quality view makes it worth it. The dimensions are bulky at 5.0 x 6.5 x 2.3 inches.
Pros
- Greatest image sharpness with the 50mm lens
- 12x magnification that is unrivaled by most competitors
- Provides amazing eye relief of 18.2mm
- These binoculars can be used while wearing spectacles
Cons
- Poor field of view of 241ft from 1000 yards
- Heavy
5. LIANGZAI 10×42 Compact Prism Roof Binoculars
Overall, this pair is convenient for people who wear glasses. On top of that, the vision is also pretty clear and provides good clarity.
If you’re looking for a well-built, flexible pair of backpacking binoculars, then we recommend you check out these heavy-duty binoculars by Liangzai.
These Liangzai binoculars have a premium nitrogen-filled material around them that makes them look extravagant without costing a lot.
Coming to the magnification of the Liangzai beast, you get about 10x power magnification. The image is pretty sharp and clear after magnification because of the BAK-4 prism lens that is multi-coated. The large objective lenses will let you see things with crisp vision even if you are 1000 yards away from your target.
This beast weighs only about 1.8 pounds, which is very lightweight for such a sturdy pair. But unfortunately, it is not compact for people with small hands. Don’t worry; you can always use the bag that it comes with to carry your binoculars all day.
The ABS material used here helps you have a good grip on it along with an anti-slip rubber grip.
If you’re someone who wears glasses and constantly struggles to use a binocular, then you’ll be glad to know how easy to use the pair is. They come with eyecups that will give your eyes relief no matter how long distance you keep your eyes fixed on the binoculars.
Overall, we think that the Liangzai 10×42 binocular is an excellent hunting friendly binocular that will accompany you on your hiking adventures along with bird watching. So, if you’re looking for a durable pair of binoculars that comes with good features for your hunts, then go for this one!
Pros
- Heavy-duty, durable yet lightweight, weighing about 1.8 lbs
- Fog-proof, to prevent fogging up of the lens
- Equipped with HD vision for the night, thanks to the 42mm lens
- Easily adjustable and eyeglass-friendly
- Comes with extra lenses for additional convenience
Cons
- Might seem bulky to some people
- Not waterproof
6. Dranbol 12X25 Folding Pocket Binoculars
We love this product and its incredible magnification! Yes, the field of view is comparatively low, but the product can smoothly focus on objects with perfect clarity.
As our final product, we have another beast of a pair by Dranbol that will undoubtedly check off all your boxes pretty easily.
Even though we placed the product in the eighth position, we would claim that this baby can still be one of the best binoculars for hiking. The product is quite sleek and easy to carry as well, so it can be a great purchase for children.
To our surprise, Dranbol is an affordable product that can magnify up to 12x more than reality. The 25 mm objective lens with BAK-4 prism gives you a crisp and sharp image both during the day and night.
Also, the FMC coating on the lenses gives you an image that retains maximum brightness and natural light. Even though manufacturers claim that you can magnify even at a distance of 1000 yards, it might not deliver in certain conditions.
Weighing only about 0.57 pounds, the tiny beast easily fits in your palm. You can store them in your pockets by folding them. Apart from the size, the easily adjustable features make them a good fit even for kids.
If you want a compact binocular that outputs clear images, doesn’t cost a lot, and works as great equipment for sudden hike trips, then hands down, this is the one you should go for.
Pros
- Lightweight, weighing only 0.57 lbs. and is easy to carry around
- Comes with adjustable dioptric rings for eyeglass-wearers
- Manual central, easy focusing for low light conditions
- Offers 12x zooming for high and clear magnification
Cons
- Low field of view
How to Choose the Best One?
Well, to help you with that, we have come up with a few points that you should consider to get the best binoculars for yourself.
Now that you know the product options, let’s look at the key features and how they should impact your decision. You can refer to this as buying guide.
Size
The size essentially dictates where you can take the binoculars, and the good news for you is that most of these products come in a compact size. This means that they serve backpacking purposing to perfection.
Generally, binoculars come in three different sizes, compact, midsize, and full-size. Usually, hikers prefer the compact because it is packed with good features without having a bulky body.
The objective on this size is less than 30mm, and the common ones are 8×25, 10×28, or 12×25.
But if you want more clarity on the images, you can go for the midsize. However, you can’t accommodate them in your bags most of the time. Additionally, the smaller binoculars look pretty stylish if you ask us. That’s a great additional benefit in our books. You miss the sharp image quality, though.
Protection Features
When you are on hikes, the weather condition or circumstance you might step into is almost always unpredictable. Because of that, a hiker must ensure that all of his/her hiking equipment is adequately equipped. So, a waterproof/water-resistant binocular comes in handy.
Most hikers even prefer a rubber coating around their pair to resist it from shocks and bumps. We even recommend that you spend some bucks more to get the rubber coating because it is worthwhile for your outdoor adventures.
The lens of the binoculars tends to fog up when the weather condition changes. So, anti-fogging features work great when you’re traveling during nighttime. In short, make sure you are getting a pair of binoculars where nitrogen is purged inside to stop fog accumulation on the exterior lenses.
Magnification
Moving on to another vital feature of your binocular is its magnification. The magnification refers to how far your binoculars can see.
What’s a good pair if it can’t show you a good magnified image, right? But the factor that plays the most important question here is how much magnification you need.
The way this is denoted is by a number in a format such as 12×50, where the second number is the diameter of your lenses, which is also quite important. The higher this number is, the further the binocular zooms in.
Hikers are okay with 8-10x magnification; with the 8x magnification, you get a wide view, but a 10x or more gives you a more detailed image. Even though 12x gives more magnification, it wouldn’t work nicely if your hands aren’t steady.
Now, this is your personal preference, whether you want a wide view or more clarity in your magnified image.
Field of View
The field of view depends on the magnification you are going for. Because if you choose more magnification, then your field of view is going to decrease. So, you have to compromise the little moving objects from your sight.
But a less magnified pair will let you see bright images, but you would have to sacrifice the sharpness of the images.
Price
Right off the bat, we have a very obvious inclusion. The price is something that you need to consider before purchasing any product, and it is no different for a binocular.
We suggest assigning a reasonable budget behind your binocular as being cheap might mean you won’t be able to purchase the right product for yourself and end up regretting the purchase.
Your costs will rise too as you’ll probably need to buy the more expensive binocular as well.
At the same time, we would like to stress that “reasonable” also means that your budget isn’t something over the top. Make sure you don’t over invest in fancy gimmicks that you don’t need.
Material
This is another super important factor to consider before purchasing a binocular as it determines a couple of other factors as well. You’re in luck here as well since all products on this list are made of decent materials.
The first thing that material determines is the feel. For example, rubber products feel a lot better to hold than other products. They also have great grip, so they won’t slip in the middle of sight-seeing.
Also, the other thing that material determines is durability. This is a no-brainer; the better the material, the longer your binocular is going to last.
Conclusion
There you have it; 8 of the best backpacking binoculars available in the market right now. These binoculars are all a league above their competitors in terms of size, the field of view, and magnification.
If you have trouble deciding which one to go for, we recommend the Carson VP Series 12×50 Binoculars for its 50mm lens, eyerelief, and high magnification. However, this one’s just our personal favorite, you can choose whichever you like best.