Brand: COROS
Category: Running Watches
Recommended by Lara Hamilton, Mountain Athlete | Olympian | Coach & Creative — Font-Romeu, France
Highlights: lightweight, gps mapping, long battery life
The Apex 4 by Coros is a premium multi-sport GPS watch designed for athletes seeking precision and performance. With advanced tracking features and a robust design, it empowers users to push their limits in any environment. 1. High-Resolution Touchscreen: A vibrant 1.3-inch display ensures clear visibility in all lighting conditions. 2. Multi-Sport Tracking: Supports over 200 different sports modes, allowing for tailored performance metrics. 3. Long Battery Life: Up to 30 hours of continuous GPS tracking, perfect for long-distance activities. 4. Built-In Navigation: Features turn-by-turn directions and route planning to keep you on track during outdoor adventures. 5. Water-Resistant Design: Rated at 5 ATM, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities. 6. Advanced Heart Rate Monitoring: Utilizes optical sensors for accurate heart rate data, enhancing training efficiency. 7. Smart Notifications: Stay connected with call, text, and app alerts directly on your wrist. The Apex 4 is ideal for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who engage in activities such as running, cycling, swimming, and hiking. It excels in diverse environments, from urban settings to rugged trails, making it suitable for both training and competition. Designed for users of all skill levels, this watch is perfect for those looking to enhance their performance and track their progress year-round, regardless of the season.
Price: $429 - $479
- Who it's for
- Trail runners, ultramarathon athletes, and mountain sports enthusiasts who prioritize battery life, navigation, and clean data over smartwatch connectivity. The 42mm size is specifically noted as a good fit for smaller wrists.
- What people are saying
- Hosts consistently praise the battery life, turn-by-turn navigation with clear maps, distance/elevation accuracy, and the intuitive COROS app interface. Several switched from Garmin and call it an upgrade; no notable criticism appears across the notes.
- Worth noting
- The Apex 4 adds a faster processor, sapphire glass, street-name maps with POIs, and button/dial improvements over the Apex 2. It does not reset during mid-activity charging and supports GPX file loading for race course navigation.
Lara Hamilton's review
+ the HR strap, a lightweight watch that has all the stats you need and super accurate data. I love digging in post race.
Recommended by Lara Hamilton, Mountain Athlete | Olympian | Coach & Creative
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Apex 4 for?
Trail runners, ultramarathon athletes, and mountain sports enthusiasts who prioritize battery life, navigation, and clean data over smartwatch connectivity. The 42mm size is specifically noted as a good fit for smaller wrists.
What do experts say about the Apex 4?
Hosts consistently praise the battery life, turn-by-turn navigation with clear maps, distance/elevation accuracy, and the intuitive COROS app interface. Several switched from Garmin and call it an upgrade; no notable criticism appears across the notes.
What should you know before buying the Apex 4?
The Apex 4 adds a faster processor, sapphire glass, street-name maps with POIs, and button/dial improvements over the Apex 2. It does not reset during mid-activity charging and supports GPX file loading for race course navigation.
What does Lara Hamilton say about the Apex 4?
+ the HR strap, a lightweight watch that has all the stats you need and super accurate data. I love digging in post race.
Why does Lara Hamilton recommend COROS?
Lara Hamilton recommends the COROS Apex 4 for running watches. + the HR strap, a lightweight watch that has all the stats you need and super accurate data. I love digging in post race.
Is the Apex 4 a good running watche?
Yes — Lara Hamilton recommends the Apex 4 by COROS as their running watches pick. + the HR strap, a lightweight watch that has all the stats you need and super accurate data. I love digging in post race.
More from Lara Hamilton's Broken Arrow Ascent & 23k
View Lara Hamilton's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
15 experts recommend the COROS Apex 4.
Kelsey McGill, Running Coach (Trail, Ultra, Road)
Love the maps, battery life, ability to set timers/alarms without disruption to in-activity mode, and it doesn't reset the watch when you charge it during activity! These were major frustrations to previous models. Apex 4 is where it's at!
Recommended in Cocodona 250 Gear
Cody Poskin, Professional Ultrarunner and Hopeless Romantic
Navigation perfection. I would still be wandering around in the woods if it wasn’t for this watch. Battery life is insane. The accuracy for distance and vertical blows my mind. I’ve been wearing coros for 3 years now and will never go back. Loyalist!
Recommended in Kodiak 100
Robyn Lesh, Pro Trail Running Athlete
Recently upgraded from my Apex 2 (which I used for 3+ years). Flashy! Better button and dial placement. Some new cool features like maps on a separate set of screens from the other metrics. Still super awesome user interface. (this is why I like Coros over some other watch brands)
Recommended in CCC by UTMB
Points for accuracy, battery life, integration, intuitive, style
Recommended in Broken Arrow 46K
Steven Kornhaus, Content Creator & Running Coach
I think The APEX 4 is definitely the best watch in COROS’s lineup currently! The new and much faster processor, maps with street names and POI’s, sapphire glass and incredible battery life, this really is the ultimate mountain sports watch! The APEX4 has great maps, and you can load the No Business 100 GPX file and see the distance to the next aid station. Plenty of battery life for the race!
Recommended in No Business 100
Doug Shipman, Proud midpack trail runner
I’m using the APEX 4 for Ultra races and trail runs. It’s great for tracking, elevation, mapping and health tracking. Total package
Recommended in Trail Gear
Hayden Burdge, Personal Trainer, Hiking Guide
I’ve been a Garmin user for 6 years and just made the switch to Coros. BEST gear swap I’ve made yet! I love how lightweight it is and the battery lasts so long I never have to stress about charging it. The turn by turn navigation is what sold me and the interface is so user friendly.
Recommended in Cocodona 250
Emi Stretton, What Gets Me Through the Miles
I use my COROS APEX 4 to track my training, monitor effort, and keep an eye on the data that actually matters when I’m putting in serious mileage. I’ve found it especially useful for long runs and ultramarathon training, where pacing, elevation, navigation, battery life, and knowing when to back off can make a big difference. I’m always learning how to use the data to train smarter—not just run more.
Recommended in 10 Products I Actually Use
Anna Louden, Professional Trail Runner
the navigation is my favorite feature of this watch. The maps are super clear so you never miss a turn. Also has an impressive battery that can last through a week of high volume training without being charged
Recommended in Everyday Faves
Long battery life and the Coros app is hard to beat.
Recommended in Long Run Adventure Kit
I chose Coros because the app interface is extremely intuitive, easy to use, and comes with a lot of great features. Not as "connected" as some other brands, but I like not having a supercomputer strapped to my arm all day. Love the realtime maps and navigation, and the battery life is superior. It also charges incredibly fast just in case you are in a pinch. All the features you really need and none of the ones you don't.
Recommended in Dirt Run Essentials
Meg Cooke, Mountain Athlete, Materials Scientist
I'm the type of athlete who only charges their watch when they're sat down working. Aka, I track everything. I wear this watch 24/7 (including sleeping) and find it easy to use, with honestly, better than I expected mapping, and easy buttons and navigation. The battery life is also really good. I would never chose a bigger watch face over comfort, and as a smaller human the 42 mm version is perfect.
Recommended in Tech/Gadgets
Best user interface I have found in a GPS watch. It has a deep understanding of what we actually use watches for in the mountains. It is a California local company too.
Recommended in 10 Products I Actually Use
Extremely lightweight with stellar battery life. The Coros app is known for its clean, uncluttered interface that makes logging trail runs effortless.
Recommended in 10 Products I Actually Use
