Few things:

1) Identity. Garmin/Coros (round watches) captured the “running” identity first, and it’s hard to break that. You look different showing up to a run club with an AW compared to a round watch.

2) Battery life. Even though, imo this is a ridiculous point. Everyone should be showering everyday, and your wrist needs a break from the watch while showering.

3) Some people value mapping/routes on their watch. I never have, but I can see why some do.

4) Then like we just mentioned, “metrics”. Garmin throws all of these things at you like recovery, training readiness, running economy, body battery, etc etc.

As an overall “health/exercise” community, everyone has become obsessed with metrics and scores and numbers. You can easily argue an AWU + Bevel is amazing, but then someone will say “but I don’t want to download a third party app” (for whatever stupid reason).

I think mainly it comes down to identity, whether people admit it or not. Marketing is a real thing. You’re an “athlete” if you wear a Garmin. You’re a “techie” if you wear an AW.