April is getting very exciting.
Being British that will normally manifest itself with a comment like ‘yeah, it’s alright at the moment I suppose. I hadn’t really thought about it‘.
But I’ve already used the word ‘EXCITING’; and ‘AWESOME’ wouldn’t go amiss either. Perhaps I really do have American roots?
Anyway. I’ve run out of meaningful arm space…it’s THAT exciting. Temper that in your mind with the knowledge that I wouldn’t have two optical devices on the same arm/wrist at any one time. That still means I might be laden down with 4 at a time. My regular reader will know that I try to avoid such overt displays of watchyness.
But I am having probelms building up 7 days’ worth of activity/sleep so that the on-device screen and app displays come up with data that show I’m using it regularly! The truth is, I’m rotating A LOT.
All this excitement is happening with running/tri devices, so I’m very happy about that. the5krunner, right? The only downside is that I haven’t got enough time with the demands of ‘other work’. Queue suitable hashtag for the youngsters…#Sigh.
Without further ado. These are on and off my wrist/arm this month.
- Polar OH1 – it’s there on my arm quite a lot. It’s just handy to have a device that caches accurate HR. Why oh why does it not have ANT+.
- Suunto 3 Fitness – I’m excited about this more than I initially thought I would be. I’ve had to steal (I mean borrow) a family member’s iPhone to use the beta app and I’m having problems properly testing the rather clever adaptive training as it’s not really geared to someone who trains as frequently as me. REALLY=it’s not.
- Mystery tri watch – I might put out some GPS accuracy results this week if I have time. Along with revealing its true identity.
- Fitbit Versa – PLEASE let it be good.
- Garmin Forerunner 645 Music – I need to write the review. I’ll probably release the GPS test results as that’s infinitely easier ;-). It’s been surprisingly “consistent” and, at least whilst running, ‘live’ data seems to tally well with the 935 worn at the same time. I’m not sure if you’d say that was good or bad. I quite like the music implementation in many respects and the 645 features here in the polemic Best Running Watch with Music.
- On that note, I have the Garmin Forerunner 935 as well of course. Will it still be the best triathlon watch in 6 month’s time?
- Mystery WearOS watch – I’m just being cagey. It’s not a new 2018 model. But it’s pretty cool nevertheless. And, no, it’s NOT the pretty Mobvoi TICWATCH.
There ARE more bike devices coming but not to me and not yet. I might do a Power Meter but not this month. Have a look at this:
https://the5krunner.com/2018/03/31/2018-cycling-running-triathlon-sports-watches-new-models-current-models-replacement-dates-garmin-polar-suunto-wahoo-fitbit-more/
Last Updated on 17 January 2026 by the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red light therapy for niggles. It works.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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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
Wahoo rival watch?? I’m so curious…
“EXCITING’; and ‘AWESOME’ wouldn’t go amiss either. Perhaps I really do have American roots?”
Oh no, no, no you shan’t insult our boisterous use of the vernacular to obfuscate the droll verbiage you British use.
I did not use a thesaurus nor a dictionary for the above comment :P.
“Mystery tri watch – I might put out some GPS accuracy results this week if I have time. Along with revealing its true identity.” No reason to be using that Polar OH1 all by its lonesome right?
you’ve already let slip your a writer by trade. I cant even spell you’re write or sort out my abbreviation.
oh1: just a thrid party check unfortunately…easier than wearing another watch.
write/right. I think you need an Editor 😛
When will we read about the “mystery tri watch”… ?
https://the5krunner.com/2018/04/10/stratos-triathlon-watch-not-review/