As new models have emerged this year I’ve kept a relatively updated list of winners of the TRIATHLON, CYCLING and RUNNING watch awards. Most new watches for 2017 have now been released, the only exceptions being the Garmin Vivoactive 3 and possibly also a high-end Garmin Forerunner. So the list is now FINAL (ish).
AWARDS: Best GPS Running Watch 2017
AWARDS: Best GPS Triathlon Watch 2017
AWARDS: Best Cycling Watch 2017
Here are watches that won something: Garmin Forerunner 935, Garmin Fenix 3 (three), TomTom Runner 3/SPARK3, Polar M600, Polar M400, Garmin Edge 1030 520 & 820, Polar M430, Polar A360/A370, Suunto Spartan Trainer WHR, WAHOO ELEMNT (and BOLT), Garmin 230/235, LEZYNE MINI and Garmin 920XT, Suunto Spartan Sport (+/-WHR), Polar V800, Suunto AMBIT3, Garmin 310XT, Garmin 910XT, XPLOVA X5, Garmin Fenix 5X. !!
So you might call me a coward for hedging my bets across multiple categories and trying to please every possible watch vendor. But I might argue that these watches are still selling for a reason…ie someone, somewhere likes them! And other people tend to like and want different things to you and I. So each category for an award imagines a certain type of buyer and the best watch for them (yeah, yeah, I used to be in marketing, I know, I know). So if you are looking for the best watch in the Eur178.36 to Eur201.73 price range you will be disappointed. Sorry, it’s not done that way.
🙂
Last Updated on 16 January 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — A small keyring adapter you can use anywhere. Essential when away. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Wahoo. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
- Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
