As a fitness editor who reviews the latest smartwatches for a living, I’ve grown accustomed to having my Apple Watch as a daily companion. But here’s the surprising twist: despite my loyalty to Apple, I ditched my Apple Watch Ultra 3 for a Garmin Forerunner 570 during my recent half-marathon—and it wasn’t just a random choice. Let me explain why.
For over a decade, my Apple Watch has been my go-to device, not only because its activity rings keep me motivated but also because it seamlessly integrates with my iPhone, allowing me to manage my schedule, respond to messages, and enjoy music on the go. Yet, when it comes to running in challenging conditions, I’ve discovered a game-changer. And this is the part most people miss: touchscreens and rain don’t mix well, especially when you’re trying to track your pace during a race.
Training for my sixth marathon, I’ve relied on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for most of my runs. However, its touchscreen becomes frustratingly unresponsive in wet weather. For my half-marathon, the forecast predicted relentless rain and temperatures feeling like 30°F—not exactly ideal conditions for a touchscreen. Standing at the starting line, already drenched and shivering, I knew I needed a watch that could handle the elements.
Here’s the deal: during a race, I like to manually lap my watch at every mile marker. This helps me stay on track, especially since race routes often involve weaving through crowds or, in my case, dodging muddy puddles. With the Apple Watch Ultra 3, lapping requires a double-tap on the screen—a task that becomes nearly impossible with wet or cold fingers. While you can configure the Action Button for lapping, I prefer using it to pause my workout when I encounter obstacles like traffic lights.
Enter the Garmin Forerunner 570. Its physical buttons and AMOLED touchscreen, which automatically disables during workouts, proved to be a lifesaver. Despite the freezing rain and wind, I could effortlessly lap my watch each mile, helping me maintain my pace. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Garmin may not match Apple’s smartwatch capabilities—like seamless integration with your phone or a wide range of apps—it excels where it matters most for runners: reliability in harsh conditions.
Of course, from a smartwatch perspective, the Garmin Forerunner 570 falls short compared to the Apple Watch Series 11 or Ultra 3. It offers basics like Garmin Pay and music playback, but that’s about it. Yet, on race day, I’ve learned to trust Garmin’s durability and functionality over Apple’s sleek design and features. Is this the end of my Apple Watch loyalty? Not quite, but it’s definitely food for thought.
If you’re curious about how other runners fare with these devices, check out my colleague Nick Harris-Fry’s experience running a marathon with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 Pro. And if you’re team Garmin or team Apple, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a friendly debate!
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