Fenix 5S as a runner's watch?

Just been looking at the new Fenix 5S. I'm a male runner and currently using a Forerunner 630 with HRM strap. I have previously been put off by the Fenix range as I have small wrists, whereas the size/weight of the 630 feels just right for a running watch.

Just curious if the Fenix 5S would be a worthwhile upgrade over the 630? Does it offer runners anything extra other than the built in optical HRM? I've also been considering an Apple Watch Series 2 (now with Strava support), but I am put off by lack of dedicated physical buttons, which wouldn't work in a race situation, and I have heard that pace info and heart rate data isn't very accurate compared with a Garmin.

0 vanbojp over 8 years ago

I'm getting the F5 for three main reasons in order:
1. I've had bad luck with the Forerunner series for hiking.
2. Durability.
3. Style as a daily watch. My FR235 works fine, just doesn't look as stylish.

I'm considering the Fenix 5s to replace my 230 for pretty much same reasons. 230 screen just cracked out of the blue; no obvious impacts I'm aware of that caused it. I definitely want a sapphire face going forward.

One question, for you cold-weather runners/hikers: How do you wear the watch when you're bundled up? I'm referring mainly to the OHR. I wear my 230 over my jacket sleeve, as I'd prefer not to try and leave my wrist exposed, but with the OHR, do you just disable it for activities?

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I'm considering the Fenix 5s to replace my 230 for pretty much same reasons. 230 screen just cracked out of the blue; no obvious impacts I'm aware of that caused it. I definitely want a sapphire face going forward.

One question, for you cold-weather runners/hikers: How do you wear the watch when you're bundled up? I'm referring mainly to the OHR. I wear my 230 over my jacket sleeve, as I'd prefer not to try and leave my wrist exposed, but with the OHR, do you just disable it for activities?

You obviously have to have it against your skin for the optical HR to function, but even then optical HR doesn't do a great job in the bitter cold AND you'll lose the ability to see and interact with the display if thats important to you. A better option might be for cold weather hikes etc. to just wear a conventional HR strap and use electrode gel so it keeps a signal in the cold (buy a tube for like $5 and it lasts years and years) if you really need HR. An issue with the 5S in the cold might be that like you I wear the watch on the outside of winter jacket sleeve and the 5S strap is exceptionally short in pictures, almost 30-50% shorter than the 5/5X and I don't see how that fits around a winter coat sleeve. Hopefully someone makes a longer strap that fits the 5S (must be 20mm wide) to serve that purpose.