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10 Best Watches for Running

GPS sports watches and lightweight mechanicals built for the road. Garmin Forerunner, Coros Apex, plus a handful of mechanicals that hold up to a marathon training block.

10 picks Updated 2026-09-17 By Ronald Calls, WristBuzz Editor

What runners actually wear

GPS smartwatches dominate at every distance from 5k to ultra. Garmin and Coros own the elite race-day market; Apple owns the casual amateur tier. The list below leads with the GPS picks but includes the cheap mechanicals that survive a training block when you don't want to charge anything.

1
Garmin

Forerunner 965

47mm AMOLED
Editor's Pick ~€650

Reference running watch.

Garmin Forerunner 965

Garmin Forerunner 965: AMOLED, 23h GPS, training-readiness, race predictor, ClimbPro, multiband GPS. The elite training-block default.

2
Coros

Apex 2 Pro

46mm titanium
Value ~€450

75h GPS battery, 53g titanium.

Coros Apex 2 Pro: titanium grade-5, 75h all-systems GPS, sapphire, EvoLab training analysis. Lighter than Garmin.

3
Apple

Watch Ultra 2

49mm titanium
~€900

Smartwatch + workout tracker hybrid.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Apple Watch Ultra 2: titanium, 36h battery, dual-frequency GPS, depth gauge, 86dB siren. The amateur runner's default.

4
Polar

Vantage V3

47mm
~€600

Sports-science HR + ECG.

Polar Vantage V3

Polar Vantage V3: Elixir HR (4 LEDs + ECG), Hill Splitter, Strava Live segments, 8-day battery. Polar's premium runner.

5
Suunto

Race S

45mm AMOLED
Value ~€350

AMOLED running entry.

Suunto Race S: AMOLED, dual-band GPS, 30h workout battery, FusedTrack. Cheapest legitimate dual-band GPS sportswatch.

6
Garmin

Forerunner 265S

42mm AMOLED
~€500

Smaller Forerunner for compact wrists.

Garmin Forerunner 265S

Garmin Forerunner 265S: 42mm, AMOLED, 15h GPS, training-readiness. Same engine as the 965, smaller case.

10
Casio

F-91W

38mm
Value ~€20

€20 stopwatch-on-wrist.

Casio F-91W

Casio F-91W: 1989 design, 7-year battery, hourly chime, stopwatch. The cheapest legitimate timing watch and a cult marathon-training pick.

Honourable mentions

Garmin Enduro 3 · 51mmUltra-runner solar with 90+ days battery.
Coros Pace 3 · 42mm€229 lightweight running watch with multi-band GPS.
Suunto Vertical Solar · 49mmAdventure-runner solar with full topo maps.

How to choose

Reference: Garmin Forerunner 965. Lightest titanium: Coros Apex 2 Pro. iPhone-anchored: Apple Watch Ultra 2. €20 beater: Casio F-91W.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best watch for running?
The Garmin Forerunner 965 at around 650 euro is the consensus runner's answer: dual-frequency GPS, race predictor, structured workout support, AMOLED display. The Coros Apex 2 Pro at 450 euro is the value alternative. Serious runners run one or the other.
Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 good enough for marathon training?
For most runners, yes. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has dual-frequency GPS and accurate heart rate, and battery lasts a full marathon on GPS. For 100k+ ultra distances it's tight on battery. The Garmin Forerunner 965 is more running-focused; the Ultra 2 is a better all-round watch.
Does the Suunto Race S compete with Garmin?
The Suunto Race S at around 400 euro is the smaller-case sport GPS alternative with a cleaner interface than Garmin. Battery life is competitive, dual-frequency GPS accuracy is very close. For a runner who dislikes the Garmin ecosystem, Suunto is the honest alternative at similar money.
Should I run with a mechanical watch?
For casual jogs, sure: an Omega Aqua Terra 38 or Tudor Black Bay 58 survives an easy run. For serious training, no: no pace data, no heart rate, no training log. Most runners with mechanical watches wear a Garmin during training and the mechanical for the rest of the day.

Comments 30

  1. Anonymous
    Been using the Garmin Forerunner 965 for about three months now and the battery life is genuinely impressive compared to my old Apple Watch. The running dynamics data feels more granular too, though I still miss some of the smartwatch conveniences. Solid pick for serious runners.
  2. Otis
    solid picks here, but honestly if you're going vintage route the Seiko 5 Sports still does everything these garmins do, just without the screen. build it right and you've got a proper running watch that'll outlive your phone.
  3. Anonymous
    surprised the hamilton khaki field auto made this list for running. nice watch but isn't it more of a daily wearer.
  4. Stef
    been rotating the Apple Watch Ultra 2 on a black nato for morning runs, then swapping to a leather strap for the rest of the day. versatility like that is underrated in these roundups.
  5. Jenkins
    garmin forerunner 965 is basically a tiny computer strapped to your wrist; if you like menus, you'll love it.
    1. Milo S. replying to Jenkins
      interesting picks here, but i have to ask about the dial finishing on that hamilton khaki field auto. the article doesn't mention whether it's brushed or polished, and that makes a huge difference for legibility during runs. meteorite dials would be impractical for sports, obviously, but even a simple fume finish would elevate the whole tool-watch aesthetic.
  6. C. Almeida
    Frankly, I'm relieved to see the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto included here. Most running-watch roundups ignore mechanical alternatives entirely, but there's something to be said for a tool watch that doesn't demand daily charging. The Garmin is sensible, of course, but it strikes me as rather utilitarian for the wrist.
  7. L. Pereira
    preço do Coros Apex 2 Pro aqui em SP é bem mais salgado que o internacional, infelizmente. Alguém sabe se vale a pena trazer da gringa ou os impostos acabam matando a economia?
  8. Mike
    Garmin Forerunner 965 is the obvious pick here.
  9. Dave
    Great picks here. I grabbed the Forerunner 965 last month and it's been solid for my early morning 5Ks. My old watch died mid-run, so this was a lifesaver.
  10. Ed
    Good mix of sport watches and everyday pieces like the Hamilton.
  11. TT
    Garmin versus Apple; endurance versus convenience. Pick your religion.
  12. Frank
    In my view, this list covers the essential bases well, though I'd note the Garmin Forerunner 965 and Coros Apex 2 Pro represent quite different philosophies. The Garmin leans heavily on software and ecosystem integration, whereas the Coros tends toward battery efficiency and simpler interfaces. For a runner deciding between them, that distinction matters more than specs alone. The inclusion of the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto is interesting; it's the only mechanical option here, which appeals to those who prefer simplicity over data overload.
  13. Anonymous
    surprised the hamilton made this list tbh. nice field watch but seems out of place next to all the gps running watches
  14. Karam
    The Garmin Forerunner 965 and Coros Apex 2 Pro are solid choices for GPS accuracy, but neither spec sheet mentions COSC certification or chronometer-level deviation claims. For a running watch, sub 5 s/d is reasonable, though most smartwatches rely on quartz oscillators rather than mechanical precision standards. Worth noting the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto sits in a different category entirely.
  15. Rik
    The Garmin Forerunner 965 dial is genuinely well thought out here. Baselayer proportions feel right, and the sans-serif numerals don't compete with the data readout. Most sports watches botch this balance, but the spacing and hierarchy work.
  16. Reece
    so im looking to get into running and want a watch that actually tracks stuff well. is the garmin forerunner 965 worth the price over something like the coros apex 2 pro, or am i overthinking this for a beginner?
  17. Theo
    Good selection here. The Garmin Forerunner 965 is solid, though I find myself reaching for something lighter on morning runs along the Riviera. Still, for serious training data it's hard to beat.
  18. Anonymous
    Surprised the Garmin Forerunner 965 made the top spot. It's solid but the battery life is honestly disappointing for the price point if you're doing long ultras.
  19. Margaret R.
    My late husband wore an Omega for forty years, and I never quite understood the appeal until recently. This article mentions the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto, and I found myself drawn to it, reading about it three times. There's something about a watch that simply works, without all the screens and notifications. Perhaps I'll finally learn what he saw in them.
  20. DJ
    Garmin Forerunner 965 still the king for serious runners. Battery life beats Apple Watch Ultra 2.
  21. Kevin O.
    Good list overall, but I'd push back on the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto as a running watch. It's a solid field watch, sure, but it lacks GPS, heart rate monitoring, and any real running metrics. I tried wearing a mechanical field watch for training last year and kept reaching for my Forerunner instead. For runners who want something dressy, maybe mention a hybrid smartwatch option?
  22. Anonymous
    curious about the G-Shock pick. thought those were more for durability than running metrics
  23. Nik V.
    nice list, but half these watches cost more than a decent used car. the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto is the only sane choice here.
  24. Anonymous
    I've been using the Garmin Forerunner 965 for three months now and the battery life still impresses me. The training metrics are solid, though I wish the UI was a bit snappier. Seems like a fair pick for the top spot.
  25. Nadim A.
    I get the appeal of these gadgets, but I bought a Hamilton Khaki Field Auto back in 2014 and it still keeps time perfectly fine for my weekend runs. Not sure we all need a new watch every few years to stay motivated.
  26. Anonymous
    Been using the Garmin Forerunner 965 for three months now and the battery life alone justifies the price over the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Training metrics are solid too.
  27. Chronograf
    This is the El Primero argument all over again: sports watch or fashion watch. Mixing a Hamilton Khaki Field Auto in with the Garmins and Polars feels like comparing mechanical elegance to data collection. Different tools, different wrists.
  28. Tomek
    Garmin Forerunner 965 is solid choice, but price is difficult for casual runners. Casio G-Shock G-Squad is better value, no?
  29. Hannes J.
    Curious about the lume on the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto. Does it glow bright enough for pre-dawn runs, or is it more of a decorative touch. Would love to see a long-exposure shot of it in the dark.

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