COROS VERTIX 2

Expect to pay: £599

COROS HAS BECOME the closest rival to Garmin in terms of design, functionality and aspiration. The VERTIX is their challenge to Garmin’s fenix range: it looks and works similarly, with an even larger screen, but with several key points of departure. 1) There’s just one option, at one price point (the same as the entry-level fenix) rather than a confusing range. 2) Whereas the fenix wants to work as a complete lifestyle smartwatch, the VERTIX focuses on being first and foremost an outdoors assistant (it does have lifestyle features including music control, but they are much less of a priority). And 3), the biggie: battery life. It’s just untouchable: 140 hours of continuous multi-satellite tracking, or over a month of regular GPS usage. I walked and tracked the 35-mile Gritstone Trail over two days, and the VERTIX still had 86% battery left at the end. But I can’t help feeling that’s aimed at those doing a full week’s wild camping in the Highlands rather than us lot, enjoying our days on the footpaths and plugging in for some juice every few days. Still, if battery life is your priority, look no further. It has three buttons rather than the fenix’s five, one of which is a really simple scroll wheel, and it has some touchscreen functionality but only during an activity. The Coros app is friendlier and less fussy than Garmin’s, even if it does hit you with stats like ‘marathon level’,

‘race predictor’ and ‘load impact’. And just like the fenix it is exquisitely tough and built to the highest spec, with a huge 1.4-inch high-res screen, sapphire glass, titanium bezel, topo mapping for instant location and visual tracking, and a chunky yet breathable strap. There’s a lot for walkers to love. INFO: Weight: 87g Battery life: Over a month of near-continuous GPS use Waterproof: Yes App compatibility: Coros, Strava, Relive, komoot, Stryd and more Website:coros.com/uk

+ Unbeatable battery life, tough, accurate, big screen, good app

– Heavy, focused on extreme wilderness adventures

ACCURACY: ★★★★★

TOUGHNESS: ★★★★★

EASE OF USE: ★★★★★

APP: ★★★★★

BUY IT IF: You want a sophisticated watch with unbeatable battery life for long-term walking projects.