Kayaking remains a favorite sport for many water sport enthusiasts. Of late, teenagers and young adolescents are gravitating towards the popular sport. According to them, kayaking is adaptable, and this makes it easy for sports lovers to combine it with other outdoor activities such as wilderness exploration, fishing, and diving.
With that said, it is essential to match your activity with a suitable fitness tracking device. Here’s a list of the Best kayaking fitness tracker for teens.
1. Garmin Vivo fit Jr.2
Vivo fit Jr.2 is indifferent from adult Vivo fit 4 or Vivo sport versions. Like the former, Garmin Vivo Fit Jr. 2 monitors sleep, counts steps, and tracks all movements. The activity tracking device is durable and, in many ways, makes it easy for teenagers to track their movements and exercise routines for the day. The device comes with installed games that make exercising fun and enjoyable.
Design
The waterproof activity tracker is suitable for kayaking and other outdoor water activities. The stretchy rubber band makes the device adjusts with wrist size. Additionally, the material is lightweight and made to last for years.
The trackers’ ability to accommodate the fitness needs of a larger group (family) makes it a favorite option for many kayaking lovers. The display is decent but hard to use in bright light.
Battery
The battery life is great. Also, according to Garmin, the battery in this unit can last about a year before replacement.
Pros
- Fun designs
- Interactive App games geared towards getting its users fit
Con
- The dim display can be hard to use especially under the scorching sun
2. Garmin Vivo fit Jr
Garmin Vivo Fit Jr. comes highly recommended for high school-aged boys and girls. This fitness watch is designed to help teenagers stay active while having fun. The swim-friendly lightweight device brings more fun to kayaking. But the user interface could be better.
Design
This activity-tracking device has an elastic band that that safely secures it on the wrist. The device has additional features such as physical motoring and a sleep monitoring feature that can be accessed using a button on the surface. Through the fitness tracking device, you can be sure that your teenager’s kayaking adventures will be tracked accurately and in real-time.
Battery
The battery life is above average. The battery lasts over a week of continuous usage.
Pros
- Tracks steps and Physical activity levels
- Swim-friendly
- The Vivo Fit Jr is an excellent option for a budget-friendly fitness tracker
Con
- The UI could be better
READ ALSO: Best Fitbit Alternatives in 2020
3. Garmin Forerunner 15
The affordable smartwatch designed for outdoor activities features an adjustable band that accommodates all sizes. Forerunner 15 is waterproof and is comfortable to wear when swimming, kayaking, and even when one in the shower.
Garmin Forerunner 15 includes features such as a heart rate monitor that notifies the users about their heart rates. Additionally, the device offers an accurate GPS, fitness coaching capability, and a sleep tracking feature. The only thing we don’t like about this unit is that it doesn’t have any wireless syncing capabilities like most Garmin fitness trackers.
Design
The design is impressive. It’s made to last for decades. The materials used to make it are lightweight and also resistant to dust and scratches. The display is legible and easy to use.
Battery
Garmin Forerunner offers an impressive battery life of up to 7 days. Undeniably, this serves its outdoor users well.
Pros
- Affordable
- Includes step tracking feature
- Can be used alongside heart rate monitors
- Waterproof
- Impressive battery life
Con
- Does not have any wireless syncing capabilities
4. Fitbit Ace 2
Fitbit Ace 2 has made a name of itself as an affordable, durable, and waterproof fitness activity tracker for young adolescents. The activity tracking device has a comfortable feel on the wrist, and its make doesn’t interfere with your child’s favorite activities such as swimming or kayaking.
Fit Bit Ace 2 tracks steps and total active minutes. Additionally, the tracking device monitors sleep patterns. The biggest downside to this device is the inconsistency in the sleep tracker.
Design
As an incentive, active users are awarded badges. The one-button device syncs wirelessly to a phone, and this makes it easy for a parent to view his/her teenager’s activities throughout the day.
Battery
Fitbit Ace 2’s battery only lasts for 5 days. This means that the device would be insolent in an area without constant power supply, as the device needs to be charged after a few days.
Pros
- Durable and waterproof
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Inconsistent sleep tracking
- No games
5. Fitbit Ace
This activity device is similar in design to the Fit Bit Alta. The difference arises on band size to accommodate small wrist sizes. The users of Fit Bit Ace acknowledge its undeniable capability to tracks steps, monitors sleep patterns, and activity levels.
Design
Fit Bit Ace is light in weight, and this makes it easy to wear and carry around. The device is made from non-corrosive material that is flexible and waterproof. The waterproof device comes with additional features such as meditation instructions, weather updates, timers, and the calendar.
Battery
Fine Bit Ace’s battery drains after 5 days of continuous activity. Luckily, the device’s charger is widely available in the market. To fully recharge, the watch is left charging for up to 3 hours.
Pros
- Light and comfortable to wear
- Good LED display
- Easy to charge
Con
- Short battery life
READ ALSO: Complete Fitbit Blaze Review
6. Kurio Watch 2.0
Kurio watch 2 fits the description of an adolescent’s smartwatch and activity tracker. This timepiece can track everything that relates to your teen’s physical activities like HR, calories burned, blood oxygen levels, among others.
The watch can also take pictures and videos. This makes it suitable for memorable outdoor activities such as kayaking. The device facilitates seamless sending of messages, images, and videos via Bluetooth.
Design
The design is good, but it’s overly large for small kids. It can also feel bulky if your kid has a small wrist. The display has a high resolution that makes it easy to use outdoors and in extremely bright conditions.
Pros
- Activity-based games in the watch
- Scratch-resistant and waterproof
Cons
- It feels huge
- The activities for exercise are limited
- Kids can be distracted by other features in the watch, and this can limit their concentration on kayaking and other outdoor activities
7. Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch Series 3 is another fitness device that you can buy for your teen. But wait! Does Apple watch track kayaking? Yes. This watch can track all teen’s kayaking activities and also monitor their heart rate, calories, steps, and active minutes.
The functionality of the Series 3 fitness tracker is compatible with smartphones and allows the user to access messages and calls comfortably. The activity tracking device enables young adults to check messages, make calls, and access notifications from the comfort of their wrists.
What are the best waterproof fitness trackers? Most of the articles you will find online mention this apple watch. Once you buy this unit, you’ll never be worried when your kid wants to go swimming.
Design
The design of this unit is impressive. It also designed to be worn 24/7. The display is also great and can be used indoors and outdoors.
Battery
This waterproof and easy to use device has a battery life of 15 days.
Pros
- It is waterproof
- It is compatible with a variety of applications
- It comes with multiple bands for spontaneity
Con
- It’s pricey
Frequently Asked Questions about These Fitness Trackers
Here the answers for questions that you might be asking.
Is there an app for kayaking?
Yes. There are lots of kayaking apps on app stores, and most of the trackers that we have highlighted above can sync and work perfectly with most of them.
Is My Fitness Tracker Waterproof?
If a fitness tracker is waterproof, it means that you don’t have to remove them before washing your car, doing the dishes, or while it’s raining.
But how can you tell if your fitness tracker is waterproof? Well, research from the International Electrotechnical Commission indicates that to test your device against any form of water threat you can conduct a baseline test by leaving your device dipped in a 3 feet deep pressurized immersion tank for 30 minutes.
If you don’t want to take the risk, you can settle for tested and rated tracking devices. The numbers indicated at the back of the fitness device indicate the device’s survival chances in the water. A “1” signifies that the device can withstand dripping water while an “8” means that it can survive immersion in 1 meter or more of water for the period specified by the manufacturer.
If you purchase any of the fitness trackers listed above, you can be sure that your teen will be able to track their activities accurately and in real-time. The trackers are also made to last, and you won’t be forced to spend more money on a new fitness tracker soon.
