There are two general types of watches that survivalists, preppers, hikers, campers, hunters etc use:
- A watch that has additional features such as a digital compass, thermometer, barometer, altimeter, GPS etc. It allows you to navigate better and understand the weather better. I’ve got an in depth article about this type of watch on my survival watch page.
- The other option is a watch that includes paracord on the band and also might include a mini survival kit. Typically it will include a fire starter as well as compass. This is the type of watch I’ll be reviewing in this article. I’ll refer to this type of watch as a paracord watch but it could just as easily be referred to as a survival bracelet watch.
Another option you have is to wear a survival watch on one wrist and a paracord survival kit on your other wrist. that way you get all the benefits of having a barometer, digital compass etc as well as paracord and an ability to start fire etc. The two go hand in hand (pun intended).
Paracord watch – why have one?
The reason a paracord watch can be so popular is that if you’re hiking, camping, kayaking or hunting, it’s so easy to get lost somewhere where there is no cell phone reception. Emergency situations happen in life and it’s a good idea to have handy tools on you. Everyone should have a survival kit on them but many don’t include paracord in them. When you go into the wild, you’ll probably have your watch on you, why not have something that could save your life in a survival situation?
If you’re a DIY kind of person you can even make your own.
The most likely thing to cause you serious concern is exposure. Starting a fire could be the difference between life and death so if you’re going into the wild you’d be crazy not to have some method of starting a fire at all times. A fire can also be used to signal for rescue.
Paracord comes in handy for many reasons, just picture yourself, it’s raining, you’re lost and you need to set up camp fast. If you have to make cordage from the natural environment, it can take time which you may not have. Having paracord on hand will make setting up shelter much faster. There are just so many uses for paracord in a survival situation like securing a splint in case you’ve injured yourself, hanging food off the ground, using the inner cord for fishing cord etc.
What to look out for with a paracord watch band
Issues to look out for:
#1 The size – most aren’t adjustable
#2 Too bulky – check out the way the watch face sits off the paracord band – it ends up just bumping into everything and getting caught on stuff
What you want to see with your watch:
#1 That it’s adjustable
The best paracord watches available
#1. Tactical Survival Paracord Watch by 227
Features:
- Firestarter
- Tiny Knife
- Stopwatch
- Calendar
- Alarm
- Compass
- Whistle
- Light on watch can double as a little flash light.
This watch is rated 4.8/5 from 10 reviews and costs $55
#2. Phalanx 5-In-1
Features:
- Unisex
- compass
- emergency whistle
- fire starter
- quick release buckle
- approximately 12 feet of paracord!
- water resistant up to 60 feet. Not waterproof. Water resistance is based on temporary submersion
This product is rated 4.5/5 from 32 reviews and sells for $16
#3. Rothco Paracord Bracelet Watch
Quartz movement paracord watch. Features a black paracord bracelet band. Is waterproof up to 30 meters. Does not contain a survival kit.
This product is rated 3.9/5 from 15 reviews and sells for $32.
#4. SW Watch
This is an amazon best seller
Features:
- Military Grade Paracord
- Compass
- Whistle
- Fire Starter
- Battery Powered
- Analog Watch
- 5 ATM WATER RESISTANT: Can be submerged for up to 15 minutes. Features luminous face for night use
- Adjustable
- 4 Colors
This product is rated 3.1/5 from 903 reviews
#5. Inlife Watch
Features:
- Survival Compass
- Whistle
- Fire Starter
- Comes in 9 different colors
It has a rating of 3/5 from 113 reviews. The price is $41 but is on discount at amazon at the moment.
