Whether you're an amateur or an experienced triathlete, choosing the right triathlon watch can make all the difference to your performance. Depending on your needs, some watches offer key features to help you track your training, optimise your transitions and analyse your races. This comparison shows you the best triathlon watches available today, to suit all budgets and levels of expertise.
Our selection of triathlon watches :
- Garmin Fenix 7 or 8
- Polar Pacer Pro
- Coros Pace 3
- Garmin Forerunner 965
- Suunto 9 Peak Pro
- Polar Vantage V3
Garmin Fenix 7 or 8: An ultra-polyvalent watch
The Garmin Fenix 7 is a first-class triathlon watch, combining robustness with advanced functions. Its durable, military-standard design and sunlight-readable touchscreen make it a reliable companion for all training and competition conditions. Its 10 ATM water resistance makes it ideal for open water swimming, while its light weight ensures optimum comfort during long running and cycling events.
The Fenix 7's functions are specifically tailored to the needs of triathletes. Its multi-system GPS provides precise course tracking in all three disciplines. The innovative Stamina function makes it possible to manage endurance in real time, a crucial asset for the long distances involved in triathlon. Activity profiles for running, cycling and swimming provide discipline-specific data. Multi-continent mapping and advanced navigation functions, such as Up Ahead, are particularly useful for planning and executing training and competition routes.
The focus on performance and recovery makes the Fenix 7 a complete tool for triathletes. The Race Predictor Trend helps to anticipate future performance, while the PacePro optimises race pace management. Health monitoring functions, such as the Body Battery and sleep analysis, enable athletes to better manage their recovery between sessions. With impressive autonomy in GPS mode and built-in music storage capacity, the Fenix 7 accompanies triathletes through their long training sessions and competitions without compromise. Its versatility and precision make it an indispensable tool for triathletes of all levels, covering every aspect of their preparation and performance.
Polar Pacer Pro: ideal for triathletes
The Polar Pacer Pro is a first-class multisport watch, particularly suited to triathletes. Its robust design combines ergonomics with durability. Thanks to its anti-fingerprint coating, the screen offers excellent legibility even in the thick of action. Designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, it is water-resistant to 50 metres, making it perfectly suited to open water and pool swimming events.
The functionalities of the Pacer Pro make it an invaluable tool for triathletes. It incorporates GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS sensors for precise tracking of running and cycling routes. Precision Prime OHR technology ensures reliable heart rate monitoring in all three disciplines. Training Load Pro analyses the impact of each session on the body, helping to optimise training and recovery between different events. The Hill Splitter function is particularly useful for hilly running and cycling routes, while the integrated barometer provides valuable data on altitude and atmospheric pressure.
The Polar Pacer Pro's battery life meets the demands of long-distance triathlons, offering up to 35 hours of use with GPS and heart rate tracking activated, and up to 100 hours with power-saving modes. The FuelWise function is a major asset for triathletes, helping to manage crucial refuelling during long events. The Polar Flow application, compatible with over 130 sports profiles, enables in-depth analysis of performance in every triathlon discipline. The ability to synchronise routes via komoot is particularly useful for recognising running and cycling courses. With its versatility, precision and specific functions, the Polar Pacer Pro is the ideal companion for triathletes, from training to the finish line.
Coros Pace 3: The most affordable watch with premium features
The COROS Pace 3 is a sophisticated multisport watch designed to meet the needs of demanding athletes. Its compact, lightweight design, with a case measuring 41.9 mm in diameter and weighing just 30 grams (including the strap), makes it a discreet yet powerful companion. The 1.2-inch transflective touchscreen offers excellent readability in all conditions, including direct sunlight. Night mode ensures comfortable use even in the dark.
The performance of Pace 3 matches its meticulous design. It is equipped with a high-precision dual-frequency GPS for reliable tracking in a variety of environments. The watch offers a multitude of sports modes, including running, cycling, swimming and weight training. With a water resistance of 5 ATM, it is perfectly suited to water sports. Navigation features such as breadcrumb trail, elevation profile display and deviation alerts make it a valuable tool for adventurers. The optical heart rate sensor provides continuous monitoring of heart rate, oxygen saturation and sleep quality.
The battery life of COROS Pace 3 is particularly impressive, offering up to 38 hours in standard GPS mode and up to 24 days in traditional use. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity enable easy synchronisation with the COROS application, providing access to the Training Hub and expert advice. The ability to store music (4 GB internal memory) adds an entertainment dimension to the sports experience. The application also lets you create and customise routes, as well as accessing customised training programmes. With a charge time of less than 2 hours, the COROS Pace 3 is a versatile and reliable tool for athletes looking to optimise their performance and training.
Garmin Forerunner 965: a benchmark for triathlons
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is a cutting-edge GPS watch for demanding triathletes and runners. Its lightweight yet robust design features a 47 mm case with a titanium bezel, for a total weight of just 52 grams. The 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen offers excellent legibility, complemented by five physical buttons for easy navigation during exercise. The watch is also highly customisable, with interchangeable straps and the option of adding third-party applications via Garmin Connect and Connect IQ.
Forerunner 965's performance is equal to the expectations of the most ambitious athletes. Its impressive battery life allows up to 23 days' use in connected watch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode. Advanced sports features include training preparation analysis, real-time endurance tracking, an electronic compass and colour mapping for navigation. Waterproof, it also excels at tracking swimming activities, recording precise data on distance, speed and type of swim.
Forerunner 965's connectivity extends its capabilities beyond simple sports tracking. It can receive smartphone notifications, enable contactless payment via Garmin Pay, and even store music for phone-free listening via Bluetooth headphones. These features, combined with its advanced analysis capabilities, make it a complete tool for optimising triathletes' training and performance. The Garmin Forerunner 965 is a versatile watch, combining cutting-edge technology and practicality to meet the needs of the most demanding athletes.
Suunto 9 Peak Pro: An excellent alternative
The Suunto 9 Peak Pro All Black is a top-of-the-range triathlon watch that combines robustness and versatility. Its design offers optimum comfort for long events. Its durable construction, with a sapphire crystal and stainless steel bezel, meets US military MIL-STD-810H standards, ensuring it can withstand the most extreme conditions. Its water resistance to 100 metres makes it perfectly suited to all triathlon disciplines, from open water swimming to cycling in the rain.
The Suunto 9 Peak Pro's functions are specially designed to meet the demands of triathlon. Its high-precision GPS, using 4 systems (GLONASS, GAMOMEP, QZSS and BEIDOU) with 32 satellites, ensures accurate tracking of swimming, cycling and running routes. The FusedSpeed function provides accurate measurement of speed, crucial for transitions and effort management. With over 95 customisable sports modes, it covers all the training phases specific to triathlon. The integrated heart rate monitor, combined with sleep analysis, recovery time monitoring and stress measurement functions, enables athletes to optimise their preparation and recovery between events.
The Suunto 9 Peak Pro's exceptional battery life makes it ideal for long-distance triathlons. With 40 hours of use in continuous GPS mode and up to 70 hours with GPS pointing per second, it can cover the most demanding events without the risk of running out of power. The Suunto application enriches the triathlete's experience by offering route planning functions, heat maps for route analysis, and adaptive training advice. Navigation is also optimised thanks to the integrated compass, barometer and FusedAlti function, enabling precise orientation during outdoor training sessions. With its speed, durability and advanced functions, the Suunto 9 Peak Pro All Black is the perfect companion for triathletes, from preparation to the finish line.
Polar Vantage V3: Second-best alternative
The Polar Vantage V3 is a top-of-the-range triathlon watch that combines advanced technology with versatility. Its high-resolution AMOLED display offers excellent legibility in all conditions, while its robust, lightweight construction ensures comfort and durability. Its water resistance to 50 metres makes it perfectly suited to all triathlon disciplines, from open-water swimming to cycling in the rain.
The functionalities of the Vantage V3 are perfectly matched to the demands of triathlon. Its multi-band GPS ensures ultra-precise course tracking in all three disciplines, even in difficult conditions. With over 150 sports profiles available, it covers every aspect of triathlon training. Enhanced swimming parameters allow detailed monitoring of aquatic performance. Advanced mapping and route guidance functions provide triathletes with a valuable navigation tool for planning and executing their training and competition routes.
The exceptional battery life of the Polar Vantage V3 makes it ideal for long-distance triathlons. Polar Elixir technology, with its advanced biosensors, offers comprehensive health and recovery monitoring, including functions such as wrist ECG and sleep analysis. These tools enable triathletes to optimise their recovery between training sessions and competitions, helping to maintain the perfect balance between effort and rest. With its precision and advanced functions, the Polar Vantage V3 is the ideal ally for triathletes, covering all aspects of their preparation and performance.
How do you choose your triathlon watch?
Choosing a triathlon watch depends above all on your specific needs. Here are a few criteria to consider:
- Autonomy: If you take part in long events or train over long distances, battery autonomy is essential.
- GPS accuracy: Precise GPS tracking gives you a better understanding of your performance and enables you to optimise your routes.
- Specific functions: Multi-sport tracking, easy transitions between sports and physiological data are essential for a triathlon watch.
- Resistance: Make sure the watch is resistant to water (swimming), shocks and harsh conditions.
Depending on your objectives, whether you want to improve your swimming, cycling or running, these watches will give you complete, detailed monitoring to maximise your performance.
What are the characteristics of triathlon watches?
A triathlon watch is distinguished by its multi-sports functionalities which track all three disciplines: swimming, cycling and running. They generally have an integrated GPS, a heart rate monitor and various sensors to measure cadence, pace and distance. Most models also have a transition mode to time the changes between each discipline.
What is the battery life of triathlon watches?
Autonomy is a crucial criterion for these watches, as they have to last over long distances. On average, a high-performance battery offers between 10 and 20 hours' use in continuous GPS mode. Some top-of-the-range models offer up to 40 hours' battery life. In simple watch mode, without GPS, battery life can extend to several weeks.
Where can I buy a triathlon watch?
The specialist shops remain the best option for buying a triathlon watch. Here you can benefit from expert advice and try out the different models. The major sports retailers and specialist online sales sites are also interesting alternatives, often with more competitive prices. Favour official brand retailers to benefit from the manufacturer's warranty.
| Commercial website | Delivery |
|---|---|
| Alltricks | 1 to 2 days |
| I-Run | 1 to 2 days |
The benefits of a GPS watch for triathlons
You're not sure whether to buy a performance watch for your triathlon. Beyond the choice, you're wondering whether buying an (expensive) GPS watch is really worthwhile. Let's take a look at why this equipment has become essential.
Multisport support adapted to the three disciplines
The main feature of a triathlon watch is its ability to manage all three disciplines and the transition between them. For swimming, it offers reinforced waterproofing (generally 5-10 ATM) and precise tracking both in open water with GPS and in the pool, thanks to algorithms that detect turns and swimming styles. For cycling, it provides comprehensive cycling data such as speed, cadence and elevation gain, while remaining compatible with external power or cadence sensors. For running, it analyses advanced metrics such as cadence, vertical oscillation and ground contact time.
These watches feature a 'triathlon' mode that allows you to switch between disciplines quickly at the touch of a button during transitions, thus keeping the continuity data for the whole event.
Data-driven training optimisation
Modern GPS watches provide precise metrics that transform the approach to training. They quantify the overall training load (TRIMP) and analyse the fatigue via heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring, even suggesting recommended recovery times. They estimate the VO2max specific to each discipline and provide biomechanical data for optimising technique in each sport. Training zones personalized are automatically calculated according to the triathlete's individual thresholds.
These data enable us to balance training between the three disciplines, avoid overtraining and maximise physiological adaptations using a scientific and personalised approach.
Planning and structuring training
Beyond the raw metrics, today's triathlon watches offer genuine training functionalities. coaching. They offer adaptive training plans that adjust automatically according to progress and accumulated fatigue. During structured sessions, they guide the athlete with alerts indicating the target intensity zones for each interval. Prediction of performance allows you to estimate possible times over different distances, while the progress graphs help you track your progress in each discipline. Comparative analysis of the three sports helps to identify weak points so that preparation can be balanced.
These functions allow even athletes without a personal coach to follow a structured and effective preparation programme. progressivewith a level of precision previously reserved for the elite.
Tactical and strategic management in competition
During an event, a GPS watch provides crucial information for optimising performance. It helps you maintain look It also offers, on some models, navigation functions with route display and directional alerts. Programmable refuelling reminders help to manage the nutritional aspect, which is often neglected, but is a key factor in the success of a race. determinant. Automatic segmentation of the course facilitates tactical analysis in real time, while live tracking allows fans to follow the athlete's progress. Some models even offer a virtual time trial, so you can compare yourself live with your previous performances.
These functions enable the strategy to be precisely executed planned and adapt effort to the specific conditions encountered on the day of the competition.
Post-training and post-competition analysis
After the effort, analysis of the data collected becomes an invaluable tool for progress. Mapping detailed allows you to visualise the course, colour-coded according to the intensity delivered in each section. Segment analysis compares performance on specific sections, while transition evaluation measures the efficiency of transitions. The physiological assessment quantifies the impact of the effort on the rider's body.organization through metrics such as the Training Effect. Comparison with previous performances provides an objective measure of progress, and integration with platforms such as Strava or Training Peaks makes it easy to share and analyse data in the community.
This in-depth analysis enables us to identify our strengths and areas for improvement.improvement to optimise subsequent training cycles in a targeted and effective way.
Daily functions and health monitoring
In addition to training, triathlon watches offer overall fitness monitoring. physics. They analyse sleep quality, its different phases and nocturnal recovery. Measuring daily stress, both mental and physiological, helps to adapt the training load according to recovery capacity. Activity monitoring dailycontinuous heart rate and blood oxygenation complete the picture. For female athletes, monitoring the menstrual cycle allows training to be optimised according to hormonal phases.
This data complements the sporting approach with a vision of the future. holistic health, essential for maintaining performance over the long term and preventing injury or overtraining.
Connectivity and ecosystem
Modern watches fit harmoniously into an ecosystem connected. Automatic synchronisation transfers data to various applications and analysis platforms. ANT+ and Bluetooth compatibility means you can use heart rate, power or other sensors to enhance the data collected. On connected models, the musical makes long training sessions easier, while smart notifications filter out important alerts. Some models even feature contactless payment, which comes in handy when refuelling in competition. The ecosystem of third-party applications makes it possible to customise experience with specialist triathlon solutions.
This connectivity greatly simplifies data management and integration into a complete training routine, eliminating technological barriers so that you can focus on the performance.
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