Keep the compass near you or place it safely in your pocket with a carrying case, so you can keep your hands gripped on the mountain you are scaling. It is made with high-quality material stainless steel and comes in black. They generally use a needle to indicate the direction of the north and prove to be invaluable when in the wilderness or out at sea. It comes with a large font size, is easy to read, and is ideal for locating positions on a map or in the field.