Garmin is best for running and strava. The forerunner 45 and 55 are good entry level Garmins for less than $200. My DS was a track runner for 4 years and eventually went to States using just this watch. The 265 model noted above is more for songs and stuff.

Garmin is great for tracking runs with GPS but without needing WiFi.

I have to say I think men and boys tend to like garmins more because they look more like men’s watches. My girl high school runner preferred an Apple Watch, but she was never very serious about track and cared more about aesthetics. She would up not using one at all, just a timex for practices.

Anonymous wrote:Mine has an Apple Watch, most of her friends have Garmins.

You may also want to consider a Strava subscription if he doesn’t already have it.

Do any of the fitness trackers tie in with Strava?

Anonymous wrote:Is the garmin or Apple Watch a good option for a teen who wants to track fitness but isn’t a distance runner?

I’m wearing a Garmin forerunner that I inherited from dc after he stopped running x-country, and I’d advise against it unless dc is primarily a runner. it’s not that easy to track fitness on it. The controls are annoying. I used to have a Fitbit versa and that was easier. I would recommend that for geberal fitness tracking.

Is the garmin or Apple Watch a good option for a teen who wants to track fitness but isn’t a distance runner?

Don’t do Apple Watch. Get the cheapest Garmin Forerunner. My kids have the 45 but they might not sell that one anymore.

Garmin Forerunner

Coros is cheap and doesn't have as many stats as a forerunner. If you want a running watch with some smartwatch features, a Forerunner that fits and you can afford (the 970 is $750, the 165 is much cheaper). The more you pay, the more features you have but the 970 is really just maps and not all features are worth it. I have a 265S because I have a little wrist but I'd probably do a 570 if I needed a new watch, but Garmin's last for years.

The Apple Watch is a smartwatch with some fitness features. It is better with an Iphone and you may need to pay a monthly fee if you want the phone on it.

Coros Pace 3 or Coros Pace 4

I have a Garmin Forerunner 265s. I love that you can load music on it and not have to carry a phone for music.

Mine has an Apple Watch, most of her friends have Garmins.

You may also want to consider a Strava subscription if he doesn’t already have it.

Why not apple watch?

That would be the best

Probably just get him an Apple Watch. It has good functionality for running.

I've had a bunch of garmin forerunners but I recently switched to a Coros Pace 3. It's light years ahead of my forerunner and cheaper than many of the advanced models of garmin.

My teen has had the Forerunner 735XT for maybe 3 years now and still likes it, though it may be discontinued at this point. Have had to replace the band once. He connects to the Garmin app.

Looking to get my high schooler a running watch for track and cross country for Christmas. Any specific one that your kid loves? (Please be more specific than “Garmin” or whatever- there are so many different ones!) He has an iPhone, no Apple Watch.