I've been eyeing the COROS NOMAD since it launched, and after spending some quality time with it, I can confidently say this is one of the most interesting adventure watches COROS has ever made. At $349, it's positioned to take on the Garmin Instinct series — and in many ways, it actually beats Garmin at its own game.
First Impressions: It's a Looker
The NOMAD sports a rugged, outdoor-ready design that immediately reminds you of the Garmin Instinct. But that's not a bad thing — in fact, COROS has added their own spin with a metal reinforcement ring around the plastic bezel. It feels solid, purposeful, and ready for whatever you can throw at it.
The 1.3" MIP touchscreen display is brighter and more contrasty than previous COROS MIP watches. Is it as vibrant as AMOLED? No — but that's kind of the point. MIP displays excel in direct sunlight, and the NOMAD delivers there.
What's New: More Than Just a Pretty Face
COROS packed a ton of features into this watch:
- Full offline color maps (32GB storage) — something the Garmin Instinct can't match
- Dual microphone with voice notes — first COROS watch with a mic
- Action button — customizable extra button on the left side
- 8 fishing modes — for the anglers out there
- Offline maps with street names and POIs
The battery life is impressive: 22 days of regular use, 50 hours with all GPS systems, and 34 hours in dual-frequency GPS mode.
The Voice Notes Feature
I'll be honest — I was skeptical about the voice notes feature. But COROS implemented it better than I expected. You can record geo-tagged voice memos during activities or while navigating. The watch even transcribes your notes automatically, which is a nice touch.
That said, there's no speaker to playback notes on the watch itself — you need your phone for that. And you can only create voice notes when you have GPS signal, which limits its usefulness in some scenarios.
Navigation and Maps
The NOMAD follows COROS's existing mapping playbook but adds street names, POIs, and trail/road separation. These are being rolled out to other COROS watches, but the NOMAD gets them out of the box.
You can download maps directly through the COROS app, and the process is straightforward. The watch supports turn-by-turn navigation, breadcrumb trails, and route following — everything most adventure seekers need.
Sports and Fitness
With over 80 sport profiles, the NOMAD covers pretty much everything:
- Running (road, trail, track)
- Cycling (road, MTB, gravel)
- Swimming (pool and open water)
- Climbing (outdoor and indoor)
- Fishing (8 different modes!)
- And much more
The optical heart rate sensor is the same as other recent COROS watches — mostly accurate for casual use, but if you're doing high-intensity workouts, I'd recommend a chest strap.
Battery Life: The Real MVP
This is where the NOMAD shines. In testing, I got a full day of hiking with GPS always on, and the battery only dropped 10%. That's incredible. Most users will easily get 2-3 weeks of daily use between charges.
Daily Use
As an everyday watch, the NOMAD is comfortable and practical. The widgets show your activity, sleep, HRV, and recovery data. Sleep tracking has been accurate in my experience, and HRV values have aligned with my Oura and Whoop data.
The Competition
At $349, the NOMAD undercuts the Garmin Instinct 3 ($399-$499) while offering color maps, voice notes, and music playback that Garmin doesn't. However, the Instinct has an LED flashlight, solar charging options, and the massive Connect IQ app ecosystem.
Should You Buy It?
The COROS NOMAD is a fantastic adventure watch. It nails the basics — GPS accuracy, battery life, mapping — while adding features like voice notes that actually work. The MIP display won't be for everyone, but if you prioritize battery and readability in direct sunlight over vibrant colors, this is a winner.
Best for: Hikers, trail runners, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts who want robust navigation features without breaking the bank.
Consider the Garmin Instinct 3 instead if: You need AMOLED, want solar charging, or rely heavily on Connect IQ apps.
Consider the COROS Pace Pro if: You want AMOLED and are okay with a smaller watch.
Final Thoughts
COROS has delivered something special here. The NOMAD proves you don't need to spend $500+ for a capable adventure watch. It's not perfect — the lack of a speaker and limited voice note use cases are minor drawbacks — but the overall package is compelling.
The MIP vs AMOLED debate is personal, but for outdoor use, I think MIP makes more sense most of the time. Your battery will thank you.
What do you think — is the COROS NOMAD the adventure watch you've been waiting for, or would you stick with the Garmin Instinct? Let me know in the comments below!