COROS PACE 3

As a swim coach, I'm often asked about the best watches for swim training and open-water accuracy. The COROS Pace 3 is not common amongst swimmers but I’ve found that it is the perfect watch for me.

I originally switched to COROS Pace 3 for running - specifically for its native Stryd power meter support. But what surprised me most is how much I’ve come to prefer it for swim training, even over more feature-rich Garmin models.

This is the story of why I came for the running, but stayed for the swimming - and how COROS Pace 3 outperforms in both arenas.

Run Use-Case: Why I Chose COROS Pace 3

Native Stryd Power Support

One of the main reasons I originally switched to COROS was because it supports the Stryd power meter natively. This means that the COROS watches capture all of Stryd's metrics including Power, Form Power, Air Power, Leg Spring Stiffness, Ground Time, and Vertical Oscillation. It is the first sports watch brand that has supported all of Stryd's metrics from the moment you pair the watch. This means it is very easy to set up and receive all the data you want from your COROS & Stryd. You can:

• Display live power data during runs without any extra setup.

• Build workouts with power-based intervals right in the COROS app.

• View power stats (average, max, lap power) in post-run analysis without needing to sync separately to Stryd’s app.

In contrast, Garmin requires third-party apps (via Connect IQ) or custom data fields to get similar functionality, and syncing power data can feel fragmented. With COROS, it's plug and play - Stryd just works, making power-based training seamless.

Accurate GPS (Even in Tough Conditions)

• The dual-frequency GPS locks quickly and tracks accurately, even under tree cover or in urban settings.

• Open water swim GPS is also reliable and consistent with known distances.

Battery Life for Ultra Events

• 38 hours in GPS mode means it handles ultra-distance events with ease.

Lightweight & Comfortable

• At just 30g, it’s one of the lightest watches out there. I barely notice it on the wrist during long runs or races.

Athlete Endorsements & Trail Running Credibility

COROS has earned the trust of elite athletes, including Eliud Kipchoge. In the world of trail and mountain running, Kilian Jornet - widely regarded as one of the greatest trail runners of all time - partners with COROS and uses the APEX 2 Pro. Known for racing and training in extreme mountain environments for 20+ hours at a time.

For trail runners or ultra-endurance athletes looking for a lightweight but capable option, the APEX 2 Pro offers a balance of dual-frequency GPS, 40 hours of battery life in high-accuracy mode, breadcrumb navigation, and a durable yet compact build. It’s ideal for long mountain days and technical terrain where reliability matters.

Navigation: APEX 2 Pro vs. Pace 3

A key difference between the APEX 2 Pro and Pace 3 is the navigation functionality. The APEX 2 Pro includes breadcrumb navigation with elevation profiles and real-time guidance on routes, offering more confidence for complex trails and longer adventures. (For even more navigation-rich features there is the Vertix).

In contrast, the Pace 3 features basic breadcrumb navigation — a simplified form of route tracking that shows your path as a line on a blank screen. It’s effective for simple routes or backtracking, but not designed for detailed route planning or elevation guidance.

That said, the Pace 3 shares much of the same GPS performance and tracking accuracy as the APEX 2 Pro, just in a more compact and lighter package. It’s an excellent choice if you prioritize minimalism and price, without compromising on core performance.

Other Perspectives

• Many runners highlight how COROS’s app is simple but effective, offering clean post-run data without overwhelming users with metrics.

• The Running Fitness metric in the app provides a snapshot of your current aerobic fitness and training status over time, helping guide effort and recovery.

• Training Load and Recovery Time estimates help manage intensity and volume, and they are updated with regular firmware improvements.

• Users frequently comment on the reliability - COROS watches rarely crash, sync issues are minimal, and battery drain is predictable.

My Take

For runners focused on distance accuracy, comfort, and battery life, the Pace 3 is a powerhouse. It may lack some advanced metrics like running dynamics or native maps, but for the price (list price 249€/229$) and performance, it’s a stellar tool for training and racing.

Swim Use-Case: Why I Stayed for the Swimming

For a long time, I swam without a watch in the pool. I used the wall clock for pace and rest intervals. I did have a Whoop tracker that auto-detected activities so this logged total time and synced with Strava, that was more than enough for me. When I retired my Whoop band, I started wearing my “running” watch to the pool. I would start it at the start of the session and stop it at the end. I don’t want any button pressing to interrupt my swim focus. I was pleasantly surprised. The total meters were accurate; at a glance, I could see my average pace for the last interval, and if I wanted more details I could find them in the COROS app post-swim.

Many reviews tout Garmin's auto rest detection and detailed pool swim metrics. On paper, it seems like Garmin's Swim 2 or Forerunner series should dominate pool swim tracking. But in practice, I believe my COROS Pace 3 tracks laps and sets more consistently and accurately than the Garmins used by fellow athletes I train with. What I See:

• COROS reliably logs swim distance and pace, even during varied intervals.

• It accurately detects rests, sets, and intervals without needing button presses.

• Meanwhile, Garmin users often get miscounted laps or fragmented interval splits, even with auto rest enabled.

Example: During a recent pool session, my COROS logged every 100m interval spot-on, while a training partner’s Garmin overcounted two lengths in a set of 400s. That’s not unusual in my experience.

Simplicity Wins

COROS uses clean, straightforward detection logic based on stroke rhythm and push-offs. I suspect this simplicity helps avoid false rest triggers or misreads. Garmin’s more complex algorithm, while feature-rich, can sometimes trip up on short rests or mixed-stroke sets.

Bottom Line

While Garmin might have more swim features (like drill mode and a rest counter), COROS Pace 3 delivers superior real-world tracking in my sessions. For athletes who care about accurate interval data over non-essential features, COROS is hard to beat in the pool.

Who Should Consider the COROS Pace 3

• Swimmers who want accurate lap tracking without fiddling with buttons.

• Runners who train with power (especially Stryd users).

• Athletes who value simplicity, reliability, and top-tier battery life.

Final Thoughts

Gear reviews often highlight specs and features, but real-world performance matters more. I came for the running, but stayed for the swimming — and in both use cases, the COROS Pace 3 has proven itself as an accurate, reliable, and athlete-friendly tool. Whether you’re training in the pool, hitting the trails, or tackling ultra events, this watch just works - no fuss, no drama, just solid data.

Thinking about switching watches? Let me know - I’m happy to share more insights or answer questions. Want to share your own experience with wearables? Mail me, I’d love to hear what’s worked for you.