Top-Notch Tech to Wear for Any Sport

Don’t look now, but we are in the middle of a wrist-piece revolution—and we are not talking Rolexes. A heightened interest in knowing our own biometric data has led to an industry boom of smartwatches and fitness trackers. The number of wearables around the world has tripled since 2017, and people these days appear more likely to know their sleep score than their credit. NUVO has tested six of the most impressive wearables on the market, each with stellar battery life, otherworldly GPS abilities, and a wealth of new features, to learn more about how they work.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

In the last year, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has become almost as powerful as an iPhone, and it’s nearly as expensive. But for hardcore Apple users, the Ultra 2 is an obvious choice. Its fluorescent, titanium-encased screen is a portal to the classic Apple apps like music, podcasts, and Wallet, along with new features like on-device Siri, a double-tap control to swap between apps, and a scarily accurate precision finder for other Apple devices. Despite its clunky size and complex functionalities, which can far exceed the needs of an athlete, the Ultra 2 remains the best option for those seeking a miniphone on their wrist.

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Polar Grit X2 Pro

When hiking, the Polar Grit X2 Pro is a top choice. This watch was built to endure. Its robust stainless-steel bezel, circling a crystal glass screen, is nearly indestructible. It is also the best navigator in the game, with an offline GPS map with precise elevation profiles, an altitude meter, turn-by-turn directions, and a backtrack function. It’s a safeguard against anything going wrong. It also covers essential fitness needs by analyzing heart rate to determine effort levels and workout readiness.

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Coros Vertix 2s

Coros might not have the cultural cache of Apple, or even Garmin, but the brand is quickly becoming a major player in athlete circles for the performance of its products. The Vertix 2s comes with an optical sensor for precise heart rate monitoring, has a built-in system to monitor storms, functions 100 metres underwater, and dishes nutrition advice after learning about your daily intake. As a nerdy bonus, Coros’ in-house app integrates beautifully with popular fitness app Strava, which is more than we can say about the Apple Watch.

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Garmin Forerunner 965

In the world of endurance sports, Garmin remains the most beloved GPS brand for a reason: user-friendliness. Unlike some other devices that merely present their users with raw data, the 965 interprets training history, sleep schedules, and cardiovascular fitness to offer actionable insights that help prevent overtraining and injuries. The Forerunner 965, one of Garmin’s most sophisticated offerings, is the next best thing to a real coach. Weighing just 49 grams, it’s remarkably lightweight for its capabilities—it may not be as integrated as the Apple Watch or as indestructible as the Grit X2, but it packs a punch.

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Google Pixel Watch 2

The Pixel Watch 2, while less powerful and more simply constructed than the Ultra 2, is the Android equivalent to the suite of Apple Watches. Put simply, if you want a watch that integrates with your other tech devices, and you are an Android user, get the Pixel 2. Its functions are reminiscent of the Fitbit: it offers a wide range of workouts and, more surprisingly, mindfulness drills for when it detects heightened stress levels in its users, like an elevated heart rate or rising skin temperature. It also offers comprehensive sleep analysis, six free months of Fitbit Premium, and is relatively affordable, though it lacks advanced training data and has an overly sensitive auto-workout mode.

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