First Impressions

A few years ago I acquired a Highgear Enduro compass watch. Strangely enough, so did Barack Obama (which you can read about on the Amsterdam Watch Blog). Regardless of politics that product was, and still is, a great little sports watch, simple to operate, accurate and good looking. The Enduro’s newer sibling – the Axio Max – improves on design, and adds a range of features making it a solid contender in the category.

Features

Chief among the Axio Max’s features are the altimeter, barometer and compass. All three operated accurately in our tests. The barometer is coupled with a small weather prediction icon located in the upper left quadrant of the watch face. That bit was not always accurate but was easy to re-calibrate.

The Axio Max also includes a thermometer which like all in this test struggled with providing accurate readings. My advice, if you really need an accurate temperature, leave the watch off your wrist for a few minutes to get an ambient reading. That worked every time in our tests.

Specs
Materials: Glass-reinforced nylon case, rubber band
Weight: 2.375 oz
Watch Face Dimension: 1.875 in
Water Resistance: 164 ft

Other features include multiple alarms and a chronograph. We found the chronograph particularly appealing since the Axio Max is capable of storing information on up to 10 runs. This made the watch a welcome workout companion. There is no countdown timer.

Highgear builds the Axio Max from glass reinforced nylon, essentially a toughened plastic. The band is tightly integrated but is replaceable.

Fit

The fit of the Axio Max is great. At 1.875 inches in diameter, the Axio Max’s face was the smallest of those in the test. The company provides ample slots in the band to get exactly the right adjustment.

Final Verdict

There’s a reason the President of the United States chose a Highgear watch for himself. The Axio Max builds on the pedigree delivering accuracy, ruggedness and good looks. And thanks to its running-specific chronograph and reasonable price tag, it’s even more capable than many in the category. Nicely done once again Highgear.

Thanks for reading another outdoor gear review from GearGuide. And thanks to Highgear and Cherb PR for providing product for this review. Written by Matt K.