A triathlon is a multisport race with three continuous races. The most common form may include swimming, running and cycling. Because of all the action in a triathlon race, it is important to have a trusty watch that can help you track your performance and progress during training and especially in the race.
There are some fundamental features that a great triathlon watch must have: it has to be waterproof for the swimming race and swimming training, GPS to view how fast and how much you are biking, swimming or jogging, a heart rate monitor, and compatibility with your training log program. Additionally, a good triathlon GPS watch should be lightweight.
Check out the best triathlon GPS watches we could find!
1. GARMIN FORERUNNER 945
Garmin Forerunner 945, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch with Music, Black
Features
- Premium GPS running/triathlon smartwatch with music
- Download songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer (may require premium subscription with a third party music provider)
- Performance monitoring features include Vo2 Max and training status with adjustments for heat, altitude Acclimation status, training load focus, recovery time, and aerobic and anaerobic training effects
- Garmin Pay contactless payment solution (available for supported cards from participating banks) lets you make convenient payments with your watch so you can leave your cash and cards at home
- Full color, onboard maps guide you on your run so you never get lost during your workout
The Garmin Forerunner 945 is a premium GPS triathlon smartwatch that lets you enjoy your music by downloading your playlists from Deezer, Amazon Music or Spotify. It’s a great mood booster to get you in the right frame of mind while training or on the actual race.
It has performance monitoring features and training status with adjustments for altitude, heat, training load focus, aerobic and anaerobic training effects, and recovery time. It has onboard maps in full color to guide you on your run, as well as safety and tracking features that include incident detection that sends your real-time location to emergency contacts.
2. POLAR VANTAGE M
POLAR VANTAGE M –Advanced Running & Multisport Watch with GPS and Wrist-based Heart Rate (Lightweight Design & Latest Technology), White, Small
Features
- ULTRA-LONG BATTERY LIFE: Up to 30 hours of training time with GPS active. As a durable and waterproof watch, Vantage M stands up to your toughest training and grueling races.
- POLAR PRECISION PRIME SENSOR FUSION TECHNOLOGY: Accurate optical HR monitoring for 130+ sports including swimming and cycling. Automatically sync training data to Strava, TrainingPeaks, and more.
- TRAINING LOAD PRO & RECOVERY PRO: The Vantage M is the ultimate fitness and biking activity tracker; separating cardio, muscle and perceived load. Get a comprehensive view of how training sessions strain your body. Follow your recovery level and get insights into your sleep to avoid overtraining or injuries
- PERSONALIZE WITH YOUR OWN STYLE: With customizable fitness band options, tailor your lightweight Vantage M with replaceable wrist bands of multiple colors.
- MORE THAN A SWIM/BIKE/RUN WATCH: Together with the whole Polar ecosystem, Polar Vantage M forms a complete training solution for a pro athlete’s training.
GPS consumes battery life quicker than other apps on a smartwatch but with the Polar Vantage M, you’ll have a full 30-hour usage of GPS before recharging! Its long battery life makes it possible to optimize every feature at once without being limited by a short battery life.
As an ultimate fitness tracker, it separates different exercise loads into the cardio load, muscle load, and perceived load and records how your training affects your body. This watch is waterproof and has features that capture your swimming pace and stroke. It also has replaceable wristbands that are available in multiple colors to match your wardrobe!
3. GARMIN FORERUNNER
Garmin Forerunner 935 Running GPS Unit (Black)
Features
- Premium GPS running/triathlon watch with wrist based heart rate; Strap material: Silicone; Smartphone compatibility: iPhone, Android, Windows.Control Method:Application.Special Feature:Smarter Connections.Water Resistant: Yes
- Offers advanced running and multisport Features in a comfortable watch you can wear all day, and it only weighs 49 grams
- Provides elevation changes with a built in barometer; altimeter and electronic compass help you keep your bearings
- Evaluates your training status to indicate if you’re undertraining or overdoing it and offers additional performance monitoring Features
- Provides advanced dynamics for running, cycling and swimming, including ground contact time balance, stride length and more. Bezel Material: Fiber reinforced polymer
The Garmin Forerunner 935 is a premium GPS triathlon watch that has a wrist-based heart rate monitor in silicone strap. It is compatible with most smartphones running on iOS, Android, and Windows. It offers multisport features and has a built-in altimeter, barometer, and electronic compass, perfect for navigating your way in the terrain with just a quick glance on your wrist.
This watch can also evaluate your training by indicating performance records and advanced dynamics for swimming, running and cycling, including ground contact time balance, and stride length. It has a lightweight and comfortable feel even when worn for long periods of time. Garmin is a known brand for sports watches, and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint.
4. COROS APEX
Coros APEX Premium Multisport GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, 35h Full GPS Battery, Sapphire Glass, Barometer, ANT+ & BLE Connections, Strava & Training...
Features
- Titanium alloy bezel finish with sapphire glass
- Superior battery life with up to 30 days of regular use, 35 hours in full GPS mode and 100 hours in UltraMax GPS mode.
- Built-in Wrist-based heart rate monitor, barometer, altimeter, and compass. Water resistant up to 100 Meters/328 Feet
- Digital Knob for easy operation by allowing full control of the watch with a single finger.
- Industry leading GPS and distance tracking via GPS, GLONASS or BDS satellites and proprietary algorithms even in dense woods with direct integration with popular 3rd party training platforms like Strava, TrainingPeaks, Relive, Final Surge and Runalyze.
If you want a sports watch that’s built to last, the Coros Apex is certainly the cream of the crop. The bezel is made with highly durable titanium alloy and a sapphire glass protection to prevent scratches and dents, preserving its brand new look despite years of use.
This watch has a built-in wrist-based heart rate monitor, altimeter, barometer, and compass, all the essentials you’ll need for the next big race. For quick and easy control, simply turn the digital knob to operate and explore every feature. What’s more, it can last for up to 35 hours in full GPS mode! For everything it has to offer, it’s definitely no surprise why this sports watch is a customer-favorite.
5. SPECIAL MENTION: TIMEX IRONMAN
Timex Men's T5H591 Ironman Classic 30 Full-Size Black/Blue Resin Strap Watch
Features
- Adjustable black 16mm resin strap fits up to 8-inch wrist circumference
- 100-hour chronograph with 30-lap memory; 24-hour countdown timer
- 3 daily, weekday or weekend alarms; 24-hour military time mode; 2 time zones; day, date & month calendar
- Blue & black 38mm resin case with acrylic lens; gray digital display; Indiglo light-up watch dial
- Water resistant to 100m (330ft): in general, suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not diving
Go back to basics with the Timex Ironman Classic 30. This special edition collection by Timex is made especially for the Ironman Triathlon, possibly one of the most difficult one-day sporting events yet. The adjustable resin strap keeps a secure fit regardless of any movement, and it has the iconic Timex Indiglo backlight for you to check your watch in the dark.
This digital watch has a lightweight build and has a 100-meter water resistance to prevent water from seeping through the interior. It’s definitely a great choice for those looking for an affordable but durable watch made specifically for triathletes.
More more GPS watches, we urge you to check out our popular recommendations for golf GPS watches and GPS watches for hiking.
