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
$469.00 in stock
6 used from $389.95
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
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
$262.99 in stock
5 used from $169.99
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
1 used from $272.64
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
$42.00 in stock
1 used from $26.89
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.
