Trackers and Compact Tech
The Apple Watch Ultra ($799) was built to wow, and wow it does. We get compliments on the chunky, utility look, but the real magic lies in how durable and intelligently designed this rugged smartwatch is. Made to withstand adventures in extreme conditions, the Ultra's survival tools, durability, and superior GPS tracking make it the outdoor athlete's dream. Meanwhile, the best-in-class health, fitness, and connectivity features make it covetable even if the farthest you venture is the gym.
The Forerunner has long been a runner favorite, but the upgraded Garmin Forerunner 255 ($350) offers new triathlon tracking, health stats, and enhanced smartwatch features any active person will love. Track 30+ different activities, then keep an eye on your heart-rate variability scores and other insights to see how you recover. With up to 14 days of battery life, it just might outrun you.
Say goodbye to bulky wrist trackers with the Oura Ring Gen 3 ($350-$550), a small but mighty activity tracker with research-grade sensors that promise to capture more accurate heart-rate data than competitors across all skin tones. We love that the smooth new Horizon style blends into your ring stack while tracking your activity, sleep, menstrual cycle, and blood oxygen levels — along with much more.
Oura Ring Gen 3
Best Activity Tracker
Nothing relaxes muscles like a hot shower, but the innovative Hyperice Venom Go ($149) comes close. It provides targeted treatment for your sorest spots, combining heat and vibration for the ultimate tension relief. The tiny size means you can stick it on wherever and whenever: after a gym workout, on a long flight or drive, or before bed to soothe those pesky back cramps. Connect it to the Hyperice app for hands-off relief, even in tough-to-reach areas.
Hyperice Venom Go
Best Recovery Device
Therabody Theragun Mini 2nd Generation
Best Massage Gun
Wherever your soreness lives, the Therabody Theragun Mini 2nd Generation ($199) will find it and provide relief. With multiple attachments and Bluetooth-enabled stretching routines offered via the Therabody app, this handheld massager packs a targeted, tension-relieving punch. The small size (it's 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than the first gen) makes it the perfect choice to throw into your bag for out-of-town races and workouts.
Never let a pair of dead headphones ruin your workout again. The Adidas RPT-02 SOL ($230) are self-charging thanks to an innovative material that converts light (both natural and artificial) into battery life. That way, you can keep them charged (holding 80 hours of playtime) whether you're on a scenic walk or in the gym. Built partly from recycled plastics, they are also sweat-proof and splash-proof and have a washable inner headband and ear cushions — so you have no excuse
not to sweat.
Adidas RPT-02 SOL
Best Over-Ear Headphones
Bose Sport Earbuds
Best Earbuds
Bose Sport Earbuds ($149) are the audiophile's answer to a proper workout sound system. We love that they don't bounce or twist out during runs or burpees, fit snugly — but never painfully — into the most difficult of ears, and provide precise audio and call control with a quick tap. Provided you don't lose them, this is a pair you'll have for life.
Apple Watch Ultra
Best Smartwatch
Over $500
Garmin Forerunner 255
Best Smartwatch
Under $500