[fiftyfifty]

I've been using a Garmin Forerunner GPS watch for years, and what I've found I like the most about it is actually the Garmin Connect app on my phone. I don't think Garmin gets enough credit as a software shop. Connect is a great application for tracking your workouts over time. A fair number of runners even use Garmin's workout plans from the app. Even compared to running apps exclusively for iOS and Android I think the Garmin app is one of the better ones around, and is free to use with no monthly fees. Combine that with the fact that I don't even have to take my phone with me, I just wear my watch and it syncs with my phone when I get home. Running with a phone sucks, I have yet to find a way to carry one that isn't annoying.

[tra3]

What's more, Garmin has an API so you can pull your data and analyze it locally. It's pretty neat.

See garmindb: https://github.com/tamkaho/GarminDB

You can get a rolling average of your stress for example, or your sleep times.

[SoftTalker]

> I don't think Garmin gets enough credit as a software shop.

They make avionics systems. They probably have a good culture of making well tested, reliable software.

[hiq]

Well I have to set the record straight that I do find bugs regularly, both on the watch and the app. I'm still very happy with it (and I'm sure I prefer it over competitors), but not all of the features have been polished to the same extent nor do they seem to go through the same QA for every upgrade. The Garmin forum is a good witness to that.

[subsubzero]

I have the forerunner watch as well, and also the inReach personal gps. Both are quite rugged and the forerunner's metrics collection is great if you want to see your health progress ie. VO2 max and other key metrics. The inReach is for me a life insurance policy in case I twist an ankle out in the middle of nowhere and can flag an emergency responder. I would not part with either device and pay the monthly subscription to the inReach device for years now.

[nradov]

I have tried a bunch of options and the Rabbit running shorts with a rear phone zipper pocket are the least annoying. They hold a large phone securely without bouncing around but but are still easy to access on the move.

https://www.runinrabbit.com/collections/mens-shorts

[justinrubek]

I may need to dig into the app more. I have mostly had complaints so far. Years ago I had an android wear device and the software integration seemed a lot better; I have considered the garmin software to be on the weak side and fairly annoying to use. I only switched over because of hardware build quality.

[seesaw]

I had been an Apple Watch user until it died after I was in a water park. It is supposed to be waterproof, but I guess Apple wants me to refresh after two years.

I switched to a Garmin Venu 3. It is better than AW in many aspects, but is also lacking in some. But the Connect app is a lot better than Apple Health.

[aeyes]

For all runs except races and interval sessions I carry my phone in a Naked band. Works well for me and allows me to carry some other things like gels, tissues, keys, light...