Since they were first introduced in the 1980s, G-Shock has become a name very much associated with tough, and very hard-to-break watches, perfect for sports and outdoor activities.
They literally produce hundreds of different watch designs suitable for men, women, and children, ranging in prices from under $100 to over $1,000.
With so many to choose from, it can seem impossible to pick one, so to help you, we are going to review 5 of the best G-shock watches for outdoors and give you the pros and cons of each one.
Comparison Chart
5 Best G-Shock Watches for Outdoors
Casio G-Shock GW2310 Atomic Solar
There can be few watches that look meaner and tougher than this G-Shock Atomic Solar watch, especially given its thick strap and all-over black color, which includes the black display.
Review
We will start with that display we mentioned, which is digital and capable of showing you the multitude of functions this watch has. That includes at night, thanks to the backlight.
The backlight, and all the functions the watch has, are solar-powered, which negates the need for any rewinding, or timemachine05-20nt of batteries, and gives you the assurance that your watch should have power at all times. Just in case, there is a battery indicator that lets you see when the watch needs more light in order to recharge itself.
As for those functions, the list is almost endless, but some of the highlights include, times from 48 cities, 4 daily alarms, snooze, hourly alert, timer, calendar, and a stopwatch which times to 1/100th of a second.
If you are traveling overseas, the watch picks up data from the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China, thus ensuring that its atomic timekeeping remains absolutely accurate wherever you are.
Around the outside of the watch, there are four function buttons, which are well protected given that they are housed within the outer case. This case is made from durable, and very robust resin, thus protecting the watch from impact damage. The strap is also made from the same resin.
Pros
- Tough and robust
- Accurate atomic timekeeping
- Displays time in multiple cities
- Chronograph up to 1/100th second
- Solar-powered battery
Cons
- Strap is too short
- Display can require backlight even in daylight
Read our full review of Casio G-Shock GW2310 watch here.
Casio Men’s GR8900A-1 G-Shock Sport Watch
We have another G-Shock watch that will appeal to those who want a watch that will resist any damage when outdoors, and given it is water resistant, will also allow you to wear it during water sports and activities.
Review
First, we need to cover the fact that not all outdoor activities take place on dry land as there are numerous sports and activities which involve you being either on, or in, water. Regardless of which, the fact that the GR8900A-1 is water-resistant to 660 feet, means that you can go as deep as you want into the ocean, and your watch will be fine.
When water is not involved, your watch is every bit as protected, given its shock-resistant case, which is manufactured from high-grade resin.
As for its functions, you never need to be concerned about knowing what time it is, regardless of where you are in the world. Not only does it display the time in 31 different time zones, it will take account of daylight saving times, and will also display the city code for you too.
When you need to use the watch in gloomy conditions, or at night, the LED backlight does a great job of illuminating the display, and with the ‘Afterglow’ feature it will remain lit for some time thereafter in case you need to check again.
Other great features include a countdown timer, stopwatch, hourly time signal, 4 alarm settings, and to power it all, the watch utilizes a solar-powered battery.
Pros
- Times from 31 time zones
- Stopwatch and countdown timer
- 4 independent alarms
- Solar battery powered
- Water-resistant to 660 feet
Cons
- Grey on black display can be hard to see
- Setting up can be difficult
Read our in-depth review of Casio GR8900A-1 G-Shock sport watch.
Casio Men’s GD100-1BCR G-Shock Sport Watch
We now look at a G-Shock watch which is somewhat distinctive, not because of its robust casing, but due to the multiple circular graphic indicators which form part of its display.
Review
We’ll start with those circular indicators, of which there are two large, and three small ones. The smaller ones are used to indicate the signal strength, the alarm, and whether the watch is on mute mode.
The two large ones have segments, whose use varies depending on the function being used, so sometimes they are timer measurements when the stopwatch is on or countdown indicators when the countdown timer is active.
Other functions include being able to tell the time in 48 cities around the world, 5 individual alarms, hourly signal, and a fully automatic calendar. For those functions which you may want alerts for, the watch will flash and buzz for alarms, the countdown timer, time signal and others.
The stopwatch we mentioned previously can time to 1/100th of one second, and it also has split times so you can time two individual events. The countdown measures in 1/10th of a second unit, and has a maximum countdown start time of 24 hours.
Whenever you need more light to see the display, simply flick your wrist and the automatic backlight will come on. This watch can be worn underwater as it is water-resistant to 660 feet. Finally, and as you would expect to from a G-shock watch, it is shock resistant thanks to its strong outer casing.
Pros
- Solar-powered battery
- Automatic backlight
- Water-resistant to 660 feet
- Auto calendar
- 5 independent alarms
Cons
- Alarm volume is too low
- Display is very dark without backlight
Casio Men’s XL Series G-Shock Watch
Our next G-shock watch immediately reminded us of ‘Action Man’ not because it looks like a toy watch, but its rugged-looking exterior and green coloring are as close to a military-style watch as you are likely to see.
Review
While we are not suggesting this is something that the army is going to add to its list of standard-issue equipment for personnel, there can’t be too many items in their kit that will be as tough as this watch.
It can resist falls from over 32 feet, it is water-resistant to 660 feet, can withstand 10 bar water pressure, and its battery has a lifespan of up to 10 years. In our book, all that adds up to a watch that you would want to take into battle with you, on land or sea.
Beyond its near invincibility, it offers a multitude of useful functions, including one where the hands will move aside, in order for you to see the digital display in full.
That display can be illuminated if need be by the illuminator which has an afterglow of up to3 seconds, although you can set it for half that if you wish.
Timing features include a stopwatch with split time, a countdown timer of up to 60 minutes, four daily alarms, a signal on each hour, and it will give you the time in 48 cities.
Pros
- Strong and robust casing
- Water-resistant to 660 feet
- Fall resistant to 32 feet
- Tells time in 48 cities
- Hand shift feature
Cons
- Strap clasp is weak
- Illumination needs to brighter
Casio G-Shock Men’s Grey Sport Watch
We mentioned in the previous review about a G-Shock watch having a military look, and this is another one with that sort of appeal. It comes with a textured khaki-colored strap, and that, added to the case and display coloring, making it very unique.
Review
We mentioned how this watch looks, and its khaki-colored strap, but there is another design feature that we like. It has two bars that go across the top and bottom of the case, which look almost like tiny lengths of copper piping. Their color and their styling add yet another distinctive look to this G-Shock watch.
Its display is a simple affair with just the time, day, and date normally showing. Of course, it has more functions which include an hourly time signal, up to 5 daily alarms, a countdown timer form 24 hours, but note it does not have a stopwatch. It also has a calendar, and it can give you the time in 4 different cities.
In terms of using it during sports, it is shock proof therefore if it gets knocked it will be in no danger. It is also water-resistant to 660 feet, so it is suitable for water sports too. There is a backlight for when you need to see the display in poorly lit scenarios.
Finally, if military-type colors such as khaki do not appeal to you, then there is a black color option that looks modern and more akin to many other G-Shock watches.
Pros
- Distinctive design and color
- 24-hour countdown timer
- 5 daily alarms
- Automatic calendar
- Water resistant to 660 feet
Cons
- No stopwatch
- Only 4 multi-city times
Related read: How to Set a Casio G Shock Digital Watch
Final Verdict
While we are happy to recommend every one of these Casio G-Shock watches for outdoors, the one which we feel is the best of those we reviewed is the Casio G-Shock GW2310 Atomic Solar.
Its combination of features, including updating times whenever you travel, when added to its robust design, places it ahead of the others.