Best Running Tech CES 2018 – Runner’s World

We spent days walking the floor of the world’s largest consumer electronics show (CES) in Las Vegas to find the best high-tech gear for runners. From connected cardio machines to smarter-than-ever watches, check out our top picks for 2018.

Peloton Tread

Peloton

This connected treadmill will transform the way you view indoor training. It’s not always fun running miles but going nowhere, so Peloton set out to change that with the Tread. You’ll be able to stream live and on-demand classes via a 32-inch high definition screen and connect with a community of like-minded runners beyond the walls of your living room or home gym. Plus, the unique slat belt technology lessens the impact and makes your run feel smooth and comfortable. It will be available fall 2018 or for preorder now for $3,995, or $149 per month for 39 months.

Garmin Forerunner 645 Music

Garmin

Leave your phone behind with Garmin’s first GPS running watch with integrated music. This running watch holds up to 500 songs or up to 4 GB of music. You can also stream precreated playlists from the streaming services I Heart Radio and Deezer and listen to your favorite tunes by connecting to wireless bluetooth headphones. It will be available in March for $450. You can preorder at garmin.com.

Aftershokz Trekz Air

Aftershokz

ICYMI: We named Trekz Air one of our Gear of the Year picks, but this model still stands out as a favorite from CES. These lightweight bone-conduction headphones deliver music through your cheekbones without obstructing your ears, eliminating the common issues with traditional headphones. You can listen to your favorite playlist and be aware of your surroundings at the same time, without ever worrying about your buds falling out midrun.

Buy it: $180, aftershokz.com

Suunto 3 Fitness

Suunto

Think of this sleek fitness watch like having access to a personal trainer on your wrist. It features integrated adaptive training guidance that can help you improve your overall fitness by providing personalized seven-day plans. If you miss a workout, it will automatically adapt your plan accordingly. Although it doesn’t feature GPS, it can track the speed, pace, and distance of your run with the accelerometer, so it’s best for someone who runs as part of a larger fitness routine but doesn’t depend on GPS-informed data. It will be available spring of 2018 for $199.

Jabra Elite Active 65t

Jabra

These true wireless headphones were made for runners who just want one set of buds for everything in their life. Created for active users, they feature an accelerometer to track your distance and a special coating that makes them sweat, water, and dust proof. Thanks to four microphones for noise cancellation and wind protection, you can take calls on the go and connect to virtual assistants such as Siri or Alexa. A full charge will give you five hours of use time, with two additional charged in the carrying cradle. These will be available in early April for $189.

Plantronics BackBeatFIT 305

Amazon

If loose buds aren’t your style (no judgment if you’ve already lost a pair), clip these wireless sport headphones to the back of your shirt or use the tighten the cable around the back of your head for extra security. The ultra lightweight and sweatproof design stays put through any workout while providing up to six hours of battery life on one charge. A hint of reflectivity is woven into the cable keeps you safe in low-light conditions.

Buy it: $79.99, amazon.com

Dynamics Connected Wallet Card

Dynamics

It may look like a basic credit card, but this connected version could potentially replace every card in your wallet, including credit, debit, and loyalty cards. The first secure payment card developed with providers such as Visa and Mastercard, the wallet card has a rewritable magnetic strip, embedded cell phone chip, and an E-ink display, so you can toggle between multiple cards using the arrows and the data will change. If your run watch doesn’t feature tap-to-pay capabilities, you can head out the door with one single card that’ll have you covered no matter where you end up. Unfortunately, it make take some time until one ends up in your wallet, but we’ll be keeping an eye on this one. To be notified when a particular card will be made available to the public, consumers can register today for a Wallet Card at getwalletcard.com.

Health & Fitness Director Molly Ritterbeck is a writer, editor, and ACE-certified personal trainer with over 10 years of experience covering fitness, health, and how-to content in both print and digital media.