With the range of running tech constantly evolving, we take a look at the latest innovations in the world of smartwatches, GPS devices and earbuds to keep you on track this summer
SHOKZ – Openfit 2+ £179.00
Shokz, the industry pioneer of open-ear, bone conduction technology, has released its latest device, the OpenFit 2+.
Made with an ultra-lightweight, high-strength material and a soft silicone finish, the OpenFit 2+ is suitable for all-day wear as well as any activity, thanks to the upgraded ear hook made with flexible titanium-based alloy, which moulds to the contours of your ears for a secure fit. Weighing in at a featherlight 9.4g, each earbud is designed to make you forget they’re even there.
They feature two individual speakers in each earbud, an extra-large driver for deep bass, and a small unit for crisp detail. This results in more refined music detail and crystal-clear voice calls.
There is also an upgraded control system which combines physical buttons with touch-sensitive controls for precise and intuitive operation. This means that you can easily adjust volume, skip tracks, answer calls and more, all at the simple press of a button.
With up to 11 hours of listening on a single charge and a 48-hour runtime with the charging case, the OpenFit 2+ Series keeps up with your training and lifestyle. They also boast wireless charging. By simply placing the charging case at the centre of a compatible wireless charger, you are all set to go.
Quick charging and with a long battery life, these buds will keep you powered up for sound on even the longest of your runs or training sessions this summer.
SUUNTO – RUN – £199.00
The new RUN watch from Suunto could very well be the best value GPS running watch on the market right now.
The featherweight watch is just 36 grams, and with its soft, textile strap, it almost disappears on your wrist.
With around 12 days of battery life tracking your day-to-day activity, there’s no need to worry about recharging, and even using the watch’s high-accuracy tracking and monitoring, you’ll have enough power for over 20 hours of use!
As you might imagine, there are focused sport modes for a massive range of activities, each able to display the most useful information that’s relevant to that sport. The high-definition AMOLED screen is bright and clear, so everything is displayed clearly, even in bright sunlight. Finding specific data while on the move is easy thanks to both touch screen and scroll wheel controls.
The watch monitors both your training and post-training heart rate, measuring your ‘training stress score’ (TSS), which gives insights into performance and recovery. Recovery also updates throughout the day, giving you an up-to-the-minute assessment.
The watch can store your music on the device, so there’s no need to carry your phone with you, and it connects directly to headphones. You can also receive on-the-go audible feedback with data such as lap times.
When racing, a nice feature is the predicted finish time. This is able to give a time based on your current pace. Of course, this will fluctuate, especially in, say, a marathon, but it’s a clever guide, perhaps for less experienced runners. You can also set alarms for reminders for hydration and fuelling, again useful on longer runs.
The Suunto run is one of the most feature-packed running watches on the market right now, and along with the watches app gives a great insight into performance, training, daily activity and recovery.
HUAWEI – FreeBuds 6 – £139.99
Super stylish and with premium audio quality, these new earbuds from Huawei provide the very latest audio technology for a premium sound and a lightweight package.
The neat droplet design is available in a range of stylish colours that fit neatly and securely in the ear.
The dual-driver construction means sound is superb, providing hi-res wireless audio for great-sounding music and crystal-clear voice calls. The sound is enhanced with active noise cancellation, which suppresses outside sounds to isolate your voice and that of the caller.
Switching between devices is quick, easy and seamless, meaning you can connect to your phone, watch and laptop.
The buds provide long-lasting playback time of up to 36 hours, from the buds and charging/carrying case, but should you need to power up, just a 5-minute charge will provide two and a half hours of playback time, meaning you are always ready for sound!
HUAWEI – Watch Fit 4 Pro – £249.00
Looking for a little more from a smart watch without breaking the bank? Then this new model from Huawei might just be the one.
Offering all the features normally associated with a top-end model, the Watch Fit 4 Pro is competitively priced for such a high-tech device.
The watch itself weighs just 30g thanks to an aluminium body and titanium bezel. With a sapphire glass display, the watch is built to stand up to the rigours of adventure as well as everyday life, and at just 9mm thick, it doesn’t get in the way.
Battery life is great with up to 10 days of use from a single charge, and when it needs more power, it takes just 1 hour to recharge.
Dual-band GPS ensure accurate tracking, and with over 100 sport profiles, the Fit 4 Pro shows all the relevant data on a clear and bright display. As well as the usual metrics, the watch can record heart rate variability and ECG tracking for in-depth health and performance analysis.
Offline maps are displayed with great detail and contour information, perfect for off-road adventures.
Compatible with both Apple IOS and Android devices, the Fit 4 Pro packs in all the features you’ll need, not just for running, but for the vast majority of sports and day-to-day activities, and at a great value for money price!
