Sport Watch Showdown: Apple Watch Ultra vs. Garmin Fenix Sapphire 7 Solar vs. Coros Pace 3
As someone who thrives on outdoor adventures and a variety of activities—ranging from trail running and hiking to splitboarding, yoga, and everything in between—I’ve put three top-tier sport watches to the test: the Apple Watch Ultra, Garmin Fenix Sapphire 7 Solar, and Coros Pace 3. Each watch has its strengths and weaknesses, and after months of testing, I’m breaking down how they stack up for my active lifestyle.
Backpacking to Tricouni Berg Lake in Squamish BC with Garmin
Apple Watch Ultra: The Connected Powerhouse
What I Love:
Seamless Connectivity: The Apple Watch Ultra is a mini smartphone on your wrist, and that’s both a blessing and a curse. I love being able to take calls, use voice-to-text, and stay connected when I’m juggling life with two kids under three. The integration with other Apple apps (like HomeKit for garage door alerts or doorbell notifications) is a nice touch for security and convenience.
Peloton Integration: As a Peloton user, I appreciate how seamlessly the watch integrates with my rides, runs, and app workouts, giving me a comprehensive view of my fitness data.
Cycle Tracking and Health Insights: The health features, like cycle tracking and recovery metrics, are well thought out and useful.
Where It Falls Short:
Battery Life: Even with all the battery-saving hacks (airplane mode, notifications off, etc.), the Ultra struggles to keep up with my long days in the mountains. After two years of use, the battery degradation is noticeable, and it’s just not enough for 8+ hours of activity tracking.
Weight and Bulk: It’s heavy for a sport watch and feels more like a tech gadget than a fitness tool.
Tracking Accuracy: I’ve had issues with activities pausing mid-session or ending prematurely. It also overcounts steps during bumpy 4x4 rides to trailheads.
Lack of Depth in Data: Compared to the Garmin and Coros, the Apple Watch feels superficial in its analytics and insights.
Verdict:
The Apple Watch Ultra is perfect for Peloton days or when I need to stay connected, but it’s not my go-to for outdoor adventures. The battery life and tracking issues are dealbreakers for long days in the mountains.
Day hike on the C-Level Cirque trail in Banff, AB with Apple Watch Ultra
Hut to hut hiking along the Tour Du Mont Blanc trail with Apple Watch Ultra
Garmin Fenix Sapphire 7 Solar: The Premium Performer
What I Love:
Battery Life: The solar charging feature is a game-changer, and the battery life is phenomenal. It easily handles multi-day trips without needing a recharge.
Tracking Accuracy and Insights: The Fenix 7 is a data powerhouse. It provides detailed metrics, accurate tracking, and actionable insights that feel tailored to my activities.
Durability and Aesthetics: It’s a beautiful watch that feels premium and rugged at the same time.
Where It Falls Short:
Connectivity: The lack of seamless connectivity (compared to Apple) is a downside. While it has basic text integration and phone-finding features, it’s not as intuitive or convenient.
App Experience: The Garmin app felt outdated and buggy when I last used it in 2022. It desperately needs a modern overhaul.
Price Tag: At nearly triple the cost of the Coros Pace 3, the Fenix 7 feels like a splurge, especially when it doesn’t excel in every category.
Verdict:
The Garmin Fenix 7 Solar is a top-tier watch for outdoor enthusiasts who want premium features and unparalleled battery life. However, the high price and lackluster app experience make it hard to justify for everyone.
Trail running in Whistler with Garmin
Hiking in Sedona with Garmin
Coros Pace 3: The Budget-Friendly All-Star
What I Love:
Price: At nearly a third of the cost of the Garmin, the Coros Pace 3 is an incredible value.
Battery Life: It rivals the Garmin in battery performance and charges quickly. I’ve gone on 7-day hiking trips without needing to recharge.
Tracking and Insights: The data is detailed and accurate, and the app is a significant improvement over Garmin’s. I love the ability to add custom maps and the workout recommendations.
Lightweight and Comfortable: It’s the lightest of the three watches and feels great on the wrist during long activities.
Sleep Tracking: The Coros has the most accurate sleep tracking of the three, which is a big plus for recovery insights.
Where It Falls Short:
Aesthetics: It’s not the most stylish watch (especially in turquoise), and it definitely looks like a sport-first device.
Connectivity: Like the Garmin, it lacks the seamless connectivity of the Apple Watch. However, it does have basic text integration and phone-finding features.
Verdict:
The Coros Pace 3 is the watch I reach for most often on activity days. It’s lightweight, reliable, and packed with features that rival the Garmin at a fraction of the cost. For outdoor enthusiasts on a budget, it’s hard to beat.
Hiking in Chilliwack, BC with Coros
Trail running in Chilliwack, BC with Coros
The Bottom Line
Each of these watches has its place in my life:
Apple Watch Ultra: For Peloton days and staying connected.
Garmin Fenix 7 Solar: For premium features and battery life, if budget isn’t a concern.
Coros Pace 3: For long days in the mountains and multi-day adventures.
If I had to choose one, the Coros Pace 3 wins for its unbeatable combination of performance, battery life, and value. However, I’m still holding out hope for a sport watch with better app integration or at least better back-end integration in the app to support the training load and activity data when switching between various watches.
Hiking in Chilliwack, BC with Coros
Disclaimer: All opinions are based on my personal experience testing these watches over several months. Your mileage may vary!
