This is Garmin's core competence and it shows: pace stability from the multi-band GPS is excellent in downtown tower canyons (Toronto and Vancouver runners know the pain), Training Readiness has matured into genuinely useful guidance rather than a random number, and the suggested daily workouts adapt properly around your race calendar. The Elevate v5 sensor tracks steady-state heart rate near chest-strap accuracy; intervals still favour a strap — that's physics, not Garmin.
🗓 Updated July 2026 · 🔬 Independently researched · 🛡 Reader-supported
💰 Canadian Pricing
The Forerunner 570 (May 2025) lists at CAD $749 (42 mm and 47 mm sizes) at Garmin.ca, Running Room, SportChek and Amazon.ca — a $150 jump over the 265 it replaced, which is this watch's main controversy. Street prices dipped to ~$699 within the first year.
🆕 What's New Over the 265
A brighter AMOLED panel in a lighter aluminum bezel, the Elevate v5 optical sensor (adds ECG capability and skin temperature), a speaker/mic for calls and voice notes from the wrist, and the full modern Garmin training stack: Training Readiness, morning report, hill/endurance scores, and free offline maps arrived via update. Battery: ~10-11 days smartwatch mode, ~18 h GPS — a week of real training between charges. 🔋
🏃 The Training Experience
This is Garmin's core competence and it shows: pace stability from the multi-band GPS is excellent in downtown tower canyons (Toronto and Vancouver runners know the pain), Training Readiness has matured into genuinely useful guidance rather than a random number, and the suggested daily workouts adapt properly around your race calendar. The Elevate v5 sensor tracks steady-state heart rate near chest-strap accuracy; intervals still favour a strap — that's physics, not Garmin.
🍁 Canada Notes
ECG works in Canada (Health Canada cleared), offline maps cover Canadian trails well through Trailforks integration, and winter runners should know AMOLED at full brightness in -20°C eats noticeably into battery — still comfortably a training week. Garmin Pay works with most major Canadian banks for post-run coffee. ☕
⚖️ vs the Field
vs Forerunner 970 ($999 CAD): the 970 adds titanium/sapphire and a flashlight; the training brain is largely shared — the 570 is the value pick. vs Apple Watch: Apple wins apps and ecosystem; Garmin wins battery (days vs day), training depth and physical buttons for sweaty fingers. vs the old 265 on clearance (~$450): honestly strong value if you can skip ECG and the speaker.
✅ Verdict
8.6/10. The best pure running watch at its price in Canada — docked points for the price creep over its predecessor. Serious runners buy it and stop thinking about it; casual joggers should hunt a discounted 265. 🏅
❓ FAQ
What does the Forerunner 570 cost in Canada?
CAD $749 list, with street prices around $699 within the first year at major Canadian retailers.
Forerunner 570 or 970?
The 570 — unless titanium, sapphire glass and the built-in flashlight justify $250 more; the training features are largely shared.
Is the heart-rate sensor accurate?
Near chest-strap accuracy for steady efforts with the new Elevate v5; use a strap for hard intervals, as with every optical wrist sensor.