The best GPS watches for running, fitness and trekking

Are you looking for the best GPS sports watches for running, swimming, or cycling? Are you looking for a good activity monitor? Here are some very interesting multi-sport watches, perfect for recording all kinds of workouts.

Having a good heart rate monitor for running, swimming or cycling is essential. And the increasing popularity of smartwatches and activity bracelets has not taken away the interest that runners may have in getting GPS watches for running (or for swimming and cycling) with a heart rate monitor. Since normally these devices have very advanced and specific features that we will not find in smartwatches. 

Having a heart rate monitor and a GPS on your wrist has never been so easy. We also select the best cheap sports watches, but they maintain a good quality price.

It’s also clear that there isn’t a single GPS watch for running (and other sports) that is best for everyone. It will depend on your needs and many times it will be somewhat difficult to find the best option.

Some are expensive, others are more affordable, most have GPS, and a few have full maps. We will also find a few that monitor heart rate and others that can even be used in swimming, cycling or skiing.

However, we have decided to make things easy for you. For that, we have reviewed and selected the best GPS watches for running on the market.

Top 8 best GPS watches for runners on the market

When it comes to doing sports there is no better companion than a practical GPS watch. It is useful not only for running, but for all types of disciplines. The market for these devices is really very large, which is why we thought of creating a quick purchase guide for you. This guide will allow you to find out immediately which are the best models. Let’s start immediately!

Garmin Forerunner 735XT Multisport Watch

Are you looking for the best GPS running watch? We offer you the fantastic Garmin model, among the most exceptional on the market. The GPS watch Garmin Forerunner 735XT is ideal for a variety of sports, as it offers Garmin Elevate technology for cardio detection on the wrist. Its sensitive LED sensor will offer you a 24/7 measurement without the need for a chest strap. So you will have constant monitoring in all phases of the race and sport you are practicing.

It will be ideal for outdoor sports, as it has GPS / GLONASS satellite tracking. Therefore, it is classified as the best smartwatch for triathlon, block training, and multisport. In fact, it has several functions, including the ability to switch from one sport to another without any problems and efficiently and quickly.

You can combine it with an HRM-Tri or HRM-Swim band, to always monitor your heart rate, even in the water, giving you the opportunity to manage cardio intervals during your workout. It is not over here, since it is the best smartwatch even if you are a cyclist and you can set up targeted workouts. Finally, you can view all the notifications of your smartphone in real-time directly from the clock display.

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Garmin Forerunner 235 GPS Running Watch

Do you like always having the best from the products you buy, especially the technological ones for running and walking? The GPS sports watch is an ideal choice for those who practice running, because it has many options that allow you to view your pace, distance, time, and intervals, directly from the smartwatch. He is then able to estimate the maximum VO2, the forecasts for the races, Interval Training, without ever having to wear any band.

Of course, among the many functions available to you there is the possibility to view each notification of your smartphone directly from the display, including calls and SMS, to stay connected. Even the Virtual Partner will accompany you step by step in the race, as if there was another runner next to you. You will have a weather widget, which uses the Internet connection of your smartphone. It will send you weather notifications and useful forecasts.

The new heart rate detection technology will allow you to practice running without the need for a chest strap or for heart rate measurement. In addition, the value for money of the Garmin watch is truly exceptional. That is why there are many users who consider it one of the best on the market.

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Polar M430 GPS Running Watches

Do you want a GPS watch for different sports and not just for running? Among the best GPS running watches, there is the Polar M430, a perfect model for runners who practice many other sports.

M430 detects your heart rate, so you have real-time monitoring during training. It has an integrated GPS that detects roads, routes, races, and altitudes, including an energy-saving function with 30 hours of autonomy. You will have everything you need directly on your wrist.

With this clock, you can set alarms or notifications with vibrations. It has an accelerometer, which will calculate you in all its speed and distance, to have everything you need to monitor yourself while you train.

The connectivity of the Polar M430 watch is effective via Bluetooth, so it will be able to connect with your other electronic devices while you are running or running another sport. You can connect your Bluetooth headphones, for example. All smartphone notifications will arrive on the watch, to keep you always in step with the times and what is around you.

Thanks to its perfect versatility, as well as its waterproofness, you can use it for many other sports, so you can always monitor your activities, even while you sleep.

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Garmin Forerunner 35

The Forerunner 35 model is the best GPS running watch ideal for those who also think about aesthetics.

The Forerunner 35 is a GPS watch that records all your progress, allowing you to share it through social networks with the LiveTrack function, so as to have information on your performance while running. It is a precise watch that you can wear during the day, monitor your heart rate minute by minute, measure the calories lost in each exercise and race.

There are many preset features, suitable for many sports such as running, cycling, or even being able to monitor your sleep while you rest. One of the most important functions, in this case, is that if you are resting for a long time, the GPS watch will warn you to pick up the pace. It is easy to handle, light and very beautiful. You can use it all day, if you wish and even in the evening for a more elegant outing.

It has a compact and elegant design that corresponds to the latest sports fashion trends, which is what the most demanding runners need, both while training and during everyday life. Its screen allows you to see perfectly in any type of light, both inside and outside.

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SUUNTO Ambit3 GPS Running Watches

If you are a runner who needs precise performance information, you must select one of the best GPS running watches, perfect for intensive training.

Ambit3 records, saves and shares all your movements during the race. You just have to program what you need and you will have everything under control. It has the Suunto Smart Sensor which acts as a heart rate monitor, even while swimming both in the pool and at the seaside in the summer, to be always aware of your sporting progress. Frequency ranges can be created, so you can analyze performance through real-time projected graphs.

It has an integrated GPS that saves the route and allows you to always know where you are, even if you are away from home. Obviously, he is able to measure distance, pace and altitude. If you always wear this GPS watch, you will have 24-hour monitoring, including during sleep, with daily or weekly reports of the activities carried out.

User opinions and reviews indicate that it is a durable and super versatile GPS watch, as it measures the performance of different sports, primarily running.

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Suunto Core Sport

Are you one of the people who like to practice outdoor sports? If so, you can take advantage of one of the best GPS running watches, designed specifically for outdoor sports.

Suunto Core Sport is a perfect GPS watch for mountain hiking, as it provides you with the features of an altimeter, barometer, and even a compass with weather data, the best for walking. Get ready to discover new places with the best ally for running and hiking on your wrist.

Obviously, you can use it anywhere, even in the water, up to 30 meters, for swimming in the pool or at the seaside in summer. You will undoubtedly love its snorkeling depth gauge, a feature that very few watches have on the market.

The GPS watch is robust, its casing is designed for extreme activities where durability is needed, although its design is modern and attractive. The strap is plastic, super durable, and comfortable and you won’t even notice you are wearing it. You can bring it with your hiking, racing or, why not, even on an ordinary day. It features a menu where you can select from 4 languages, adapting to the most demanding users.

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Samsung Gear S3

The Samsung Galaxy Gear S3 is a GPS watch characterized by excellent value for money, which repays every penny spent on functionality and versatility. Starting with the integrated heart rate monitor, to measure your heart rate simply thanks to the contact with your wrist.

This Gear S3 is a real jewel of technology. It is equipped with many sensors that will improve not only your sporting experience, but also your everyday life. You can take advantage of the gyroscope and accelerometer for various features such as speed measurement and barometer to monitor atmospheric pressure.

Another area where this GPS watch particularly stands out is connectivity. The Gear S3 is in fact equipped even with integrated LTE, allowing you to insert a SIM to take advantage of internet connectivity even without your smartphone. In addition, you can connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth and NFC, for a perfect integration between your devices. To conclude, the 380 mAh battery is also excellent, guaranteeing approximately 3 days of autonomy.

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Apple Watch Series 5

If you are an Apple iPhone user, Apple Watch offers a first-class smartwatch experience. The Nike + version of the watch has been designed for runners, although the only truly unique options are the strap and watch faces of the Nike Running App. Otherwise, Apple Watch provides you with wrist-based heart rate tracking and GPS, returning accurate results.

The run metrics are not as comprehensive as what you will get from the other devices on this list. But if you just look for the basic run track, Apple Watch will do it for you, while giving you the advantage of a full watch experience.

The latest Nike + Apple Watch is the Series 5. So there is a larger screen than previous models and an additional electric heart rate sensor on the crown. There is also the option of wireless connectivity. So you can stay connected without your phone when you are away from home. That means you can stream music without a phone or send messages to keep people from worrying when you’re in an epic long-term career. This is a very good gift for runners.

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Factors to consider when buying a GPS running watch

The wide variety of GPS running watches makes it difficult to select one to use to record the performance of your workout, especially in the case of running. To choose the best for you it is important to consider a series of factors, suitable for you to choose the watch that will fully satisfy your every need.

Accuracy in measurements

The best GPS running watch is characterized by the accuracy of each of the data it records. So it is important to verify that the watch is equipped with optical sensors, position updates, and heart rate monitors. They are fundamental elements, because, for example, the recording of indicators must allow you to have statistics that you can compare in the future, to improve your training or in case of health problems.

Preloaded profiles

The watches designed for running have sport profiles with all the parameters to control and monitor the performance of your workouts. It is the best feature for amateurs or professional runners. Just select the profile of your favorite sport and you will have the advice worthy of a personal trainer.

There is also the possibility of creating customized profiles tailored to the needs of users in some watches. This allows you to share your results on the social networks or communities of your liking or to have an ideal profile for the series of sports you practice.

Altitude measurements

Some running watches offer you an accurate measurement of the height of the path you are taking during training. This is vital if you practice mountaineering, cycling or hiking for example. The more precise watches use a combination of GPS with a barometric altimeter, but obviously, it will reflect on its price.

Functions included

You can enjoy multiple extra features, many of which you have already seen in the watches included in our comparison. The pedometer for example is important for professional training, especially if you want to monitor the distance traveled and the calories burned. This function can be replaced to some extent by an accelerometer, which will allow you to measure your steps per minute.

Another interesting feature is the possibility to connect the watch to your phone, so as to be notified in real-time of the presence of notifications, such as messages, calls, or SMS. You can also come across features such as controlling your smartphone’s music or even taking photos. For those who love walking in the mountains, there are watches with a compass included over the GPS.

Battery life

The battery of GPS watches translates into autonomy during the sport you practice. So it must be a determining element when selecting a smartwatch. You need to check the battery’s performance whether you are using GPS or in its absence. The performance in the first case will obviously be reduced, but it must be long enough to allow you to practice your sport without problems.

Which solution to choose between GPS running watches or GPS running app?

Which solution to choose for running? A GPS app or a GPS watch? In the Apple and Google App Store, you can find many GPS apps for Android and iPhone for running / fitness activities. This is a much cheaper solution because it requires a free app, a sports armband, and possibly a sports helmet.

So, do we need a GPS watch and is it really useful to run? Yes because it offers some distinct advantages.

Follow each phase of your training

That’s all for now, friends. At the end of our ranking and buying guide, you have all the elements at your disposal to find the model suitable for you among the best GPS running watches on the market. Practice running or any other sport without problems, in a competitive or less competitive way, and keep track of your training and your health. So you can always have performances worthy of a professional.

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