Tags: Selection Guide | Garmin | Suunto | Polar
11.3.2022 | 5 MIN
There are many chest straps on the market that measure numerous other functions, in addition to heart rate. Some measure performance and some can be worn while swimming, for example. In this article, you will find an overview of all the straps in our offer.
Most brands manufacture chest heart rate sensors with their watches. But it may not be necessary to use a sensor of the same brand as the watch. Almost all sensors have one of the two main technologies for signal reception (Bluetooth, or ANT+), so they can be freely used by almost any brand. For example, the Coros brand supports chest strap connection without having a strap in the offer.
In this article, I also talk about chest straps from the Polar and Suunto brands, which we so far don't offer, but you can look forward to them soon.
I have already discussed how the chest strap works and what its advantages are compared to measuring the heart rate from the wrist using an optical sensor in a previous article.
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Today, we will analyze the technical parameters and properties of all the chest straps available in our offer.
Garmin HRM DUAL is a basic chest strap for heart rate measuring. As one of the cheapest straps by Garmin, it can only the the basics, which is actually most important – it measures heart rate The added word DUAL means you can connect the chest strap to multiple devices. For example, you can link it to a watch and a simulator. This sensor is the only Garmin strap that is detachable from the strap. It can connect to smart devices using the Bluetooth, or ANT+ technology.
"Personally, HRM DUAL suited me better, even though it is a bit bigger than the others. On the contrary, it has a smaller thickness, so there is no extra pressure in compression clothing," says Rostislav Bajtek, ultramarathoner and long-time user of chest straps from Garmin.
HRM PRO is a premium strap, and its advantage is that it can be used for all kinds of activities (running, cycling, swimming, ...). It also has storage for 17 hours of activity, when you don't need any smart device connected. The sensor can be used during the day instead of an optical heart rate measurement from the wrist. It can be connected to smart devices using ANT+ or Bluetooth.
You can use the internal data storage for sports during which the watch interferes. An example might be climbing or martial arts. During these activities, you can use internal storage, which records and stores the heart rate, number of steps, and minutes of intense activity. The storage can also be useful for indoor sports when you turn on the watch, but you do not want it on hand. After monitoring, you can download data from the chest strap directly to the watch.
In addition to the internal storage, the belt also supports measurements of running dynamics (vertical oscillations, vertical ratio, the balance between left and right foot ...), which can help improve running or detect injuries.
Example of running metrics in evaluation in Garmin Connect. Metrics shown: Stride Lenght, Pace, Vertical Ratio, Ground Contact Time Balance Data.
The HRM SWIM chest strap is designed for swimming only. It has a specially treated material of the strap so it doesn't soak up water and thus doesn't weigh on the body. Another advantage of the material is the resistance to swimming pool chemicals. When connected to a watch ashore, the watch shows heart rate as any other chest strap. But underwater, the heart rate is not shown in real-time, but it is recorded to internal storage from where you can download the data to your watch and view it when the activity is over. The strap can be connected using only the ANT+ technology.
If you would like to see the specifications more clearly, here is a table with the most important information:
| HRM DUAL | HRM SWIM | HRM PRO | |
| HRV support (Heart Rate Variability) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum devices connected | ANT+: Unlimited, Bluetooth: 2 | ANT+: Unlimited | ANT+: Unlimited, Bluetooth: 2 |
| Running Dynamics | No | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 3,5 years (1-hour activity a day) | 18 months (3 hours of swimming a week) | 12 months (1-hour activity a day) |
| Water resistance | 1 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Performance Measurements | No | No | Yes |
The highest model by Polas has many advantages. The concept of the strap is based on soft textile material (Polar Pro strap) with a detachable sensor. The strap is complemented by silicone accessories, which hold everything in place and prevent the belt from sliding or falling. The fastening is a classic buckle and not a hook, as is the case in most straps.
Due to the 5 kHz data transmission, Polar is currently the only strap that transmits the heart rate to the watch when swimming in real-time. The chest strap can also be paired with the Polar Flow application, where it then undergoes chip updates. The strap can also work independently and record data to the internal storage (Polar Beat app must be downloaded for this service). In addition to heart rate measurement, it can also record heart rate variability and has ANT + (unlimited) and Bluetooth (up to 2 devices at once) technologies.
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This new chest strap by Suunto has only been released recently, and so far, I didn't get a chance to try it on. But it can be said from the pictures that Suunto continues the great concept, which includes having the smallest sensor on the market. The strap can measure heart rate as well as its variability. Suunto equipped the sensor with Bluetooth only, no ANT+.
I have tested all the sensors mentioned (or their predecessors). Every strap from our selection has its advantages and also some errors. If I had to choose, honestly, I would put the three brands together and take the best from each. Suunto chest straps are probably the smallest and thinnest in the world, which is a great advantage when wearing tight clothes.
Although Suunto fits under clothes, I have tested it without a T-shirt.
Polar has a unique chest strap with silicone dots that prevent the belt from moving on the body. Garmin has many additional features for running dynamics, and the higher models also support power (watt) measurements.
The chest strap can cause problems if it is not properly seated under a vest.
Other companies have a different philosophy than Garmin. All sensors can be removed from the chest strap. Garmin used this technology only for its cheapest chest strap. Later series don't allow to detach the module. All chest straps have an easily replaceable CR2032 battery.
Let me know in the comments which strap you like the most and if you prefer other measured values in addition to heart rate measurement :-)
