HOW DID THEY MEASURE UP?

The Country Walking team pitched wearable gadgets against smartphone apps in a tracking test. See the results on Page 92.

INCREASINGLY, THE ELECTRONIC tech we take on walks may be more than just a navigational aid or a basic mobile for emergencies. Gadgets can measure our fitness, record where we’ve been and tally up how far. More often than not, the technology to do this is worn on our wrist, contained within our smartphones and enabled by apps.

Tracking technology is the focus of this marketwide test, covering everything from high-spec smartwatches to smartphone apps that cost you nothing (for the basic edition, at least). Some are made by big-name tech giants, others by smaller brands specialising in rugged outdoor gadgetry. Although such devices and apps are predominantly aimed at runners and ‘multisport’ superhumans, we’ve looked at them as walkers.

We’re evaluating what they do and how well they do it; their tracking, connectivity and navigation functions. We also ask how useful (if at all) they are for walkers and if they’re worth your hard-earned cash. Finally, we’ve pitched them against each other in a test of their mileage measuring capabilities (an essential trait for anyone aiming to #walk1000miles in 2019).

ABOUT OUR REVIEWS

We’ve tested 15 products, which we’ve divided into Activity Trackers, Smartwatches and Smartphone Apps. We review their features, ease-ofuse and (in the case of trackers and smartwatches) what they’re like to wear and operate on a walk. Our overall verdicts are included in the table on Page 92.