Best sports watch?

[whoami24601]

I currently have a Garmin forerunner 35 which has been a great watch, but is looking a little tired (and the straps are superglued on!) So I'm looking to upgrade.

Sports watches have come a long way since I bought this so I'd like to upgrade to something that looks a little bit more like an actual watch but has all the capabilities of the one I've got.

I thought I'd settled on Vivoactive 5 but read mixed reviews so now I'm not sure!

It needs to have GPS and measure altitude. Also want basics like steps tracking etc and want it to have changeable straps.

I'm not wedded to Garmin but I have an android phone so nothing Apple and I do like their app.

Price point around £200 if that's possible? I've been googling all day and my head is fried 😩

Noone at all? I need help 😫

Anyone?

Garmins are the best. I love my Forerunner 265.

265 looks nice but it is a bit out of my price range! Is there an alternative or older version? I've seen the 255 but that still looks quite sports watch ish

I’ve got the 255 and it’s great, and all the time I had my Apple i grumbled that I missed garmin

I love my Forerunner but I was hoping for something a little more stylish maybe? The 255 reminds me of the old Casio watches (remember them?) I'd really like something a little more delicate looking but maybe I will have to compromise somewhere! Spend more/ too sporty/ not enough features! I was hoping there was something that had the features and the style.

Haha that is always my gripe with garmin, they work brilliantly and do everything I want them to but my god they’re ugly

Have a look at Suunto. https://www.suunto.com/en-gb/

I have the Lily 2 because it looks most like a “real” watch. Although as a Garmin user, I’m assuming you know the Lily 2 already…

Ooh I did not know about the Lily 2! Is it good for running? If so that looks perfect! Bit overbudget but might be worth splashing out..

I love my vivoactive 5 for everything except it’s got a really really annoying feature that it is very very easy to accidentally stop an activity and then it saves and won’t let you restart. If you’re a fan of long hikes/bike rides/longer runs where you might pause it and it would annoy you to have them split I would probably avoid. Other than that I love it though!

I haven’t been running for years, so I’m unsure on the performance there. It works perfectly for HIIT and weightlifting workouts IME. (And walking.)

I love my vivoactive 5.

I like the look of the Lily 2 but I think the vivoactive has better features and is a little cheaper. Win win!

I have the forerunner 245 so probably cheaper, I bought it in 2022 and it’s still absolutely great! So a v good investment really. Good at tracking exercise - I mainly run, but have tracked cycling, walks and cardio, does loads of other fancy stuff. Good luck!

The Lily 2 Active is what you want I think.
Detailed review here: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/10/garmin-lily-2-active-with-gps-review.html

Lily 2 hasn't got GPS build in, Lily 2 Active has.

OK I've ordered the Vivoactive 5. I think the Lily 2 active is aesthetically more pleasing, but for the extra money I'd expect a better watch. On balance I'm not willing to pay more for looks. Will report back how I find it!

@whoami24601so how is the vivoactive? What colour did you go for? Considering one myself

I love it! Its exactly perfect for what i need but i don't think I've figured out all of the features yet! I went for white but bought an extra strap from amazon in a different colour - a stretchy one that is better for sports but I use it all the time. I'd definitely recommend it.