Triathlon is a very intensive exercise that requires so much energy and power. If you have ever tried this kind of sport before, you probably know how intensive it’s. Want to start such an intensive workout? There are some things that can help you a lot and leverage your training. Triathlon watches with GPS are watches designed especially for these sports. The watches can track three types of sports, swimming, running, and cycling. These are the sports included in a triathlon race.
Buying one of these GPS watches for a triathlon can help you track your performance while you’re training for the race so you can do well in competitions. Also, even if you’re just an amateur and want to do different sports, you can use these watches to record all your data and compare today with yesterday to know if you’re on the right track. Check out this list of the 13 best triathlon watches with GPS to know how to choose a suitable watch for you with all the features you might need in your exercise.
Table of contents
- Suunto Spartan Ultra
- Polar Grit X Pro
- Garmin Forerunner® 955 Solar
- Garmin Venu 2 Plus
- Suunto 9 Multisport
- Garmin vívoactive Black
- COROS PACE 2 Premium
- SUUNTO 9 Peak
- Fitbit Versa 4
- Amazfit GTS 4
- Garmin Instinct Solar
- Garmin fenix 6X Pro Solar
- Amazfit Bip U Pro
- Our Verdict!
- How To Choose The Best Triathlon Watches with GPS?
- Can anyone compete in triathlon races?
- Are triathlon watches with GPS worth it?
- Can I use a smartwatch for a triathlon?
Suunto Spartan Ultra
13
With an amazing touchscreen, Suunto Spartan Ultra has a lot to enjoy as a GPS watch for triathletes. The display is so easy and intuitive to understand and use. It’s also vibrant with bright colors and high resolution, so it’s a preferable option for tech-savvies. Further, the GPS accuracy is perfect; you can rely on the watch blindly to know how many miles you ran, swam, or cycled. The body of the watch is similarly amazing. It’s made of steel in addition to titanium; those materials are used for the bezel. Thus, it’s a withstanding watch that triathletes surely need. Not to forget the sapphire glass used on top of the bezel to complement the rugged package.
Pros
- It has lots of built-in sports modes
- It’s made of high-quality materials for a rugged construction
- The GPS is very accurate
Cons
- It isn’t compatible with all smartphones
Buy on:
Polar Grit X Pro
12
Since you’re here now, we know you’re interested in all three sports of triathlon. However, most people have a top-of-all sport. If it’s the case for you, and running is your top sport, then you should try Polar Grit X Pro. It has one of the most accurate GPS features among all GPS watches for running. It’s also packed with performance metrics to take your training up to the next level. Contrary to the previous watch, this one doesn’t have a high-quality display. It isn’t a bad display, but not the best considering that the watch is expensive. So, we believe they should’ve done better in maintaining the quality. One other selling point of this watch is its battery life. You might not need to recharge the watch for two days of intensive training and races.
Pros
- The watch has a very good battery life
- It has one of the best GPS and other performance features
- It looks elegant and smart
Cons
- The watch display can be better in terms of the quality
Buy on:
Garmin Forerunner® 955 Solar
11
Some people can use any GPS watch for a triathlon. However, others won’t be satisfied without the best quality and craftsmanship. If you’re one of those people, Garmin Forerunner® 955 Solar is your first option. This watch is tailored for triathletes. It has all the features you might need for running, swimming, and cycling. The top interesting point of this watch is the ability to recharge it using solar energy. Thus, you can use your watch outdoors and recharge it even if there is no power bank between your hands.
If you aren’t new to running or swimming, you probably know Garmin watches. And if you have owned one of them before, you mostly know how functional they’re. This model is new with all the exciting features of Garmin watches and many more. You’ll get personalized training suggestions based on the metrics the watch saved before. Also you’ll also get a training readiness score based on your last night’s sleep. Thus, it’s preferable to wear the watch all day. Need more info about the watch? Check out this video review on YouTube by The Run Testers.
Pros
- The watch is tailored for triathletes
- It has lots of personalized features, such as personalized training suggestions
- It recharges with solar energy
Cons
- Although it’s packed with features, the battery life wasn’t upgraded to suffice these features
Buy on:
Garmin Venu 2 Plus
10
You don’t have to get a smartwatch and a GPS watch for triathletes if you have the option to get both in one watch. Garmin Venu 2 Plus offers both in one product as you have all the features of a triathlete GPS watch and a smartwatch as well. For example, you can track your running and exercise progress, record and store your data, use GPS to know the possible tracks, and also monitor your sleep and overall health status. Further, you can connect the watch to your smartphone to receive notifications and answer telephone calls without the need to use the mobile itself.
Apart from that, there is a nice option for those who want to enjoy their training by listening to their favorite tracks while running or cycling. The watch comes with a storage capacity that can hold up to 650 tracks. You might also stream tracks and songs online using the cellular data of your mobile phone.
Pros
- It has lots of features, including some golf-specific features
- It can be used as a smartwatch and paired with your smartphone
- The watch comes with a large internal memory
Cons
- The watch is a bit expensive when compared to other similar watches
Buy on:
Suunto 9 Multisport
9
As the name suggests, Suunto 9 Multisport is a GPS watch that can be used for several sports. Hence, it can be a great GPS watch for triathletes. We all know that this kind of sport takes a long time, so the first thing most people look for is battery life. This watch does a great job in terms of the battery. It can work for up to 120 hours. On top of that, there are three battery modes in case you want to save the battery. Each mode is designed to operate certain features according to the battery life.
Moreover, there is a dedicated App for this watch named Movescount App. This app lets you import GPS maps and tracks to use while exercising. Also, the app will give you access to 80 sports modes, including dedicated modes for running, swimming, and cycling.
Pros
- The battery is very good and works up to 120 hours
- There are different pre-defined sports modes and battery modes
- Using the App, you’ll get access to more features
Cons
- The resolution of the display is a bit poor quality
Buy on:
Garmin vívoactive Black
8
Garmin vívoactive Black is another high-quality and comprehensive Garmin GPS watch to rely on for your triathlon training. The watch looks sleek and smart. It has a rectangular display to resemble a smartwatch. Although using the watch isn’t the easiest, you can still get a lot from this watch. The first thing you need to do is to choose the sport you’re doing now. It has different options, namely running, swimming, cycling, walking, and golf. After choosing the sport, you’ll need to set the metrics and data you want to record using the watch. You might need to read the manual or watch a tutorial first if you find it difficult to move around and set different features.
Let’s talk a little bit about the display of the watch. It’s a very high-quality display which isn’t something strange or unpredictable from Garmin. The display is easily readable even on the sunniest days. Also, since it’s a rectangular display, it’s wider than round ones and easier to navigate through the features. This watch is made to live for years, so don’t hesitate to invest in such a watch.
Pros
- The watch has different built-in sports modes
- The screen is readable in bright sunlight
- You can customize the home screen
Cons
- It isn’t the most user-friendly option
Buy on:
COROS PACE 2 Premium
7
Best value for money. Having a lightweight watch for a triathlon is one of the top features you should be looking for, as you don’t want to add weight while running, swimming, or cycling. COROS PACE 2 Premium offers this kind of lightweight watch without losing any features or even quality. Moreover, it’s sold at a very good price, so it’s a bargain that’s worth looking at.
Looking at the offered features, this watch has an accurate GPS, a heart rate metric, an oxygen level metric, and a sleep monitor. Also, it has a built-in barometric altimeter and an accelerometer. You might also want to track the number of calories burnt in each exercise, so this is also available on the watch. All of these features and many more at a price you can’t beat make the best deal for the year.
Pros
- The watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear
- The price is unbeatable
- There are different features and metrics
Cons
- Some of the metrics aren’t very accurate
Buy on:
SUUNTO 9 Peak
6
Take your training up to the next level using this SUUNTO 9 Peak GPS watch for triathlon. But first, you need to choose one of the available options, whether it’s the peak only, the peak pro, the peak titanium, or the peak pro titanium option. Note that everything comes with a price, and the watch is already expensive. Thus, if you’re ready to pay for the quality, this watch is for you.
Since you’re going to pay a lot, you should expect better quality and features. This is the case in this improved SUUNTO model. The display itself and the overall shape of the watch is improved. It looks sleeker, and the touchscreen has better responsiveness than the previous models. Moreover, the strap itself is improved to become more comfortable and breathable. About the features, the battery life is better, with up to 25 hours of full operation in GPS mode. Also, everything is controllable using the watch, even the volume up and down controls when you use the watch to listen to music. This YouTube review video is the best one to watch to know all about the available features of the watch.
Pros
- There are different models and colors of this watch
- The battery life is one of the best
- The watch is lightweight and comfortable
- It also looks very elegant and chic
Cons
- You’ll pay a lot to get this watch
Buy on:
Fitbit Versa 4
5
Looking for cheap GPS running watches without losing many features? Fitbit Versa 4 will satisfy your needs as you can get this watch at a price under $200. This is a great price considering the number of features and sports modes the watch offers. With this model, you’ll get access to around 40 exercise modes. We know this is around half the number of sports you’ll get from something like SUUNTO 9. However, you won’t need more than those 40 modes for a triathlon race.
Further, you can get access to more features such as the workout intensity map, readiness score, recovery features, and many more. Yet, some of these features need a subscription. You can give them a try for six months once you buy the watch. We also loved the colors of the straps, especially pink and blue ones. They look so inviting and can add a lot to sports outfits.
Pros
- The watch is sold at a cheap price
- You can receive calls on the watch when connected to your phone via Bluetooth
- You can use Alexa to access all the features easily
Cons
- Some features need a subscription
Buy on:
Amazfit GTS 4
4
Best for lightweight and size. Amazfit GTS 4 is a small and lightweight watch that looks very sleek around your waist. However, it’s full of amazing features and all that you might think of for the longest triathlon race ever. The watch has a long battery life. This wasn’t actually expected for such a small watch. Also, it’s a very cheap smart GPS watch.
As a smartwatch, it has Alexa AI technology to talk to the watch and choose which notifications you want to receive on display. Also, the watch is capable of measuring your heart rate, sleep cycles, and stress level. You also have around 120 sports modes for different sports, including those related to triathlon. Best of all, this watch is available in different colors, and it’s a unisex option.
Pros
- The price is unbeatable
- The size of the watch is small, and it’s lightweight too
- There are around 120 sports modes
Cons
- The software needs some fixing
Buy on:
Garmin Instinct Solar
3
Best quality. Garmin Instinct Solar is the best GPS watch for triathletes you can get with this quality and craftsmanship. Since it’s a Garmin watch, ensure that you’ll be paying for a product that lives. The watch is made of the best materials ever, graded for military standard 810 against heat, water, and shocks. Hence, you can use it for almost all outdoor activities you might think of. Not to forget that the screen supports night vision.
On the other side, the watch recharges with solar energy. Also, it has several health features, such as measuring the pulse OX, monitoring sleep, measuring stress, and giving an overall view of your health based on this data. You might want to check this YouTube review video to know more about the watch. Apart from that, we believe the watch is sold at a competitive price considering all these features.
Pros
- The watch is made of good quality material
- There are a lot of health features
- It supports different satellite navigation systems
Cons
- It looks so bulky and a bit heavyweight
Buy on:
Garmin fenix 6X Pro Solar
2
Looking for the best Garmin GPS watch for running and other exercises that recharge with solar energy? Here you’re Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar coming in different color options, including black, white, orange, and gray straps. It isn’t only about the color or the recharging method that makes it a top GPS watch for triathletes but also the number of features.
First, it supports three satellite navigation systems to accurately determine the location. Also, you can map the roads and tracks before training using the GPS, so you know what you’re up to before training. Moreover, you can download music on the watch and listen to your favorite songs while training; you don’t have to connect to any WiFi or cellular data to do so. The watch will also act as your personalized trainer, telling you the recommended exercises and training duration based on the data it saves.
Pros
- The watch supports three satellite systems
- It recharges with solar energy, and the battery life is acceptable
- You can download music to the watch
Cons
- Some of the features aren’t very accurate such as the heart rate and OX
Buy on:
Amazfit Bip U Pro
1
Best technology. The most important features you need in a GPS watch for triathletes are performance tracking and using the GPS to measure distances. Amazfit Bip U Pro provides these features at the lowest price you might see in addition to working with the smartest technologies ever. You have a smart device around your wrist to pair with every other smart device in your home and get control of everything at a distance.
This model from Amazfit has all the tracking metrics and features you need. It has 60 sports modes, and it’s rated 5 ATM water resistant. As for the battery life, it’s quite acceptable. It works for up to a week without the need to recharge at all. You can also set the watch to receive notifications, set the alarm, check the weather, and do everything you can do with an Apple watch or any other smartwatch. No wonder why many people prefer this small watch for everyday wear and for sports as well.
Pros
- The watch is very lightweight and small in size
- It has lots of smartwatch features in addition to other metrics
- The battery life is perfect
- It uses AI technology, and it can connect to other smart devices
Cons
- Some features aren’t the easiest to set
Buy on:
Our Verdict!
Triathlon watches with GPS have many features and qualities. However, there is a number of watches with top qualities you can opt for if you’re looking for a certain quality. Here are the best four considering these qualities.
- Best value for money: COROS PACE 2 Premium
- Best for lightweight: Amazfit GTS 4
- Best quality: Garmin Instinct Solar
- Best technology: Amazfit Bip U Pro
How To Choose The Best Triathlon Watches with GPS?
When choosing a GPS watch for triathletes, you need to look for some features and consider them as a priority more than anything else. In this buying guide, we’ll give you some tips and tricks to know how to choose a suitable triathlon watch with GPS.
Performance metrics
Since it’s a watch intended to be used in three sports, you need to ensure it has the metrics and features to track your performance in these sports. The main metrics are measuring the steps while running, the distance while swimming, and the distance you cycle every round. Also, the watch has to include measures for the heart rate and oxygen level to ensure your health is good and you can continue exercising.
Battery level
A triathlon race might take as long as 90 minutes. However, to train for such a race, you’ll take hours, so, you should make sure the watch can work for these hours without needing to recharge it every now and then. So, look for GPS watches for triathletes with the longest battery life. There are plenty of options mentioned above, so take a look at them.
Body of the watch
Finally, and needless to say, the watch should be water-resistant. Water resistance is measured by ATM. Look for something not less than 5 ATMs. Further, look for a solid, rugged watch that doesn’t scratch easily. However, don’t go for heavy watches as they might annoy you while running or doing other sports.
Can anyone compete in triathlon races?
Similar to any other sport, it needs training and too much work to become a triathlete. However, you can do the three sports of triathlon alone for leisure and use one of the triathlon GPS watches to track your performance.
Are triathlon watches with GPS worth it?
Certainly, yes, especially for professional triathletes. The accuracy of the GPS and the performance metrics will save you a lot of time and effort in saving your data and measuring your performance.
Can I use a smartwatch for a triathlon?
Smartwatches can measure the distances and the steps you run. However, they don’t have an accurate GPS to view the indoor and outdoor tracks. So, if you’re interested, go for the watches made specifically for triathletes.