Triathlon is a very physically demanding sport. Thanks to the analysis of many parameters (speed, distance covered, heart rate...), the triathlon GPS watch helps to improve performance. In this guide, we offer a selection of the best triathlon GPS watches available today.
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Our selection
"Practical and elegant, the GPS triathlon watch provides powerful tools to evaluate performance during training. It allows you to manage your training and progress quickly,…"
"The Polar Vantage V has an attractive design and more than a few useful features. The 5 buttons are easy to access and allow you…"
"The price is only a reflection of the soul of this Garmin-designed GPS triathlon watch. With Corning Gorilla Glass protection and a reinforced polymer case,…"
"The Garmin Forerunner 745 is capable of measuring your performance with great accuracy. This GPS triathlon watch also shines with its lightness, simplicity and rich…"
Practical and elegant, the GPS triathlon watch provides powerful tools to evaluate performance during training. It allows you to manage your training and progress quickly, whether you are a beginner or an expert.
383 £ on AmazonVisually, the GPS triathlon watch Vantage V2 comes with an aluminum case that favors its aesthetic finish without being too heavy. With only 52 g, it seems ultra light and does not interfere in any way with your sports performance. Its greatest asset is undoubtedly the performance of the tools available and its pleasant interface.
On the training side, Fuelwise promises to accompany you during the practice of triathlon, especially for long distances. Swimming, running, cycling, GPS navigation, heart rate, VO2 max, the Polar Vantage V2 is a must-have for triathletes, both amateur and professional. This GPS triathlon watch offers daily sessions adapted to the physical level and taking into account the recovery.
The Polar Vantage V has an attractive design and more than a few useful features. The 5 buttons are easy to access and allow you to easily configure your device, even while running. A cardio belt is included.
320 £ on AmazonThis very modern GPS triathlon watch has a stainless steel case. Its 3 cm IPS touch screen has a definition of 240 x 240 px. But design isn't everything. Under the hood, it offers 130 sports, including open water swimming, the FitSpark training program and the handy Auto Lap option between events. What's more, it won't let you down while you're on the road, with a battery life of 40 hours in GPS mode and 7 days in normal mode.
The battery is helped in its task by the Bluetooth Smart which has the ability to consume less energy. Thanks to the Ant+ function, the Vantage V is compatible with the majority of sensors on the market. This model designed by Polar works with Strava segments to improve performance. Stride, VO2max and heart rate measurements coupled with the Polar Flow application will allow you to analyze your weaknesses in depth.
The price is only a reflection of the soul of this Garmin-designed GPS triathlon watch. With Corning Gorilla Glass protection and a reinforced polymer case, it's a lightweight device perfect for racing.
486 £ on AmazonLightweight, 61 g, but robust, 10 ATM waterproof and a reinforced polymer case, the Garmin Fenix 6S Pro contains all the features required for a triathlete. From heart rate to VO2max measurement, this is a multi-sport model that includes the 3 main disciplines. The training programs concocted by Garmin are effective and allow you to start quickly. Then, the Auto Lap function is a must for high-level athletes.
Add to that, its autonomy in GPS mode of more than 24 hours and the presence of 3 geolocation systems: GPS, Glonass and Galileo. To complete its work, Garmin has equipped its watch with a color screen; MIP transflective, 240 x 240 px, Bluetooth, Ant + and Wi-Fi. This will allow you to monitor your performance via the native application of Garmin.
The Garmin Forerunner 745 is capable of measuring your performance with great accuracy. This GPS triathlon watch also shines with its lightness, simplicity and rich functionality.
380 £ on AmazonEquipped with the best GPS tracker and the best cardio-optical sensor on the market, the Garmin Forerunner 745 triathlon GPS watch performs superbly, especially in terms of accuracy. It is very practical for training on the track and of course the triathlon. Its accuracy leaves you speechless, no matter what physical constant you measure or what route you take.
Ultra light, modest size, this GPS triathlon watch offers a color screen, many sensors such as wrist cardio, pulse oximeter, barometric altimeter, gyroscope, compass, accelerometer. In addition, it is equipped with comprehensive functions for sports tracking, GPS navigation and safety.
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The best triathlon GPS watch in 2021
The best entry-level triathlon GPS watch
The best high-end triathlon GPS watch
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| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Polar Vantage V2
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Polar Vantage V et ceinture
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Garmin Fenix 6S Pro
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Garmin Forerunner 745
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Practical and elegant, the GPS triathlon watch provides powerful tools to evaluate performance during training. It allows you to manage your training and progress quickly, whether you are a beginner or an expert.
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The Polar Vantage V has an attractive design and more than a few useful features. The 5 buttons are easy to access and allow you to easily configure your device, even while running. A cardio belt is included.
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The price is only a reflection of the soul of this Garmin-designed GPS triathlon watch. With Corning Gorilla Glass protection and a reinforced polymer case, it's a lightweight device perfect for racing.
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The Garmin Forerunner 745 is capable of measuring your performance with great accuracy. This GPS triathlon watch also shines with its lightness, simplicity and rich functionality.
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Screen definition
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240 x 240 px
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240 x 240 px
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240 x 240 px
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240 × 240 px
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Autonomy
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40 h in GPS mode
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40 h in GPS mode
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24 h in GPS mode
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6 h in GPS mode
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Design
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Features
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Weight
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52 g
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66 g
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61 g
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47 g
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First of all, look at the dimensions of the watch. A model for triathlon or Ironman should be more than compact in size. A light weight between 35 and 66 g is ideal with a height between 8 and 13 mm. This way, your equipment will not become an extra weight and will not bother you during transitions. For sturdiness, it is recommended to choose a polymer base, for example, with a stainless steel bezel. This combines sturdiness and lightness.
To be able to read your watch properly, even in the middle of a competition, you should consider the following points:
First, the buttons on the sides will be your keyboard and mouse. So they will have to be accessible and offer a good comfort of use. Second, to be able to navigate the menus you will need to have a nice and easy to understand interface. Good devices will allow you to display 4 pieces of information simultaneously on the screen. You can even have graphs to allow you to visualize your performance at the moment .
It
is the GPS that allows the watch to locate you at a place or to calculate the distance you have traveled. This is an important element to take into account. Thus to refine the measurements, manufacturers have integrated the Russian Glonass geolocation system or the European Galileo in addition to the GPS which is an American system. No machine is 100% reliable, but this mixture of cultures will allow you to have more accuracy. Then, thanks to GPS, the system can estimate your altitude by taking advantage of the built-in altimeter. This is an important measurement if you are training by climbing passes; ideally you should have a barometer altimeter.
People interested in a triathlon GPS watch are usually people who are already familiar with the discipline. They therefore know the importance of the watch's autonomy, which must survive until the end of the competition. That's why we recommend that beginners choose a model with a GPS autonomy of more than 6 hours. Some products offer a battery life of between 15 hours and more than a day. These are models that are suitable for an Ironman.
Among the disciplines honored in a triathlon, you have swimming, logic will tell you to choose a waterproof model. For more flexibility, consider watches for triathlon that have a depth of at least 30 m. Next, dust protection won't be a luxury.
It doesn't matter how many sports the watch supports. As long as it supports walking, running, cycling and swimming you are good. In most cases, open water swimming will be the black sheep. In order to work, this type of product will need to have Bluetooth connectivity if not a USB plug. In this way, you will connect it to your computer and you will be able to develop training programs or calibrate it for your next competition. In the same way, the presence of a training program already installed will allow you to get into the swing of things quickly. Finally, having the ability to connect sensors via the Ant+ mode will give you the opportunity to customize your equipment.
A person who decides to practice triathlon is looking for performance. Not only that, but they are also looking to constantly improve their times in order to stay in shape or even to compete in amateur or professional competitions.
So, as in all running sports, pace is the most important criterion. And, it is a more than important point in a triathlon, because we practice 3 types of sports at the same time: swimming, cycling and running.
A triathlon GPS watch gives you the right information to help you maintain the right pace. Among these measurements, the heart rate should get your attention if you are just starting out. Professionals train to a specific heart rate range and replicate it in competition. This is how they progress.
The problem is that the sensors built into watches are not all the same. You have to calibrate and check the accuracy of the sensor. If it does not comply, it will be advisable to buy a sensor on the market and put it in full effort. The same applies to the sensors on the bike. This way you will always have the right time!
Another important measurement is VO2 max. To put it simply, our muscles need oxygen to function. Oxygen is transported through the bloodstream from our lungs, which collect the air we breathe. When the muscles are subjected to high intensity exercise, they must have enough oxygen to function properly.
Therefore, VO2max calculates the maximum oxygen threshold that your muscles can absorb. If the intensity of your efforts exceeds this threshold, your performance will drop. It is by training regularly that you can raise your threshold and calibrate it. This way, you will know your limits in the middle of a race.
A multisport watch is generally larger and heavier than a model dedicated to triathlon. For professionals, too large a watch could be a hindrance during transitions between two events.
Secondly, the sports profiles they offer may not be suitable for triathlon. For example, on some watches you will not have the open water swimming mode, but only the pool mode. Secondly, since manufacturers want to target a more general clientele, some measurement tools may be missing.
However, for those who want to learn about sports and improve their performance, this is a perfect tool.
A triathlon GPS watch will have extra features, compared to other models, to make life easier for top athletes. This discipline requires an athlete to practice 3 disciplines: running, open water swimming and cycling.
The watch will need to have these 3 profiles in stock to be able to help you during your training. In the profile of a sport, the manufacturers pre-record data relating to a discipline and automatically calibrate the watch if you select a particular profile. This means that you don't have to waste time configuring it.
In addition, it should have a transition function, such as Auto Lap, for easy handling. Users will only have to either press a button or tap on the touch screen to change the event.
The choice will depend on your level of experience in the discipline. The classic watch is best suited to beginners, while the GPS triathlon watch is aimed at a wider audience.
The multisport mode
This is a watch that can be said to be 3 in 1. This is its strong point, because it offers a triathlon mode that will allow you to link the 3 events without changing the activity on your watch. It manages the 3 basic activities which are swimming, running and cycling, but also the transitions from one activity to another. A simple press of a button will allow you to change modes without stopping it.
Interest in running
In running, it is really useful to accompany you in your 30/30 session. All you have to do is program the work and recovery intervals, in duration or distance, the number of repetitions and the watch will automatically warn you with sound signals. For a jog, you can simply use your watch to have all the data live as speed, time and distance.
Very good for cycling
For cyclists, they can easily replace your current GPS or computer, because you can find all the necessary information, like elevation gain, distance and all that. And if you attach other sensors to your watch, other information is also available.
An asset for your swimming performance
Yes, of course, because they are waterproof. You can easily spend hours in chlorinated or salty water without damaging the watch, which means they are waterproof so you won't have any problems tracking your performance.
Very practical
They are discreet and simple, so they can accompany you all day and analyze your stress level, heart rate or sleep. But also, most brands offer an application store to add new features to your watch.
Install the software
To be able to analyze your performance in depth, you must pair your watch with your personal computer. These devices usually have Bluetooth connectivity or a mini USB plug provided by the manufacturer. So, before you can copy your data and see your performance in sections, you need to install the software that is either included or available for download on the manufacturer's website. Then all you have to do is follow the instructions on your computer screen.
Place the watch on the handlebars during the cycling race.
If
you are doing a cycling session only, you should know that you can place your watch on the handlebars. For this, there are standard mounts on the market that are easy to install. Some brands provide, as an accessory, mounts that fit directly to your watch. You just have to take it off and put it on the handlebars thanks to the mechanism. However, some mounts add height to your watch once attached to your handle and this can get in the way during transitions.
Arrange your data.
For
optimal use, it is helpful to program your watch to display the data you need. Indeed, if there is too much data displayed at the same time you will quickly get lost. Using your user manual, display 1 piece of data per screen page or divide your screen so that it displays a maximum of 3 to 4 pieces of information.
Even more precise!
No
machine is 100% reliable and this is the case with GPS-based technologies. You just have to pass under a bridge to realize it. If your watch embeds Bluetooth or Ant+ technologies, you will be able to buy sensors and pair them with your equipment. This way, you will have access to other types of information and you will refine your analysis.
Change your bracelet.
In
general, triathlon GPS watches have removable wristbands. This way, you can buy different colors and customize your equipment. At competitions, you can then choose to wear the same colors of jersey and watch stems.
The best GPS triathlon watch depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best at the moment.
Some watches have the application natively. On the others, you will have to install the application. As a reminder, Strava is the social network for athletes. On it, you can post your rides with your performances and challenge other subscribers.
For extra cleaning, take a soft cloth, damp if necessary, and wipe the screen, frame and strap. Please do not use any detergents! If you have just finished swimming, it is advisable to clean your equipment under running water.
The GPS function of your watch synchronizes very often with satellites to provide you with the necessary information. This consumes your battery and greatly reduces its autonomy. The battery optimization feature spaces out the synchronizations. This way, the GPS only makes contact with the satellites every 10 seconds or 1 minute.
Your equipment should have an altimeter. Then you have to climb the pass and once you get to the top you calibrate it.
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