COROS Spring Updates Include New Features For Runners, Cyclists, Obstacle Course Races

COROS Wearables launched new features for various athletes with its latest March firmware update. The new features are heavily for runners, especially ultra marathoners and those running hilly terrain.

The first new feature is called Pace Strategy, which uses the runner’s data to create a personalized strategy  based on a target distance to be applied to road running, trail running, racing, and ultras.

While it’s most beneficial for ultra-runners, it can help pace even a 5-kilometer race. Users simply select their distance, and then the app presents a target time. This can be adjusted via a slider for those looking to hit a race day PR. What’s new with this feature is that runners can also adjust for negative splits and manually make adjustments. Runners can now track changes to their predicted race times directly from their watch.

Trail and ultra runners can use Pace Strategy more in-depth. Once a route is saved, it can be selected, and the app presents a target time based on elevation gain and loss. It will also reveal the expected time athletes should be at such a waypoint or aid station before they need to get back to the course to help runners stay on track. Runners can also view foretasted weather up to three days before a mountain race to make hydration and gear adjustments.

It is complex to identify a target time for ultra-distance races because half the battle is a mental battle of how athletes compete on race day. With this in mind, COROS accounts for fatigue but notes the challenge in a prediction model for long-distance events.

In run and trail run mode, COROS now provides hill alerts in real-time from the watch when you begin to climb or descend. Greens and blues on a graph represent a decline, whereas yellow and red represent an incline. This allows runners to see how much longer they have to get to the peak of the hill.

A weekly distance widget is also a new feature, allowing users to see the accumulated distances for runs, cycling, and swims.

A new activity mode called Hybrid Fitness is also part of the update. This feature is great for races that include stations with various fitness activities. The app will detect transitions between running and other exercises in real-time without needing to hit any buttons for seamless transitions in workouts. This is great for obstacle course races and CrossFit training.

Cyclists can now control media directly from their DURA bike computer. There is also an update to the displays of road maps.

While the company did not reveal any new product lines, it did announce the addition of new options for preexisting watches. The company announced on Tuesday the COROS Nomad Ash, the latest color Nomad.

The Nomad Ash features a metallic crimson new aluminum alloy ring beneath the bezel, inspired by high-performance sports equipment in fishing and racing, known to have that flashy red color. It has a two-tone watch band and matte grey finish.

COROS also announced the expansion of new nylon bands in yellow, black, blue, and purple for the Pace 4, Pace Pro, Pace 3, Apex 2 Pro, Apex Pro, Apex 4, and Nomad. The bands are available in 22 and 24mm options.

A new dual-layer silicone band called Night Climber will be added to the lineup in late April. Inspired by headlamps at night seen in Yosemite, this is a great option for climbers because it has a graphic print with luminescent material. More prints will be added in the future.

The new software update features and Auto Pitch finish detection for outdoor climbs.