What Is The Best Mountain Biking Watch?
In this mountain biking watch review, our team thoroughly compared display, features, ease of use and value for money for multiple products. After hours of research and testing, we recommend the Garmin Instinct, Rugged Outdoor Watch with GPS as the best mountain biking watch on the market.
Mountain Biking Watch Reviews
Looking for a watch that can handle whatever adventure comes your way? Look no further than this tough and reliable Garmin Instinct watch. It’s built to meet the strict standards set by the U.S. Military, so you know it’s tough enough to handle anything you throw at it.
It’s resistant to heat, shock, and water and can even go down to 100 meters deep! But that’s not all – the watch is made with strong materials that won’t easily break, and the screen is designed to be easy to read, even in bright daylight.
Plus, the soft wristband comes with two loops to keep it securely on your wrist without getting caught on anything. Instinct is the perfect GPS companion for mountain bikers. It tracks your movements even in tough environments and has a 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter. TracBack guides you back to your starting point effortlessly.
The Instinct GPS watch also helps you track your heart rate, activity and stress levels for better fitness and health. It also comes with preloaded activity profiles for easy training.
At a glance
Ideal for avid mountain bikers seeking top-notch equipment, the Garmin Instinct is fully loaded with all the necessary features, making it one of the most coveted watches for mountain biking.
Looking for a watch that can handle whatever adventure comes your way? Look no further than this tough and reliable Garmin Instinct watch. It’s built to meet the strict standards set by the U.S. Military, so you know it’s tough enough to handle anything you throw at it.
It’s resistant to heat, shock, and water and can even go down to 100 meters deep! But that’s not all – the watch is made with strong materials that won’t easily break, and the screen is designed to be easy to read, even in bright daylight.
Plus, the soft wristband comes with two loops to keep it securely on your wrist without getting caught on anything. Instinct is the perfect GPS companion for mountain bikers. It tracks your movements even in tough environments and has a 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter. TracBack guides you back to your starting point effortlessly.
The Instinct GPS watch also helps you track your heart rate, activity and stress levels for better fitness and health. It also comes with preloaded activity profiles for easy training.
Features:
- Screen Size
- 1.27 Inches
- Weight
- 1.76 oz
- Baterry Life
- up to 14 days
- Water Resistance
- 10 ATM
Scores:
- Display
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Pros
- Renowned industry leader
- Built to last
- 3-axis compass
- Tracks heart rate
- Pre-loaded training programs
Cons
- No Connect IQ app support
Get the perfect watch with the Apple Watch Series 8 GPS. Find your style with different sizes, materials, bands, and watch faces. The watch has several emergency features to ensure safety, including Crash Detection, Fall Detection, and an Emergency SOS button.
You can also keep track of your health and well-being by using several advanced health monitoring features, including temperature sensing, blood oxygen, ECG, and Sleep Stages.
With these innovative technologies, you can accurately monitor your vitals and sleep patterns, which can help you identify potential health issues early on. These features provide a comprehensive understanding of your health so that you can make informed decisions about your well-being.
The improved Workout app offers fresh training methods and in-depth metrics to help you track your mountain biking progress. Additionally, Apple Watch includes a complimentary three-month subscription to Apple Fitness+ for your convenience.
At a glance
Perfect for those after the latest tech. The Apple Watch Series 8 GPS stands out from other smartwatches by offering unique features and seamless integration with Apple’s smartphones.
Get the perfect watch with the Apple Watch Series 8 GPS. Find your style with different sizes, materials, bands, and watch faces. The watch has several emergency features to ensure safety, including Crash Detection, Fall Detection, and an Emergency SOS button.
You can also keep track of your health and well-being by using several advanced health monitoring features, including temperature sensing, blood oxygen, ECG, and Sleep Stages.
With these innovative technologies, you can accurately monitor your vitals and sleep patterns, which can help you identify potential health issues early on. These features provide a comprehensive understanding of your health so that you can make informed decisions about your well-being.
The improved Workout app offers fresh training methods and in-depth metrics to help you track your mountain biking progress. Additionally, Apple Watch includes a complimentary three-month subscription to Apple Fitness+ for your convenience.
Features:
- Screen Size
- 1.39 Inches
- Weight
- 1.48 oz
- Baterry Life
- up to 18 hours
- Water Resistance
- 5 ATM
Scores:
- Display
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Pros
- Charges very quickly
- Tracking features are second to none
- New low-power modes
- Bright and responsive display
- Accurate health and fitness tracking
Cons
- Battery not upgraded from previous models
Boasting exceptional durability, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 has undergone 15 military-grade tests to ensure it is super durable. Thanks to its ultra-low temperature operation feature, it’s engineered to withstand extreme temperatures as low as -30°C.
With a battery life of up to 24 days, this fitness watch is a reliable partner for all your mountain biking adventures. It has 150+ built-in sports modes and smart recognition of 8 sports, making it ideal for all athletes, not just mountain bikers. The water-resistance grade of 10 ATM means that it can withstand the equivalent of 100 meters of water pressure.
The Amazfit T-Rex 2 also features a self-developed 6PD BioTracker™ 3.0 PPG optical sensor that offers fast and accurate 24-hour monitoring of heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation (SpO2), and stress levels. It’s compatible with Android 7.0 & iOS 12.0 and above smart devices, making it accessible to many users.
At a glance
The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is the perfect watch for people on a budget. It has impressive outdoor features but is slightly less polished and glitchy compared to some competitors. Overall an excellent value-for-money watch.
Boasting exceptional durability, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 has undergone 15 military-grade tests to ensure it is super durable. Thanks to its ultra-low temperature operation feature, it’s engineered to withstand extreme temperatures as low as -30°C.
With a battery life of up to 24 days, this fitness watch is a reliable partner for all your mountain biking adventures. It has 150+ built-in sports modes and smart recognition of 8 sports, making it ideal for all athletes, not just mountain bikers. The water-resistance grade of 10 ATM means that it can withstand the equivalent of 100 meters of water pressure.
The Amazfit T-Rex 2 also features a self-developed 6PD BioTracker™ 3.0 PPG optical sensor that offers fast and accurate 24-hour monitoring of heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation (SpO2), and stress levels. It’s compatible with Android 7.0 & iOS 12.0 and above smart devices, making it accessible to many users.
Features:
- Screen Size
- 1.39 Inches
- Weight
- 2.30 oz
- Baterry Life
- 24 days
- Water Resistance
- 10 ATM
Scores:
- Display
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Pros
- A wide array of sports profiles
- Extended battery life
- Value for money
- Made from strong and durable materials
- Touchscreen
Cons
- No support for third-party sensors
- Some may find it bulky
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 GPS tracks energy, sleep, heart rate, hydration, respiration, menstrual cycle, and stress. Pulse Ox is not a medical device and should not be used for medical purposes.
Download playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer for your next long ride, and connect with headphones. Buyers need to note that this feature may require a premium subscription.
You can record all your mountain biking adventures and track your performance with over 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps. Additionally, you can access animated workouts on your watch screen, including cardio, strength, yoga, and more.
Mountain bikers can enjoy up to 8 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 6 hours in GPS and music mode. Additionally, when paired with a compatible device, you can stay connected with smart notifications for incoming calls, text messages, calendar reminders, and more.
At a glance
Like the Amazfit, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 offers the advanced technology of watches used by elite ultra-marathon runners in a less expensive, more accessible smartwatch. While it may not provide all the data insights of a Forerunner, it still offers many useful features.
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 GPS tracks energy, sleep, heart rate, hydration, respiration, menstrual cycle, and stress. Pulse Ox is not a medical device and should not be used for medical purposes.
Download playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer for your next long ride, and connect with headphones. Buyers need to note that this feature may require a premium subscription.
You can record all your mountain biking adventures and track your performance with over 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps. Additionally, you can access animated workouts on your watch screen, including cardio, strength, yoga, and more.
Mountain bikers can enjoy up to 8 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 6 hours in GPS and music mode. Additionally, when paired with a compatible device, you can stay connected with smart notifications for incoming calls, text messages, calendar reminders, and more.
Features:
- Screen Size
- 1.3 Inches
- Weight
- 1.3 oz
- Baterry Life
- up to 8 days
- Water Resistance
- 5 ATM
Scores:
- Display
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Pros
- Unparalleled tracking with GPS
- Stream music
- Loaded with features
- Sleek and stylish
- The industry leader in fitness tracking
Cons
- ANT + HR still needs a bit of work
If you’re searching for a watch that can keep up with your mountain biking rides without sacrificing style, the Pace 2 is worth considering. This sporty timepiece boasts a lightweight, affordable design packed with features to rival even the Garmin Forerunner 245.
One of the standout features of the Pace 2 is its accurate GPS tracking, which makes it easy to keep track of your biking route and distance. Additionally, this watch calculates your stride length, so you can monitor your cadence even when running underground or in areas with poor GPS reception.
Another impressive feature of the Pace 2 is its ‘AI trainer,’ which helps you monitor your training progress and provides insights to help you optimize your rides. This can be a real game-changer for mountain bikers serious about improving their fitness and reaching their goals.
At a glance
All in all, the Pace 2 is an excellent choice for mountain bikers looking for a sporty watch that won’t break the bank. With its impressive features and affordable price point, it’s definitely worth considering if you’re in the market for a new fitness tracker..
If you’re searching for a watch that can keep up with your mountain biking rides without sacrificing style, the Pace 2 is worth considering. This sporty timepiece boasts a lightweight, affordable design packed with features to rival even the Garmin Forerunner 245.
One of the standout features of the Pace 2 is its accurate GPS tracking, which makes it easy to keep track of your biking route and distance. Additionally, this watch calculates your stride length, so you can monitor your cadence even when running underground or in areas with poor GPS reception.
Another impressive feature of the Pace 2 is its ‘AI trainer,’ which helps you monitor your training progress and provides insights to help you optimize your rides. This can be a real game-changer for mountain bikers serious about improving their fitness and reaching their goals.
Features:
- Screen Size
- 1.2 Inches
- Weight
- 1-1.27 oz
- Baterry Life
- 20 days
- Water Resistance
- 5 ATM
Scores:
- Display
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Pros
- Extremely stylish
- Very lightweight design
- GPS accuracy is second to none
- Super high-resolution display
- Value for money
Cons
- When not using the light, the display is quite dark.
How to Choose The Best Mountain Biking Watch
If you’re in the market for a watch specifically for mountain biking, there are several crucial elements to consider before making a purchase. These features can make or break the functionality of your watch, and without them, you might as well be throwing your money away.
GPS
For those of us who love mountain biking, a smartwatch that boasts GPS functionality is a must-have accessory. This feature provides an all-encompassing view of the trail ahead, which ensures that you don’t lose your way while exploring.
Incorporating GPS technology into your smartwatch can provide you with detailed information regarding your mountain biking training sessions. By enabling GPS, you’ll be able to monitor the distance you’ve traveled and your pedaling speed.
This handy feature can provide great insight and aid in tracking your progress and identifying areas that may need improvement. However, it’s important to keep in mind that utilizing GPS functionality can significantly impact your device’s battery life.
Connectivity
Nowadays, many brands prefer to use Bluetooth technology in their smartwatches, although some high-end models also have ANT+ connectivity. If you connect your smartwatch to a power meter, it can show important data like your power-to-weight ratio, which is crucial for climbing.
The Bluetooth feature also allows your smartwatch to pair with your phone. Depending on the watch, it could let you wirelessly sync your rides, customize activity modes, and download apps, watch faces, and metrics when connected to your phone.
Moreover, with Bluetooth, your smartwatch can display notifications from your phone. However each watch may show different app notifications, but you can limit them to calls and texts during an activity or just turn them off like I do.
Finally, most smartwatches can connect to WiFi, so you can sync your rides without needing a smartphone connection.
Battery Life
It is important to consider the advertised battery life of a GPS smartwatch before burning a big fat hole in your wallet. Although many brands claim their watches can last for weeks without recharging, examining the battery life when the GPS function is in use is crucial. This is because the internal GPS chip consumes a significant amount of battery power.
Therefore, checking the ‘in activity’ or GPS battery life is recommended to ensure that the watch can sustain prolonged usage without requiring frequent recharging. By thoroughly evaluating the battery life of a GPS smartwatch before purchase, you can make an informed decision and avoid any inconvenience caused by a short-lived battery.
Health Features
For those who are passionate about mountain biking, having a reliable and effective watch is crucial. Opting for a watch with a heart rate sensor is highly recommended to ensure that you’re not compromising your fitness levels while engaged in this high-intensity activity.
This feature will allow you to monitor your heart rate and ensure you are not over-training. Additionally, most watches equipped with heart rate monitors also come with emergency contact notification features, which can be a lifesaver in case of an emergency.
If you’re mountain biking for fitness purposes rather than adventure, your watch may require more advanced features. In this case, you may consider investing in a watch with ECG and blood oxygen level monitoring features. These features will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your body’s performance and help you make informed decisions when it comes to your fitness routine.
Furthermore, sleep quality tracking is also beneficial for those interested in monitoring their overall health and well-being. By keeping track of your sleep patterns, you can ensure that you are well-rested and in optimal condition for your next mountain biking adventure.
Safety
When it comes to mountain biking, safety should always be a top priority. That’s why it’s important to choose a watch that provides you with the necessary safety features.
A good watch for mountain biking should be able to send an SOS alert to your emergency contact in case of an accident. This is especially important if you often go mountain biking alone and want to ensure that you have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.
With this feature, you can rest assured that help will be on the way if you ever need it. So, when shopping for a watch for your next mountain biking adventure, be sure to look for one with this important safety feature.
Apps
In recent times, there has been a growing trend of smartwatches accommodating third-party applications like Komoot and Strava. These apps are designed to assist users with route selection and navigation and offer uploads to ride-sharing platforms.
Additionally, they offer access to features like Strava’s live segments, which can benefit individuals looking to improve their fitness levels. Certain smartwatches are compatible with Spotify, which allows users to stream their favorite music while engaging in physical activities.
Overall, integrating these third-party apps into smartwatches has dramatically enhanced their functionality and utility.
That’s A Wrap
When purchasing a watch, it’s important to consider the features that will best suit your needs. If you plan to use the watch for mountain biking and maintaining your fitness level, having a heart rate monitor is crucial. This feature will allow you to monitor your heart rate and ensure that you maintain an optimal level of exertion throughout your workout.
Additionally, GPS is an essential feature if you plan on tracking your progress and keeping tabs on your location during your ride. Finally, choosing a watch with a long battery life is a must, as this will ensure that you can use your watch for extended periods without stopping and recharging it.
By taking the time to consider these factors, you can make an informed decision and save money in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to look out for when buying a smartwatch?
When searching for a new smartwatch to purchase, it’s important to consider features like the display, operating system and app selection, fitness tracking, battery life, communication capabilities, connectivity, and pricing.
Do smartwatches track cycling?
Since these are wearable on your wrist, they can track almost any sport you engage in, whether running, swimming, cycling, rowing, skiing, or golfing! You don’t require a bike mount either, meaning there’s no need to remove it from your bike when you take a break.
Why is a smartwatch good for cycling?
Analyzing and evaluating your training load, status, intensity, recovery time, and overall fitness level is beneficial. However, solely collecting data from a couple of hours on the bike overlook other significant areas of your lifestyle like nutrition and stress.
