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[[File:RunsWithGear.JPG|right|thumb|300px|As of Jan 2018, I don't normally run with quite this much gearm no longer actively reviewing watches, but my testing involves this page will remain accessible as a point in time reference. The "what to look for in a running watch" remains valid and I'd recommend understanding the limitations of GPS for running with multiple devices concurrently. For this run, I have; iPhone 5s (left arm), Garmin 310XT (left wrist), Garmin Fenix2 (left hand), Garmin 620 and 'd recommend checking out [[Basis Activity Trackerhttps://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-running-watch]] (right wrist), Pebble SmartWatch (right hand)for a fairly unbiased opinion, but you should read [[Best Running MP3 PlayerStryd| my favorite music player, the ClipZipreview of Stryd footpod]] (belt), Garmin Running Dynamics Heart Rate strap (chest), [[Best Running Headphones| as that remains one of the wonderful Koss Portapro headphones]], Garmin footpod most useful devices for measuring pace and temperature pod (on shoes, not shown)distance. I'm gathering GPS Accuracy data on the Fenix2 and iPhone 5s, with the 310XT would suggest avoiding "pseudo-marketing" sites that proport to being detailed reviews without providing any critical thinking. A good litmus test is to act as a sanity check, the 620 giving a what they say about [[CadenceGPS Accuracy]] alert and the Basis because I always wear – if they say "it's all good" then you'll know it's just marketing.]][[File:Best Watch.png|center|thumb|400px|This article flowchart is a concise simple guide to finding the best running watches available today at differing prices and functionalityright watch for you. As well Use it as recommendations for the best watch, I also have a few that are worth considering in spite of their flawsstarting point, and some read the detailed reviews to avoidunderstand if a watch is really right for you. For most runners my top choice is the {{Garmin 310XT}}, which is great value (Click for a larger version.)]] =What to Look for money and in a Running Watch=A modern running watch often has all the a huge number of features you, but I think it're likely s best to focus on its ability to needanswer these basic questions. If that* '''How far did I run?'''s too big and you want something more watch like, then This is probably the {{Garmin 610}} is greatkey feature that most runners are looking for, and it's often available refurbished at a great price. Also, consider using a [[Running With A Smartphone| Smartphone]]; if you already have one they are a cheap option and can have outstanding requires good [[GPS Accuracy]]. For How much the accuracy of a lighthearted look at watch will impact your running will depend on the course. Overall, most watchesdo pretty well in straight lines, check out [[If Running Watches were Sports Cars]]?=Upcoming Reviews=I have a Garmin 920XT and Polar M400 on pre-orderbut suffer when things get twisty.=Summary of Features=Here's My testing is a table of these features tough challenge for each of GPS, so it highlights the differences between the great and the watches I recommend (all have GPS)appalling. For details of With the meaning advent of each column see the reviews referenced in the table[[Stryd]] footpod that's far more accurate than GPS and doesn't require any calibration, Stryd support is now more important than GPS accuracy.{{:Best Running Watch-table}}There are several features to consider when looking for a runners watch. <div style="float:right;">__TOC__</div>* '''GPS.How fast am I running?''' GPS provides an easy measure of While you can work out your average pace from your distance and time, you'll often want to know how far fast you've runre currently running. Unfortunately, GPS is rather poor at answering this question, so you need a [[Stryd]] footpod, which or use [[Pace From A Footpod]] and a first-generation [[Footpod]]. An accurate indication of your current pace is critical important for your any training. While it is possible to map out program that requires running at a run afterwardsspecific pace, this tends to be tedious and is typically less accurate than GPSfor success in racing at many distances. However, * '''Where am I?''<span style='color:#FF0000It'>s not unreasonable to expect a GPS is not accurate enough enabled watch to tell you where you are or how to get back to display your current pace'''</span>the start. The Garmin 910XT, 310XT and 610 can Navigation varies from a simple compass needle showing the direction to return to the start to a display current pace from of the Foodpod while using GPS for distanceroute you've just run or a preloaded course. * '''GPS Accuracy.What's my cadence? '' I've A display of [[GPS Accuracy| Analyzed the Accuracy of GPS watchesCadence]], is a critical training tool and I've found that there newer watches are wide differences in accuracyable to use an internal accelerometer to provide Cadence without any accessories. The Other watches may need a [[Footpod]] or the newer Garmin 620 and Garmin 10 are especially poorwatches can use the running dynamics heart rate strap. InterestinglyA Cadence alert will help you stay in the right cadence range, adding and is a Footpod useful feature.There are several additional features to the 310XT improves their accuracy noticeably. you could consider, though I've not tested all d argue none are as important as the watches yet, but more devices will be added as time allowsabove questions. (My testing methodology requires me to run 100s of miles with each watch.)

** Note that the [[Heart Rate Monitor|Optical Heart Rate Monitoring]] of Garmin watches is more convenient, but does not as work very well. ** While the chest strap based monitoring is remarkably reliable as the Polar systems, you can have problems with chaffing and poor reception in some situations, but there are [[Garmin Fixing Heart Rate MonitoringMonitor Problems|things to can do to improve the Garmin HRM issuesFixes for Heart Rate Monitor Problems]].* '''Cadence'''. A display of [[Cadence]] is a critical training tool and newer watches are able to use an internal accelerometer to provide Cadence without any accessories. Other watches may need a Foodpod or the newer Garmin watches can use the running dynamics heart rate strap. A Cadence alert will help you stay in the right cadence range, and is a useful feature.

* '''Battery Life.''' How much battery life you need depends on how long you run for. It's best to have a watch that will last quite a bit longer than your longest run. I list the claimed battery life in my table, along with the results of my testing. For my tests, I do everything to maximize battery life without compromising GPS accuracy. That means normal GPS sampling frequency, but no backlight, no map display, and no button presses. I also ensure Bluetooth, WAAS and GLONAS are disabled. I don't test devices that I've had for a while, as the battery tends to degrade over time. * '''Charges On The Run'''. For ultrarunners, one option to use a watch for longer than the built in battery lasts is to charge the watch while running. This involves connecting the cable and carrying a USB battery pack. It's cumbersome, but it can work. A value of "Yes" means that the watch will accept charge while recording and displaying as usual. Some watches have a "yes" with a caveat, such as the display not functioning or difficulty in connecting the cable while wearing the watch. An asterisk after the yes indicates a Garmin device that needs to be set with the USB mode to "Garmin" not "Mass Storage". A value of "no" means that charging is impossible.

Choosing a watch for an ultramarathon requires some tradeoffs and there's no simple answer. The main factor is battery life, and some runners will want navigationas few watches can be relied on to lost more than 20 hours with GPS active. I think there are three main approaches to this problem:* The # [[Garmin 310XTCharge On The Run]]. This is a little cumbersome as you typically have to carry a battery pack and an adapter, or at least have them in your drop bag. Not all watches support [[Garmin 910XTCharge On The Run]], and [[Garmin Fenix 2]] will show an outline only a subset of them do so with reasonable convenience.# Use two watches. This is also rather inconvenient and expensive, though you may be able to use to cheaper watches rather than one more expensive watch. For the second part of your run , the second watch won't have your full time and allow distance, so you 'll need to load make a course outline to follownote from the first watch and do some math. (Doing math late in an ultra is as difficult as it sounds. )* The longest # Extended battery life. A number of watches allow you to reduce the GPS accuracy to gain greater battery life . This lack of accuracy can be offset by using the Stryd Footpod for the first part of the race (they claim that's available with good GPS is Stryd lasts 20 hours with the [[Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]]. If you need longer than 20 hours, which ) Another approach is common in 100 mile races, you end up with some compromises. * You can to turn the GPS off GPS entirely and use rely on a first generation [[Footpod]], in which boost the battery life of the [[Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]] to case many watches will last several days. Obviously you lose navigation and while While the accuracy of a first gen [[Footpod]] can be better than GPS, the Footpod does not do so well if you're taking [[Walking Breaks]] or running on twisty single track. * Some watches can extend the battery life by only taking a GPS fix once per minuteAnd some runners will want navigation. I see three main approaches to I wish I could provide, simple, clear cut advice, but unfortunately things are not so easy. This can You'll need to think about how long you'll be acceptable on a straight course like running for, the Keys 100 or Badwaterfeatures that are important to you, but it and how much compromise you can be appalling on twisty trailslive with. ** [[File:Charge On The Run - Fenix3 (2).jpg|center|thumb|200px|[[Suunto Ambit2 RCharge On The Run]] is an option for ultras.]] gives 25 hours ==Battery Life==* The claimed battery lives don't hold up in extended mode and the more expensive Ambit2 gives 50 hoursreal world, with some watches going longer, others much shorter. There is some * If you want the maximum battery life, you have to avoid the backlight, the use of map capability/course displays, but itand don's not as good as t press the 310/910buttons unless you have to. ** The In my testing, the longest battery life that's available with GPS on is 30 hours with the [[Epson SF-510]], 24 hours with the [[Polar V800]] gives 50 , 22 hours in extended modewith the [[Garmin Fenix 3]], but has no map display. ** The 19 with the [[Garmin Fenix 2920XT]] will give 50 hours in extended mode, but it has serious and 17 with the [[GPS AccuracyGarmin Epix]] problems even in normal mode. * You can extend the For ultras lasting less than 20 hours, such as 50 miles or 100 Km, you have plenty of choice and battery life should not constrain you too much. * For 24 hour races or 100 mile races where you expect a little by avoiding using finish in the 24-30 hour range the backlight or changing [[Epson SF-510]] is worth considering though the displaybattery life is one of its few good points. ==Navigation==For some ultras (and shorter trail runs), navigation is a problem. Showing I've been lost on the map occasional race and it's a horrible experience. Even when I've been on course, the 310/910 seems to doubts and stress of worrying can be an enormous drain the battery quite fast. My first GPS watch was purchased so that I've had 37+ hours out d have an outline of the course I was running and there were many races where I was glad of its comforting conformation. Remember that using the navigation features of these watches will dramatically reduce their battery life. * The [[Garmin Fenix 5X]] and the [[Suunto Ambit2 RGarmin Epix]]have a display that shows full color maps, so for navigation, nothing else comes close. * Another option(Well, depending on the race[[Leikr]] is even better, is to have two watches and swap part way throughbut it has a short battery life. ) * Some runners The [[Garmin 310XT]], [[Garmin 910XT]], [[Garmin 920XT]], [[Garmin Fenix 3]], [[Suunto Spartan Ultra]] will recharge their watch during show an outline of your run (breadcrumbs) and allow you to load a race, but that seems course outline to be more hassle than it's worthfollow.