The best mountain sports watches

Garmin (see models), Polar (see models) and Suunto (see models)are some of the best brands in terms of electronic devices specially designed for mountain use.

In recent years, mainly as a result of the changing habits of mountaineers, mountain sports watches have emerged. The main reason for this is the rise of the trail running. Little free time, the desire for adrenaline rushes, the aim to improve performance, have led to an increase in sales of these sophisticated wrist-worn devices. However, there are still those who are doubtful about buy a regular handheld GPSor a sports watch. In the guide that you can read below, all your doubts and concerns will be clarified. Also, if you are a rookie In this area, we will show you the best watches that will surely suit your activity and your pocket.

The best watches

The variety of sports watches has increased in recent years. Although the most popular brand is Garminbut there are also other high quality brands. Nowadays, there are watches of all ranges, and below we will show you the best and the most recommended ones:

• Garmin Fenix 5 (Click to view)Garmin's Fenix model is a clear example that quality comes at a price. The new Fenix 5 costs around 400 euros. The brother of the Fenix 3 (older model)The Fenix 3 offers all the features you can imagine. The differences between the old and the new model are small, so it is recommended to buy the Fenix 3 for a more affordable price. In addition, this watch can be connected directly to the app. Wikiloc.

• Garmin Epix (Click to view)The price is around €400 and it is one of the most widely purchased. This is because it offers great features. Apart from the basic services or tools mentioned above, this watch has a 1.4 inch touch screen. It is one of the few watches that has a built-in map, and one of the closest to a traditional GPS. However, it is a robust watch that may be somewhat uncomfortable for people with a thin wrist.

• Polar V800 (Click to view)Polar's smartwatch is not designed specifically for mountaineering, but its versatility means it can meet the needs of any user. It is a watch lightIt is a robust, robust and detailed information system that provides accurate and detailed information. In addition, it provides information about the state of recovery, and also offers various fitness tests. To get this watch you will have to pay 400 euros.

• Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro (Click to view)This smartwatch is very multi-purpose. It is durable, and offers all the latest systems and technologies. In addition, aesthetically it is a beautiful watch with a discreet and elegant design. The screen is touch-sensitive. You can find it for around 550 euros.

• Garmin Forerunner 15, 25, 30 (Click to view): The prices of the above models may seem exorbitant to you. However, Garmin offers this range of watches at a very good value for money. Their features and materials are not as sophisticated as the previous ones, but they are suitable for those who want to save their workouts and can count on all the functionalities you need. It is worth mentioning that the battery life is somewhat shorter, so you should take this into account for your outings. These models are on sale in the official Garmin shop for about 130 euros.

• Polar M430 (Click to view): this multisport watch is also a good choice for those who don't need so many features, and are looking for a good value for money item. It is a watch with GPS, wrist-based heart rate monitoring and advanced training features.

Watch or handheld GPS?

In order to dispel doubts about the choice between a sports watch or a handheld GPSThe first point of departure is that the activity for which both are designed is different. However, it is worth mentioning that the information provided by the two devices is similar. The Traditional GPS is prepared for those mountaineers who want to spend more than one day in the mountains. Its battery is fully prepared to last for different stages without charging. However, sports watches are for relatively short activities, not exceeding 10 hours.. With the GPS system activated, no watch will last longer than that. Therefore, before buying a sports watch, it is advisable to stop and think about what activities you will be doing with it. If you are trail runnerIf you are going on a day trip to the mountains, the watch will provide you with the convenience of looking at your times, ascent metres, pulse, distance... If your trips last more than a day, the watch will be a simple whim that will not meet your expectations due to the low battery life.

On the other hand, a sports watch will not help you to find your way around easily.The maps (if your model offers this service) will be small, and you will have to stop to stare at them, in order to analyse them in detail. However, if you have a traditional handheld GPS, that stop to look at the map will be shorter, as today's GPS screens are large and of high quality.

So, as a summary here are the advantages and disadvantages of sports watches:

Pros.

• Device designed to short activities (no more than one day), or to running in the mountains.

• Its position on the wrist means that you can get all the information you need with just a few clicks. great ease.

• Variety of information you can get: distance, altitude, time, speed, pulse...

• Possibility to define training programmes.

• Possibility of connect it to your mobile phoneto get notifications on your watch.

Cons.

• Low battery life. It will hardly exceed 10 hours with GPS activated.

• Not an alternative to traditional handheld GPS. Mainly because the clock display is small and of poor quality. Therefore, the map is hardly visible.

• In winter, if you wear all three layers plus gloves, getting information is not as comfortable and easy.

• Quality performance comes at a price; consequently, most of these watches are quite expensive. expensive.

Characteristics to be taken into account

In the event that after reading the previous explanations you think that the sports watch suits your needs and the activities you are going to do, it is advisable to find out about some features and services offered by the watches, so that when you go to buy one you know the meaning of the concepts. The following are the most common ones:

• GPSGPS: thanks to GPS, the watch will be able to detect where you are, as well as save your entire route during the activity. This system, which works by satellite signals, is usually very accurate, although it can sometimes fail in dense forests or deep places. In addition, as mentioned above, this system will save the entire track. You can transfer it to your computer and analyse the route and times in detail. However, having this system activated for a while will drain the battery more easily.

• AltimeterThe altitude system allows you to know at what altitude you are at any given moment. The watches calculate the altitude using atmospheric pressure. It can be of great help to know if you have reached the summit of a mountain, when visibility does not allow it, and the summit is wide. In addition, once the activity is finished, you will be able to obtain information on the positive and negative slope and the accumulated slope.

• BarometerThe watch that has a barometer will give you information about the weather trend. It's not that complicated to understand: the clock measures the atmospheric pressure, which is higher the higher you go up. If that pressure is rising, the weather is likely to get better; if it is falling, the weather is likely to get worse.

• CompassThe map that watches have is not enough to guide you, so they offer the more traditional system: the compass. If you know how to use it, you will be able to find your way around very easily.

• ThermometerThere are models that can give the temperature instantly. It is not vital information, but it can help.

• Heart rate monitorMost smartwatches offer the possibility to monitor and measure your pulse. Some models measure it directly from the dolland there are others that need the use of a chest strap. This information is a great help for you to keep the effort you are making under control.

• Water resistanceAll sports watches are water resistant. When it rains, there is no problem to wear it on your wrist. However, they are not designed to be submerged at great depths.

• DurabilityThese watches are designed for the mountains, so they are prepared to withstand friction and knocks. It is advisable to invest in a good watch, as its materials will be of high quality and its durability will be greater.

*All purchase prices included in this article are current as of 18/06/2019.