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Mountain sports watches are famous for keeping track of your steps, heart rate, and calorie burn. The truth is that they can do much more than that. They are loaded with features that are useful when we are exploring.
Having a mountain watch is convenient for multiple reasons. Before coming to the best smartwatches for mountain biking, we recommend to read these posts to have a base knowledge of a smartwatch’s features and highlights.
The Best Smartwatches for Mountain Biking
1. Garmin Instinct Mountain Watch
Garmin is one of the brands that stand out. It’s no surprise that one of their mountain models tops the comparison list. It is a watch made with materials that give it excellent thermal performance and resistance against shocks, falls and can be submerged up to 100 meters underwater.
The incorporation of a three-axis compass, as well as an integrated altimeter and barometer, stands out in this sports watch, offering excellent compatibility with different global satellite navigation systems so that you are always located so that you can enjoy calmly even in the most demanding terrain.
It is a watch with which you can keep track of your heart rate, stress level, and has a series of pre-installed activity profiles, such as cycling, swimming, and climbing.
This model has the useful trackback function, which allows you to orient yourself with the watch to return to the starting point following the same route you just traced, and, thanks to its smart notifications, you will always stay connected.
Pros
- It has long-lasting battery life.
- Does not allow water entry.
Cons
- Being able to understand the ins and the software takes time.
- Cannot store music.
2. Garmin 735XT Forerunner Mountain Watch
Garmin also has a model that is ideal for the mountains, as it is a multisport watch. It can be used in different sports activities such as mountain biking, swimming or running, other strength, cardio, trekking, and hiking.
The ultra-light construction stands out, being perfect to always carry it with you without even being noticed.
Its functions include heart rate measurement, advanced performance analysis, as well as being able to connect to your mobile to have access to your calls, messages, social networks, and any other notification.
Its battery is long-lasting, being able to reach up to 10 days of continuous use, in addition to being charged in just one hour. In the same way, it is a watch that can indicate temperature, has an accelerometer, and an integrated GPS.
Pros
- A comfortable watch to wear.
- Lightweight as compared to other brands.
- Shock resistant.
Cons
- The heart rate monitors usually stop after some time.
3. Garmin Fenix 5 Plus Mountain Watch
There is nothing better than going out into the mountains prepared for any situation. Having functional tools at hand to help you if a problem arises. Garmin Fenix 5 watch is designed for the most demanding athletes or adventurers. It can show you different maps and your exact location.
It has a 1.2 chromate screen, which provides perfect visibility in any light. Besides, it highlights its robust design and polycarbonate fiber body, which gives it excellent resistance with less weight.
Among its other main features is its water resistance, with the ability to be submerged up to 100 meters. Being a watch designed for mountain biking, it is accompanied by a GPS compatible with different global satellite networks, so you get a super precise location.
Its integrated sensors achieve improved precision on every route or workout, incorporating a 3-axis compass, gyroscope, and barometric altimeter.
Pros
- Sleek design, making it more attractive.
- Can track various metrics.
- Good display, which makes it easy to read it.
Cons
- Battery life does not last long.
4. Polar M430 Mountain Watch
Another of the great brands in the world of sports smart watches is Polar, combining high quality with resistant and ergonomic materials that adapt to each type of training, as is the case with this model with integrated GPS that will provide you with not only your location, but also speed, distance, altimetry and incline data, plus activity log.
It is a GPS watch for mountain routes with high compatibility with third parties by connecting the device to different services that record your activity, such as Strava, Apple Health Kit, and Google Fit, among others.
By registering your wrist pulsations thanks to its optical sensor, you will know your performance in each step you take. It will also show you your speed and distance, thanks to its integrated accelerometer.
In the same way, it has Polar Flow, a system that records each of your outings, to analyze your progress and thus always have the inspiration to continue with your training in the mountains.
Pros
- GPS
- Has a wrist monitor.
Cons
- It can be a complicated watch for new users.
What you should take into account when choosing a smart watch for mountain biking
Price
Not all watches are the same and, when it comes to prices, they can be found in a wide range, and that will increase depending on the characteristics of each one.
Easy to use
When it comes to the control of these watches, there may be two options, one that the watch has external buttons that allows you to adjust the functions according to your needs. On the downside, the buttons may not give you a user-friendly interface.
Battery duration
As the battery is a critical factor in choosing a mountain watch, you must take into account its power and capacity, as well as whether it has renewable energy options such as the use of small solar panels that make it work.
Weight
Wearing a watch that is too heavy can end up affecting your final performance, especially when you go on the mountain and every additional gram in your body counts. In this case, it is essential to choose an option that is light, weighing less.
In conclusion
When choosing a mountain watch, it is essential to consider its design and if it goes well with your wrist. Although these are crucial factors, there are other considerations that you must keep in mind when buying. In this way, you can choose the most recommended model for yourself.
