Whether training out in the open air or in an indoor gym, an outdoor sports watch makes it easier to track essential statistics for a more efficient workout you can be proud of.
In fact, a good watch contains various features that enable you to customize your own training session for a more exciting workout, and it can also be used for many outdoor activities.
But there is a myriad of outdoor sports watches available, which can be daunting.
So, to help narrow down your search, I’ve comprised a short guide of what to look for in a quality piece, as well as also provided a breakdown of the popular Polar Grit X multisport watch, and also compared it to a few alternatives, to help you determine the best training companion for your needs.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Outdoor Watch
Physical training, especially outdoors, presents many challenges, such as tracking your calories burned, your speed, your distance, especially if it’s an uncharted path, and more, unlike indoor exercise equipment, which does it for you.
However, outdoor sports watches were designed for more strenuous workouts on the go, and they can also be used for various activities, including hiking, running, swimming, cycling, and more.
Otherwise, if you simply want to use it for general fitness, then an outdoor sports watch may not be for you. Instead, you may consider an activity tracker for a more economical choice.
Some of the main things to think about before buying an outdoor sports watch include:
Activity
Your chosen activity or activities will dictate the type of watch you need.
For instance, serious athletes or exercise gurus are typically attracted to multisport watches for the ample fitness tracking features they provide, such as optimal heart monitors and GPS, which are needed for more active outdoor training.
Construction
Exercising outdoors means your sports watch will be exposed to various harsh elements;
Therefore, you want to look for one that has a rugged design and durable construction to withstand taxing workouts, as well as various weather factors.
It should also be waterproof, especially if you are a swimmer or you exercise in areas with high humidity.
Features
It is also important to choose a watch that contains all the features you need for your particular sport or sports.
For instance, if you are a runner, then you definitely want a watch that can track your distance. And if you are a hiker, then be sure the watch includes a built-in GPS and compass, and some watches even provide you with detailed data regarding your uphill performance and more.
If you are an athlete that engages in various sports, then look for an outdoor multisport watch that includes tracking for your different activities.
Connectivity
Connectivity is also important for viewing your performance stats in real-time, continuously tracking your heart rate, staying connected with your phone, and more.
Battery Life
Long battery life is imperative when training long distances, especially if you are using GPS or other live features, which use a lot of power.
Therefore, you want to find a quality watch whose battery only needs to be charged every few days.
Introducing the Polar Grit X Outdoor Multisport Watch
The Polar Grit X is a durable, outdoor multisport watch that includes all the sought after training features for legendary workouts, and it’s also waterproof.
It is also quality checked, including drop and extreme temperature tested, for military-grade performance in even the toughest conditions.
The lightweight design also makes it easy to sport wherever, and the wristband is also designed to ensure a comfortable fit around your wrist.
The bands, as well as the base and glass fiber reinforced polymer back cover, are also available in different colors to suit various styles.
Unlike many other outdoor sports watches, it also has a laminated Gorilla glass lens with anti-fingerprint coating, in addition to a 240 x 240 resolution color touch display that always remains on.
Pros
- Smart Coaching features
- Very durable
- Very light
Cons
- Expensive
- Not accessible to beginners
Polar Grit X Features & Benefits
Design
The Polar Grit X is 47 x 47 x 13mm in size, including the 1.2″ display, and weighs just 64 grams with the wristband for a lightweight watch that can be worn every day.
Its band, which comes in leather, silicone, or textile materials, also includes quick release spring bars, and the buckle has a stretchy underside to ensure a comfortable fit.
It also adjusts to fit different wrist sizes.
Battery
The 346mAh Li-Pol battery remains charged for up to 7 days in watch mode and up to 40 hours in training mode, even with the GPS in use. It also has multiple energy-saving options.
Connectivity
It is Bluetooth compatible and also includes a cable for data synchronization and charging.
Metrics
FitSpark Training Guide
The FitSpark Training Guide uses various stats, including your fitness level, training history, and recovery, to provide you with custom planned daily workouts, which helps take the stress out of planning your own.
Running Program
It includes a running program that can also be used to develop your training plans based on your personal metrics. And it can even be used to train for a marathon.
Route Guidance
The watch also enables you to enjoy real-time guidance on your path by simply uploading your route into the device.
It also includes a magnetometer-based compass to help navigate your course.
Smart Calories
Use the Smart Calories feature to see the exact number of calories you’ve burned during your training sessions, which can then be used to assess how hard you’re training.
Energy Sources
The device also divides your energy usage into proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, so you can view how your body uses different energy sources during a training session, which can then be used to plan your nutritional intake for peak performance.
Continuous Heart Rate
Polar Grit X also enables you to continuously monitor your heart rate to see the lowest and highest rate of the day, so you get a more accurate view of activity data and calorie burn.
It also includes Swimming Metrics, Running Power, Strava Live Segments, Sport Profile, Fitness Test, Nightly Recharge, Breathing exercise, Sleep Plus Stages, Weather, Advanced Wrist Based Heart Rate, and Training Benefit features for an all-in-one outdoor sports watch that helps keep you on top of your training.
What Others Think
Review #1
With all the impressive features that Polar Grit X offers, I had to see what actual users are saying about it, so I searched the web for customer reviews and Luke, who is a trail runner, mountain biker, and ski mountaineer, had this to say:
“The Grit X is the perfect combination of functionality, battery life, and weight…I struggled to find a product that blends these three characteristics appropriately until now….It’s wrist base heart rate is the best I have experienced…the GPS tracking and elevation was flawless even when running in the Boulder foothills where many GPS units struggle…battery life has proven to be excellent…and you do not experience any wrist bruising…you will be extremely pleased with your purchase of the Polar X Grit!”
Review #2
Meanwhile, jslater from Utah touts it as an awesome running companion stating,”…it is super simple to use, reliably accurate, and very comfortable to wear all day… Honestly this watch has been brilliant and suits all my needs.”
Review #3
And Anura G states “This where Polar excels. Providing you with an astounding volume of activity/exercise data-on the watch-in color, and in tabular form when appropriate…This, as with other Polar watches, is for the SERIOUS-semi-Pro/PRO-athlete who wants to know everything possible about how they are doing-and how they can continue to improve.”
Polar Grit X Alternatives
Michael Kors Access Gen 4 Runway Smartwatch
The Michael Kors Access Gen 4 Runway Smartwatch enables you to track your heart rate and other basic statistics, as well as both store and control your music, including YouTube Music, and more, all from a 41mm size case.
It also enables you to switch out the face to suit the occasion.
This is an ideal watch for those who want a bit more out of their everyday watch while still looking stylish on the go.
Michael Kors vs. Polar Grit X
- At 41mm, it’s a bit smaller for those who prefer a bigger watch with better resolution.
- It includes all the main features as Polar Grit X, including touch screen, heart rate tracking and GPS; however, the back cover and screen are not reinforced for more rugged outdoor activity.
- It also enables NFC payments whereas Polar Grit X does not.
- The Michael Kors Smartwatch is also powered by Google, which also includes a microphone and Google Assistant.
- It also includes low energy Bluetooth.
- It’s also waterproof.
- It only has 24 hour battery life as compared to Polar Grit X’s minimum 40 hour battery life.
- It is priced a bit lower.
Garmin Fenix 5S Plus, Smaller-Sized Multisport GPS Smartwatch
The Garmin Fenix 5S Plus, Smaller-Sized Multisport GPS Smartwatch enables users to track their routes using a multi-satellite GPS, as well as their personal metrics across various sports activities, all on a 1.2″ readable display.
It is also Smartphone compatible and available in many colors to suit different tastes.
This is an ideal watch for individuals who crave all the features of a quality outdoor sports watch, but that doesn’t look like one.
Garmin Fenix 5S vs Polar Grit X
- It includes many of the same sophisticated training features as Polar Grit X but in a smaller, more stylish design for more inconspicuous tracking.
- It can also plan your training route; however, it does so based on popularity routing as opposed to your personal stats.
- It also connects with Bluetooth headphones, but they are available separately.
- It includes color topo maps.
- It enables contactless payments
- It lasts approximately 4 hours in GPS mode while Polar Grit X lasts 7 hours in GPS mode.
- It’s slightly lower priced.
Coros APEX Premium Multisport GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor
The Coros APEX Premium Multisport GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor enables users to track their training sessions and metrics, as well as their heart rate via the built-in heart rate monitor, or you can connect with other heart rate monitors.
Users can also use a preloaded route when training in unfamiliar locations to help stay on track, and then once you’re done, it also displays your estimated time until your body fully recovers. It also provides nutrition alerts and more.
This is an ideal watch for people who want a superior outdoor watch but at half the price of more popular brands.
Coros APEX vs. Polar Grit X
- It includes a dial knob for easier use.
- The battery lasts 24 days in regular mode as compared to 7 days.
- It integrates with many popular third-party training platforms.
- It includes an industry leading GPS, which makes tracking easy in deep woods.
Final Thoughts
The Polar Grit X contains all the right features for an epic training day out and even includes additional features for tracking your sleep quality, which makes it the perfect workout companion for the semi-pro to pro outdoor sportsperson who is serious about their sessions and wants to know every aspect of their performance to improve on every level.
Meanwhile, its colorful display, which includes color-coding and more, also makes it fun and easy to read.
It is also built to last and can withstand even the harshest conditions while also providing a comfortable fit, so there’s no bruising afterward.
The long battery life takes it over the edge, which makes it suitable for all-day wear.
If this sounds like the ultimate outdoor sports watch for you, then click here to check it out in its entirety.
