running watch

[Getfitok]

Hi, I'm considering buying a running watch.

I've got really thin wrists so need something not too bulky, with GPS, basic & not too expensive.

Your expert opinions & experiences of these would be great.

Thanks

Happy running

[pinkaardvark Graduate]

I'm very happy with my fenix 5. It is a night and day improvement over my previous sony smartwatch 3. It is pricey but they do much cheaper watches in the range that may suit you better. Maybe the forerunner 35 or 235?

[thisfishcan Graduate]

I only started running 4 weeks ago. I bought a Garmin forerunner 10, cheaply off ebay. As a beginner this suits me very well. They come in different colours, and i believe the green, pink and purple are the smaller ones. My green one has 14 holes on the strap which will fit the smallest wrist.

[Hidden]

Love my Garmin Fenix 5s, but even though it,s the women’s version, it is still bulky and large. Maybe look at other Garmins? They are, in my opinion, the best.

[Theziggy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Goodness those Fenix watches are pricey - what does it do that other cheaper gps watches don't do Hidden ? Could get a lot of other running gear for that money!!!!!!

[Hidden in reply to Theziggy]

I got it half price on ebay (£250)! I wear it all the time, it's my watch, Its metal with a leather strap, not plastic, and I can use it to swim as well. I had a cheaper garmin, but but was huge, bulky and uncomfortable. I love my Fenix and would rather have spent the money on it than nights out, wine, etc. It amazes me that people will spend money on foreign holidays, drink, eating out, clothes, smoking, running an expensive car, but won't spend it on decent running kit that will last years and years (I'm not saying you would do that!)

[Theziggy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

The half price was excellent. I guess for me to consider a Rolls Royce of fitness tracking watches such as a Fenix, I would need to be a lot more physically active and running further. I am still using an ex-pair of New Balance running shoes as everyday trainers, sadly bits have begun falling off their soles. Maybe time to retire them? They have served me very well.

[Hidden in reply to Theziggy]

I use it for swimming and walking as well as running. Yikes, you're very lucky not to have had problems, running with clapped out shoes. Do take care. I guess it depends what you want to spend your money on. I don't normally have much, but I had an smallish inheritance and we sold up and moved to a cheaper area, so have been able to splash out a little. It will have to stop soon, but it's been nice to be able to have a few things without worrying for once. It's funny because I still consider going out for a meal or taking a taxi the height of giddy profligacy

[Theziggy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

No, I demoted my shoes from running to everyday when I had done 500 miles in them. I guess I would treat myself too if I had a small windfall so don't blame you one bit. And the best bit is that you got yourself something you use everyday and clearly like!

[Hidden in reply to Theziggy]

Oh, sorry, misunderstood! Yes, I love my Fenix, it's my pride and joy. I've had it months and still enjoy looking at it.

[MarkyD Graduate]

Another vote for anything from Garmin.

This is a very popular brand of running watch: you'll find plenty on popular auction sites (folks are always upgrading and selling their old one). If you do buy one pre-owned, ask the seller about the battery life. Early Garmin watches used rechargeable batteries that had a limited life.

Personally, I use a Garmin ForeRunner 235. It is brilliant.

[damienair Graduate]

I have a Garmin ForeRunner 15. I bought it second hand last year on eBay and I’m really happy with it. Very easy to use and accurate. However it is a little bulky. My brother recently got a ForeRunner 35, looks really nice, slim design and is a big step up over mine.

[Getfitok Graduate]

Thanks for all the suggestions, it's a great help. I'll look into them all & see what suits me best.

[misswobble Graduate]

I have a Garmin F10 and it’s absolutely fine. I got the F15 for m6 first marathon asmthe battery life is supposed to be longer. It wasn’t!

I really like F10 as is basic and the least expensive but it does what I need

The text on the screen is hard to read on the run without specs though

[Gabby08 Graduate]

Another vote for the Garmin 235 from me. I love mine! 💕

[Fenellawny Graduate]

I’ve recently bought a Fitbit HR charge 2. They were all on offer, not sure if they still are. I have tiny wrists and it I have holes to spare on strap. It’s great and does lots of things.

[quirkybee Graduate]

I have the Fitbit HR Charge 2 and its been fab. Had it a year this month, purely for the step count initially, an incentive to get me moving. I used it for the 10,000 steps a day throughout June for Cancer Research, so it was invaluable then. It then further served its purpose when I started running last June and I use the run function on it then. Not to highly priced if you just want to see how you get on when starting a sport.

Would like to invest in either a Garmin or Fenix, see how things go and how the funds situation is.

Good luck with whatever you choose lovely x

[Getfitok Graduate in reply to quirkybee]

Thanks for that. It's my birthday in 2 weeks time so I'm going to consider all the recommendations & see what I come up with. Never thought I'd be getting a running watch, it's hilarious 😝

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Getfitok]

Ah, you're welcome lovely. Let us know what you decide on, exciting times ahead 😊😁 x

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

I recently treated myself to a forerunner 35, and I'm delighted with it. It does heart rate and cadence as well as the usual pace and elevation, you can wear it all the time if you want to to monitor steps and sleep (I do), it locks on to the satellite quickly and seems accurate in its tracking. I was advised to get a FR 10 as my first watch, I#ve been pleased with it, but with hindsight I'd rather have got one of these.

[Getfitok Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thanks for that, it seems to be one of the popular ones.

[Spinno Graduate]

what did you decide to go for? Am looking to buy my first watch as am coming to end of C25K and would like to be able to monitor distance on a watch rather than wait until the end and look at my phone etc.

[Getfitok Graduate]

In the end I decided on the Garmin forerunner 35, it has good reviews & does everything I need. Since I got it though I was snowed in & then got flu so havnt actually used it yet. Hope to get out on Wednesday weather permitting( we're snowed in again).

[Spinno Graduate in reply to Getfitok]

Thanks for replying! We’re snowed in for a second time too. I just want to get out and run. Thinking I will brave it this evening when I can get out without children. Let me know how you get on with it. Lots of my family have recommended fitbits but are not runners so I don’t know if it will be as good as a watch more designed for running/ sport.

[Getfitok Graduate in reply to Spinno]

Hi, used it a few times now, it's easy to use & does everything I'd want it to do. Would recommend.