Running Power Options
The differences between Stryd, Garmin, Coros, RunScribe, and Polar
There are several running power meter solutions available from big names like Garmin and Polar, as well as smaller startups, and it's likely not clear which one is the best option for you. We put together this post to help you make the best choice for your needs in this newfangled buying process. We continually update this post when new information is available. The most recent update was on December 9th, 2020.
Why should you run with power?
Many athletes and coaches have found power to be more effective than pace or heart-rate data in training and racing. Think of it as new way to measure effort that isn't influenced by elevation, terrain, diet, and other factors that are a part of every run. We have a separate article called Running with a Power Meter that clearly explains the benefits of utilizing this cutting-edge metric.
The big caveat: validating data
Power meters in cycling all share the same baseline for measurement. A cyclist cranking out 300 watts of power should see nearly the same number whether they're using a high-end or entry-level power meter. This is not the case with running power meters. The wattage numbers you get with Stryd, Garmin Running Power, RunScribe, and Polar are all dramatically different.
This is such a persistent issue in running power that even data from the first-generation Stryd chest strap device and their current footpod is inconsistent. Not being able to validate running power data between various devices is deal breaker for some runners. It's impossible to compare the accuracy of different running power meters with one another, and if you switch to a different kind of running power meter, it creates a device-specific shift in your workout history data that complicates longview analysis.
The smaller caveat: compatibility
As it stands today, you can't simply purchase any GPS watch and assume it will be compatible with the running power meter of your choice. The landscape isn't as confusing as bike power meters, where you often need to concern yourself with ghoulish details like bottom bracket sizes, crank arm clearances, cleat types, and so on. But you do need to make sure your running tech is compatible before you take the power meter plunge.
I'm in. What are my options?
If you're willing to put up with the less-than-ideal aspects of running with power in order to capitalize on the very real competitive edge it can provide, your next move is to check out the available options. This article focuses on Garmin, Stryd, RunScribe, and Polar, all of which are easily accesable and integrated with sports watches for real-time monitoring. Plus, they're all fully compatible with SportTracks.
There are a few other running power meters available, such as SHFT, RPM2, and FeetMe Sport. These options either require you to run with a smartphone, or they're in the early stages of integrating with running watches. This entire product category is just getting started. It's an exciting space to watch, and we'll keep you updated as it evolves.
Garmin Running Power
Garmin released their running power solution in late 2017, and the first thing you need to know is that it's only compatible with the following watches: the Fenix 5, Fenix 5 Plus, Fenix 6, Forerunner 935, Forerunner 945, Forerunner 645, and the Chronos. In addition to having a compatible watch, you also need either the Garmin HRM-TRI or HRM-RUN chest straps, or the Garmin RD Pod clip-on sensor. If you can check all of those boxes, you can download and use the free Running Power apps from Connect IQ.
An obvious advantage of Garmin's solution is that you don't need to purchase a third-party hardware sensor to start running with power. A less obvious advantage is that Garmin's Running Power app compensates for wind. The app uses location-based weather data to calculate the impact of wind on your running power numbers, however, the built-in wind detection sensor on the New Stryd footpod is vastly superior. With Garmin, your wind data is likely coming from a station miles (or kilometers) away.
Pros:
- Third-party hardware not required
- Compensates for wind
Cons:
- Requires a recent high-end Garmin watch that has a barometric altimeter
- You need to run with an additional Garmin chest strap or RD Pod sensor
Stryd
Stryd is a hardware footpod that you attach to the laces of a running shoe. As you run it measures your running power (and a wealth of other running data), and transmits this data to either your watch or the Stryd app on your phone. One of the great things about Styrd is the sizable number of watches it's compatible with: over 25 different models from Garmin, a bunch of Suunto watches, the Polar M400, M430, and the V800 (which supports power natively). There's even a dedicated and full-featured Stryd app for Apple Watch.
The latest generation of the Stryd footpod features a built-in wind detection sensor. When you're running into a headwind, it creates a great amount of resistance that substantially increases your effort level. The footpod measures the wind resistance, and calculates the energy cost in real-time, and the wattage displayed on your watch will be adjusted for the wind. It's an indispensible feature, and makes running with power much more accurate. Plus, the Air Power data your watch records is available for analysis in SportTracks, along with 11 other Stryd-created metrics.
Pros:
- Extremely accurate pace and distance metrics
- Compatible with a wide range of watches
Cons:
- At $219 USD it's an expensive single footpod
- Requires pairing at the beginning of each run, but it's automatic and quick
Coros
Coros is a relatively new fitness-tech brand that was able to quickly assert itself as an impressive manufacturer of GPS sports watches that provide high-quality hardware, accurate metrics, and competitive prices. With the introduction of the compelling Pace 2 multisport watch, Coros entered the running power world. What made the announcement even more impressive was that the built-in running power meter in the Pace 2 to was added to every sports watch they make via firmware, including the Apex, Apex Pro, Vertix, and even the original Coros Pace.
In you own a Stryd footpod, the Coros Pace 2 will record and display every metric, including Air Power. While their running power solution is robust, Coros does not offer a web-based platform like Garmin Connect or Polar Flow, only a mobile app. However, SportTracks has partnered with Coros to create an auto-sync integration, so you can do all of your planning and analysis with SportTracks on any computer, tablet, or mobile device, and have your Coros workout data uploaded automatically. SportTracks fully supports analysis of run power data, running efficency data, and more.
Pros:
- Running power meter is built in, no external senors are required
- Several different Coros watches are available with built-in running power
Cons:
- No web-based analysis platform, but SportTracks offers an excellent alternative
- The Pace 2 does not offer course navigation
RunScribe
RunScribe Plus is running sensor system comprised of two footpods; one for each of your feet. They provide running power, but with RunScribe it's still in beta, which means you can access it but it's still being tested and worked on. On the positive side, you get a boatload running efficiency metrics that all display beautifully on your SportTracks Workout Detail pages, such as Braking Force, Foot Strike, Ground Contact Time, Impact Force, and Pronation. There are individual graphs of each of these metrics for both your right and left feet.
The data collected by the footpods is compared to the community as a whole, so you can judge how your efficiency, footstrikes, and pronation compare to the average range of every RunScribe user. There are dedicated Connect IQ apps available for RunScribe on Garmin, and it's compatible with Suunto Ambit and Spartan watches as well. Unfortunately, a big downside with RunScribe is the price. The dual footpod system was originally priced at $250 USD, but the company decided to focus on B2B markets, and part of this change was to raise the price to $399 USD.
Pros:
- Provides detailed information about your running mechanics
- Footpods can be clipped to the laces or heels of your running shoes
Cons:
- Running power is still in beta
- Prohibitively expensive compared to the other options
Polar
Six weeks after this article was originally published, Polar announced their long-awaited flagship multisport watch, the Vantage V (pictured above). While it featured outstanding battery life, a 9-LED optical heart rate monitor, and new exertion and recovery feedback, one of its most impressive attributes was its built-in running power meter. It's the first run-power solution that doesn't require any external sensors; it tracks your power on every run automatically without any extra fuss.
In April 2020, Polar released a second watch with built-in running power, the Grit X (pictured above). Because running power is native to these watches, the data is fully supported in the sport profile so you get more actionable feedback. You can customize the watchfaces to display Power, Max Power, Lap Power Max, Automatic Lap Power Max, Average Power, Lap Power, and Automatic Lap Power Average. Polar devices are fully compatible with SportTracks, and when you have our auto-sync integration enabled your workouts and run-power data are automatically uploaded and ready for analysis.
Pros:
- Running power meter is built in, no external senors are required
- Many different metrics of run power data can be viewed while running
Cons:
- They do not track additional running efficiency metrics like vertical oscillation
- They require GPS, so running power does not work indoors, such as on a treadmill
Wrap up...
As you can see, the present number of options for running power meters isn't extensive, and like cycling power meters, there isn't an extremely affordable way to get into it. But if you focus too much on the downsides of running power, you risk missing out on a new technology that could potentially help you improve your performance. If you've been watching run power evolve and waiting for the right time to jump in, we think the options available today are worth trying out.
Products Mentioned in this Article
| Article written by Sam Mallery, Director of Marketing, Zone Five Software Inc. |