The latest running gear not only provides more insight but provides seamless links between performance and technology

Suunto   Race 389.00

Sunnto.com

With a super-bright AMOLED display and offline mapping, the Suunto Race is the best value watch around given its features.

Advanced measurements and metrics include heart rate, recovery and heart rate variability to provide an in-depth analysis of your training and recovery. Theres also the GPS and advanced mapping built in which allows you to store maps and routes for use when offline. The maps are clear and easy to read even when on the move and the digital crown allows you to quickly zoom in for pinpoint accuracy.

More than 95 pre-programmed sports modes are built in, each setting the watchs display instantly to record the most specific information required for that activity.

The amount of analysis provided by the watch and the accompanying app is as in-depth as anyone could require yet the watch displays the key point with such simplicity within the graphic display that it makes it a joy to use, leaving you a little intrigued and wanting to explore further.

All the usually smart watch type apps and controls are available and these can be edited so you can see as many or as few as you require. Message notifications, weather, sunset and sunrise and music controls are just a few of the many available.

Battery life has been amazing during my time with the watch and it seems that many of the latest units can now run for over a week with normal use without a recharge. In the last month, Ive trained daily with GPS and heart rate being monitored, had 24-hour heart rate and recovery turned on and the watch has only required a 5-minute power top-up while Ive taken a shower to keep it powered up.

Ive found the Suunto has outperformed my expectations with its all-round usability and with the smart stainless-steel construction and black sports band its a smartwatch for daily use in appearance as well as performance.

SUUNTO WING 169

Suunto.com

Lightweight, sweat and waterproof, these open-ear headphones provide crystal clear sounds on the move. Easily connected to your music source, theyll let you take calls on the go and with up to 20 hours of battery life theyll go the distance.

With the added benefit of connecting to the Suunto Race watch, you can also control music playback and earphone functions from your wrist.

Clever built-in lights also make you more visible to other road users in low-light conditions.

POLAR Grit X2 Pro 649.00

Polar.com

The ultimate outdoor sports watch, this rugged new wrist-based monitor from heart rate pioneers, Polar provides everything youll need for even the longest off-road adventure.

Packed with the ability to monitor and record every performance metric you wish for, the Grit x2 Pro tracks your vitals and movement in response to your activity and environment.

An AMOLED display presents all this information in a bright and easy-to-read display and despite weighing just 79g, it packs enough power to last up to 43 hours whilst recording every detail.

While GPS and heart rate are given, the Grit X2 Pro also monitors sleep and training load, but perhaps the feature of most interest to trail runners is the full-colour mapping and route planning. The large, bright display is perfect for mapping and a real bonus for those venturing a little off the beaten track.

Sennheiser Momentum Sport 259.99

Sennheiser.com

Adding real-time biometric feedback to the brands premium sound performance, these earbuds take music on the move to the next level.

The heart rate and body temperature sensors are built into the earbud and take measurements from the ear and connect to a wide range of devices such as the Apple Watch, Strava and Peloton.

In a unique collaboration with Polar, devices such as the new Grit X 2 Pro (featured above) allow in-depth biosensing capabilities tracking and displaying data on the device as well as within the Polar Flow app.

The buds allow touch control, so its easy to pause music, skip tracks and accept calls on the move and as youd expect sound quality is nothing short of exceptional, with adaptive noise cancelling and a transparency mode to allow you to monitor your soundings if required.

The fit can be tailored and the accompanying app helps you find the optimum fit as well as allowing you to tailor your listening experience further.

These earbuds give you the momentum to take your training to the next level.

Strava

Strava.com

Perhaps the most used training and performance tool for athletes is the Strava app. Easily connecting to your watch or smartphone, the app records a wide range of data for in-depth analytical feedback.

As well as personal data, Strava collates data from all users for insights into training trends and events.

Data collected from Strava users this year reveals the average finishing time in the London marathon (of Strava users) was faster than the previous year and that these runners also logged more miles in training. Typical marathon runners logged around 500 miles in the 16 weeks before the marathon.

Data also showed Gen X runners were 10 seconds a mile slower than Gen Z however, they tended to log around 47% more miles!

Nearly half (46%) of runners slowed down by 10% after the first 20 miles, and more than one in six (16%) slowed down by 20% meaning that those targeting a sub-4-hour finish instead clocked 4:24 and 4:48 respectively.

Of all Strava uploaders, 8% registered a sub-three-hour finish time, whilst 45% finished the race under four hours.

Amazfit Cheetah Pro 299.90

Amazfit.com

Amazfit watches are not as well known in the UK as the likes of Garmin, Coros, Huawei or Polar. The Chinese brand is owned by Zepp and offers a decent alternative to the more established products.

The Cheetah Pro watch has a nice, user-friendly appearance with a changeable watch face. The battery life is excellent and can last around 14 days depending on usage. The MaxTrack duel-band GPS capability is also good.

The watch links with the Zepp app and has the ability to upload routes and to access an AI powered running Zepp Coach.

To complement this watch there is a new Amazfit Helio Ring to help with your recovery with sleep analysis among other things. Whats more, there is a cheaper version of this watch in the shape of the Cheetah Round.

Kelvin Kiptum, the world marathon record-holder, was named as an ambassador for the Amazfit products earlier this year but tragically died within a few days of the announcement.

Insta360 Ace Pro 379.99

Insta360.com

With more and more athletes wanting to document their running journeys, many chose the medium of film to do so. The Ace Pro from Insta360 is the most advanced action camera around and now integrates with the Apple Watch and Garmin devices to add more detail.

The tiny camera packs enough high-tech into its tiny body to satisfy even the most accomplished filmmakers and with a built-in screen, it is easy to capture the action on the move.

Connecting seamlessly to Apple and Garmin watches, the camera can now display data such as time, speed and distance to add an extra dimension to your footage.