Latest Review
November 6, 2025 
Watches and outdoor gear go together like peanut butter and chocolate; each makes the other better. In many ways, watches are outdoor gear, at least some of the time. They are tools built to serve a purpose. Sure, telling the time on an analog wristwatch might seem quaint in the age of pocket-sized computers, but there are moments when knowing the time isn’t a convenience; it is essential. The Vaer x Topo Designs x Worn & Wound Solar Hiker was designed for those very moments, and all the others too.
The Solar Hiker marks our first triple-brand collaboration, and one of the rare few in the watch world. It unites ideas from three brands with distinct perspectives and expertise. Vaer is the watchmaker, recognized for creating well-built, accessibly priced, adventure-ready timepieces. They led the design and manufacturing. Topo Designs, a trendsetter in outdoor gear known for its colorful, functional approach to bags and apparel, handled the straps and packaging… which is much more than just packaging. Worn & Wound brought the whole concept together, shaping the story, refining the vision, and connecting the collaborators.
From the start, the goal was to create a watch that balanced function and friendliness, a tough, capable tool that doesn’t overwhelm the wrist. It needed to be legible day or night, resilient in wet conditions, and comfortable across a range of wrists. And, of course, it had to look great. The result is the Solar Hiker, a 38mm field-watch-inspired design built into a 200m-rated dive watch case, featuring a dual-index bezel and a movement powered by the sun, another first for a Worn & Wound LE.
Field watches are the original tool watches, straightforward, reliable, and purpose-built. With large luminous numerals, a clear minute track, and a secondary 13–24-hour scale, they were once essential military equipment before becoming everyday companions for adventurers. For the Solar Hiker, the numerals are printed with 15 layers of C3 lume, giving them a raised, three-dimensional texture that catches the light by day and glows brilliantly by night.
The minute track features elongated markers and lumed triangles every five minutes, a nod to historical field watches that also enhances readability. Vaer’s bold, oversized sword hands, filled generously with lume, complete the display for quick, intuitive time reading in any condition.
The Solar Hiker’s bezel expands on this practicality with a dual-index design and a subtle hidden function. Made of steel and ceramic for durability, the outer scale displays a second set of hour numerals, perfect for tracking a second time zone with a simple turn of the bezel. The inner scale acts as a 60-minute counter, useful for tracking elapsed or remaining time, whether cooking at camp or pacing a hike.
At the 15, 30, 45, and 60 positions, small circular markers replace numerals. These serve as solar cues, set one to sunrise, sunset, or solar noon before an outing to help plan when to seek shade, turn back, or find your next rest stop.
Compact yet robust, the Solar Hiker measures 38mm in diameter, 45mm lug-to-lug, and 11.35mm thick, including a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Originally designed for dive-duty, the case’s 200m water resistance easily exceeds the demands of any trail, river, or summit.
The Solar Hiker features 20mm lugs and comes with multiple straps, including two created by Topo Designs. Featuring a mix of textures and colors, they capture Topo’s signature sense of fun while adding versatility and personality. The hook-and-loop closures ensure an adjustable fit for any wrist. Vaer also includes a two-piece black rubber strap for a more classic look.
Beyond the watch itself, Topo Designs developed a custom EDC case that doubles as packaging and functional gear. Made from durable green and black ripstop nylon, it features zip closure, a ribbon handle, mesh pockets, and elastic loops for secure organization, ideal for carrying a watch, small tools, or other daily essentials.
The Vaer x Topo Designs x Worn & Wound Solar Hiker is available in two versions: green and steel, or all black. The green and steel model features a dark sunburst green dial with a matching ceramic bezel and a bright stainless steel case finished with brushed and polished surfaces. The black version opts for a stealthy aesthetic, pairing a black sunburst dial and ceramic bezel with a black DLC-coated case. Both retail along with the straps and case for $349.
The Solar Hiker is available to preorder now through the Windup Watch Shop, Topo Designs, and Vaer online stores, as well as in person at the Windup Watch Shop showroom in Brooklyn. Produced in limited quantities of 200 in black and 300 in green, split across all three retailers, they are built and will begin shipping by the end of November.
