COROS Nomad Review: Adventure Watch Overkill for Road Runners?

Having worn just about every COROS watch over the years, I was excited to see what the new COROS Nomad would bring to the table. Right out of the box, it gives off that rugged, ready-for-adventure vibe. The real question is how it stacks up in daily training and which runners will find it the best match.When I first opened the box, my immediate reaction was that the COROS Nomad looked masculine, almost industrial. It was ready for someone who is heading into the mountains for adventure or work in a really technical field.

But here I am, mostly a road runner who likes to sneak in some trail time here in Colorado, wondering if this watch might feel like overkill for someone focused on road races.

The only way to know? Put it to the test.

COROS Nomad Review

I’ve trained with just about every COROS watch, from the entry-level Pace to the Vertix, back when marathons and triathlons were my main focus, so I already have an appreciation for the brand.

Honestly, there hasn’t been a COROS watch I didn’t enjoy using, which means the expectations were already pretty high.

Each watch is designed with a slightly different type of athlete in mind, and I was curious where the Nomad would land.

My first surprise was the lack of an AMOLED display, something I’ve come to expect on most newer watches. The memory in pixel screen does display the colors pretty boldly, but they’re still muted in comparison to the Suunto Run or Garmin 570. 

One standout detail I appreciated with the COROS Nomad is the thoughtfully designed wristband.

Most COROS devices feature a slider loop for fine-tuning the fit, but after a lot of use, that loop can wear down or even snap.

The Nomad flips the design with a clever button at the band’s tip; it doesn’t dig into your skin or irritate you once secured, which I was worried about.

These small changes help prevent your watch from getting snagged on your clothes or, for trail runners, on poles or other gear.

A simple tweak that I didn’t think I’d like at first, but it makes all the difference! 

While it does look like a beast of a watch, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t that heavy on my wrist.

But keep in mind, I do prefer to wear bigger watches so I’m used to it. If you’re going from a smaller, lightweight watch, it may be a little bit of an adjustment.

The Nomad weighs only 49g, which is similar to the  COROS Pace Pro and Garmin 570.

Made for the Outdoors

Everything about this watch screams, “take me outside”!

A feature specific to the COROS Nomad is its dedicated fishing modes, so if you or someone you know loves heading out on a fishing trip, this watch can actually log and track those adventures.

Beyond that, it brings real-time temperature, humidity, and wind data right to your wrist.

Whether you’re chasing your first 14er here in Colorado or pushing through the miles of an ultra, having those conditions available at a glance makes it feel like a true outdoor companion.

I guess that means you’ll see this on our gift guides in the future!

Smart Watch

This is just like most GPS watches available today that can sync with your phone, and even check the weather. Plus, for those of us who often misplace our phones, just go to the widget menu and you can use the “Find My Phone” feature.

The only thing that COROS watches still do not have the ability to do is smart pay, but my fingers are crossed that maybe one day that’ll be possible!

• Connects to headphones via bluetooth for music playback with 32GB built-in storage
• Supports connections via bluetooth with COROS accessories (pod, heart rate monitor), 3rd party monitors, gym equipment, trainers ,etc,. and camera control with GoPro and Insta360
• Available in 3 colors
• Storm, Safety and Altitiude Alerts
• Sleep Tracking, Recovery Timer and HRV

The Nomad features a touchscreen watchface, and while it can feel a little sensitive at times, you can easily turn it on or off based on your preferences.

Heart Rate

Wrist-based heart rate readings are still not always accurate, especially if you’re not wearing the watch correctly. Or if you’re like me, get super sweaty during the summer.

I did wear the Nomad and Pace Pro together and the HR was pretty similar. I will also run with my COROS heart rate monitor so that I know I’m getting an accurate reading.

Battery Life

Battery life continues to be one of COROS’s standout strengths, and the Nomad doesn’t disappoint. These watches are built to last so you’re not stressing about finding a charger every couple of days.

• 22 days of daily use (with sleep, daily stress, and daily HR measurements)
• 34 hours dual-frequency mode
• 50 hours all systems

And to make it even better, it takes about 1.5 hours to fully charge!

The COROS Nomad also ships with a USB-C keychain adapter, making it easy to charge on the go. Just keep in mind you’ll still need the actual charging cable to make it work.

GPS and Navigation

COROS updated their navigation with the Nomad to ensure the most accurate tracking yet.

It supports dual-frequency GPS, has free global mapping and supports landscape and topgraphy maps. This will provide turn-by-turn navigation which will come in super handy while out on the trails!

If you happen to go of course, the watch will alert you and help guide you to get back on track.

Have a favorite route? You can import routes from other apps like Strava, Kommot and others. You can also direclty upload GPX files to the COROS app.

Training with COROS

This watch will get you through almost any workout.  From running, to cross-training, to Pilates, to fishing, and even the ability to create custom activities.

You can pick a workout or training plan from the official COROS library or enter your own workout to push directly to your watch. 

• You can set HR or Pace zone alerts if you want to stay within a specific range.
• Follow structured running and cycling workouts so that you can focus on your effort, and your watch will alert you when it’s time to speed up, recover, etc.
• There’s a library of strength workouts with automated videos you can follow to ensure proper form.
• For runners, you can take a Running Fitness test to update your Threshold HR and Pace zones.
• Nutrition alerts that will come in handy when training for endurance events.

Adventure Journaling

Use the COROS app as a journal and upload photos, videos, and voice pins.

The Nomad has a noise-cancelling microphone built in so that you can record while on the go.

You can make notes of how that training went and even specific things you want to remember about a trail.

Look back throughout your training cycle and remember what worked and what didn’t, and see how much progress you’ve made!

For those using the watch for other outdoor activities like hiking or fishing, you’ll be able to keep track of your favorite adventures all in one spot.

Treadmill Mode

No matter what watch you are using it is never going to be accurate on the treadmill. It can’t use GPS and it is going to use your stride rate or arm movements but even that is just a guess.

There are a few options when using the Nomad:

• Calibrate feature to update your final distance before hitting save
• Set the speed on your watch before hitting start. You can also hit the pause button and change throughout the run. The only negative thing about this is that it only increase every .5 mph
• Adding a foot pod to help get a more accurate reading

Overtime if you use the calibrate feature the watch should start to get closer to being more accurate with your treadmill runs.

Quick Take Pro’s and Con’s

The COROS Nomad is a great watch, but its design clearly caters to a certain type of user.

Could your everyday runner use it for training? Absolutely. It has all the essentials you’d need for road and track workouts plus race days.

That said, after testing it, the Nomad feels best suited for the trail and ultra running community.

It’s durable, loaded with outdoor-focused features, and built to keep you safe and supported when you’re out exploring.

For runners who spend more time off the roads than on them, this watch is going to check a lot of boxes.

What to read next?

• 10 Everyday GPS Watch Tips and Tricks Every Runner Should Know
• Wahoo KICKR Run Treadmill Review | Advanced Training for Everyone
• Garmin Forerunner 570 vs 265 | Do Phone Calls Justify the Price Jump?