How to Choose a Compass | Comparison of Plates and Thumbs, Explained by an Adventure Racer Who Developed a Unique Switch Compass

Published on April 17, 2026 | Author: Hiroki Nakata (Representative of KATANA Adventure Ltd.)

Choosing a compass ultimately depends on "how you will use it." If you stop at the summit and spread out the map, there is a compass that suits that. If you want to check the direction with one hand while running, you will choose a different one. The discussion changes depending on whether it is a one-hour orienteering or a two-day continuous race.

Therefore, I cannot answer which one is the best if asked.

In this article, I wrote about the main types of compasses and what I have learned from using them in adventure racing for nine years. Since the basic tools are the same in orienteering, OMM, and rogaining, there should be many useful references. However, since I am not from an orienteering background, I will leave the detailed discussions of that world to others. Regarding adventure racing itself, I have written in the "Complete Guide to Adventure Racing".

Compasses used in navigation sports can be roughly divided into three types. The principle of the needle pointing north is the same, but the shapes and uses are different.

▶ Next —— Starting with the most widely used plate compass.

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When you say "please give me a compass" at a mountaineering goods store, it is usually a plate compass. Well-known brands include Sweden's Silva and Finland's Suunto. It is used by placing the transparent plate with the housing containing the magnetic needle on top of the map to measure direction.

Adventure racing is long. Whether riding a mountain bike or paddling, navigation does not stop. The time spent using the compass is significant. Eating snacks, pushing through the underbrush, and pedaling the bike. —— Honestly, the action of taking out the plate compass each time was tough for me. However, there are top orienteers and AR racers who fight with plates. In short, it’s a matter of getting used to it, and it’s a tool that suits some people.

▶ Next —— A story about the thumb compass that I started using with AR.

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The thumb compass is attached to the thumb of the hand holding the map. When you hold the map between your thumb and index finger, the map and compass are in the same field of view. You can see the map and direction with one hand while running. This style, which spread from orienteering, has now become mainstream in competitions that involve navigation while running, such as OMM, rogaining, and adventure racing.

▶ Next —— Organize the two side by side in a comparison table.

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I organized the two side by side. Since my subjectivity is included, please see it as a tendency.

📸 Plate compass (left) and thumb compass (right) — Differences in shape and usage

▶ Next —— A discussion on the "needle structure" that is not often talked about.

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When buying a compass, I understand that appearance and price catch your eye. But what I care about most is the speed and stability of the needle. This is influenced by the structure of the needle itself.

If you're checking on a desk, this difference might not be very noticeable. But when running, it's different. The hand shakes up and down. The difference of a fraction of a second until the needle settles completely changes readability. The stress of a continuously shaking needle gradually takes its toll during a long race.

The "KanPas" handled by KATANA Adventure is a compass brand originating from China. It's not major in Japan, but it has a wide range of compass-related products, with prices and performance varying widely. The models aimed at elite orienteers are designed for speed and stability of the needle, and the switch compass is configured to combine with this elite model (MA-46-FS). Compared to high-end brands like Silva and Suunto, the needle movement is comparable, and the price is more accessible. This is appreciated, as compasses can get scratched in underbrush or mud, break from falls, and will eventually need to be replaced.

By the way, KanPas also handles OEM production. Including OEM, I think the actual share is higher than expected. In fact, we are currently asking KanPas to create molds and OEM production, and we plan to release a double-name version of the switch compass "KanPas × KATANA Adventure" by the end of May 2026. The scale ruler will be changed to 1mm increments.

View KanPas Compass →

▶ Next —— Presenting the measured data on "left-hand or right-hand."

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A common question when buying a thumb compass is, "Which one, left-hand or right-hand?" The established theory is "right-handed people use left, left-handed people use right," but I have measured data to share.

If you don't have a particular preference, right-handed people can use the left-hand version. The data supports this.

By the way, I am left-handed and wear it on my right hand. Since the sensation in hands really varies from person to person, I ultimately want you to choose the one that feels right for you.

▶ Next —— The story of how the switch compass came to be.

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After using the thumb compass for a long time, I start to notice something.

As long as I'm running while looking at the map, the compass is also in my hand. The problem is the moment I take my hand away from the map. Adventure racing is long. There are many things to do. Eating snacks. Pushing through the underbrush. Crossing streams, shooting pheasants.

🏔️ Mountaineering and Outdoor Terminology Trivia: "To shoot a pheasant" refers to men, while "to pick flowers" refers to women, both being euphemisms for relieving oneself outdoors. These terms are commonly used in the mountaineering and adventure community.

In such situations, there inevitably comes a moment when the palm relaxes. Every time my focus drifts away from the compass, I can't help but wonder, "Is the compass okay?" I've actually dropped the thumb compass multiple times, and I've picked up one that someone else dropped. In winter, when putting it on over gloves, I never know when it might fall off. If it slips off my thumb, I probably won't even notice. If I tighten the rubber band out of anxiety, then my thumb starts to lose circulation. During orienteering in minus 20 degrees in Chicago, I pulled out a plate compass for the first time in a while.

This state of "always being concerned" can hit you like a body blow during a long race.

The concept of the switch compass itself is simple. When running and reading a map, it's a thumb compass. When I don't want to think about the compass, I slide it to the back of my hand to switch to a wrist compass. The structure, where the rubber band wraps around the wrist and thumb, means there's no anxiety about dropping it in a moment of distraction. This alone makes a huge difference.

It sounds simple when put into words, but as far as I could find, this type of compass was nowhere to be found in the world. It's neither a thumb compass nor a wrist compass, but can switch back and forth between the two. As an adventure racer and garage brand, I was able to evolve the thumb compass for adventure racing. I personally like it.

If I were to try to make this from the start with mold forming, the initial costs would be high, and just changing the design by 1mm could lead to months of significant costs. With the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon, I can test what I noticed during races or training on the same day. As someone who has spent 16 years as an engineer, constantly cycling through "design → prototyping → verification," this speed is irreplaceable elsewhere. The materials are optimized for strength, flexibility, and weather resistance by using PLA, ABS, and ASA according to the parts' applications. Additionally, we offer a personalization service unique to 3D printing.

The switch compass has finally reached its current form after numerous improvements. In 2026, based on all the trial and error so far, I decided to request mold production and OEM production from KanPas. A double-name version of "KanPas × KATANA Adventure" is scheduled to be released at the end of May. Because I struggled with the 3D printer, I can confidently hand over a form to the mold. The scale ruler is also planned to evolve from 5mm increments to 1mm increments.

The current switch compass has been reached after dozens of versions.

The switch compass was made for adventure racing, but it is also recommended for long competitions like OMM and rogaining. In fact, it has a track record of winning the OMM Straight Elite consecutively, and Mr. Daiki Yanagishita, known as the "Emperor of Rogaining," also uses it. OMM is a two-day non-stop mountain race, and rogaining is a competition where many checkpoints are visited within a time limit, both requiring the compass to be used for extended periods.

📸 ★★★★★ Review by Hiroshi Yanagishita (from KATANA Adventure Shopify store)

View the product page for the switch compass →

▶ Finally —— I'll summarize how to choose by use.

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Based on the discussion so far, I'll summarize by use.