Examining the Accuracy of the Coros Vertix 2 and the Garmin Fenix 6 for Distance Assessment During Two Trail Running Conditions: A Pilot Study

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Publication Source

International Journal of Exercise Science

Volume Number

19

Issue Number

7

E-ISSN

1939795X

Article Number

7009

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine accuracy of the Coros® Vertix 2 and Garmin® Fēnix 6’s integrated global navigation satellite system (GNSS) distance tracking during two trail running conditions in a group of recreational runners. Methods: Six participants (females n=4) completed four self-paced, 1.60 kilometers (km) trail runs, for a total of 24 unique trials. Device accuracy was assessed in two trail conditions, heavy (HT) and light tree coverage (LT). Both watches were worn simultaneously on opposite wrists and then switched for the next trial. Distance measured by the watches was recorded (to the nearest 0.001 km) every 0.402 km. The watches’ distance data were compared to the criterion using repeated-measures analysis of variance, and LT versus HT and between left (LW) and right wrists (RW) were compared using paired-samples t-tests (alpha<0.05). Results: The Garmin reported 1.48±0.05 (mean ± standard deviation) km and the Coros reported 1.50±0.03 km for the trail, which was significantly less than the criterion distance (1.60 km) (p<0.01 for both watches) but was not different between watches (p=0.43). The distance measured by the watches was significantly greater in LT (1.53±0.03 km) than HT (1.47±0.05 km) (p<0.01). The distance was significantly greater for LW (1.52±0.06 km) than for RW (1.50±0.05 km) (p=0.04). Conclusion: Both watches were, on average, 6-7% below the measured distance and, in some trials, the watches underestimated nearly 11% from the criterion measure. Based on these findings, we urge caution when assessing distance in trail conditions especially under heavy tree cover.

Keywords

activity tracking, GPS, Wearable technology

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