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The Best Fitness Trackers, Earbuds and Workout Accessories of 2024

The devil is in the details, but you just might consider these workout essentials holy.

black and white photos of a man preparing for a workout with a headline that says gear patrol fitness awards 24 accessoriesTim Aukshunas

By Hayley Helms and Ben Emminger

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This story is part of the 2024 Fitness Awards. To see the full list of winners, click here.

Ah, the age-old conundrum: If you didn’t track your workout, does it even count? We’re not sure we can answer that particular question, but we can give you intel on the best fitness accessories on the market today.

Whether you need to load up all your gear into a bombproof duffel bag or count every step of that next run, the following fitness trackers, bags and earbuds will keep you on track, every time.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Garmin’s latest Forerunner watches feature bright AMOLED screens, and this smaller 265 model is perfect for running enthusiasts. A large “Run” toggle gives you quick access to training modules, and the fiber-reinforced polymer bezel is tough enough for more adventurous workouts like trail running.

With a comfortable wristband and slew of metrics, this is a great tool for athletes wanting to track their performance without yet another screen in their lives. It packs five LEDs, four photodiodes and a body temperature sensor — prime for keeping tabs on heart rate, respiration, blood oxygen level and more.

This heart rate monitor from Coros sits comfortably across the arm yet still delivers the accuracy and precision of chest-worn units. Additionally, it’s compatible with a number of devices, so even if you don’t train with a Coros running watch, you’re still able to collect your metrics.

Pro Tip: How to Make a Gym Bag Smell Better

a black and white image looking through a fence of two bags sitting on the groundTimothy Aukshunas

Over time, your gym bag can develop some funky odors, but there are foolproof methods to deal with them. Always air your training tote out after each workout, allowing the fabrics to breathe in an open area with ample air flow. If your bag develops a lingering smell, try hand-washing with a mixture of detergent and a half-cup of distilled white vinegar. In between washes, tea bags, dryer sheets and other additives can work wonders.

This duffel features a durable canvas exterior but acquired its popularity thanks to convenient features like an interior shoe compartment and weightlifting belt sleeve. The rigid structure also holds its shape well — we’ve had one for nearly a year and it still looks brand-new.

Jaybird Vista 2Jaybird

Best Earbuds for Outdoor Workouts

Jaybird Vista 2

With an improved IP68 rating, the Vista 2 — successors to the original Vista — are some of the most rugged earbuds on the market today. Their active noise-cancellation and transparency modes make them ideal for runners and outdoor fitness fanatics, and they’re extremely lightweight and comfortable, to boot.

The Beats are the more well-rounded buds for training, despite their lower water resistance than the Jaybird Vista 2 — and they have quite in common with the most popular earbuds on the planet, the Apple Airpods pro. Both feature the same H1 chip, and have the same active-noise-cancellation and transparency modes and support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking.

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