WATCH THIS

Just as sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke predicted way back in the 70s, we’ve become a generation that wears our tech on our wrists. There’s not much a watch can’t do nowadays and the market for wearables, activity trackers and smartwatches keeps growing. We’ve narrowed down the latest crop to three of the best…

Best for… adventures

SUUNTO 9 PEAK PRO

From the extreme north (Finland) comes this stunning multisport watch, which is tough enough for the wildest outdoor adventurers. Built into the lightweight case there’s a fast, easy-to-use interface, not to mention best-in-class battery technology: 10 hours of training from just 10 minutes of charging. Of course, it has GPS navigation, altitude, optical heart rate and all the functions you rely on when off-grid, plus it’s tested to the highest military standard of toughness. And outdoor types will love its environmental credentials: it’s fully carbon compensated thanks to 100% renewable energy use in manufacture. When you get home from the wilderness, you can also use it daily to track steps, sleep, calories and stress, and you won’t want to take it off because the rugged look is bang on-trend. From £429, suunto.com

Best for… kids

XPLORA XGO3

This Android smartwatch is the ideal first smart device for children aged five to 12. They’ll love the bright colours, camera and waterproof robustness, while parents will love the safeguarding and security. With the included 4G SIM card, it can pair with the Xplora app on your mobile, allowing kids to send and receive calls, messages and pictures to pre-saved numbers only, eliminating unsolicited communications. The software locks out social media, ensuring a safe introduction into the digital world, and can be further locked down with an SOS-only School Mode. The XGO3 also encourages kids to stay active with a step counter and the award-winning Goplay platform, which boasts games and the opportunity to earn rewards. £99.99, myxplora.co.uk

Best for… fitness

POLAR IGNITE 3

Polar is a big name in fitness and sports wearables and this new Ignite 3 takes that to a new level with a truly comprehensive suite of fitness, health and wellness functions. Its wafer thin, featherlight body hides powerful technology that adapts to the wearer’s natural circadian rhythms (internal body clock) to maximise not just exercise but also sleep and even stress management. Stand-out features are: SleepWise, a new tool that visualises the impact of sleep; in-training voice guidance via the Polar Flow mobile app, which gives daily on-demand workout suggestions and performance metrics; and Serene, a guided breathing exercise that helps relax the body and mind and manage stress. If you really want to go deeper into your data, you can even break down which energy sources (carbohydrate, fats or proteins) you’ve used in your workout. All this is packaged beautifully behind a curved, high-resolution touchscreen, with a choice of colours and straps to make it a real lifestyle accessory. £289, polar.com

By Oliver Chesher