We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Tech Essentials The 6 Best Walkie Talkies of 2024 From use in the backcountry to rafting, these are the best walkie talkies for staying in touch. By Lauren Breedlove Lauren Breedlove Lauren Breedlove is a New York-based travel writer, photographer, and content creator who focuses on off-the-beaten-path outdoor adventures. Her work has been featured in Afar, Time magazine, TravelPulse, Popsugar, Travel + Leisure, Elite Daily, and Thrillist. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 30, 2024 Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel Jessica Wrubel is an accomplished writer, copy editor, and fact checker, working for over 15 years for various publications owned by Tribune Publishing, The Arena Group, and Hearst Communications in the areas of Food, Health & Wellness, Travel, Lifestyle, Education, and Home Improvement. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Comments In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox When I’m on a camping trip or a backcountry hike, I always make sure I have a solid set of walkie talkies on hand. Communication is key for staying safe in the outdoors whether you need to stay in touch with your adventure partner, reach out for help with an SOS call, or check for potential unsavory weather conditions. I always look for a good balance of range, weather and waterproof ratings, clarity, durability, and battery life when shopping for walkie talkies. Many models come with other useful features as well, such as a built-in flashlight and compatibility between other models. I've gathered the best walkie talkies for your outdoor pursuits, be it backcountry skiing, white water rafting, or multi-day backcountry endeavors. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio at Rockytalkie.com Jump to Review Best Range: Midland Two-way Radio at Amazon $80 Jump to Review Best for Backcountry: Backcountry Access BC Link Mini at Amazon $100 Jump to Review Best Waterproof: Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio at Rockytalkie.com Jump to Review Most Durable: SALE Dewalt DXFRS800 2 Watt Heavy-duty Walkie-talkies at Amazon $150 $123 Jump to Review Best Budget: Cobra Acxt345 Weather-resistant Walkie Talkies at Amazon $50 Jump to Review Best Overall Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio PHOTO: Rocky Talkie View on Rockytalkie.com Why We Love It It has a long battery life and 128 channels. What to Consider It’s not waterproof. Our favorite all around walkie talkie is the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio for its license-free operation and wide array of features. Although it’s not fully-submersible, it’s weatherproof and can withstand encounters with some rain, splashing, and snow. We appreciate that the temperature rating spans down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit all the way up to 120 degrees, making it the perfect companion for any location from snowy mountains to desert terrain. The shatterproof screen and protective covering means it can handle bumps and drops with no issue, and the fact that they can last up to four days on a fully charged battery is impressive. I love that it can clip onto my pack with the included carabiner for quick and easy access, too. The lightweight profile won’t weigh you down, and I especially like that it’s ready to rock straight out of the box and it’s easy to operate. With the max “line-of-sight” range up to 35 miles, it has quite the reach as well. The Details: 7.9 ounces | 9.3 x 6.3 x 2.8 centimeters | 35+ mile range | Rechargeable 1550 mAh Li-ion battery | Up to 4 days of battery life | Splashproof Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox Best Range Midland Two-way Radio PHOTO: Amazon $72 at Amazon $50 at REI $84 at QVC Why We Love It They offer a dual power source with a rechargeable battery or three AA batteries as a back-up. What to Consider The low battery warning pops up just before dying, not allowing for enough time to recharge. I love the long range communication capabilities that the Midland X-Talker T71VP3 Two-way Radios offer. While their best clarity is up to 20 miles, they can be used with a maximum distance all the way up to an impressive 38 miles depending on the obstacles and terrain. I also really appreciate the hands-free activation for transmission as well as the multiple channel and privacy code options. Although they’re not waterproof, they are water-resistant and have held up just fine in light rain when I’ve been out exploring. Since I don’t have cell service where I live, I’ve relied on these for the NOAA weather radio alerts during severe weather, so that’s a key feature for me. The included belt clips make it easy to attach to yourself or your bag, too. The Details: 15.8 ounces | 2.6 x 1.4 x 6.1 inches | 38-mile range | 1000mAh rechargeable batteries | 5 hour battery life | Water-resistant Travel + Leisure / Lauren Breedlove Travel + Leisure / Lauren Breedlove Travel + Leisure / Lauren Breedlove Travel + Leisure / Lauren Breedlove Travel + Leisure / Lauren Breedlove The 13 Best Waterproof Boots for Men, Tested and Reviewed Best for Backcountry Backcountry Access BC Link Mini PHOTO: Backcountry $90 at Amazon $90 at Backcountry.com $100 at Evo.com Why We Love It Its compact size is perfect for backcountry trips. What to Consider The mic button is not protected from the elements. We love the lightweight and small profile of the Backcountry Access BC Link Mini, perfect for any backcountry pursuit from skiing to multi-day treks. With its IPX5 rating, it’s protected against wet weather conditions, though it should be noted that the mic button is a bit exposed. That being said, the clarity is fantastic. The battery is cold-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it draining too quickly in frigid temperatures. It also reaches up to a maximum 32-mile range. We appreciate its user-friendly design and included webbing clip and hook-and-loop strap for attaching easily to a backpack, coat, or vest. It’s compatible with FRS/GMRS radios that operate on FRS Bands, so you can connect with your other adventure partners in situations in which you’ve split up for a period of time. The Details: 6 ounces | 6.25 x 2.5 x 1.25 inches | 32-mile range | USB-C-rechargeable 1800mAh battery | 18 hour battery life | Waterproof Best Waterproof Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio PHOTO: Rocky Talkie View on Rockytalkie.com Why We Love It It has superb waterproofing. What to Consider They require an FCC license, which costs an additional $35. I love the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio not only for its amazing waterproofing, but also the ease of use, and long battery life. This walkie talkie can hack it on any adventure in any condition, from snow to rain, to being submerged on a rafting trip. Although you need an FCC license to use this GMRS radio, it does not require a test to obtain. The range and durability is impressive, as is the rugged design, with rubber protection and shatterproof screen. The gator clip swivels so it’s easy to grab for quick access and in addition to up to five days of battery on a single charge, it will operate even in freezing conditions as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. I also really appreciate all the ideal features when exploring the backcountry, such as 11 weather channels, Dual Channel Watch, and NOAA alerts. The Details: 9.1 ounces | 10.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 centimeters | 32-mile range | Rechargeable Li-ion 7.4V 1800mAh batteries | Up to 6 day battery life | Waterproof The 9 Best Emergency Radios of 2024 Most Durable Dewalt DXFRS800 2 Watt Heavy-duty Walkie-talkies PHOTO: Amazon $123 at Amazon $135 at Home Depot View on Grainger.com Why We Love It They’re waterproof and shock-resistant. What to Consider The clarity isn’t as good as other models. With their rugged design, the Dewalt Dxfrs800 2-watt Heavy Duty Walkie Talkies are made to last through all your outdoor endeavors. They’re protected from drops with a shock-resistant design thanks to the thick rubber casing. This makes them grippy as well, perfect for when you're wearing gloves, and since they’re waterproof, you don’t have to worry about severe weather affecting their ability to work. I really like the hands-free feature where you can activate them with your voice. Intuitive controls make these easy to use and the range is solid, though the clarity isn’t as impressive as other models. The Details: 1.82 pounds | 2.17 x 2.58 x 7.27 | 56-mile range | Lithium polymer batteries | Up to 18 hours of battery | Waterproof Best Budget Cobra Acxt345 Weather-resistant Walkie Talkies PHOTO: Amazon $50 at Amazon View on Cobra.com View on Staples Why We Love It They have up to a 25-mile range. What to Consider There’s a slight lag between pressing the button and when you can start talking. For a functional pair of walkie talkies that won’t break the bank, this version from Cobra fits the bill. They have a solid range, are water-resistant, have 22 channels including 121 privacy codes, and voice-activated transmission in case your hands are full or you’re having an emergency and unable to use the button. They offer constant access to NOAA weather stations so you can remain in the know about weather conditions and severe storm alerts. As a bonus, they also have five different call tones so you can tell who is who between parties in the conversation. The included belt clips are perfect for toting it around, whether you’re biking, on a work site, or camping. The Details: 3.76 ounces | 1.6 x 2.4 x 6 inches | 25-mile range | AA batteries | Water-resistant Tips for Buying a Walkie Talkie Consider what range you need When purchasing walkie talkies, it’s crucial to take the range of communication into consideration. If you plan to use them within a shorter range like a worksite, farm, or a road trip, you don’t have to prioritize something with long range capabilities quite as much as someone who will be in the backcountry or needs to communicate with someone at home from another location. Typically, the maximum ranges listed for each walkie talkie defines what it would be in perfect conditions, with nothing in the way (i.e. a completely clear sightline). To increase your distance reached, choosing a radio with higher transmission settings that can output up to 5 watts (such as the Rockie Talkie GMRS radio) will help. Look for weather- and drop-proof materials Chances are, if you’re heading out into the great outdoors with a couple of walkie talkies, you’re going to need a pair that can withstand the elements, and potential drops and falls. Ideally, a waterproof walkie talkie is the optimal choice, but depending on the conditions and type of activity you’ll be taking them on, a water-resistant model will get the job done. Many have a rugged design with rubber around the outside for grip and protection, as well as a shatterproof screen. This helps with durability and ultimately functionality on your grand adventures. Another feature you can keep an eye out for in your search is an included waterproof handheld mic, so even if the radio itself isn’t fully waterproof, you can safely store that in a protected pocket or bag and use the radio with the mic exposed instead. Think about battery life Battery life isn’t as paramount for day-to-day use, but if you’re going on a multi-day hike or backcountry ski trip, you’ll want to prioritize longer battery life and make sure to replace them every 9-12 months. Rechargeable batteries are best, though some models come with the option to use disposable batteries as a good back-up. Most walkie talkies will last anywhere from 5 hours to 5 days on a single full charge, so it’s definitely wise to make sure the projected battery life fits with your lifestyle and planned usage. Frequently Asked Questions What's the longest range for a walkie-talkie? The longest range for a walkie talkie depends upon whether it requires an FCC license or not. Most walkie talkies are FRS (Family Radio Service), which don’t require a license and are typically 2 Watts of frequency, meaning they don’t reach as far (typically up to 20 miles) as GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) models, which have 5 watts of power and a longer range (typically 20-35 miles). What's the difference between two-way radios and walkie-talkies? Basically, a walkie-talkie is a two-way radio, but a handheld version. However, a two-way radio is not a walkie talkie as it’s not handheld. A two-way radio can broadcast and receive radio signals versus a regular radio that can only do the latter. What is the lifespan of a walkie talkie? This largely depends on what you put it through and how you take care of it as well as the durability and quality of the model. The lifespan ranges anywhere from 3-4 years for a lower-end model, to 5-7 years for an average walkie talkie, and more than 7 years for high quality models. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Lauren Breedlove used her personal experience as an outdoor adventurer who uses walkie talkies for hiking and camping, as well as research to find the best walkie talkies for all types of endeavors and conditions. She has personally used multiple models on this list in all types of terrain. The 6 Best Rechargeable Flashlights, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. learn more