Best GPS Watches for Trail Runners Seeking Accuracy and Battery Life

A great trail-running watch should do two things exceptionally well: hold a clean GPS track in ugly terrain and last long enough that you stop thinking about charging. Our top picks hit those marks. For most runners who want accurate dual-frequency GNSS, robust maps, and strong training tools, Garmin’s Fenix 8 Solar is the premium all-rounder. For maximum runtime on ultras and multi-day efforts, Garmin’s Enduro 3 remains the endurance king. Value hunters should look hard at Coros Pace 3 and Apex. Below, we explain how to choose, what to prioritize for accuracy and battery life, and where each watch excels.