10 Best Triathlon Training Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a solid choice for triathlon training thanks to its multisport capabilities and accurate built-in GPS, which help track your pace and distance across various activities like running and cycling. Its wrist-based heart rate monitor provides useful fitness insights, while the lightweight 43 mm design with a bright AMOLED touchscreen makes it comfortable and easy to check stats on the go. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and around 19 hours when using GPS, which should cover long training sessions and races. Water resistance is included, making it suitable for swim training.

The watch shines with personalized training guidance and recovery features—daily workout suggestions adjust based on how you’re performing and recovering, which is great for balanced training. Music storage and phone-free playback add convenience, especially during workouts. Connectivity with smartphones is smooth, offering notifications and safety features like incident detection that can send your location to emergency contacts. Build quality is durable enough for an active lifestyle, and the Garmin Pay feature lets you make contactless payments on the go.

While the heart rate and GPS tracking are reliable, the watch might lack some advanced triathlon-specific metrics found in higher-end models, and music streaming requires a paid subscription. Also, the battery capacity is modest compared to some competitors, so heavy GPS use will drain it faster. For triathletes seeking a user-friendly, versatile watch with good training support and smart features without overwhelming complexity, this model is a practical pick.

The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a strong choice for triathlon training thanks to its excellent multisport mode that automatically switches between swim, bike, and run activities, letting you focus on your performance without interruptions. Its GPS system is advanced with multi-band support and full-color maps, ensuring accurate route tracking and dynamic rerouting if you change course. The watch also includes detailed heart rate monitoring and advanced running metrics like cadence and running power, helping you optimize technique and effort.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 26 hours with GPS active, which is enough for long training sessions or races. The build is durable with a titanium bezel and sapphire lens, offering protection against scratches and impacts while being lightweight. Training and recovery features stand out with personalized Garmin Coach plans, a readiness score that combines sleep and recovery data, and an ECG app to monitor heart rhythm. Connectivity is strong, supporting Bluetooth and USB, with the added convenience of making calls and using voice assistants from your wrist.

One minor drawback is that some advanced running metrics require an additional heart rate monitor sold separately. The Forerunner 970 provides comprehensive tools for triathletes who want detailed training insights, reliable tracking, and smart features in a durable, stylish package, though some sensors may come at extra cost.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a strong contender for triathlon training thanks to its rugged titanium build and water resistance up to 100 meters, making it suitable for swimming and diving. Its multisport mode supports a wide range of activities including running, cycling, swimming, and more, which is perfect for triathletes. GPS accuracy is enhanced by dual-frequency tracking that uses multiple satellite systems, helping you get precise location data during workouts. Heart rate monitoring is advanced with electrical and optical sensors, offering reliable tracking and health insights.

Battery life stands out with up to 42 hours of regular use and up to 72 hours in low power mode, so it can handle long training sessions and races without needing frequent charges. The bright, always-on Retina display is easy to read even in bright sunlight or underwater. Training and recovery features like customizable workouts, workout power data, and heart rate zones provide valuable guidance to improve performance and monitor training load. Connectivity options include LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, allowing you to stay connected and sync data seamlessly with your iPhone.

Additionally, its durability is tested against tough conditions including shocks, temperature extremes, and dust resistance, making it reliable in harsh outdoor environments. On the downside, the watch is relatively large and heavy compared to some other sports watches, which might feel bulky for smaller wrists. It is designed primarily for iPhone users, so it’s not compatible with Android devices. The price is higher than many other triathlon watches, reflecting its premium features and build. If you’re deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and want a durable, feature-packed watch that supports all triathlon disciplines with detailed health and training insights, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a great choice.