On a quick trip to San Diego over the holidays, my friends couldn’t stop asking about the shoes I had worn on the plane and around town.

“Those are cute, who makes them?”

“Ooh, what are those?”

“You don’t run in those, though, do you?”

The answers to these questions were Tracksmith, my sneakiest, most versatile shoes, and yes, I do run in them quite nicely, thank you.

I was wearing the impressively good-looking , which we’ve awarded “Most Stylish+High Performance” the past two years in a row in our comprehensive şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř road running shoe guide. It’s a category we made up for the Eliot Runners, but one that applies to some of my most valued running gear. Due to their lack of branding—no giant, obnoxious logo, letter, or, worse, full word, anywhere on the shoe—and their semi-preppy, East Coast styling, the Eliot Runners could be worn by someone way cooler than me (and often are). But they’re mine, and I love them for their ability to pass for urban wear as well as tear up the road or track.

I wear them on airplanes. I wear them to restaurants. And I run in them wherever I am: sandy Southern California beaches, neighborhood asphalt, hotel treadmills. I like how they’re not overly cushioned, making them more versatile—the moderate stack height gives me enough proprioception to wear them during weightlifting/gym workouts and on off-road terrain where I like to feel the ground (although I hesitate to take them on sloppy trails as they lack the necessary traction, and I don’t want them to get too dirty).

Wearing the Eliot Runners on a plane means one fewer pair of shoes in my luggage, but I also appreciate that they’re thin enough that I can fit them in a carry-on bag if I wear other footwear on travel day—unlike bulky max-cush shoes, trainers, or super shoes.

At $198, these shoes are $20 to $70 pricier than many neutral cushioned shoes on the market. But because of their versatility and their smooth performance, I think they’re a decent value.

My Eliot Runners aren’t the only crossover pieces in my running kit. Apparel that moves and breathes on the run and allows me to blend in as just another lady on a plane or a mom running errands, or, dare I say, a stylish human being at a restaurant table, ranks highest in my book as a gear tester. (Versatile gear saves money, space, and time.)

The following pieces look (and feel) good worn casually. And they deliver when I set out for a run. These items perform and let me go from Clark Kent to Super(wo)man and back, in an athletic sort of way. Which, to me, is gold.

Versatile Running Gear

Tracksmith Fells Waffle Midlayer

The brand that makes my favorite stealth running shoes also makes this wonderful base/midlayer. I fell in love with it while testing winter running gear a year ago, and I wasn’t alone. My test team and I reach for it when we want something that feels like a cozy sweatshirt but breathes great, wicks sweat, and dries quickly. I pull it over a sports bra for runs on cold days, wear it under a jacket or over a shirt for runs on frigid days, and have worn it as a midlayer snowboarding. I’ve also worn it out to a nice dinner, and my tablemates were shocked when I told them it was a running top.

Paka Everyday Baselayer

With its rich color and flattering cut, this longsleeve shirt is better looking than a lot of the tops I own as casual wear. It’s made out of 85 percent Tencel and 15 percent Alpaca wool, and is extremely soft and comfortable. One tester told me it was the perfect layer for a summer concert in the mountains, and for her run the next day. The longsleeve tee breathes well but shows sweat until it dries, which it does quickly. With zero branding on the exterior, this top blends in with non-athletic clothes in basically any situation.

LeBent Ultralight Short Sleeve Tee

This top also has minimal exterior branding—just a tiny patch on the hem—which I love. I also love that the tee isn’t skintight. While it started off semi-loose and relaxed, it shrank a tad with a wash, even in cold water. But because of its crewneck cut, heathered natural fabric, and clean lines (no mesh paneling, color-blocking, or large branding), it’s still a tee that I can wear out and around without screaming, “I’m going running!” The blend of rayon (from bamboo), merino wool, and nylon makes the fabric feel ridiculously soft and comfortable, and dry quickly from sweat. It’s a great all-around running shirt that just looks like a t-shirt.

Ibex Lizzi Tights

I see plenty of women—especially college-aged—traveling in tight yoga or athletic tights. I’m not one of those women; I find wearing most tights makes me feel too exposed. But since these wool, nylon, and elastane tights are thicker and more textured than regular tights, I’ve worn them on a plane (with a very long sweater). I then worked out in them later that day on a beach in San Diego during a chilly winter day. These tights feel so soft and warm against the skin that I pull them on at least once a week at home in Boulder to work, and end up running, lifting, or doing yoga in them, and I don’t feel weird if that day also includes running errands.

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In the foothills of Colorado, winter creates a wide range of (sometimes dangerous) running conditions. The one I like to avoid the most is the indoor treadmill. I’m an outdoor animal. Like my yellow lab, Lulu, I sleep and lounge indoors but need to breathe fresh air, run on a natural surface, and be among the trees to ensure consistent happiness.

Unlike my dog, I don’t have toenails sprouting from the bottoms of my feet, or my running shoes—handy sharp grips that can dig into just-about-frozen dirt, thin layers of snow, and icy surfaces.

But there’s an easy solution to my lack of claws. Traction devices that slip easily over any pair of running shoes or hiking boots give me access to the terrain I crave mid-winter: trails. Instead of heading to boring paved paths (thankfully cleared by the City of Boulder), the treadmill, or, worse, waiting until spring to run or hike on those wonderful ribbons that wind through the woods, I grab my traction—and my dog—and go.

Here’s a quick rundown of my four favorite slip-on spike traction devices for running shoes available today. You only need one pair of fun-enabling winter animal claws to access your regular trails. Note: They come in a range of sizes, which is important so as to not squeeze your foot or fall off on the run, so pay attention to size guides when buying. (And to really shore up your winter running arsenal, especially if you run in frigid temps or deep snow, check out our most recent guide to waterproof winter running shoes.)

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Black Diamond Distance Spikes

The softshell toe cap of the makes them the most comfortable of any slip-on spikes for running shoes I’ve tried. There’s no rubber or fabric straps pulling over the top of the foot—instead, a full toe cap made of breathable, water-resistant material, with a strap that loops the heel, keeps the chain-linked spikes secure. Underfoot, 14 eight-millimeter-long teeth made of stainless steel that’s been heat-treated for durability dig into and grip fresh snow and ice. These are also remarkably easy to take on and off, and pack down to the smallest size of the bunch (no bigger than an orange). They live in the small bag they came in inside my running pack all winter long, ready to be deployed when needed. Sizes S-XL; Weight: 8.2 oz (size medium pair); Packed size: Smaller than my fist

Kahtoola Microspikes

are the toothiest of all options, with 12 3/8-inch hardened stainless steel spikes protruding from a “harness” made of thermoplastic elastomer (said to retain its elasticity down to -22˚ Fahrenheit). The harness wraps around the toe and holds the spikes on securely. While mostly comfortable, I can, however, feel the straps through the tops of my running shoes more than the full toe cap of the Black Diamond Distance Spikes. A pull-tab at the heel helps with easy on-off when conditions change mid-trail. Microspikes work best on trails with at least an inch of fresh snow, especially when there are icy patches underneath. Sizes: S-XL; Weight: 11.9 oz (size medium pair); Packed size: 5 in x 3 in x 2 in

Kahtoola Exospikes

As opposed to their toothier counterparts that dig deep into snow and ice, the 12 small, flat spikes made of Tungsten carbide of the provide a low-profile surface grip. This makes them great for terrain that’s mostly ice or mixed dirt and ice, and removes the fear, with a larger spike underfoot, of breaking a metal tooth or landing awkwardly on a rock. A similar, thermoplastic elastomer harness system as found on the Microspikes wraps around the shoe. Sizes S-XL; Weight: 7.3 oz (size medium pair); Packed size: 5.75 in x 3 in x 2 in

YakTrax Run

Yaktrax have long been the “Kleenex” of traction devices, with many outdoors people referring to all traction as such since the brand was among the first to offer winter traction for runners. The original version had metal coils under both the heel and the forefoot. The now has more durable, three-millimeter-deep carbide spikes under the forefoot (similar to Kahtoola Exospikes), while retaining coils under the heel. The combination does a good job on packed snow and ice. These slide over and strap onto shoes via a Velcro closure that secures easily and effectively. The downsides are that they don’t come with a bag or pack down—they fold in half but remain large and awkward—and, while mine have not broken, some users report durability issues. Sizes S-XL; Weight: .74 oz (size medium pair); Packed size: Not given (but fold in half to about the size of a sandwich)

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It’s easy to be swayed by the sex appeal of a shell jacket. Waterproof, expensive, colorful. I constantly find myself lusting after the new Gore-Tex whatever. But then I kit up for any high-output winter activity— backcountry skiing, running, hiking, cycling, etc—and am reminded that midlayers are the backbone of winter layering, get triple the use of other pieces, and warrant a bigger investment.

That’s because unless it’s pissing rain, dumping snow, or freezing cold, my shell stays in my bag. A shell, even the most breathable, is just a plastic bag and will not vent your heat, whereas a breathable midlayer creates just the right amount of warmth but sheds excess heat while you slog down pavement or up a mountain. Midlayers also get extra use on warmer winter days when worn by themselves without a base layer underneath.

Over my 10-plus years at şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř I’ve tested well over 100 midlayers, out of which I’ve found a few favorites for each of my winter sports.

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Best for Backcountry Skiing and Hiking

Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody

This has become my number one skiing and hiking midlayer because it’s light—just 14.2 ounces—and provides the perfect balance of warmth and breathability. A medium-thick layer of migration-resistant Primaloft Gold Active insulation keeps me warm even when temps hover around 10 degrees, but is also capable of dumping heat faster than anything I’ve ever tested. On the outside, there’s a 20-denier nylon ripstop face fabric that’s tough enough to resist a tree branch but allows plenty of hot air to escape. Even if I’m absolutely pinned, with a heart rate above 160, I never feel the need to throw off the jacket on a cold day. The synthetic materials will also dry in minutes if I get sweaty.

Those who prefer wool to synthetic materials will love the , which has a similar warmth/breathability ratio, an amazing high-collar hood, and, like all wool, stays warm when wet and resists odors.

Best For Running

Path Projects Lomond Hoodie

I recently joined the Dukes Track Club in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the group run I love the most starts at 6 a.m. on Friday mornings. Temps are usually around 25 degrees, so I need more than a long-sleeve shirt but nothing so heavy it will gather heat and slow me down. My go-to has become this hoodie. The secret to the hoodie’s versatility is in the 180 gsm (grams per square meter) grid fleece that’s heavy enough to add warmth in sub-freezing temps, but comes with lots of perforations (thus the grid moniker) that are designed to let all the heat and sweat generated on the run find an immediate way off my skin and into the air. I usually use the hood at the beginning of my runs but then it comes off and just serves as a neck warmer.

Those who live where it’s really cold should look at the that has a wind-resistant face fabric layered over 40 gsm Coreloft insulation around the shoulders and chest. The insulation is light, but combined with the fully wind-resistant outer and paired with a medium-thick long-sleeve base layer, it has been enough to keep me warm even when temps were below 10 degrees.

Best for Cycling

Velocio Alpha Long Sleeve

The first few minutes of a cold bike ride are the worst because you’re not producing heat yet but are moving at speed so the cold wind has more bite than when you’re running or standing. To fight back I wear a windproof cycling vest matched with this cozy midlayer that’s a high-loft Polartec Alpha fleece up front and a heavy-ish 210-gsm merino wool on the sides and back. The extra cozy Alpha keeps my core temp from dropping, while the arms and backs breathe enough that I’m not dripping sweat once I’m working hard. If I get too warm, it’s easy to shed the vest and unzip the collar of the jersey for more airflow. If my ride has a long descent, I also bring a full windproof jacket because the Alpha allows so much airflow I can get chilled.

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When we started tallying up how many miles our group covered while testing watches, we ended somewhere around 4,000 miles. That’s like running and cycling from New York to San Francisco, then turning around and making it back to Nebraska. Throughout all those miles, a diverse group of testers—from everyday moms and dads to former Olympic Trials athletes—obsessed over the features of a big batch of watches to find the very best.

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best for Runners:
• Best for Weekend Warriors:
• Best for Small Wrists:
• Best for Everyday Use:
• Best for a Budget:
• How to Choose a Sports Watch
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

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Best Overall

Garmin Enduro 3

Weight: 2.2 oz with elastic nylon strap
Face Diameter: 51 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ Big but light
⊕ Phenomenal battery life
⊕ Feature rich
⊕ Strap is the most comfortable on the market
⊗ Pricey

After months of running and skiing, the Garmin Enduro 3 rose to the top of the test group and is possibly the best sports watch we’ve ever tested, thanks to the feature-rich setup and a huge 51-millimeter screen.

The screen isn’t AMOLED, but while bright AMOLED screens beam workout info at you in ultra high-def, over years of testing we’ve come to love non-AMOLED screens both for their less-glaring brightness and because they have a much smaller energy draw and allow for mind-boggling battery life.

Case in point: The Enduro 3 allows for up to 36 days of smartwatch use (where you’re just using the watch for notifications and other non-workout features) and up to 120 hours of GPS use. Throw in some solar charging and the watch will keep ticking for a reported 90 days of general smartwatch use (up from 46 days for the Enduro 2), and a staggering 320 hours (that’s 13+ days) of GPS tracking. One tester said he went over a month between charges (longer during the abundant summer sun) with 24/7 daily use and about an hour of activity tracking per day.

In addition to tracking nearly every sport or exercise imaginable (as diverse as wakesurfing and rugby), the Enduro 3 also comes with plenty of space for downloaded maps plus turn-by-turn directions so backcountry skiers or trail runners will never get lost. I have several hundred songs downloaded, which has helped me stay motivated on long, grueling road runs. Plus, the elastic nylon strap is the most comfortable we’ve ever used; not once did testers get a rash and they raved that the adjustability created the perfect fit.

A 10 percent reduction in weight between the Enduro 2 and Enduro 3—or about seven grams—does not seem like a lot. But damn if I didn’t notice that it was the lightest 51-millimeter watch I’ve ever worn, which made a big difference, even if just mentally, when covering a lot of miles.

Like other top-end Garmin watches, the Enduro 3 comes with an ultra-bright flashlight that was equally helpful when peeing at night as it was one evening when I had to navigate a dark section of trail and didn’t have a headlamp.

Garmin’s software interface is not as good as Apple’s—and likely never will be—but it’s way better than what we’ve seen from other competitors. Tester Jonathan Beverly found the mobile app’s daily dashboard that tracked both fitness progress and training readiness to be intuitive, accurate, and valuable. “Whenever I ignored its recommendations to rest, I’d pay for it on subsequent days,” he said.

Best for Runners

Coros Pace Pro

Weight: 1.7 oz with silicone band, 1.3 oz with nylon band
Face Diameter: 33 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ Small but mighty
⊕ The screen is beautiful
⊕ Fairly priced
⊕ Ultra-quick GPS location
⊗ Wake time isn’t immediate with arm rise

Back in college, Jesse Armijo ran the USA Olympic Marathon Trials. More recently he had a streak of winning the Duke City Half Marathon four times in a row. He’s currently training for the Black Canyon 100k Ultra in Arizona, and he organizes a youth running club for kids in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In other words, he’s a talented and dedicated runner and was the perfect tester for the Pace Pro, which bills itself as the smart choice for serious athletes (especially those who pound the pavement or trails).

Jesse put hundreds of running miles on the watch and found that it was an excellent training partner during every one of them. It picked up a GPS signal almost as soon as he stepped out of his house so that he could get up and go, and he liked the small 1.3-inch face that gave him all the info he needed—in a bright, beautiful AMOLED display— without looking ostentatious (he’s a humble guy).

In high-quality GPS mode, the watch lasts up to 38 hours, which Jesse said was more than plenty, even for an athlete of his caliber who’s often out training 10 or 20 hours per week. He found the software reasonably easy to navigate and liked built-in features like the effort-pace screen. This feature allowed him to see an adjusted pace that factored in hills and compared how hard he was working to his historical performances with similar conditions and terrain.

Jesse is a new dad, so affordability is important, and at just half the price of the Enduro 3, the Pace Pro is something he’s happy to invest in. Our only niggle: Jesse wished the watch lit up its screen more quickly when he raised his wrist.

Best for Weekend Warriors

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Weight: 2.2 oz
Face Diameter: 49 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ The best interface on the market
⊕ Intuitive lifestyle functions
⊗ Lousy battery life

Category manager Jakob Schiller is not as hardcore an athlete as the other testers in this year’s group and found that the Ultra 2 was perfect for a weekend warrior like him. He loved how the watch integrated into his everyday life, allowing him to quickly answer texts with Siri, easily control his AirPods, and answer a call on the watch just by double-tapping his pointer finger and thumb. But he was also impressed with the bright screen, detailed stats for every activity from skiing to swimming, and the well-designed watch faces that presented data and info in smart, easy-to-read displays. “The watch faces that launched with the Ultra 2 are not only a pleasure to look at but are also damn good at presenting both everyday and workout information—plus they’re easily customizable,” he said.

This version of the Ultra is also carbon-neutral, and Apple is sharing the environmentally-friendly manufacturing technology it developed to help other companies build better products. Jakob, like everyone else, was disappointed, however, with the 36-hour battery life (with regular use, up to 72 hours in low power mode) but says he’s rarely away from a charger for that long, so it isn’t a deal-breaker.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT BY AMAZFIT
Amazfit T-Rex 3 ($279.99)

With 170+ built-in workout modes and AI-generated personalized training plans, the T-Rex 3 smartwatch from Amazfit is the perfect partner for the gym, pool, road, or trail. Track reps, sets, and rest time in strength training mode, and easily see all your workout data and sleep recovery information on the big, bright face. Plus, stay focused on your workout by fully controlling your watch with your voice and sending speech-to-text messages. With more than 3 weeks of battery life and a rugged body, the T-Rex 3 is always ready to go.

Best for Small Wrists

Suunto Race S Titanium Courtney

Weight: 1.87 oz with silicone band
Face Diameter: 33.5 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ Versatile functionality
⊕ Tough as nails
⊕ Perfect for small wrists
⊗ Heart rate takes time to settle in

We’ll be honest: Wearing a pro-model watch from Courtney Dauwalter is its own form of motivation. Just like wearing a pair of Jordans and being inspired by the GOAT himself, wearing Dauwalter’s watch always gave us a little extra motivation, channeling the strength that she used to become the first person, man or woman, to win the Western States 100, Hardrock 100, and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc trail running races all in the same year.

Meg Healy was the principal tester, and as an ultra-fit woman who’s just about five-feet tall, she said the 45 millimeter form factor was perfect for her smaller wrists but never once lacked info thanks to the 1.32-inch screen that broadcast all the info she needed, no matter the workout. Healy, who loves to pack in multiple sports every day, said she also appreciated the wide variety of activity trackers built into the software that allowed her to keep track of everything from running to martial arts to horseback riding.

Healy’s favorite part, however, was that the watch restarted her workout when she resumed after a pause, even if she didn’t remember to manually do it herself. “This saved me from not tracking large chunks of many bike rides, hikes, and runs after I’d stopped for traffic or to pick up after the dog,” she said. The battery on the Race S is respectable, lasting up to 30 hours when talking to multiple satellites. You can get a less expensive steel Race S, but we loved the feathery weight of the nearly indestructible titanium.

One potential ding: Healy noticed that the heart rate monitor wasn’t accurate at times and had trouble settling in, especially at the beginning of a workout. I didn’t put as many miles in with the Race S as Healy, but had much better luck and found the heart rate to be as accurate as those of other watches.

See our extended review of the full-size Suunto Race.

Best for Everyday Use

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Weight: 2.1 oz for just the watch
Face Diameter: 37.3 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ Battery lasts multiple days
⊕ Delivers tons of information
⊕ Pretty on the eye
⊗ Just for Android users
⊗ Watch strap is sub-par

Ever since Apple and Samsung launched beefed up sports watches we’ve been waiting for these companies to put other sports watch manufacturers out of business. It hasn’t happened because both Apple and Samsung have focused more on ultra bright screens, phone connectivity, and information delivery and less on battery life. That means everyone who’s running ultras or exploring for multiple days at a time is still very loyal to the likes of Garmin, Suunto, and Coros.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra, however, gives us a glimpse of what could be coming because it’s a big, flashy, daily watch that lets you track your workouts (from running and cycling to table tennis and orienteering), play music, control your thermostat—and its battery actually lasts a couple days. Tester Andy Dean, who used the watch for over 1,000 miles, said he could track his bike commute to work in the morning, his run at lunch, and his bike commute home for two days without running out of battery. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 couldn’t do that, nor could the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (which didn’t get an update this year).

Those of you who can handle information displayed in your face all day will love the Ultra’s sharp 37.3-millimeter AMOLED screen with 480 x 480 resolution that beams your calendar appointments, bank info, and a wide array of workouts at you in high-def.

We recommend buyinga third-party watch band for the Ultra because the one that comes with the watch is, frankly, junk. Dean found it to be highly uncomfortable when it was synched down, even just slightly to get accurate heart-rate readings. The band’s silicone material also irritated his skin so much it forced him to leave the watch off for hours at a time, sometimes a full day.

Best for a Budget

Garmin Forerunner 165 Music

Weight: 1.4 oz with the silicone band
Face Diameter: 30.4 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ Feature-rich for the price
⊕ Large music storage capacity
⊕ Bright, easy-to-read screen
⊕ Small and light
⊗ Battery life limited

For those of us who need a playlist to keep ourselves going when things stretch past 30 minutes, and can attest that Run the Jewels and Avicii sound great at the 45-minute mark, the Forerunner 165 Music stands out as a top training companion. Lower on the price spectrum at $300, it still comes with 4GB of music storage so we can jam for an entire workout. For that price you also get a bright AMOLED screen, accurate GPS and multi-band connection, great phone connectivity, and a comfy strap that didn’t chafe.

Meg Healy used the watch for multiple sports every day, putting in well over 1,000 miles. For her, the running metrics and coaching suggestions that Garmin provided were especially useful. Information about vertical ratio, stride length, and ground contact time helped her monitor her running form, and as a busybody she liked that the watch was not shy about recommending recovery days. “This watch is like having an opinionated but indulgent nanny who thinks you are very talented and dedicated but always working too hard. Honestly, it feels kind of nice to have that support and feedback as an adult.”

Garmin says the watch should give users 19 hours of GPS use, and Healy said she was able to get several days of use at a time before charging. But on one multi-day backpacking trip, she said the watch died, leaving her without metrics, and firming up her opinion that the watch is designed for everyday runners and cyclists and not multi-day adventurers. She also wished the activity menu included recreational sports like soccer.

How to Choose a Sports Watch

When buying a sports watch you need to decide who you really are. That sounds like some kind of spiritual question you’d ponder at a retreat, but it’s absolutely the best way to sort out what you need. Can you admit to yourself that you’re a weekend warrior because you have a job and family? Or are you totally in and going to the top as an athlete? Maybe you disappear into the backcountry for a week whenever you get the chance.

It’s necessary to categorize yourself because this will help you pick the watch that meets your goals. If your workouts are squeezed into lunch-hour work breaks, you don’t need a watch that lasts for weeks on end without charging. If you’re dedicated to really improving in your chosen sport, a higher-end watch with complex training options can be a real aid in achieving your goal. If you dabble in a variety of sports, you’ll need a watch with a robust workout menu. And if you’re an adventurer who regularly returns from trips with torn apparel and broken equipment, you need to prioritize a bullet-proof build.

Next, make sure you play with the watch you think you want—at a local retailer, if possible, or borrow one from a friend—before making a purchase. Spend time pressing buttons, and see how much effort it takes to find features and customize the watch to your preferences. All the top-end sports watches have menus that are fairly well organized, but each one is different. Little tweaks in how a watch allows you to access a workout or track data can be big motivators—or frustrations—when you’re using the thing all day every day. Note: The menus used across a specific watch brand’s line tend to be similar, so even if you don’t find the exact model you want at your local retailer, you can still get a sense of how a brand organizes its software by playing with a different watch.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 9
• Number of Products Tested: 12
• Number of Miles: 4,000+

Over the years we’ve discovered that the best sports watch testers are adventurers who are absolutely obsessed with being outside, but come at their chosen sport without much of an ego. They love sport for sport and aren’t trying to prove anything. This balance is important because mild-mannered testers are great at digging into the features of a watch and providing in-depth feedback, but also know how to keep an everyday user in mind. There’s no mansplaining, or sportsplaining, in our tester group.

In terms of breadth, the watches we tested for this round traveled the country and saw the tops of peaks, spent hot days in the desert, and were with us during the day as our testers did everything from training troops and teaching kids to counting fish and coaching sports.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Category manager Jakob Schiller was a gear editor at şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř and is now a columnist. The father of four kids and two dogs, he’s a bit pinned down but still manages to run, ski, or bike every day and loves a good weekend-long adventure in the woods chasing elk, peak tops, or fresh turns.

One of the routes Jakob used when testing sports watches:

Jesse Armijo is a PE coach and also founded the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Dukes Track Club, an all-ages organization that coaches kids and organizes a variety of races. He’s the most unassuming runner you’ll ever meet and is more than happy to sit in the group but can put everyone in the ground if he turns on the burners.

Meghan Healy does data management for the publishing industry and is also one of New Mexico’s most high-energy athletes. She runs races, is passionate about martial arts, rides horses, cycles around town with her kids, helps coach soccer, and is the true definition of someone who benefits from a trusted, function-rich sports watch.

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