Why This Smartwatch is More Popular than Garmin for Strava Runners

After surpassing the Swiss Watch market in sales in recent years, the Apple Watch is now making waves in the sports watch industry as well.

The popular sports app Strava recently released its 2024 edition of the Year of Sport: Trend Report, revealing that the Apple Watch was one of the top devices used to upload activities on the platform.

The report analyzed user data from activities uploaded between September 1, 2023, and August 30, 2024, highlighting the most popular smartwatches for uploading activities. The Apple Watch Series ranked first for running activities uploads, followed by the Apple Watch SE in second place and the Garmin Forerunner 245 in third.

Interestingly, the report did not mention a Google Wear OS smartwatch like the Pixel Watch 3, indicating Google and its hardware partners’ challenges in improving their sports tracking capabilities.

In the 2023 edition of Strava’s report, the Garmin Forerunner 235 held the top spot as the most popular upload device. This time, the Apple Watch’s dominance over Garmin is a significant achievement for Apple and a setback for Garmin and other established sports watch manufacturers.

Having tested nearly every Apple Watch model, including the latest Watch Ultra 2 and Watch Series 10, it’s not surprising that Apple’s smartwatch is gaining recognition on Strava. This is evident when considering the data presented in Strava’s report.

Why the Apple Watch excels for runners

Running is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, with Strava reporting it as the fastest-growing social sport on the platform. Running clubs have seen a 59% increase from the previous year, with Apple Watches being the preferred choice for 5k runners, while Garmin watches are favored by those tackling longer distances.

For casual or new runners who have embraced the running club culture, the Apple Watch’s user-friendly design and workout tracking capabilities make it an ideal companion. Apple’s Watches offer seamless integration between tracking workouts and daily activities, unlike dedicated running watches that may feel disjointed.

Apple Watches excel in tracking runs accurately, especially the latest models like the Watch Series and Series SE. The devices rival top sports watches in areas such as GPS accuracy and heart rate monitoring.

With Apple leading smartwatch shipments globally, the increasing number of Apple Watches in the market further solidifies its position as a go-to choice for fitness enthusiasts. While Garmin remains popular for longer runs, Apple’s progress in merging smartwatch features with sports tracking functionalities is evident.

Although Garmin dominates cycling uploads, Apple’s presence in the running community is undeniable. The competition is put on notice as Apple continues to bridge the gap between casual and seasoned fitness enthusiasts.

For the latest prices on the Apple Watch Series 10:

$349