Garmin vs Apple Watch Ultra 3 & Series 11: The Best Smartwatch for HYROX & Hybrid Athletes

For many HYROX and hybrid athletes, choosing the right smartwatch is no longer just about notifications, convenience, or brand loyalty, it’s about performance, endurance, and precision. Over the past two years, there’s been a significant shift from Apple Watches to Garmin devices, particularly among athletes tackling events like HYROX, CrossFit, and long-distance endurance training.

But with Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Series 11 on the horizon, the question is whether Apple can win back the performance-driven crowd or whether Garmin will remain the watch of choice for serious competitors.

Let’s break it down.

1. Battery Life: Why Garmin Leads the Field

In hybrid training, battery life isn’t a feature — it’s a necessity. Garmin’s endurance-first approach means athletes can train harder, recover better, and track longer without worrying about running out of power.

• The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar offers up to 28–40 days in smartwatch mode and an astonishing 150–260 hours of GPS tracking when supported by solar charging.

• The Garmin Fenix 8 and Enduro 2 follow closely, delivering exceptional battery performance for multi-day events and high-volume training weeks.

By contrast, even Apple’s best option, the Watch Ultra 2, only provides around 36 hours of mixed-use battery life or up to 12 hours of continuous GPS tracking in low-power mode.

The upcoming Ultra 3 is rumoured to improve efficiency thanks to a new S10 processor, potentially stretching battery life further. But realistically, Garmin’s ultra-low-power modes and energy-efficient architecture still make it the better choice for athletes logging high training volumes.

Winner: Garmin... by some distance.

2. Training & Recovery Insights: Depth vs Convenience

For athletes preparing for HYROX, sled pushes, lunges, and endurance running, data isn’t just nice to have; it’s everything. Garmin’s analytics are built for high-level training programmes, giving athletes access to metrics that directly impact performance:

• VO₂ Max Tracking → Monitor aerobic capacity over time

• Training Readiness Scores → Know when to push and when to recover

• HRV Trends & Body Battery → Balance recovery, sleep, and stress

• Custom HYROX-Compatible Workouts → Track functional training zones in real time

Apple, by comparison, offers core fitness data but lacks Garmin’s depth and sport-specific insights. While Apple’s Ultra 3 and Series 11 are expected to introduce enhanced health monitoring, including blood pressure sensing and AI-assisted coaching, Garmin’s ecosystem still feels better optimised for serious, data-driven athletes.

Winner: Garmin, if performance matters, depth beats simplicity.

3. Build Quality & Premium Materials: Form Meets Function

One area where Apple continues to excel is design and material quality. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to push even further into premium territory, introducing titanium finishes, sapphire crystal displays, and more luxury-friendly band options.

However, Garmin has evolved here too. Modern Fenix, Epix, and Marq series watches now include titanium builds, sapphire-coated glass, and QuickFit strap systems — allowing athletes to swap rugged silicone straps for Italian leather, titanium bracelets, or high-grade nylon within seconds.

This is where many hybrid athletes find a middle ground: you don’t need to switch to a traditional luxury watch for formal events anymore. With Garmin’s premium strap options from brands like The Time Club ; including metal, leather, and alternative-hide options, you can take the same high-performance device from the HYROX sled push straight to a black-tie dinner without compromise.

4. Comfort, Straps & Avoiding Strap Rash

Training for HYROX involves sweat, repetition, and long hours of wear, meaning comfort matters just as much as performance. Many athletes report issues with strap rash when wearing a single silicone strap day after day.

Garmin’s QuickFit system makes it simple to rotate between straps:

• Breathable nylon straps for high-intensity HYROX sessions

• Premium leather straps for casual wear and evenings out

• Titanium and metal options for a sophisticated look without sacrificing durability

This versatility means your Garmin or apple doesn’t need to come off, it adapts to every part of your lifestyle, something Apple is only just starting to compete with.

(Pro tip: Check out our guide on strap rash prevention and explore our Garmin strap collection to elevate both comfort and style.)

5. Could the Apple Watch Ultra 3 & Series 11 Win Athletes Back?

Apple has clearly recognised Garmin’s growing dominance in the fitness and HYROX space. The Ultra 3 is rumoured to deliver:

• A more energy-efficient S10 chip for extended battery life

• Multi-band GPS upgrades for improved accuracy in urban and indoor environments

• Blood pressure monitoring & advanced recovery insights

• Expanded integration with training apps like Strava, TrainingPeaks, and HYROX trackers

The Series 11 will also benefit from these health and performance enhancements but focuses more on style and daily usability rather than high-volume endurance training.

The question is whether these upgrades are enough to compete with Garmin’s training-first philosophy and for now, the answer seems to be not quite.

Final Verdict: Garmin Still Leads for HYROX & Hybrid Athletes

While Apple continues to refine its devices, Garmin remains the go-to choice for athletes who prioritise endurance, training insights, and long-term performance. Its unmatched battery life, deeper analytics, and seamless strap ecosystem make it ideal for anyone balancing HYROX sessions, hybrid training cycles, and everyday style.

However, the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 will narrow the gap, particularly for athletes who want premium design, smart integrations, and advanced health tools in one package.

For now, though, if your training calendar is stacked with sled pushes, lunges, and 600m runs, Garmin still holds the performance crown.

Next Steps

Looking to upgrade your Garmin for both training and style? Explore our premium leather and metal strap collections, designed for comfort, performance, and versatility so your watch is as ready for a HYROX event as it is for an evening out. Whether you're competing in the Hybrid Games, HybridNW, DEKA, Crossfit, Deadly Dozen or any hybrid event, it's important to pick the watch and strap that is right for you.