Binoculars for Hiking: Choosing the Right Pair for Your Next Trek

If you’re a lover of all things outdoors and like nothing more than to head off into the New Zealand bush or mountains tramping, then we’ve got the perfect hiking binoculars for you. Adventures in the great Kiwi outdoors; whether they’re a day walk, or a multi-day trek, are made all the more enjoyable by being able to truely immerse in the environment and enjoy close up views of the back country or mountain range around you. The best way to do this is by ensuring that you always have a hiking binocular with you. But what makes a great binoculars for hiking and what key features do you need to look for when buying backpacking binoculars? In our product recommendations for binoculars for hikers we’ll consider the best compact binoculars and also mid sized binoculars for your next big walking trip. We’ll take in to account a range of factors including size, weight, magnification, optical quality, and budget, and make a range of suggestions in a price range to suit different budgets. They’ll all offer great value for money.

Best 12 Hiking Binoculars on the Market

Compact Binocular models


Most of the time, compact binoculars are a great choice for most hikers. Sometimes, if you’re not having to walk far, you may not be too worried about additional weight. In this case, a mid sized binocular will also be a great choice. This is especially true if you’ll be in dense bush where light is at a premium, or you’ll we spending some time walking at dawn or dusk when light levels are low. In these situations you might want to consider a mid sized option.

• Olympus 8x21 RC II WP Binoculars
• Tasco OffShore 8x25 Binoculars
• Bushnell H2O 2 10x25 Roof Binoculars
• Vanguard Vesta 10x25 Binoculars
• Vortex Vanquish 10x26 Binoculars
• Bushnell Prime 10x28 Binoculars
• Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28 Binoculars
• Athlon Midas G2 10x25 UHD Binoculars
• Zeiss Victory Pocket 10x25 Binoculars

Mid sized binoculars

If you don’t mind a little extra weight then a mid sized binocular may be a great option may be a great binocular for hiking in lower light conditions. The larger lenses will allow more light to reach your eyes, making for brighter, clearer images.

• Vortex Raptor 8.5x32 Binoculars
• Kowa SV II 10x32 Binoculars
• Zeiss Conquest HD 10x32 Binoculars

Olympus 8x21 RC II WP Binoculars

The Olympus 8x21 RC II WP Waterproof Binoculars offer an affordable hiking binocular option. They are compact, lightweight, and portable and importantly, for use outdoors; they’re waterproof. Easily folded for transportation, these pocket sized binos are perfect not only for hiking but also sight-seeing too.

Features:

• 8x magnification
• 21mm objective lenses
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Foldable and ultra-compact
• Stylish outdoor design
• Rubber coated for convenient grip
• Multi-coated lenses for maximum brightness and contrast
• Convenient centre-focus knob for easy focusing
• Built-in dioptric correction adjusts to individual eyesight
• 11.5mm eye relief
• 110m field of view
• 3m close focus
• 215g

Pros:

• Lightweight and foldable so don’t take up much space
• Waterproof
• Decent field of view

Cons:

• As with many compact binoculars, the eye relief could be better

Tasco OffShore 8x25 Binoculars

The Tasco OffShore binoculars are designed to withstand all that the outdoors can throw at them. As their name suggests, they’re waterproof and are designed for use near water. This makes them a great companion for the damp conditions of the Kiwi bush.

Features:

• 8x magnification
• 25mm objective lenses
• Water proof and fog proof
• Fully multi coated optics
• Right eye dioptric correction
• Rubber eye cups that fold down
• Dual hinge configuration
• Blue rubber protective surface
• Slip resistant
• Palm and thumb pads with textured surface
• 13.5mm eye relief
• 120m field of view
• 5.9m close focus
• 284g

Pros:

• Wide field of view

Cons:

• Quite a long close focus so may not be as good as other models for close up nature or bird watching

Bushnell H2O 2 10x25 Roof Binoculars

Designed with water in mind, the Bushnell H2O range can be relied upon in downpours in the great Kiwi outdoors. Lightweight and durable, they’re great to have hanging around your neck for easy use at a moments notice when you spot something of interest.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 25mm objective lenses
• Anti-reflective multi-coating reduces glare and improves contrast
• BAK4 prism glass renders enhanced clarity and brightness
• Dual-hinge bridge allows barrels to fold under for smaller footprint
• Twist-up eyecups allow comfortable viewing distance while wearing eyeglasses
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Slip-resistant textured rubber armouring
• Lightweight, durable, aluminium body
• 10mm eye relief
• 107m field of view
• 5.1m close focus
• 303g

Pros:

• Durable and good quality design

Cons:

• Could be lighter
• Won’t be as good as other models for eye glass wearers due to the short eye relief

Vanguard Vesta 10x25 Binoculars

Part of Vanguards entry level line, these awesome compact binoculars are lightweight, have a short close focus distance and are waterproof and fogproof. Quite simply, they’re a great hiking binocular. The best part? They have an incredible low price for what you get. Winning!

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 25mm objective lenses
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Ergonomic and durable body
• European design
• Durable housing with a non-slip rubber armouring
• BAK4 roof prisms
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Large centre focus knob
• Twist out and lockable rubber eyecups
• 10mm eye relief
• 110m field of view
• 2.5m close focus
• 236g

Pros:

• Good field of view
• Great price point for beginners

Cons:

• Short eye relief

Vortex Vanquish 10x26 Binoculars

The Vortex Vanquish 10x26 Binoculars have an innovative reverse porro prism design which allows them to have a compact design whilst still producing images that are bright and crisp. They have a fantastic eye relief making them a great option for people who wear glasses.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 26mm objective lenses
• Fully multi-coated lenses increase light transmission
• Inverted porro prism design
• Waterproof, fog proof and nitrogen purged
• Rubber armour for grip and protection
• Twist up eyecups for comfortable viewing with or without glasses
• Centre focus wheel
• Right eye diopter to adjust for your eyes
• 16mm eye relief
• 89m field of view
• 2.3m close focus
• 360g

Pros:

• Very good eye relief
• Good close focus for viewing animals and birds up close

Cons:

• Small filed of view
• Could be lighter

Bushnell Prime 10x28 Binoculars

The Bushnell Prime 10x28 Binoculars are compact and ideal to have on hand for bird watching, animal watching or general observation at a moments notice. A good eye relief of 15mm makes them a great hiking binocular option for people who wear glasses.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 28mm objective lenses
• Waterproof
• Full multicoated optics
• BaK 4 glass
• 15mm eye relief
• 99m field of view
• 3m close focus
• 403g

Pros:

• Great eye relief

Cons:

• On the heavier side
• Field of view could be wider

Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28 Binoculars

The Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28 Binoculars are ideal for travel, hiking and sightseeing. Easy to fit in your pocket or bag, your compact Diamondback HD binoculars are sure to impress with their high definition lenses and fantastic eye relief.

Features:

• 8x magnification
• 28mm objective lenses
• HD optical system
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Dielectric multi-layer prism coatings
• ArmorTek ® scratch-resistant coating
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Roof prism
• Adjustable eye cups
• Centre focus wheel
• Diopter adjustments
• Tripod adaptable
• 18mm eye relief
• 101m field of view
• 2.4m close focus
• 396g

Pros:

• Fantastic eye relief makes them an ideal option for people who wear glasses
• HD lenses for the brightest, clearest views
• Special scratch resistant coating

Cons:

• Could be lighter

Athlon Midas G2 10x25 UHD Binoculars

The Athlon Midas GEN II 10x25 UHD Binoculars are compact and lightweight alongside being rugged and packed with features. All this makes them ideal for travel and use on the move when you want a bright, clear view of the world around you. The ultra high definition lenses produce images with little or no chromatic fringe making for clear and sharp images.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 25mm objective lenses
• UHD glass
• Multi layer dielectric prism coatings
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Phase corrected prisms produce images that have better contrast, a higher resolution and better colour reproduction
• XPL coating gives you an extra protection on the exterior lenses from dirt, oil and scratches
• Lightweight magnesium chassis
• BaK4 prisms to reflect more light to your eyes
• 15.5mm eye relief
• 95m field of view
• 2.5m close focus
• 235g

Pros:

• Ultra high definition lenses
• Phase coating and dielectric prism coatings produce a clear, bright image that displays accurate colour reproduction
• Exceptional quality and packed with features
• Great price point

Cons:

• Field of view could perhaps be wider

Zeiss Victory Pocket 10x25 Binoculars

 

The Zeiss Victory binoculars represent the very best of the best when it comes to compact binoculars. Built with SCHOTT fluoride glass, they have a fantastic 91% light transmission for bright, clear images. The unique asymmetrical bridge design makes them ultra compact. They have a wide field of view ad decent eye relief. Oozing quality, they won’t fail to impress even professional glassers.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 25mm objective lenses
• SCHOTT fluoride glass produces 91% light transmission
• Small and compact
• ZEISS T* multilayer coating
• Asymmetrical bridge for compact design
• LotuTec weather resistant coating
• 16.5mm eye relief
• 105m field of view
• 1.9m close focus
• 290g

Pros:

• The very best quality compact binoculars
• Weather resistant coating on lenses
• Good eye relief

Cons:

• Not the cheapest binoculars on the market

Vortex Raptor 8.5x32 Binoculars

The Vortex Raptor mid sized binoculars are a great mid sized and priced option for hiking. The porro prism design does make them a little bulkier but they make up for it with a good field of view and bright images.

Features:

• 8.5x magnification
• 32mm objective lenses
• Fully multi-coated lenses increase light transmission
• Porro prism design
• Waterproof, fog proof and nitrogen purged
• Rubber amour for grip and protection
• Twist up eyecups for comfortable viewing with or without glasses
• Centre focus wheel
• Right eye diopter to adjust for your eyes
• 14mm eye relief
• 118m field of view
• 4.5m close focus
• 490g

Pros:

• Good field of view
• Decent eye relief

Cons:

• Heavier and bulkier than some models so won’t be great for carrying long distances

Kowa SV II 10x32 Binoculars

From the highly regarded Japanese brand, Kowa, these awesome mid sized binoculars are a great option if you want slightly brighter views in low light conditions whilst you’re outdoors. Great for eye glass wearers, they also have a nice wide field of view for immersing in the landscape.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 32mm objective lenses
• Polycarbonate inner body
• Nitrogen filled, waterproof and fogproof
• Roof prisms
• Depressions placed in the rubber armour make it easy to grip and hold the binoculars
• KR coating enhance the performance of the lens and make for easy cleaning
• Twist-up eye cups
• Right-eye dioptric correction
• Phase coating ensures that colour wave-lengths have the same focus point reducing chromatic aberration and ensuring colour fidelity
• Fully multicoated optics provide multiple layers on all air to glass surfaces for a brighter, higher-contrast image with less eyestrain
• Tripod adaptable 
• One-piece tethered ocular rain guard 
• 16mm eye relief
• 114m field of view
• 2m close focus
• 570g

Pros:

• Good price and quality
• Lens coatings for bright images
• Good eye relief

Cons:

• Heavier than other models

Zeiss Conquest HD 10x32 Binoculars

These premium, German made binoculars take bird, insect, and wildlife watching to a whole new level, allowing you to truely appreciate the vivid natural colours of the world around you. They’re also packed with all the features you need for long hikes in the mountains or hunting in the bush.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 32mm objective lenses
• Lightweight
• German made
• HD glass
• Wide field of view
• LotuTec® lens coating
• T* multi-layer coating
• 16mm eye relief
• 107m field of view
• 1.4m close focus
• 623g

Pros:

• Good eye relief
• Exceptional quality, German made optics
• HD glass

Cons:

• Pretty heavy

How to Choose the Right Hiking Binoculars

Now that you’ve had a chance to consider our suggestions for the best binoculars for hikers, let’s take a look at the features we considered when making our decisions.

Magnification

The main aim of any binocular is to bring the world around you closer up by magnifying it by a certain number of times. The magnification of a binocular is always measured by how many times more magnification it offers than your naked eye. So a 10x magnification bring images ten times closer than your eyes would. When it comes to choosing the right magnification for hiking binoculars, you need to find the perfect balance between enough magnification, light gathering ability and the ability to use the binoculars without a tripod. In most cases, this results in the best magnification for compact binoculars being either 8x or 10x. These magnifications work really well accompanied by the smaller lens sizes offered by compact binoculars


Objective lens diameter

The objective lens size of a binocular is measured in mm and refers to the lenses at the front of the binoculars that let light into them. Objective lenses come in a range of sizes from as small as 21mm right through to huge 60mm or 80mm options. Larger lenses add additional weight and size to binoculars, so if you’re going to be carrying binoculars for any distance then compact models with lenses of between 21mm and 32mm are a great option to keep weight down. If you won’t be carrying them for so long then you may want to opt for mid sized binoculars which have lenses of around 32mm instead. The slightly larger lenses will be able to let more light pass through the binoculars resulting in brighter and clearer images and better low light performance.

Weight and size

If you’re planning on taking any piece of equipment hiking with you, whether it be a tent, camera, sleeping bag, or indeed binoculars, one of the main considerations is how heavy the item is. Understandably, if you’re going hiking for a few days, or even just a few hours, the last thing you need is to have to carry a huge amount of weight with you. That’s why weight is one of the key factors we consider when choosing binoculars for walking. In general, compact binoculars with objective lenses of around 21-28mm in diameter are a great lightweight binocular model. Due to construction methods and material quality, the weight of compact binoculars can vary significantly, even when they have similar specifications. We’d always suggest double checking the weight of a binocular in its specifications before purchasing to ensure that you’d be comfortable carrying that weight alongside all of your other equipment. 


Durability and ruggedness

As with any piece of equipment that’s used outdoors, it’s important that your binoculars are as durable as they can be to prevent them from getting damaged when you’re out tramping. We’d always suggest looking for binoculars that are rubber armoured to help protect them from bumps and scratches if you drop them. In addition, looking for ergonomically designed binoculars that have special indents for your thumb and fingers can help to increase your grip and reduce the chance of your dropping them. 


Field of view

The field of view of a binocular refers to the amount of the scene in front of you that you can see through the binoculars at one time. It’s generally measured in meters or sometimes as an angle too. The field of view of a binocular is governed by a range of factors including the design of the binocular, the magnification and the objective lens size. Choosing a binocular with as wide a field of view as you can is often favourable as this allows you to see more of the landscape at once. Even binoculars with exactly the same magnification and lens size may have a different field of view so we always suggest comparing this when choosing binoculars. It’s important to note that when it comes to buying binoculars at the cheaper end of the price range with lower optical quality, you may see some loss of image sharpness towards the edges of the field when it is very wide, so it is important to find a balance between a wide field of view and good image quality.


Close focus distance

Close focus is measured in meters or feet and it is the shortest distance that the binocular can focus on an object and still provide a clear and sharp image. If you were to try and focus on an animal, bird, bug or object any closer than the close focus distance of a binocular then they would struggle to focus and the images would be blurry. If you’re mainly planning on enjoying long distance views then close focus probably isn’t a huge factor for you, but if you want to bird watch or nature watch then it’s an important consideration. Look for a binocular with the shortest close focus distance you can find. Some of the shorts close focus distances on the market are somewhere between 1.5m to 2m.

Lens quality

How well a binocular of any size performs is hugely dependant on its optical quality. That means the quality of the glass used to construct its lenses and prisms and also whether those lenses are treated with special coatings (and how many layers of them) to help direct as much light as possible to your eyes. The better the quality lenses and their coatings are, the brighter, clearer and more true to life the images they produce will be. We’d always advise opting for binoculars with lenses that are fully multicoated and, if possible have additional coating technologies applied to them such as dielectric coatings and phase coatings as these help to prevent blurring around the edge of the images you see, increase colour fidelity and more.

Waterproofing

Would you go off on a hike without preparing for the weather and taking the correct clothing to keep you warm and dry? Probably not. Well that’s also the case with your binoculars; you need to prepare them for all that the great outdoors may throw at them too. That’s why we always suggest opting for waterproof binoculars for any outdoor activity to protect them from rain and damp. Indeed, we always champion binoculars that have been waterproof treated and charged with nitrogen to make them fogproof. This prevents them from fogging up and being virtually unusable in damp environments.


Get the Perfect Binoculars for Hiking from ScopeUout

We hope that our round up of the best binoculars for hiking has given you some binocular suggestions that suit your needs and budget. The most important thing to remember when buying binoculars for hiking or adventuring in New Zealand is that they need to be compact, lightweight, as good a quality as you can afford, and be waterproof.

If you want to find out more about buying binoculars in general we have a heap of buying guides you can check out here. Our guide to binoculars for travel and hiking also has loads of information to help you choose.


If you’re still not sure exactly which binoculars will be the best option for you then you can check out our entire binocular range here, or all of our travel binoculars here.

When you buy binoculars from ScopeUout you can be safe in the knowledge that they have been sourced from the authorised importer for New Zealand and come backed by a full NZ warranty.

What are you waiting for? The great outside is calling and it’s time you got your hiking binoculars at the ready for your next adventure!