10 Best Digital Sports Watches For Triathlon 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a strong choice for triathletes who want a reliable and feature-packed sports watch. Its bright 1.4-inch AMOLED display is easy to read even in low light, and the lightweight titanium bezel with sapphire lens adds durability for tough outdoor conditions. Water resistance is robust, making it suitable for swimming and transitions. GPS tracking is advanced with multi-band support and built-in maps, helping you confidently follow routes or create new ones on the fly.

Heart rate monitoring includes detailed running dynamics and even ECG capabilities, which is impressive for health insights. The watch supports multisport auto-transition to seamlessly track swim, bike, and run segments without manual input, which is very convenient during races. Battery life is solid, lasting up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 26 hours with GPS active, allowing for long training sessions or events without worry.

Connectivity options like Bluetooth and built-in microphone and speaker let you take calls and use voice assistants directly from your wrist. The price might be on the higher side for some, and the 32 MB storage is limited compared to some competitors. Also, the need for a separate HRM 600 monitor to access some running economy features could be inconvenient. This watch blends performance tracking with smart features and great durability, making it a great fit for triathlon training and racing.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a solid choice for triathletes looking for a reliable digital sports watch. One of its main strengths is its robust battery life, lasting up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode, which is crucial for long training sessions or races. It also offers precise GPS tracking and wrist-based heart rate monitoring, essential for monitoring performance and health metrics during your activities.

The watch supports multiple sports modes, including running, cycling, swimming, and more, making it versatile for various training needs. Durability is another plus, with good water resistance, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities. The Garmin Forerunner 55 also connects seamlessly via Bluetooth to both iOS and Android devices, allowing for easy data syncing and customization with the Garmin Connect app and Connect IQ store.

However, it is worth noting that advanced features like PacePro are not compatible with on-device courses, which might be a downside for those who rely heavily on this for pacing strategies. Additionally, while the screen is functional, its resolution (208 x 208) is relatively low compared to more premium models. In summary, the Garmin Forerunner 55 offers a well-rounded package with excellent battery life, robust tracking features, and great compatibility, making it a valuable tool for triathletes, despite a few limitations.

The Garmin Forerunner 570 is a strong choice for triathletes looking for a versatile sports watch. It features a bright AMOLED touchscreen paired with physical buttons, making navigation easy even during workouts. Its built-in GPS is reliable for tracking your routes across running, cycling, and swimming, essential for triathlon training. With over 30 sport profiles and a dedicated triathlon mode, it adapts well to multisport needs. Battery life is solid, offering up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 18 hours with GPS active, which should cover long training sessions and races. The watch includes advanced training tools like personalized Garmin Coach plans, training readiness scores, and recovery insights, helping you optimize workouts based on your body’s condition. Heart rate monitoring and factors like sleep quality and HRV status give a good picture of your fitness and recovery.

Connectivity is strong through Bluetooth, allowing phone calls and message responses directly on your wrist when paired with your smartphone. It also supports safety features like incident detection to alert emergency contacts if needed. However, the aluminum bezel, while durable, might not be as rugged as some heavier-duty models, and the watch’s weight is extremely light but the product dimensions seem large, which might affect comfort for smaller wrists. Additionally, battery life, while good, might fall short for ultra-long events without recharging. The Forerunner 570 successfully blends comprehensive training features with smart connectivity, making it ideal for triathletes who want detailed performance insights in a user-friendly package.