Garmin Forerunner 735XT

THIS SMARTWATCH IS A TRUE MULTI SPORT CHAMPION.

IT LOOKS LIKE cannibalism. e best of Garmin’s best, the Fenix 3, has given its DNA to the Forerunner 735XT. Look again, though, and this vampire hasn’t digested the Fenix 3 entirely, but made itself a clone that’s lighter, more re ned and focused, and it’s probably the best triathlon-centric watch you can buy.

e rst thing you’ll notice about the 735XT is just how light it is, all without making sacri ces. ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity opens up the capability for more metrics, if you have a speed sensor on your bike, or the optional chest-strap heart-rate monitor. On the reverse side of the face is an optical heart-rate monitor that keeps measure during any land-based activity. e GPS is ready and willing, beeping into life at a moment’s notice.

Flick through the activities menu and you’ll nd the three core triathlon sports — swimming (open water and pool), running and cycling — plus a dedicated ‘triathlon’ activity, with the option to add more (think paddle boarding, hiking etc). Choose ‘triathlon’, hit the start button, and from there, you can blast through an entire tri, tapping the ‘return’ button as you begin the next activity, transitions included, to keep track as simply as possible.

e 31.1mm display is large and clear, and you’ll also get noti cations from your iOS or Android device. is is more convenience than anything else, as long messages need to be scrolled through — a nice feature, but you’re eyeing o the 735XT if you fancy yourself to be a serious athlete. Also at hand is a race predictor, as well as a recovery countdown. Plus, there’s the Strava su er score, a quick and dirty number that gives you an idea of how hard you’re working compared to your mates.