Running watches - wants everyone opinions

[jtr22]

I have a very old garmin vivioactiv, wondering wether to upgrade. I've been looking at Apple, garmin, Fitbit. Anyone have any experience or recommendations of what works well and what doesn't x

[madaboutrunning]

I'm a Garmin fan. The 235 is my favourite as it can be used for several sports, but I know quite a few people who have the 35 and like it. I think Garmin records running more accurately than a Fitbit can, and I'm aware that some people find the Apple watches difficult to use.

[Richlyfruited]

I've just got a Garmin 35 and it's great! Quite a few of us have them in my running group. Very simple to use and seems very accurate.

No experience of any other makes to compare but I would definitely recommend.

[Sammy867]

The garmin 645 with music is currently in Argos for £200. Slightly older than the newer 245 but is a higher model and has all the things you need plus more. Everywhere else it’s still £300.

[Lellochip]

I've got a vivoactive 3 and love it, the only thing it's missing is music storage but the newer models now have this. I wear it all the time so wanted something better looking than a Fitbit, and never looked into Apple

[crummyusername]

Love the Garmin 245 (came out earlier this year). I didn’t bother with the music version as I always have my phone with me anyway and heard it’s a faff to upload.

[AuntieStella]

I stuck simple and have a Garmin 35

Occasionally wish I'd gone for one of the ones which logs more types of sport (rather than ending up having to stick everything that's not running, walking or cycling as 'cardio') but not enough to get round to actually changing. Because it does what I want (shows me what pace I'm moving at, nice and clearly, during a run. Then gives all sorts of other data to examine afterwards

[OverByYer]

Another vote for vivoactive 3. Love mine

[Strandliv]

I just got a polar ignite and I love it. It’s a multi sport watch, but I’ve done some running with it and gps wise seems pretty good. For the price it’s fantastic. I am a data nerd and love the polar flow app.

[DiscoMoo]

I’ve got a vivoactive 3 which I love. I’d always go for Garmin. Fitbits can be unreliable when measuring distance run, and Apple watches are notorious for under measuring (I have a friend with one and over a 10 mile run she’s under measured by .75 of a mile!)

[Blue5238]

Fitbits and apple watch aren't really specialised running watches.
If you want it for running go with garmin, polar or suunto. I love my garmin fenix 5 but I run a lot and do other sports too. What do you want it to do?
DCRainmaker does excellent unbiased reviews of running watches etc

[KatharinaRosalie]

if you just want a runnig watch, Garmin 35 is great for the job.
I just got myself the Captain Marvel edition as an upgrade, as I also do other sports - but no complaints about the 35 from running perspective.

[Brimful]

I had a Garmin 235 but hated it. It was glitchy though, but the buttons were annoying too, so I returned it for a vivoactive 3 (with Music version) and I love it! Great to track my runs, gym workouts and yoga sessions. Connects via Bluetooth to my headphones. Highly recommend :)

[Fere]

I just read that you can also listen to your Audible on Garmin 645

[ferretface]

Vivoactive 4s here, previously I had a Fitbit Ionic (which has standalone GPS) which I also liked, it suddenly died though :(

[Blueberryblueberry]

Garmin 235 here and it's great. Use for running and cycling. Had a Fitbit before and found it often didn't connect and wasn't very accurate. I quite like that I can pace myself and can set splits etc

[KatharinaRosalie]

Can report that the Garmin Captain Marvel is a great watch. Tracks everything, also good for multisports. Can put music on it and use with bloetooth cordless headphones.

[Panda368]

Garmin vivoactive. No contest