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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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→What to look for
** GPS is easy to use and accurate enough for most running, but it is not accurate enough for things like interval training.
** The errors in GPS average out over a run, but they cause a problem when trying to display current pace.
* A footpod can be used to provide \[\[Cadence\]\] and in some watches it can also provide pace and distance. Unlike GPS, footpods need to be calibrated to provide accurate pace/distance.
* A barometer will measure the atmospheric pressure and give you altitude. This is more accurate than GPS, but will require calibration to adjust for weather related pressure changes.
* Heart rate can be useful information when training, though it is important to understand the limitations of heart rate based training. The heart rate strap that goes across your chest can be intrusive and sometimes can chafe. Polar heart rate monitoring is far better than the Garmin equivalent.
* The ability to record your workout and store it in a training log such as [[Dailymile]] or [[SportTracks]] is vital. All of the recommended watches here have that ability. I'd strongly advise even a new runner to store their data so that they can look back over the months and years to understand their progress.
=The best - Garmin 310XT=
While not perfect, the best watch for most runners is currently the Garmin 310XT. See DC Rainmaker's [http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/09/garmin-forerunner-310xt-in-depth-review.html full review] for more details.
