Pros and Cons of Watches Compatible with Stryd

There are various brands of watches that work with Stryd: Garmin, Suunto, Polar, and the Apple watch. Each manufacturer makes great watches, and personal preference often determines what is the best choice. As Stryders ask us at times, this article provides a high-level overview of the pros and cons of each watch when using it with Stryd. We do not recommend any specific watch, and the list below likely is not complete.

Garmin

Pros:

1. Can record all Stryd metrics
2. Completely automated flow to get data into PowerCenter
3. Automatic adjustment of power zones on the watch.
4. Many Garmin watches can get pace and distance from Stryd as well as the GPS map
5. Possible to fine-tune the accuracy of Stryd by setting a calibration factor
6. Specific Garmin watches that are compatible with the Stryd Workout App can now get structured, power-based workouts from Stryd and third-party platforms (TrainingPeaks, Final Surge, 2Peak) directly onto the watch

Cons:

1. Initial setup more complex

COROS

Pros:

1. Can record all Stryd metrics
2. Completely automated flow to get data into PowerCenter
3. All COROS watches can get pace and distance from Stryd as well as the GPS map
4. Possible to fine-tune the accuracy of Stryd by setting a calibration factor
5. Native power fields and zone information
6. Easy setup
7. Structured, power-based workouts from TrainingPeaks

Cons:

1. Not possible to import structured, power-based workouts from Stryd or Final Surge
2. Manual setting of your critical power on the watch (does not change automatically).

Wahoo

Pros:

1. Can record all Stryd metrics
2. Completely automated flow to get data into PowerCenter
3. Wahoo watches can get pace and distance from Stryd as well as the GPS map
4. Native power fields and zone information. Wide variety of native data fields, including advanced metrics like watts/kg, % of CP, Ground Contact Time, etc. 
5. Automatic sync of Critical Power and power zones with the Stryd ecosystem.
6. Easy setup
7. Structured, power-based workouts from TrainingPeaks

Cons:

1. Not possible to fine-tune the accuracy of Stryd by setting a calibration factor
2. Not possible to import structured, power-based workouts from Stryd or Final Surge

Polar

Pros:

1. Uses Bluetooth to connect to Stryd, which is more reliable.
2. Easy setup (requires PolarFlow to setup)
3. Can set a calibration factor to fine-tune Stryd accuracy and can get pace, distance and GPS map.
4. Native power fields.

Cons:

1. Cannot record all Stryd metrics, only power (and pace, distance, and cadence)
2. To get advanced metrics in PowerCenter, Stryders need to upload data from Stryd with the Stryd app on the phone (offline sync).
3. Not possible to import and execute power-based structured workouts.

Apple watch

Pros:

1. Uses Bluetooth to connect to Stryd, which is more reliable.
2. The Stryd app is amazing! Records all metrics (including HR and GPS map) and data flows automatically into PowerCenter.
3. We can quickly address issues as they come up
4. The Stryd App, On Apple Watch, can now get power-based workouts from Stryd and third-party platforms (TrainingPeaks, Final Surge, 2Peak).

Cons:

1. Inherent Apple watch limitations: need to raise wrist to activate the screen, limited use of buttons (need to use touchscreen), battery life.

Suunto

Pros:

1. Uses Bluetooth to connect to Stryd, which is more reliable.
2. Easy setup.
3. Some Suunto watches (Spartan / 9) can get pace and distance from Stryd as well as the GPS map
4. Native power fields.

Cons:

1. Cannot record all Stryd metrics, only power (and pace, distance, and cadence in for Spartan / 9)
   To get advanced metrics in PowerCenter, Stryders need to upload data from Stryd with the Stryd app on the phone (offline sync).
2. Ambit series of watches can only get power from Stryd (or only pace and distance)
   Cannot set a calibration factor to fine-tune accuracy.
3. Not possible to import and execute power-based structured workouts.