10 Best Triathlon Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a solid choice for anyone looking for an easy-to-use triathlon watch that effectively covers the essentials across multiple sports. It stands out with its impressive battery life, lasting up to two weeks in smartwatch mode and around 20 hours with GPS active. This feature is particularly advantageous for long training sessions or races. The GPS accuracy is reliable, ensuring that your distance and pace tracking are precise, which is crucial for athletes monitoring their performance.

Water resistance is another strength, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities. The Forerunner 55 tracks various activities, including running, cycling, and swimming, and comes with helpful training tools like race time predictions and finish time estimates. The inclusion of heart rate monitoring at the wrist is convenient, although it's important to note that it's not intended for medical use.

Durability is solid, so it can withstand the wear and tear of training and races, and the Bluetooth connectivity allows easy syncing with your smartphone for additional features through the Garmin Connect app. There are some limitations to consider, such as the PacePro feature not working with on-device courses, which may restrict some race day strategies. Additionally, while it offers helpful wellness features, more advanced athletes may find themselves wanting additional metrics or functionalities that higher-tier models provide. The Garmin Forerunner 55 is ideal for beginners or those seeking a straightforward running watch that effectively covers the basics.

The Garmin Forerunner 955 is a solid choice for triathletes, boasting impressive features tailored to their needs. Its long battery life is a standout, offering up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and an incredible 42 hours in GPS mode, which is essential for endurance athletes. The watch is designed to withstand water exposure, making it suitable for swimming, and it provides accurate GPS tracking that’s enhanced by accessing multiple satellite systems, ensuring reliable performance even in challenging environments.

The always-on, full-color display is user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation through maps and stats, whether you're running in the city or cycling on trails. The touch responsiveness combined with traditional buttons adds versatility. Additionally, the watch offers advanced heart rate monitoring and features like training readiness scores, which help users gauge their fitness levels and plan workouts effectively.

While the Forerunner 955 packs an array of features, it may feel overwhelming for those who are not tech-savvy. Some users might find the multitude of options and settings challenging to navigate initially. Additionally, the watch, while durable, is still a lightweight electronic device that may not be as rugged as some dedicated outdoor watches, so care is needed during extreme activities. The connectivity features, allowing for syncing with smartphones and other devices, are beneficial for those who like to track their training data in depth. However, the lack of a built-in audio output could be a drawback for users who prefer listening to music directly from the watch.

The Garmin Forerunner 955 is a feature-rich option for dedicated triathletes looking for a reliable and accurate training companion. Its strengths lie in battery life, GPS accuracy, and heart rate monitoring, while potential weaknesses include its steep learning curve and limited audio features.

The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a highly capable triathlon watch designed for serious athletes. One of its standout features is the impressive battery life, offering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode, making it ideal for long training sessions and races. The watch is water-resistant, which is crucial for swimming segments. With GPS accuracy being a critical aspect, the Forerunner 255 delivers reliable performance, ensuring accurate tracking of your runs and rides.

Heart rate monitoring is advanced, including HRV status tracking during sleep, providing insightful data for your wellness and recovery. The watch supports multiple sports modes, which is essential for triathlon training, allowing seamless transitions between activities. Durability is another strong point, with a robust design that can withstand rigorous use. Connectivity options include Bluetooth and USB, making it easy to sync your data and music.

The ability to store up to 500 songs and connect to wireless headphones offers a great way to stay motivated without needing your phone. One potential drawback is that some features, like running dynamics and power metrics, require additional accessories. The watch also has a proprietary operating system, which might limit app compatibility compared to some other smartwatches. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music excels in most areas that are critical for triathletes, making it a valuable companion for training and competition.