Garmin Forerunner 570: first impressions 

In 2024, Strava's Year in Sport review revealed one clear winner when it comes to GPS watches: the Garmin Forerunner. While this Garmin range has earned its reputation as one of the brand's most dependable, there's always room for improvement, and ever since the 570 was announced as the official successor to the 265, we've been excited to see what's next.

The 265 was already an excellent entry-level triathlon watch with an AMOLED screen and was the first smaller Forerunner to feature touchscreen functionality. The 570 has taken that winning formula and added an even crisper screen, smartwatch functions similar to what you'll find in the Venu 3, so you can take and make calls from your wrist, and a new heart rate monitor, the Elevate v5, which provides really excellent tracking.

There are two sizes available, with the choice of a 42mm or 47mm case size and several fun colorways of silicone strap including Raspberry, Cloud Blue and Lemon Yellow, in addition to the bog standard black and grey. The aluminum bezel is a welcome upgrade that both looks and feels more robust, and the watch manages not to be too heavy despite it, weighing only 1.76oz (50g) for the larger size.

The design has no surprises: there's a Start/Stop and Back/Lap button on one side and Up, Down, and Light on the other, and Garmin has even been so kind as to label them, which is fantastically helpful. It's a high-profile watch, and by that we mean pretty bulky – enough that you'll find it annoying to wear with long sleeves – but really quite comfortable on the wrist.

Almost no matter what you're doing and how cold your hands are, it's easy to operate between the responsive touchscreen and voice commands, and the interface is really intuitive for a watch that has many options.

For features, there's not nothing here that we haven't seen before on another Garmin watch, but that doesn't mean it isn't feature-packed and everything works brilliantly. The new heart monitor is pristine, as is the GPS tracking, and it supports a ton of different activity modes, with a few intriguing additions like gravel biking and skate skiing. Though it's not a dive watch, you can take in the water for swimming and kayaking.

It's probably more helpful to talk about what's missing than what's included. For starters, the Forerunner 570 still lacks proper maps, and while the line-and-pointer navigation does work, we think that with such a great screen and such a high price, it would be a great time to have added that function for outdoor adventurers.

There is no LED flashlight (Garmin saves that for the newer Fenix and Enduro models), but there is the possibility of a white and red light screen for late-night rooting around.

It also still doesn't have ECG functionality, which again seems like it could have been an easy win, what with the updated HR monitor and price tag. Outside of that, you can expect all the metrics and tracking you've probably come to expect from Garmin, including Training Readiness Score, Training Status (which Garmin says is improved), Body Battery and Sleep Tracking.

The official battery life is up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and up to 18 hours in GPS mode. We turned off the Always On display, and even when using it in GPS mode for nearly 10 hours we got about a week out of a single charge.

All in, this is an improvement on its already-celebrated predecessor, and if you've been running with an old Garmin watch, you'll be thrilled with this watch's performance. That said, it is $200 / £150 more expensive than the 265, so it's starting to inch into the premium pricing zone. At that price, you might expect one or two extra bells and whistles, and if you already own a newer Garmin, we probably can't make the case for an upgrade.

Garmin Forerunner 570: in the field 

I've been testing the Garmin Forerunner 570 on the trails (and in the pool a couple of times) for the past three weeks, clocking up a fair amount of miles between hiking and trail running in Scotland and in the Ashdown Forest of England. I've been wearing it on my right wrist and my Coros Pace 3 on my left wrist to see how the two compare in terms of metrics.

Here’s how it performed:

Design

I tested the 47mm case, which really does look massive on my wrist, and it's almost as high profile as the big and bulky Fenix 8 at 12.9mm thick. If I were to choose, I'd certainly opt for the smaller case, but I think the watch will look big on just about every wrist.

That did mean I couldn't comfortably sleep with it on my wrist, which meant I missed out on some data. However, I really am surprised at how comfortable this watch is to wear. I don't usually get on with silicone straps all that well, but this one manages to fit properly and feel quite light and friendly on my wrist.

I've been testing it during summer, so I haven't had to struggle to wear it with long sleeves, but it is still annoying when I'm trying to pull my backpack or running vest on, and I'm sure winter would be a different story.

The flip side of that is that with the new aluminum case, it has a really robust build and feels like the high-quality watch that it is. I accidentally whacked it against the sharp edge of a metal trash can in London a few weeks ago while I was walking down a busy street, and, thankfully, it didn't leave a scratch.

Features

This watch is packed with features, having kept everything from the Forerunner 265 and added more. When compared to other watches I've been testing, the new Elevate v5 heart rate monitor really is super precise.

You can scroll up from the home screen and quickly check Glance Folders like Training Readiness and Status, and the weather, and of course, this information is also delivered in a friendly morning and evening report, which I quite like.

Though I really wish it had proper maps, I used the line-and-pointer navigation on downloaded maps several times and found the GPS to be excellent. Other functions I used regularly on the trail are the Back to Start function, which gives you the option of retracing your steps, or going in a direct line, which could be risky in the wilderness, but elsewhere is a nice option if you need to get home fast. I also really appreciated that when I'm out on the trail, I can easily see how many hours I've got left until sunset.

Rather than the LED flashlight which I loved on the Fenix 8, it's just got a white and red light screen, which is somewhat useful for finding things in the dark when I'm getting ready for an early run, but not something that would provide much assistance on the trail.

The voice command works great and means that I can just double-press the Start button and say "start trail running" which works every time and means I never have to scroll to find the activity I want to do, and the touchscreen is really responsive.

I'm not so interested in the smartwatch functions, but I did test out the taking of a phone call, which is weird, but works, and there's music playback if you like to run to tunes.

Performance

Once again, the 570 manages to have a really intuitive interface and I think the labelling of the buttons is just genius, so I didn't have to spend any time at all getting to know this watch. The big bright screen really is a joy to use no matter whether I'm running in blinding sunshine with polarized sunglasses or through the Scottish mist and rain.

I primarily use sports watches to navigate on the trail and to track my adventures, so I downloaded a few maps from AllTrails to test this functionality. It was all very straightforward except that on my first run in the Ashdown Forest, I had foolishly downloaded two possible routes the night before. The morning of, I hit start on the trail I intended to run on my watch, but then pulled up the other, longer route on my phone, and pretty quickly was wondering why the two devices were giving me different information. I was worried the GPS was off on the watch, but in fact it was entirely user error, and I was really pleased with how quickly the watch buzzed to let me know I was off route, and got me back to where I intended to be.

The next time, I got it right and tested it out on a trail I knew and confirmed that it is very precise. I used the Back to Start function several times on new routes through the trees and really love that function. For trail running, when I get ready to start the activity, I like that it gives me the option to select the day's suggested workout (e.g. Base Run or Tempo Run).

Because the watch has a brighter screen, the battery life is a little less than the 265, but compared to some other watches I've tested lately (ahem, Suunto Run) I was quite satisfied. After a full charge, I was able to wear it for a week that included nearly 10 hours on the trail and two pool swims before I needed to charge it again.

Value

While this is an undeniably brilliant Garmin watch, the real crux of the 570 is its hefty price tag. While it's not in the same realm as the Fenix 8 or Enduro 3, it's really creeping up there in terms of price, and even though it delivers a lot, I think it's reasonable to wonder why it doesn't have some features like proper maps.

Also consider

Comparison table

• How Advnture tests products

Runners, hikers, and other athletes from all over the world rely on their Garmin sports watch to track their movements and monitor fitness in the wilderness.

The best Garmin devices combine a sturdy, durable exterior with a sleek design and plenty of built-in sports features.

Garmin models from up and down the price range include loads of handy workout modes to help you up your game and multiple health monitors to keep score of your fitness. Top-end models like the Fenix 8 and Forerunner 955 cover everything from jet lag to water skiing, while budget options like the Forerunner 55 offer a basic but dependable set of metrics for workout tracking.

With so many different options, using your Garmin to track workouts might seem a little daunting. Don't worry, Garmin makes it simple enough, and you can start tracking your workouts by following a few simple steps.

Read on for our guide to tracking your workouts with a Garmin device, including advice on how to find workouts and view them on your phone or computer.

How to select an activity

Garmin devices come with basic sports monitoring modes, known as activities, for individual sports.

These modes collect different fitness data relevant to said sport. For example, if you select the running activity, your device will measure your cadence and running dynamics in addition to basic info like your time, speed, and heart rate.

If you select hiking, it will monitor different metrics like your elevation gain and altitude.

Activities will also track your position in the wilderness with your device's GPS tracking. Garmin watches have a stellar reputation for accurate and dependable GPS, so you can stick to the trails wherever you are in the wilderness.

Finding and selecting an activity is quick and easy. Just follow these simple steps:

• Press the Start/Stop button
• Scroll through the Activities list and select one
• Select Start to begin your workout

How to select a workout

Activities track your health with precision, but don't guide you through a workout. If you want to follow a step-by-step training plan, you can use Garmin's workouts mode to find pre-made or custom workouts that you can edit and change to suit your preferences.

Like Activities, Workout modes also track your position via GPS.

You can select a workout by following a few basic steps:

• Press the Start/Stop button
• Select the Workouts app
• Select an activity type
• Select a workout from the available list
• Select Do Workout
• Press the Start/Stop button to begin

How to create a workout

If you're feeling a little creative, you might want to make your own workout, which you can customize to suit your preferences on the trails. This might sound a touch daunting, but it's easy enough once you get the hang of things.

You can create a workout on the Garmin Connect app or Garmin Express website:

Via the Garmin Connect app

• Open the Garmin Connect app
• Select More in the bottom right
• Select Training and Planning
• Select Workouts
• Select Create a Workout
• Select a workout type from the activities listed (Run, Bike, Swim etc)
• Create your workout by choosing from the options available, including your distances, rest times, target pace, target calories burned, and more
• Select save
• Your workout will now be available under My Workouts

Via the Garmin Express website

• Sign in to the Garmin Express website on a web browser
• Select Training and Planning
• Select a workout type
• Create your workout by choosing from the options available, including your distances, rest times, target pace, target calories burned, and more
• Select Save Workout
• Select Send to Device to access your workout under My Workouts on your Garmin watch

How to view your progress

Once you've completed your hike, run, or other workout, it's time to check your stats and see how you got on.

You can see data from your individual workouts on your Garmin device, via the Garmin Connect app, or on the Garmin Express website.

You'll then be able to view a detailed analysis of your performance and a round-up of all the metrics that your watch tracked while you moved. You can also find detailed breakdowns of specific measurements, like your heart rate and lap data.

If you want a broader vision of your progress, you can access detailed charts and graphs that display your stats over time, to show how you've improved with each workout.

Accessing your activity data is an easy job, whether you're using a mobile device, laptop, or your Garmin watch itself.

Via the Garmin Connect app

• Open the Garmin Connect app
• Select More
• Select Activities
• Select the specific activity you want to view
• Select Charts to view your data

Via the Garmin Express website

• Sign in to Garmin Connect via a web browser
• Select Activities
• Select the activity you want to view, and your stats will appear

Via your Garmin device

• Hold the Menu button
• Select History
• Select Activities
• Select the activity you want to see
• Select All Stats to see your data

You can also track your health and fitness stats on the Strava app by syncing your Garmin device with the workout-specific social media. To find out more, check out our expert guide to syncing your sports watch with Strava.

If you want additional coaching, the Garmin Coach feature will provide a personalized workout regimen based on your individual targets and progress on the trails. Find out how to use it here.

• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings
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Garmin inReach Mini 2: first impressions 

If you're heading out into the backcountry in any season, one thing you can't rely on is cell service, and that's why a satellite communicator is such a vital piece of equipment. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that Garmin is the gold standard in satellite messengers – handheld devices that allow you to signal for help, and sometimes more, even when you're far from civilization.

Early satellite communicators simply allowed you to trigger an emergency alert and relay your location, but these devices have grown more sophisticated in recent years. In 2017, after acquiring DeLorme, the Garmin inReach SE+ and inReach Explorer+ were the first from the brand to utilize inReach satellite communication technology, which meant two-way messaging in addition to SOS alerts and GPS navigation capabilities, all using the Iridium satellite network.

Today, Garmin says it receives over 10,000 SOS alerts from inReach devices each year, and the brand has set about making the devices smaller and lighter for backcountry use. The Garmin InReach Mini lived up to its name and presented the communications possibilities in a smaller package. Then the Garmin inReach Mini 2 came along, boasting a larger 1.75-inch display for easier in-device use, a friendlier app, a better battery life, unlimited Cloud Storage, and TracBack routing with off-course alerts.

This device has a small screen that allows you to tap out a message to a loved one or communicate with mountain rescue, and you can also communicate via the Garmin Messenger app on your phone, which is easier and faster. It comes with an all-important SOS button that can trigger an alert to emergency crews and communicate your location.

As long as you have a clear view of the sky above you and aren't under a rocky overhang or a dense canopy of trees, no matter where you are on the planet, you can send a message via the small antennae. A quick caveat here, though: there are a few countries where its use is regulated, and a few hikers have even been arrested for trying to bring one into India so do read up on which countries are embargoed before you buy.

Anyway, assuming you're using your inReach in a country that allows them, if you have an emergency, you'll press the SOS button and a message will go first to the satellites in space, then down to the Garmin Response center in Texas.

Garmin Response will contact the closest emergency services to you to activate mountain rescue, and provide updates to your selected emergency contacts. But that's worst-case scenario. The rest of the time, you can use this device to stay in touch with friends and family, either typing out your own messages or using preloaded ones.

We've used this on the trek to Everest Base Camp and from Swiss mountain cabins and found it all fairly straightforward, plus the battery lasts for months, presuming you're turning it off between uses. Messages take a few minutes to go through, and your loved ones will be able to send you messages back as long as they have the Garmin Messenger app installed. It stands on its own base if you want to set it aside while your message sends and it comes with a carabiner so you can clip it to your backpack if you want to keep it within easy reach.

A full keyboard would make this device even more user-friendly, but would also make it bigger, and of course, the app removes that issue. On the other hand, reliance on the app also means your phone needs to be in good working order. This is also a pricey model that requires a subscription plan – we've compared the different options for you below – and these start at $7.99/month.

That may seem like a big price to pay to go for a hike, but it's a small price to pay for your life, and we think if you're heading out into the wilderness, it's crucial to carry a satellite communicator, and this one has certainly earned its title as one of the best out there.

Garmin inReach Mini 2: in the field 

When I was offered the chance to trek over 11 days to Everest Base Camp, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to test out the Garmin inReach Mini 2. After all, just getting to the trailhead requires air travel, and from remote Lukla airport, I'd be heading another 40 miles into the Himalayas. While the trek is better serviced than I'd imagined, there certainly wasn't any cell service, so it seemed the ideal scenario to test the device's legendary functionality.

A few weeks after my return from Nepal, I also took the inReach Mini 2 on a yoga and hiking retreat in the Swiss Alps to a cabin where I knew there wasn't any service or WiFi and for good measure, I've taken it along on a few hikes in the Scottish Highlands but if I'm being honest, I usually have service there.

Now that I've tested this out in three countries and two continents, I think I can confidently deliver my opinion on it.

Here’s how it performed:

Design and features

The Garmin inReach Mini 2 looks like a tiny version of the walkie-talkies you might have played with as a child. It fits easily in the palm of my hand and has a small screen that displays messages and a small antenna that connects to the satellites in space.

On the top is a power button and on left-hand side are two buttons: one to navigate up on the screen and the other to navigate down. On the right-hand side is a select button (labelled with OK) and another to go back, plus that all-important SOS button. That one is actually sheltered under a cap, as shown below so you don't accidentally press it, but it's easy to just peel it back and signal for help if things go wrong.

Those buttons, which aren't that unlike the controls found on most Garmin watches, let me send messages to loved ones while on my travels and gave me some peace of mind as I ventured further afield, but there are loads of other features too.

From the home screen, you can use the up or down buttons to scroll through the menu, which includes checking messages, navigation (I checked the digital compass was accurate but won't pretend I used it to bushwhack my way across the Khumbu Valley), turn on live location tracking and get a weather forecast, which is super handy. There's also TracBack routing, which helps find your way back to your start point if you get lost or find yourself in the fog, much like what you can find on the Garmin Fenix 8.

You can send photographs to loved ones via the Garmin app, but not in the device itself and even link your Facebook account to your Garmin app and post directly to social media, but I have to admit I preferred to skip this feature.

Weight and portability

At just 3.5oz (100g), the Mini 2 is comparable to a bar of soap or a deck of cards, meaning I didn't notice it in my daypack on my treks, and it's super portable too. It's small enough that I usually just stash it in the lid pocket of my Osprey Tempest 33, but it comes with a carabiner, which makes it really easy to clip onto the shoulder strap.

I wasn't in such treacherous terrain that I felt I needed to carry it this way, but certainly if I was picking my way across a steep trail where I felt rockslides were a possibility, I can see why I might want it within instant reach. For the purposes of thorough testing, that's how I carried it in the Alps and again, it's so small and light that I didn't even notice it.

Ease of use and messaging

I tend to think the litmus test for usability is whether or not you can figure out how to work a device without reading an instruction manual, and I'm pleased to say that with a little practice, I found the Mini 2 straightforward to use.

I did play around with it a little at home once my subscription was activated and as I set up the Garmin Messenger app on my phone, and I sent a few messages using the app on my phone during my first couple of days, but the first time I used the actual device properly was just after leaving Tengboche Monastery. It was the fourth day of my trek and I had just had a chance encounter with Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling, just a few days before the anniversary of his father's first ascent of Everest. Giddy with excitement, I sat down on a rock and powered up the inReach to tell my editor about the fortuitous meeting.

The device comes preloaded with a few messages such as "I've arrived!" and "I'm having a great time" – you can also preload your own messages at home on the app – but obviously, none of these would do the experience justice. So using the up/down and select buttons, I started typing out the message "I just met Tenzing Norgay's son" using the alphabet down the left-hand side of the screen. If you were born before a certain date, this is just like typing out text messages on an old cellphone, and if you were born after a certain date, the closest thing I can liken it to is searching for a video on YouTube or Netflix.

Anyway, I found it all quite painless, though I can imagine it being more challenging to some elderly users and those with vision problems because the screen is quite small. It does come up with predictive text that's reasonably helpful, so you may not have to type every word, and you've got 160 characters to convey your message, which is less than you'll get on Twitter.

I hit send and then went to turn off the device, when it warned me that the message hadn't been sent yet, so I set it aside, and only a couple of minutes later, I had received a response.

It's definitely easier to use the app, but to me, the whole point of the device is reducing reliance on my phone. I used it again in the Alps to send a few messages and found they took a little longer to go through (perhaps 5 to 7 minutes), but the more I use it, the easier it all becomes.

Battery life

Improved battery life is one of the advantages of the Mini 2 over the Mini, and I charged the device fully using the USB-C cable provided before setting off for Nepal in early May. Since then, I've turned it on and off no more than a dozen times to send and receive messages, and at last check, it still had 64% battery left.

Obviously, if you're using it as your primary means of communication, you like to send a lot of messages from the wild and keep it on all the time for tracking and navigation purposes, it's going to drain faster, and Garmin's guide suggests that you'll need to charge it roughly every 14 days in that scenario.

Personally, I can't really understand why you'd use it as your primary means of navigation when GPS watches and maps exist, so I'd suggest keeping it mostly off and saving it for check-ins and emergencies so you never have to worry that you'll run out of juice if you get cliffed out.

If you keep it off and just bring it with you on every adventure as a standard part of your kit, Garmin says you can expect a full year out of a single charge. I believe them, but I still think it's vital to check before you go out.

Value

With a retail price of $399.99 / £289.99, I can understand why people hesitate over making this purchase. It's certainly cheaper than most GPS watches and smartphones you're likely to buy these days, but since those increasingly come with SOS functionality, it makes sense that some people don't want to cough up.

Of course, that one-off payment isn't the whole story, because you need a subscription plan to use your inReach. Every plan carries a one-time activation fee, and then the cheapest plan is $7.99 (£7.99) per month, which does add nearly $100 (£100) a year. But the plans are quite flexible, and though regular mountaineers should probably just have an ongoing plan, you can also go month-to-month, which means you could activate it for a trip like mine, or only in the months when you tend to be out in the backcountry a lot.

In short, it does add up the more you want to use it, but as a journalist who often writes about hikers whose lives have been saved thanks to an inReach device, I think that when you tumble down that canyon or find yourself in whiteout conditions on Mountain Washington, the last thing you'll be thinking is how glad you are to have saved a few hundred dollars.

There are cheaper satellite devices available such as the Zoleo (though this one has a more expensive subscription so I think it all comes out in the wash) and if you have a newer iPhone with SOS, you could keep it in a waterproof case and carry a portable charger at all times and you might be pretty well-serviced. But I think the bottom line is that this device does what it says on the tin, does it well, and you won't regret owning it if you find you're faced with spending the night on a mountain.

Garmin inReach consumer subscription plans

• How Advnture tests products

If you're into trail running, chances are you've considered getting yourself a high-tech sports watch from Garmin. The American brand has been creating top-notch fitness wearables since the release of the Forerunner 201 in 2003 and has developed a stellar reputation for quality.

These days, Garmin is the biggest name in the sports watch market, selling upwards of 10 million devices every year. The best Garmin watches combine sleek and dependable design with super-accurate GPS and plenty of health trackers to help you monitor your progress on the trails.

If you've just got your hands on a brand new Garmin, there's plenty to get used to.

Along with their vast range of health and fitness features, Garmin watches have plenty of options for customization. Whether you're using a top-end device like the Fenix 8 or a cheaper alternative like the Forerunner 55, several aspects of your watch can be adapted to suit your preferences.

One of the best ways to add a little personality to your Garmin watch is by changing its watch face. This is the initial visual display on your device, where the clock hands would be on an analog clock.

How to change your watch face

Garmin offers three different ways to personalize your watch face:

• Personalize a pre-existing watch face on your device
• Choose a new watch face in the Connect IQ store
• Use your favorite photos to create a unique watch face using Garmin's Face It app.

All three methods can be completed in a few simple steps.

How to personalize a pre-existing watch face

Garmin watches come with an eye-catching handful of pre-existing watch faces, which you can customize to suit your individual preferences. There are loads of different parts of the watch face to personalize, including the layout, style of hands, style of numbers, and much more.

You can personalize a pre-existing watch face by following these simple steps on your Garmin device.

• Select Settings
• Select Watch Face
• Swipe up and down to choose your watch face
• Select Add New if you want a minimal watch face
• Once you've chosen a watch face, you can scroll through the available customization options
• Select Apply to save your new watch face

How to a choose new watch face in the Connect IQ store

The Connect IQ store is a platform where you can access additional apps and functions for your Garmin watch. Along with compatible apps and widgets, there are thousands of unique watch faces to choose from.

You can access the Connect IQ store through its app and see available watch faces in a few simple steps.

• Open the Connect IQ Store app on your mobile device
• Select My Device
• Select My Watch Faces

• Scroll through the options to find your chosen watch face
• Select settings
• Adjust the available options to customize your watch face
• Select Save

How to use your photos to create a unique watch face

Face It is an app, available on the Connect IQ store, which turns your favorite photos into watch faces. It's free to access and easy to use.

• Open the Connect IQ app on your mobile device
• Select Face It from the bottom menu
• Select Add
• Select Photos (to bring up your camera roll), Camera (to take a photo), or Preset Backgrounds (to choose from pre-installed options)

• Select Allow Access
• Select or take a photo, or choose a pre-installed option
• Choose display options
• Select Done or Save (depending on your device)
• Select Install to add the watch face to your Garmin device

• The best GPS watches: smart timepieces to keep every adventure on track
• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings

Are you in the market for a super-smart Garmin watch to help you up your game on the trails and smash that elusive PB? Then check out this awesome deal on one of our favorite Garmin watches, now over $230 off!

Garmin devices don't usually come cheap, but we've managed to find the high-tech Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar Edition smartwatch for just $684.95 at Walmart.

This reliable fitness tracker serves as a durable companion for runners and other outdoor enthusiasts who want to take their performance to the next level. It's 1.3in (3.3cm) solar-charging sapphire display is protected by a fiber-reinforced polymer case and sturdy titanium bezel, tested to US military standards for thermal, shock, and water-resistance.

Once you've strapped your hiking boots or running shoes on, you can measure your progress with a detailed array of fitness trackers.

"Fenix 7 Pro can track stats including running power, cadence, vertical oscillation, and ground contact time without the need for any external sensors," explained running expert Cat Ellis in her review for Advnture.

"It's interesting to see how these vary as you change your pace, and it's a very useful tool if you're working on increasing your cadence and running more efficiently," she added, giving the Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar Edition a rare four-and-a-half-star rating.

The other feature worth mentioning is the solar-charging. Just three hours of sunlight per day gets you up to 22 days of charge in smartwatch mode, making this watch a great option for long-distance runs or multi-day hiking trips.

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Garmin Fenix 7 deals where you are:

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Looking for a powerful sports watch that won't bog you down with too many extras? Right now, you can pick up the awesome Garmin Venu 2S watch for just $149.99 at the Amazon Renewed store. That's a massive saving of 44% off the list price for this smart watch, and the cheapest we've ever seen it on Amazon.

The Venu 2S is compact, light and offers a great blend of everyday smartwatch and fitness tracking features. It looks great, with a crisp OLED display that's easy to read in any light and a minimalist design that's much more sleek than popular-but-chunky Fenix and Forerunner models.

Don't let that fool you, though – this is a serious fitness watch with excellent location tracking, on-screen workout guidance, and muscle maps to help you balance your training.

If you're not in the US, scroll down to the bottom of this article for the best deals on the Garmin Venu 2 near you.

If you're comparing this watch to the original Venu, there's not a ton of difference if we're being honest, but compared to the newer Venu 3 it doesn't have advanced sleep tracking or the ability to take calls. Learn more in our article on the Garmin Venu 3 vs 2.

If you're not in the US, here are the best deals on the Garmin Venu 2 near you:

• Best Garmin watches: all the latest models tested and rated
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Got a high-tech Garmin sports watch on your wishlist? Now's the time to buy, as retailers across the web have slashed their prices to compete with Amazon Prime Day, and one of the best offers we've noticed is on Best Buy.

Right now, Canadian Garmin lovers can save 50% and snag the adventure-ready Garmin Instinct 2 sports watch for just $199.99 at Best Buy.

The Instinct 2 is one of Garmin's toughest sports watches, built for heavy use in the unforgiving conditions you're likely to encounter in the wilderness. Its clear memory-in-pixel (MIP) display is protected by scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass and encased in fiber-reinforced polymer. This rough and ready model is tested to US military standards for water, shock, and thermal resistance, so it's more than ready to take on harsh weather on the trails.

It's also got great fitness tracking credentials, monitoring everything from your pulse oxygen levels to your heart rate. There's even a handy array of sleep tracking and coaching modes to help you recover well and get a good night's kip after a long day outdoors.

Garmin deals aren't rare, but they're seldom as good as this one, so act now and save yourself $200 while you still can.

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Garmin Instinct 2 deals where you are:

• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course
• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings

Along with Apple, Amazfit, and plenty of other big brands, you can find massive savings in the Amazon Prime Day sale on some of our favorite Garmin sports watches, like this high-tech solar-charging model, which is now $300 off.

Right now, you can get your hands on the Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar Sapphire Edition smartwatch for just $599.99 at Amazon.

This super-smart device boasts an extra-long battery life thanks to its smart solar glass display, which turns the sun's rays into additional charge for your Garmin watch. In total, this top-end wearable can last for up to 37 days on a single charge, more than enough for lengthy hiking, camping, and ultra running adventures in the wilderness.

With all that battery life, you can head out and put your device to the test with confidence. It's got loads of detailed health trackers and sports modes to try out, and monitors everything from your heart rate to jet lag levels. A new hill score level is particularly handy for runners who want to gauge their endurance during ascents.

If you've got an extreme adventure in mind, this watch could be the one for you, thanks to its super-accurate GPS tracking, which monitors your position wherever you are in the wilderness. The vibrant display is encased in durable, scratch-resistant sapphire glass that's ready for action in the wilderness.

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Garmin Fenix 7 deals where you are:

• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course
• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings

Prime Day is officially over, but it looks like someone at Amazon didn't get the memo, as there are still tonnes of great Garmin deals for you to sink your teeth into.

Among loads of epic deals, you can save over $400 on high-tech Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2), and take advantage of great reductions on super-smart models like the Fenix 8 and Forerunner 955.

If you're unsure which wearable is best for you, our roundup of the best Garmin watches has all the information you need. It features expert opinion and rankings from the testers here at Advnture, so you can be sure that you're getting the best advice possible.

If your budget is a little tighter, our guide to the best cheap GPS watches includes plenty of budget-friendly Garmin watches, along with other well-rated devices from other big-name brands.

For free delivery and other handy perks, you can sign up to be an Amazon Prime member. You can join Amazon Prime on a free, month-long trial, and then pay $14.99 per month in the US, or £8.99 per month in the UK.

Quick links

Here are the best Garmin deals after Amazon Prime Day.

US links

• Amazon: today's savings on Garmin tech
• Best Buy: hundreds of dollars off Garmin watches
• Garmin: the big summer sale
• REI: sale ending July 18

US Deals

UK links

• Amazon: Garmin offers updated daily
• Garmin: clearance deals to grab now
• Very: up to date offers on Garmin watches
• H.Samuel: loads of Garmin deals available

UK Deals

More deals

If you're shopping for a Garmin watch, here are today's best prices for a wide range of gear, updated daily. We're always adding products to our price checker, so check back often to see what's new.

When is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day is a four-day sales bonanza, offering great deals on all sorts of products across the Amazon website. Along with great Garmin watches, you can find trail running shoes, hiking gear, tents, and all manner of outdoor gear at reduced prices.

How long does Amazon Prime Day last?

This Amazon Prime Day runs from July 8 to July 11. There are usually great deals available after the sale, but the best are live during.

We're not sure if someone at Amazon hit the wrong button, but a bunch of Garmin watches just saw huge markdowns even though Prime Day doesn't kick off till next week.

Right now, you can pick up the super smart Garmin Forerunner 255 for a mere $199.99 at Amazon. That's a massive 43% off the regular list price for this highly-rated watch and the lowest price we've ever seen it at.

The Forerunner 255 represents a big step up from the 245, and is a fully fledged triathlon watch. Its dual-band GPS tracking is particularly impressive, and its battery life is superb as well.

The Race Day widget is also a real winner, helping you prepare for event days, and really builds on Garmin's excellent training suggestions. In short, this is an excellent watch if you want to take your training to the next level, but top-tier watches like the Fenix 7 or Forerunner 955 offer more tools than you're going to need, and this is an excellent price.

Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8, and we'll be keeping you updated on all the best Garmin deals.

If you're not in the US, scroll to the bottom of this page for today's best deals on the Forerunner 255.

And if you'd rather browse the sale for yourself, you can check out all the Garmin deals at Amazon right now here.

The Forerunner 255 has the same five-button layout as most Garmin watches, but unlike many of the company’s latest devices (including the Forerunner 955), it doesn’t have a touchscreen, so you’ll be using these controls for all its everyday functions.

Like all Forerunner watches, it has a color memory-in-pixel display, which uses less power than the OLED displays of watches like the Garmin Epix and Venu 2, but is less striking. It’s to be expected for a watch in this price band, though.

Not in the US? Here are today's best deals on the Forerunner 255:

• The best Garmin watches: the latest models tested and ranked

A GPS watch isn’t essential for trekking and thru-hiking, but it can provide some great benefits, from providing navigational assistance and showing how far you still have to walk each day to understanding the impact of the trek on your body.

As an outdoor journalist, I get to test the best GPS watches on the trail, so when I was offered the opportunity to trek to Everest Base Camp, it wasn’t so much a question of whether I was going to wear a watch, as which watch I was going to bring.

Fairly quickly, I settled on the Garmin Fenix 8, which came out in 2024. I had already given it a thorough test over a three-week period earlier this year, so I knew it was a showstopper, brilliantly built and fantastically featured. But because I’d only used it for day-long adventures, I was curious to see how it would perform on an 80-mile, 11-day trek.

For the Fenix 8, Garmin took the winning formula of the near-perfect Fenix 7 and added extra navigation tools plus the option of a crystal clear AMOLED display, voice commands, and more smartwatch functions like the ability to take and make phone calls. On the trails of Scotland, I found it to be rugged, responsive, accurate and easy to use, but how would it perform in the remote Himalayas?

On the morning that we flew from Kathmandu to Lukla to begin the trek, I strapped the Fenix 8 onto my right wrist and, for control purposes, kept my considerably more humble (but very much beloved) Coros Pace 3 on my left wrist. This way I’d be able to compare metrics like heart rate and distance.

En route to one of the highest points on the planet, I found four standout features I really loved about the Garmin Fenix 8.

Altimeter

For a long-distance mountain trek, it’s helpful to know what altitude you’re at for navigation purposes and to understand why you might be feeling out of sorts. On the trek to Everest Base Camp, you start at about the elevation of Breckenridge ski resort in Colorado and keep climbing until you reach 17,598ft (5,354m), so altitude plays a really crucial role in your experience.

Thanks to its built-in barometric altimeter, whether the Fenix 8 is in activity mode or daily use, it automatically shows what altitude you’re at on the main screen, which I used more than any other feature.

While this is generally true for adventure watches, it’s not the case for all Garmins. In fact, another trekker in my group had a Garmin intended primarily for playing golf, which didn’t display what height we were at, and fitness-based models like the Vivoactive 5 have left it out to keep costs down.

As a result, I ended up assuming the unofficial but very useful role of Chief Altitude Information Officer for the trek, keeping my companions informed about our height.

LED flashlight

Lots of watches I’ve tested (for example the Suunto Race S) claim to have a flashlight, but what they actually have is a white screen. It’s marginally useful if you just want to find something on your bedside table at night without waking your partner, but you wouldn’t use it to navigate on the trail.

The Fenix 8, on the other hand, has an actual LED flashlight, which was one of my favorite features during my initial testing period. This proved invaluable on the trek, from finding my way to the shared bathrooms in the teahouses at night without having to strap on a headlamp, to getting organized for early alpine starts.

At the time of year we were trekking, the days were long and we typically started in daylight, but one of the most special days of the trip – the hike up Kala Patthar to watch the sun rise over Everest – had us setting off in the pitch darkness at 3am.

I started out wearing my headlamp, but it was so overly bright that I quickly realized my watch was a better choice. I switched off my Petzl, double-pressed the top left button on my Fenix 8 to turn on the flashlight, then turned it down to red light mode. Thanks to the clear skies, this provided enough illumination for me to walk safely, not blind my companions, and still let my eyes adjust to the stars above, so I could really appreciate the stunning views.

Visibility

The biggest difference between the Garmin Fenix 8 and its predecessor is the option of that bright, AMOLED display, which makes it easy to view in just about any weather conditions you might encounter. The Coros Pace 3, on the other hand, features a Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) display, which can be harder to read in low light conditions.

For the trek to Base Camp, we were mostly treated to bright skies, but that meant I was always wearing a brimmed sunhat and my SunGod FORTY2s sunglasses to protect my face and eyes. Though SunGod uses what it calls its 8KO Iris photochromic lenses, these are essentially polarized lenses that can make it hard to see certain watch faces. This proved no problem at all for the Fenix, but if I’d been hiking with only my Coros, I’d have been removing my shades every time I wanted to find out what altitude I was at.

Accuracy

Because I was trekking with two watches on, I was able to get two different reports of each day’s activities, and it quickly became clear there was a discrepancy between the two watches in terms of distance data.

This isn’t uncommon; in fact, hike with anyone also wearing a watch and you’ll almost always notice a slight difference due to variances like GPS signal limitations, environmental interference, watch settings and the improbability that you both start your watches at exactly the same time.

I noticed that my Coros consistently showed my distance every day to be about 0.2 miles less than the Garmin. That doesn’t sound like a huge difference, but in metrics it’s close to half a kilometer, or one lap of a high school track, and I hadn’t noticed this discrepancy when I’d previously tested the two watches together, so it was enough to make me investigate.

Without a yard stick, it would be impossible to say for sure which watch was more accurate, but by speaking to my local guides, comparing distances with other people in my group and looking up the trek distances on route reports online, I became as certain as I can be that my Garmin was giving me the most accurate reflection of distance.

This isn’t a make-or-break feature, but for long treks in remote places, it is nice to feel confident that you’re getting the most accurate readings possible.

Battery life

I had a lot of fun testing the Fenix 8 in the Himalayas, but it wasn’t perfect, and there were some features that would make me pause and consider a different watch next time. For starters, battery life.

In general, the Fenix 8 model has a better battery life compared to the 7, but since there are different sizes and models, it's hard to compare them accurately and it turns out that the 43mm model I was testing is a bit of a downgrade compared to the similarly-sized 7. It claims up to 28 hours of battery life when you’re using it in GPS mode with gesture (meaning it only lights up when you lift your wrist). Obviously this is plenty when you’re using it for day hikes and regular runs.

For this trek, I had it on GPS mode (with gesture) for at least six hours a day, and I didn’t activate any of the settings to save battery life. In real terms it meant that I had to charge it every third day, and it died during one of the hikes. In comparison, I charged my Coros just once during the whole trek.

Charging my watch wasn’t a huge deal, as I was carrying three portable power banks, but it was more than I’d have liked. This is an issue that could theoretically be solved (or at least improved upon) by going with a solar option, but honestly the jury is really out as to how much of a difference a solar Garmin really makes.

Weight and size

The Fenix 8 is currently available in 43mm, 47mm and 51mm sizes, and there’s no getting around the fact that it’s a big, bulky watch. This is the trade-off for having every feature imaginable, a better battery and a brighter screen. But it did mean I found it annoying.

The profile of the watch is just big enough that it got caught on the strap of my backpack every time I put it back on, which was multiple times a day. It also meant that as we got higher, and the weather got cooler, it was a hassle to pull my multiple sleeves up to view the screen.

Now the bigger you are, the less huge the watch looks – one of my trekking companions wore the same watch, but he’s much taller than I am, and perhaps it was less unwieldy for him. But there’s no getting around the fact that it’s a brute of a watch, and heavy enough to really hurt when you drop it on your toe, as I have discovered the hard way.

Is the Garmin Fenix 8 right for your trek?

If you’re a Garmin junkie, you’ll have noticed that most of the features of the Fenix 8 that I loved – altimeter, flashlight and razor sharp GPS – are available in the Fenix 7, while the Enduro 3 has the same features and boasts better battery life. So if you’re not too fussed about the AMOLED screen, there are other Garmin models that will perform similarly (or even better) for a lower price.

Despite my battery charging woes, I still thought the Fenix 8 was a super fun tool for my trek, and if I happened to have a lot of cash lying around, I’d certainly consider buying it. That said, one feature that I think would really send premium Garmin watches over the edge would be the option to review my routes in 3D video animation.

This comes free with the Suunto app and I’ve really loved having it while testing the Suunto Run lately, but it looks like it’s only available using third-party apps with Garmin watches. Now that Base Camp is becoming a distance memory, I’d love to be able to look back at each day of trekking and watch the terrain I crossed in a miniature movie.

You can read our full Garmin Fenix 8 review here.

• The best Garmin watches: incredible smartwatches to track your movement and metrics
• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings

Looking for a top-notch health tracker that doesn't carry the price tag and bulk of the equivalent of a personal sports coach on your wrist? We've found the deal for you.

Right now, you can pick up the bright Garmin Vivoactive 5 for just $197.84 at Amazon. That's a hefty savings of 34% off the regular list price for this watch, which some fitness fans say they ditched their Apple Watch for.

"Compared to the Apple Watch, the first major thing I noticed was this is nowhere close in terms of smarts," writes one reviewer.

"After a few days I can confidently say that I don't need them. I would argue that Garmin knows what this is and what it is not - it's a fitness device first and foremost, and everything else comes second. And on that basis they nailed it - the fitness tracking has been excellent and noticeably better than the Apple Watch especially in sleep tracking."

The Vivoactive 5, like earlier watches in the series, is designed to help you strike a better balance of activity and rest, and includes features like Sleep Coaching and nap tracking to help you along the way.

The Vivoactive 5 has the same round face as its predecessors, but the device now sports a bright AMOLED display, which makes text and graphics look much crisper.

The Vivoactive 5 measures 42.2mm diameter (a moderate size that sits in between the two options for the Vivoactive 4) and comes in four colorways: orchid, slate, cream gold/ivory, and navy.

Not in the US? Check out the best deals on the Garmin Vivoactive 5 where you are:

• The best Garmin watches: all the latest models tested and rated
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces

When Garmin released the Forerunner 970 in May, followed by the Venu X1 earlier this month, owners of the Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 might have had a little buyer's remorse to see so many new features.

Not to worry, though, Garmin has just rolled out a massive update for Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 owners that ensures your Garmin watch is still the absolute best in class.

The update, which includes 28 new features plus 30 fixes, is available now as part of Garmin's public beta testing program. I've been trail running with the Fenix 8 for the past three months, and in this article, I outline the four updates I'm most excited about.

Running Tolerance

Let's face it, most of us have a weekly mileage goal in mind, and that's what we run, almost regardless of how we're feeling. But not every mile you run is created equally, and Running Tolerance uses an algorithm to determine the impact of a run on your body, taking into account factors like speed, terrain, your weight, cadence, and ground time to assess the impact of each run on your body.

The Garmin Connect app then assesses the load of your recent runs beyond just distance to give you tailored advice for your next run and more accurate recovery suggestions to help you reduce load and hopefully prevent injuries.

Running economy

Running Economy is a measurement of your running efficiency, specifically measuring how much oxygen you use to maintain a certain pace. It's expressed in milliliters of oxygen consumed per kilogram of body weight, and if it's not obvious, a lower number is better since that implies you can get more miles out of less fuel.

Your Garmin Fenix 8 or Enduro 3 can now measure your aerobic performance (think zone 2 and 3 runs) using metrics like heart rate, speed, stride length, ground contact time, and vertical oscillation (the up-and-down movement of your torso while you're running).

This is a great tool to have if you're training for a long-distance run and aiming for a Personal Best, but you will need to use a Garmin Heart Rate Monitor to access it. You'll start to receive this data after at least four runs.

Step Speed Loss Support

Even when it feels as though you are sprinting through the forest like a gazelle, if you were able to watch yourself run in slow motion, you'd see that you are essentially braking every time your foot strikes the ground, then accelerating again. The more you brake, the slower you go and the more energy you use.

Step Speed Loss Support is another feature that requires a Garmin heart rate monitor, and it measures just how much braking you do in centimeters per second. A higher number means you're braking more and working harder to speed back up, and it's often the result of running with a lower cadence or a long stride.

If you're a mountain runner like me, you should expect to brake more on the downhills and less on the uphills, and so this is measurement more helpful for flatter or rolling terrain, but the feedback from your Garmin watch could help you pick up the speed on those flat sections of a race.

Evening report

If you own a Fenix 8 or Enduro 3, you'll be used to receiving your morning report when you wake up, but now you'll get an evening report too, and I think that could be more helpful. After all, often when we wake up, we just get right into autopilot and have the day we planned, regardless of the weather and how we feel.

The evening report takes the impact of your day's stress levels and activities to give you a more tailored sleep suggestion, so you can set yourself up for success tomorrow by getting more or less sleep as you need it.

You'll also see things like tomorrow's weather, what you have in your calendar, and your workout suggestion from Garmin, which means you can tweak your calendar and lay out your running gear in preparation.

You can view the full suite of updates and fixes at Garmin.

How to get the updates

To join the beta program, log into your Garmin account at connect.garmin.com and click the small watch icon at the top right (devices and sync status).

Select the device that you want to connect from the list that appears (you should be able to see all the watches, cycle computers, and other devices that are linked to your Garmin Connect account) and click Device Settings.

Provided your device is one that's supported, you'll see a link to Join Software Beta Program along with the current software version.

Select this, and read through the terms and conditions. If you're happy to go ahead, click Agree. Now, open the Garmin Connect app on your phone, select the device you've just added, select System and choose Software Update. Make sure that you have auto updates enabled, and you should get the latest beta releases as soon as they're available.

You can learn more in our in-depth article on Garmin's beta testing program.

• Best GPS watches: find your perfect training tool
• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain

Millions of people worldwide rely on their Garmin sports watch to track their fitness and help them progress on the trails. Since its founding in 1989, the American brand has sold over 280 million products and developed a stellar reputation for crafting high-performance GPS watches.

Along with their insightful health monitors, accurate GPS tracking, and sleek design, Garmin watches are well-known for their durability. Everything from premium models like the Fenix 8 to budget options like the Forerunner 55 can last for years with the right care and attention.

So, how do you properly care for a Garmin watch? After heavy use, these super-smart wearables can become dirty, scratched, and damaged on the inside and out, so it's important to know how to properly clean and look after your device without causing any additional damage.

Read on for our guide on how to care for and maintain your Garmin sports watch.

When to clean your Garmin watch

The best Garmin watches are built for constant use in tough environments, so whether you're racing through sandy desert trails or negotiating rocky mountain pathways, your device is bound to get dirty.

Your watch strap can also take on sweat and may begin to smell after a little while.

To keep your watch clean and odor-free, Garmin advises that you perform a short rinse and dry wash after every exposure to sweat, debris, and dirt.

How to clean your Garmin watch

You can clean your Garmin's watch face and body in just a few simple steps.

First, use water to rinse your watch or wipe it with a damp, lint-free cloth. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove dirt and debris from the charging points on your device. Make sure to scrub gently and keep the toothbrush away from holes in your device, like in the speakers and microphone.

Avoid using sharp or dirty objects and don't prod any openings.

If it's really dirty, Garmin recommends using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe to gently remove dirt. You can also use disinfectant wipes, but must rinse the watch under water after washing, to avoid skin irritation.

Metal bands are similarly easy to clean using a damp, lint-free cloth. Make sure the cloth is clean before application.

Leather or suede bands may need a little more regular TLC. These bands are designed for casual wear rather than repeated sporting activity, and will deteriorate faster if used on the trails.

They can also be cleaned using a damp, lint-free cloth. Make sure to avoid leather cleaners and polishes as they can discolor your strap.

Whether you've got a metal, leather, or suede watch strap, it's important to wait for it to dry before you put it on again

Substances to avoid

There are several substances that can damage your Garmin device. Here is the full list Garmin recommends you steer clear of.

• Moisturising cream
• Hair dye
• Insect spray
• Perfume
• SanitiserSoap
• Solvent
• Detergent
• Sunscreen
• Oil

Keep your Garmin running smoothly

You can make sure the tech inside your Garmin watch is in tip-top condition and keep your device up to date using the Garmin Connect app or Garmin Express website.

Software updates will download automatically with the Connect app. You can check for more and download them manually on the Garmin Express website.

If you encounter a serious issue, like failing GPS, you can reset your Garmin by following our expert guide.

• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

After releasing its first Forerunner smartwatch in 2003, American brand Garmin has earned a stellar reputation for producing super-smart fitness wearables to track your fitness and help you up your game on the trails.

The best Garmin watches combine a tough and durable exterior with reliable GPS tracking and plenty of handy sports and fitness features.

Great Garmin devices are available at multiple price points. The latest and greatest models, like the Fenix 8 and Forerunner 955, offer hundreds of high-tech features but will make a noticeable dent in your wallet. Budget options like the Forerunner 55 can still track your health and position in the wilderness, but come without the expensive bells and whistles of their top-end counterparts.

Whatever you're wearing, you can probably use Garmin Pay, a handy smartwatch feature used to make contactless payments. Instead of reaching for a wallet or smartphone, you can simply pay with your Garmin watch.

While you're unlikely to get much use out of it on the trails, Garmin Pay, which is available on most modern models, can come in handy when paying for that post-run coffee or slice of cake.

So, what is Garmin Pay? And how can you access it? Read on for our expert guide to this handy payment feature.

What is Garmin Pay?

Garmin Pay is a contactless payment system used to make purchases without the need for a credit card or cash. It works like a digital wallet and stores your credit and debit cards.

Once set up, you can make payments by simply tapping your device against a card machine or other payment terminal.

How to download Garmin Pay

Most modern Garmin watches and multiple major banks are now compatible with Garmin Pay.

Want to try it out for yourself? You can get started by following a few simple steps, which are as follows:

• Download and open the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone.
• Log in or create a Garmin account.
• If you've just created an account, sync your smartphone with your Garmin watch by following the on-screen prompts.
• Select 'More' on your Garmin watch to access the Menu.
• Select 'Garmin Pay'.
• Select 'Get Started'.
• Select the watch you want to use with Garmin Pay.

• Create a four-number password you'll use to access Garmin Pay.
• Select the card you want to use.
• Read the first set of terms and conditions and select 'Continue'.
• Enter your card details and select 'Next'.
• Fill out your address information and select 'Next'.
• Read the second set of terms and conditions and select 'Continue'.
• Your bank may require you to confirm you're selection with a phone call or text. Follow the on-screen prompts to do so.

You can add more cards by repeating the above steps.

If you want to get rid of an old card, select it in the Garmin Pay section and press 'Delete'.

How to use Garmin Pay

With Garmin Pay downloaded, you can access it and start making transactions with just a few simple steps.

• Press and hold the light button.
• Select the wallet icon.
• Enter the passcode you created when downloading Garmin Pay.
• Hold your watch near a card reader to pay for purchases.

• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

Heads up, Garmin fans, the sports watch is here with a huge new screen and loads of features to help you race through the wilderness.

The brand-new Garmin Venu X1 is designed to be the ultimate all-rounder, combining a stylish, square design with plenty of exterior protection (built for use on the trails) and hundreds of health and fitness features.

"Venu X1 is the perfect blend of form, function and style," says Susan Lyman, Garmin's Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing.

"Not only does it pack all of Garmin’s most popular features into a slim profile, but the large display makes it easy to see everything from preloaded maps and workout stats to health insights and smart notifications with stunning clarity".

Price

Garmin's latest high-tech watch retails for $799.99 (£679.99) on the Garmin website, putting it among Garmin's premium top-end watches.

It's comparable in price to one of Garmin's other recent launches, the Forerunner 970, which you can get for $749.99 (£629.99) on the site.

This list price may come as something of a surprise to those awaiting the arrival of the new sports watch, considering the previous model, the Venu 3, cost $499 (£449) on release.

The X1 looks drastically different from the Venu 3, and Garmin has promised plenty of changes, but the sudden price hike could be enough to give some potential purchasers serious pause for thought.

Garmin has recently hinted at upping the prices of its watches after the American brand took a beating from President Trump's controversial tariff policy, which they say will cost them $100 million in the coming months.

Design

The Venu X1 features a rectangular Apple Watch-like design with Garmin's largest ever AMOLED display. The 2in (5.08cm) screen is protected by sturdy, scratch-resistant sapphire glass and a lightweight titanium case.

There are two standard buttons on the right side and a built-in LED flashlight to illuminate your surroundings.

The Venu X1 straps to your arm with a 24mm quick-release ComfortFit nylon band, and is available in the Black and Moss colorways.

Health and fitness

As with every top-end Garmin watch, the Venu X1 comes with myriad high-tech features to help you navigate the wilderness, plus multiple handy tools for negotiating everyday life.

Health trackers monitor everything from sleep cycle disturbances to jet lag, and provide useful round-ups via the Morning Report and Wellness Snapshot features.

When you're ready to hit the trails, you can track your progress with over 100 different activity profiles and training tools. The running dynamics, running power, and pacing strategies tools are designed to help you take your running game to the next level, with in-depth trackers and coaching advice.

Climbers will be particularly keen on the ClimbPro tool, which provides real-time data about your previous and upcoming ascents to help you climb with confidence.

Navigation

Navigation-wise, the X1 features full-color GPS mapping, dynamic round-trip routes, and plenty of sensors to keep you on the right track.

You can also subscribe to Garmin's new Outdoor Maps+ feature for $49 (£49) annually, or $4.99 (£4.99) monthly to access ultra-detailed, downloadable topographic maps.

Garmin has been experimenting with controversial paid subscription models in recent months, following the release of its AI coaching tool Garmin Connect+.

Smartwatch features

The Venu X1 isn't just for athletes, and it aims to be just as at home in the office as it is on the trails. You can make and take calls using the built-in speaker and microphone, and use a paired smartphone's voice assistant to dictate text messages.

It also boasts up to eight days of battery in Smartwatch Mode, and up to 11 days in Battery Save Smartwatch Mode.

The new Garmin Venu X1 is available to purchase on the Garmin website from June 18.

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Not all Garmin watches are created equally, and for long adventures in the backcountry, you'll want something rugged, weather-resistant, and with a long battery life. Enter the new Garmin Instinct 3 Solar, which you can currently pick up for only $349.99 at Amazon. That's a healthy savings of $50 off the regular list price for this tough watch, which only came out in January and has already earned itself a 4.2-star rating from customers.

The Garmin Instinct 3 was built with the wilderness in mind and is built with a super tough metal-reinforced bezel for expeditions that take you up against ice and rock, plus it's got that all-important built-in flashlight for navigating on the trails after dark.

Speaking of navigation, a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, and multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology deliver superior positioning when you're trying to find your way in the wild. These features also optimize battery life, which is one of the big stories with the Instinct 3 Solar. Thanks to solar charging, this watch can go three weeks without needing to be plugged into an outlet, making it ideal for thru-hiking and travel.

This deal applies to the Solar edition with 45mm case, but stocks are flying off the shelves, so don't delay.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on the Garmin Instinct 3 where you are.

Whether your adventures take you underwater or just into weat weather, you won't need to worry about your watch thanks to 10 ATM water rating, plus the Instinct 3 is designed to MIL-STD-810 for thermal and shock resistance

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Garmin Instinct 3 deals where you are:

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Strava has been forced to drop a controversial trial after widespread criticism for publishing the private data of runners, hikers, and other athletes who use the app.

Bewildered users were stunned to realise that workout data from synced Garmin sports watches and workout apps Runna and TrainingPeaks was suddenly being made public on the app.

They took to the internet to complain that detailed information, including pacing notes, custom workout names, and coaching comments, appeared in place of previously generic activity titles like 'afternoon run'.

"Making previously private data public should always be accompanied by a notification beforehand," complained Reddit user alexanderhumbolt.

"There are many people (including me) who may not want to share their workout names."

After widespread criticism, Strava said the changes had been part of a two-day test, and it had now ended.

In a statement to Advnture, Strava said: "This past Monday, June 2 we ran a short-lived test to surface workout titles and descriptions. After listening to our community, we ended the test on Wednesday, June 4. We appreciate the feedback and have no plans to revisit this."

Syncing accounts means that Strava will automatically post workout data from your Garmin sports watch, although this information is usually limited to basic stats like your time, distance, and pace, and labelled with a generic moniker.

Further information from the Runna and TrainingPeaks apps was also made public. Both provide personalized workout plans to help you up your game on the trails, and can be synced with Strava.

What was published?

During the test, users reported wide ranging formerly private data appearing on their Strava feeds. The full list is as follows:

• Coach notes
• Custom workout titles
• Pacing guidance
• Personal targets
• Training descriptions

Past controversy

Strava is no stranger to information controversies. In 2018, it prompted security concerns after publishing a heatmap that inadvertently revealed the movements of military personnel in bases around the world.

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Can't get enough Garmin gear? You're in luck, as the American brand's latest high-tech fitness monitor looks to be just around the corner.

After months of rumours, a new report from the usually reliable Fitness Tracker Test website has revealed loads of new details about Garmin's upcoming sleep tracker, including its name: the Index Sleep Monitor.

The report suggests that the new Whoop-style device attaches to your upper arm with an adjustable Velcro strap and uses an optical sensor to measure your sleep. Next to the sensor is an LED light and an 'integrated vibration module', which can be used to gently wake you from a long sleep.

According to the report, the new Sleep Index Monitor will feature an array of different health monitors, including a blood oxygen saturation monitor and sleep score tracker.

The rechargeable device is rumoured to boast around a week of battery life, and is expected to hit the market in the coming months for roughly $170.

Expected features for the new Garmin sleep monitor

• Sleep score
• Sleep stages
• Sleep duration
• Heart rate

• Blood oxygen saturation
• Respiration tracking
• Skin temperature
• Women's health trackers
• Body battery

Wearable fitness bands strap onto your upper arm and provide 24/7 information about your health and fitness. Popular models like the Whoop 4.0 paint a vivid picture of your sleep and recovery by measuring various health metrics.

You can also log activities, food, and alcohol consumption in the Whoop app to access a more in-depth analysis. The latest Garmin device will likely link to the Garmin Connect app, so you can see your sleep stats from your phone.

Unlike Garmin watches, Whoop uses a subscription model. You pay an annual subscription of $239 (£229), or a monthly fee of $30 (£27) to access its health tracking services.

Garmin has been experimenting with paywalls in recent months, and currently charges $6.99 (£6.99) monthly or $69 (£69.99) annually for access to its Active Intelligence AI, which sends personalised health insights and suggestions to your Garmin watch.

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If you're into trail running, chances are you've heard of Strava. The fitness tracking app launched 15 years ago to immediate success in the US and abroad, giving users a quick and simple way to record their runs and share stats with their friends.

Today, more than 120 million users use Strava to monitor their runs and other fitness activities. Along with tracking your progress on your phone, the popular app is now available on smartwatches, including all the best Garmin watches.

Like Strava, Garmin boasts a long history of reliable health monitoring, with more than two decades of experience crafting high-tech wearables that monitor your exercise.

It's also got a stellar reputation for GPS tracking, boasting super-smart models like the Garmin Fenix 8, that can accurately monitor your progress wherever you are in the wilderness.

By syncing the two, all data recorded on your Garmin watch will be immediately available on your Strava account.

Interested? Read on for our guide to using Strava with your Garmin watch.

What is Strava?

The Strava app is an exercise tracker and social platform that allows you to record your workouts and share them with your friends. It collects GPS and health data from your smartphone or wearable to paint an accurate picture of your performance and wellbeing after an activity.

Although it's primarily used for running and cycling, Strava has plenty of modes for other sports like swimming, basketball, and tennis.

After exercise, Strava provides a handy round-up of your activity, which includes stats like your distance, moving time, and average pace. It also compares your workout to previous exercises, so you can track your improvements and find out when you achieve a PB.

There are plenty of in-depth health trackers on the Strava app, but you'll need to fork out for a subscription for a really detailed analysis. Scroll to the bottom of this article for more details.

Perhaps the best thing about Strava is its community feel. Via the app, you can share your workout info, statistics, and pictures with friends and groups. Others can share 'kudos' and comment on your posts to congratulate you on a job well done.

How to access Strava on your Garmin watch

Plenty of Garmin watches support Strava, which you can download to your device in a few simple steps.

You can connect the two using the Garmin Connect app or website.

Connecting via the app

• Open the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone
• Select More at the bottom right of the screen
• Select Settings
• Select Connected apps
• Select Strava
• Select Agree
• Select Organize

Connecting via the website

• Sign in to the Garmin Connect website
• Select the option to add a widget at the bottom of the main page
• Select Segments from the Add to Dashboard menu
• Select the settings icon
• Select Use Strava Options
• Select Connect with Strava
• Select Agree and follow any further prompts

It will take a few minutes for your Garmin watch to sync with Strava. Once it's done, your past 90 days of recorded Garmin activity and all future workouts will be visible on your Strava account.

How to use Strava

Once you've connected your Garmin device to your Strava account, it's time to hit the trails.

If you're just getting started on your Strava journey, its wide range of features and modes might seem a little overwhelming. But don't worry, each function has its purpose, and Strava's intuitive interface is easy to use once you get the hang of things.

First things first, you'll need to create a profile and follow some fellow fitness enthusiasts. These can be friends and loved ones, but you can also take the opportunity to follow some of the world's best athletes, like trail running superstar Killian Jornet.

You can also follow brands like Nike and Hoka to see what their high-level athletes are up to.

You'll see posts from whoever you follow on your feed. And they'll be able to see yours if you follow them back.

Once you're onboard and following a few people, it's time to expand your community by joining a club. This can be a local or international sports club, where you can see what fellow members are up to.

With over 5 million members, Strava's own Strava Club is the largest club on the app. Along with the standard stats, it posts coaching and inspirational content that you can access to up your game on the trails.

As you use Strava more, you'll unlock achievements and 'silverware' to commend you on your progress. Achievements can be community-based, like the fastest run of a local route, or they can be personal, like a new PB or record distance covered. You can share these achievements with your followers, so everyone can see your progress on the trails.

Is a premium subscription worth it?

Strava is free to download and use, but you'll have to fork out $11.99 (£8.99) per month, or $79.99 (£54.99) annually for the premium subscription. This isn't essential, but it does include a few handy features if you want to map your runs with pinpoint accuracy.

With the premium subscription, you can plot a route to follow ahead of time, access offline maps while you run, and benefit from advanced analytics after your workout.

These analytics include Strava's Perceived Exertion tool to see how much energy you've used and custom heart rate zones, for an in-depth look at your ticker.

There's also a range of additional coaching tools, which you can use to set personalized goals and access training plans.

These features can be fun and helpful, and are worth considering if you're serious about fitness tracking, but they're certainly not essential.

If you have a Garmin watch, you likely already access many of them on the Garmin Connect app. Connect has plenty of training plans and in-depth health analysis, so there's no need to fork out the extra money.

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In the market for a super-smart new sports watch for all your adventures? This well-rated Garmin model features a tough exterior, great GPS, and plenty of health trackers, and it's now over $100 off at REI.

The Garmin Venu 3 was built with the wilderness in mind and is currently available for just $349.99. Its super-bright AMOLED display is encased in scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass and surrounded by a tough and durable stainless steel bezel to minimize damage in the wilderness.

Once you're on the trails, the Venu 3 tracks you're whereabouts and fitness with precision. It features a reliable GPS receiver, which former editor Cat Ellis tested in her review for Advnture.

"The Venu 3 never took more than five seconds to establish a lock, and was only 20m short when tracking my pre-measured 5km route," explained Cat.

Its wide variety of health trackers measures everything from hydration to jet lag, to help you get the most out of your workouts. The Venu 3 also features handy recovery tools like sleep coaching, so you can rest well after a lengthy run or hike.

"Sleep Coach doesn't just tell you how well you slept, it also gives you personalized advice on how long you should aim to sleep tonight, helping you decide whether you need to hit the hay early," said Cat, who gave the Venu 3 a coveted four-and-a-half-star rating.

This deal is officially available until June 16, while stocks last.

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Garmin Venu 3 deals where you are:

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Wedded to your Garmin ? We've got good news for you, as the smartwatch specialist has just dropped a huge new update for some of the best Garmin watches on the market, including the high-tech Fenix E, Fenix 8, Enduro 3, and Tactix 8.

After months of development, the latest update includes loads of new fitness features to test out in the wilderness. A new rucking activity allows you to stock your backpack with weight and head out for a tracked trek, while an added rep-counting feature means you can work out with clarity.

New breathing variations are another standout improvement. Garmin's respiration and breathwork features help you take control of your breathing and improve your overall health with handy breathwork exercises.

Along with the new features, Garmin's latest update aims to improve your smartwatch experience with scores of new updates, which tackle everything from dodgy music connections to malfunctioning workout pages.

New features and fixes

Look below for all the new features from the latest update.

Due to the huge amount of bug fixes available, we've opted to list some of our favorites, rather than every single one.

New features

• New breathing variations support
• New Rucking activity
• New option to add weights to a workout
• Rep-counting improvements
• New stage timer app
• New tips app
• Floors Climbed and Pulse Ox apps are now available on Morning Report
• New aerial navigation alerts

• New auto-pause setting in Motorsport activities
• New Golf notifications
• New Multisport category activity
• New sunrise and sunset data
• New Sail Expedition details
• New notification vibrations
• New 'View Run' option in Wake Sports
• New voice command for Applied Ballistics and Flying apps
• New voice command options
• New password support

Our favorite bug fixes

• Fixed activities missing from the History app
• Fixed issues with the Cardio workout page
• Fixed inaccessibility issues with maps
• Fixed crashes in the Navigation app
• Fixed crash when finishing a timer

• Fixed syncing issues with the Garmin Connect app
• Fixed Bluetooth connectivity and music issues
• Fixed incorrect data in the Bouldering and Indoor Climbing activities
• Fixed issue where calls could not be answered
• Fixed a bug that created an infinite side menu

How to get the update

You can download the latest update and access all the latest features with a few simple steps.

Just head to the menu on your Garmin device, select System, then Software Updates, and tap 'Check for Updates'.

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The big REI Anniversary sale is here, offering hundreds of dollars off great outdoor gear from trustworthy big-name brands like Merrell and Black Diamond.

Among a great selection of camping, climbing, and running deals, you can save plenty off some of the best Garmin sports watches, like the Forerunner 965 or Instinct 3, which are both down to just $499.

Our favorite Garmin deal takes $200 off one of its latest and greatest smartwatches, the exceptional Fenix 8, which is currently available for $899.99 at REI.

This high-tech smartwatch is built for tough adventures in the wilderness, with pinpoint health tracking. Its vibrant AMOLED sapphire display is encased in a fiber-reinforced polymer case and rugged titanium bezel to stop scratching and damage.

Once you're in the wilderness, its super-accurate GPS tracks your position with extreme precision, which thoroughly impressed our outdoors expert Julia Clarke in her review for Advnture.

"GPS was spot-on, giving me an alert if I veered off route, which I did once or twice to avoid boggy areas," she said.

Julia was also keen on the huge range of health monitors available on the Fenix 8. These trackers are designed to paint a vivid picture of your fitness, and measure everything from your heart rate to jet lag.

"As for training tools, there's practically an infinite suite now," said Julia, who was particularly keen on the VO2 Max, Hill Score, and Running Lactate Threshold features.

Got another Garmin on your mind? There are tons of great deals available right now in the REI Anniversary sale.

Not in the US? Look below for today's best Garmin Fenix 8 deals where you are:

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If your adventures take you into remote locations, there's one piece of gear that's even more important than the right hiking boots or waterproof jacket, and that's a satellite communicator.

These devices allow you to stay in touch and summon help in the backcountry when you don't have cell service, and right now, you can grab the gold-standard Garmin InReach Messenger for just $199.99 in REI's Memorial Day sale.

That's a gigantic 33% off the regular list price for this life-saving device, and we've never seen it cheaper, even on Amazon.

These devices have saved many hikers' and skiers' lives and have been used in over 10,000 successful rescue missions across the globe. Small, rugged and lightweight, this satellite communicator enables two-way text messaging using GPS technology, even in areas with no cell coverage.

You can even send two-way messages globally and easily text back and forth directly with friends via the Garmin Messenger app, no matter where you are in the world.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this page for the best Garmin InReach deals near you.

In order to use the InReach, you'll also need a subscription plan to send data. There are lots of options available, including annual plans if you're going to be traveling frequently, and shorter-term monthly plans if you're going camping or hiking on vacation, but don't need coverage all year round.

If you're not in the US, here are all the best Garmin InReach deals near you:

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If you're keen to get your hands on a high-quality smartwatch, the best Garmin watches are probably at the forefront of your mind, but there are plenty of other brands to choose from.

Alongside big names like Apple and Fitbit, Samsung's range of high-tech smartwatches aims to rival Garmin with plenty of sleek features and sports compatibility.

Both brands have a long history of crafting fitness wearables. Garmin GPS watches have been on the market since 1989, while Samsung released its first 'watch phone' a decade later.

Samsung watches are typically built for everyday use, while Garmin excels in sports performance and fitness tracking.

If you just can't choose between a Garmin or Samsung smartwatch, look below for all the key information to help you make the right decision.

The Verdict

Garmin and Samsung both produce high-tech smartwatch ranges, capable of tracking your health and performance in the wilderness. The model that's right for you depends on what you're going to be using your watch for.

Top-end Garmin devices are hard-core health trackers that monitor every aspect of your fitness to paint a vivid portrait of your overall health. If you're after a super-detailed tracker, which measures everything from your skin temperature to heart rate, then a well-rated Garmin watch like the Fenix 8 is the one for you.

Samsung, on the other hand, excels in handy everyday smartwatch features, like call, text, and email compatibility. Super-smart Samsung devices like the Galaxy Watch Ultra are still great fitness trackers, but don't offer the same in-depth analysis as the best Garmins.

Garmin devices are also generally extremely reliable in the field, whereas Samsung users have reported a few issues with key tracking features like GPS.

Price is another key area, and Samsung watches are generally cheaper. You can find the latest Ultra watch for $649.99 (£599.99) online, while a top-end Garmin is likely to cost $300 (£224) to $350 (£261) more.

Pros and cons

Both brands have strengths and weaknesses, which set them apart in different areas.

Garmin Pros

• Typically rugged and durable
• Long-lasting battery lives
• Reliable GPS tracking
• A wide variety of accurate fitness trackers
• Multiple training modes
• Some models can make and receive calls

Samsung Watch Pros

• Bright OLED and AMOLED displays
• Compatible with iPhone
• Competitive pricing
• Plenty of handy fitness features
• Long battery life

Garmin Cons

• High-end options are very pricey
• Susceptible to bugs and can occasionally crash
• Complex user interface

Samsung Watch Cons

• Some models are big and bulky
• Some models have GPS accuracy issues
• Some heart-rate tracking issues

Price

• Garmin is more expensive throughout the price range
• Samsung Galaxy has very cheap budget options

Top-of-the-range Garmin sports watches are far more expensive than their Samsung counterparts. The brand new Fenix 8 watch will set you back roughly $999 (£949.99) while Samsung's flagship model, the Galaxy Watch Ultra, costs $649.99 (£599.99).

While the $350 (£350) price discrepancy is certainly sizable, it seems about right considering the many more sports modes and health trackers available to Fenix 8 users.

Samsung's lifestyle-oriented model, the Galaxy Watch 7, is comparable in price to Garmin models like the Venu 3 and Venu 3S, which place a greater emphasis on everyday use rather than sports compatibility. You can find most of these watches for around $300 (£224) to $350 (£261).

At the bottom of the price range, budget Samsung devices like the Fit3 are far cheaper than the least expensive Garmin watches.

You can find a new Fit 3 watch on Amazon for about $50 (£37.28) while Garmin's dependable budget option, the Forerunner 55 is triple the price at around $150 (£118).

Like the top-end models, the Forerunner 55 has far more to offer than the Fit 3, but Samsung's ultra-budget wearable still has a great selection of sports modes and features for its generous price.

GPS

• Garmin wearables have accurate and dependable GPS
• Some Samsung models have GPS accuracy issues

Garmin watches are renowned for their excellent GPS tracking, offering an accurate, easily understandable picture of your whereabouts at all times. Most Garmin watches have GPS, and accuracy issues are rare, especially with top-end and mid-range models.

The latest Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra also has super-dependable GPS tracking, which our sister site T3 found to be just as reliable as the Garmin Forerunner 965 - a model designed for wilderness exploration.

There are, however, a few accuracy issues with other Samsung models like the Galaxy Watch 6 and 7, which have reportedly overestimated running distances in testing.

Health trackers and sports modes

• Garmin watches tend to have more advanced health trackers
• The Samsung Galaxy Ultra has a decent selection of functions for measuring wellbeing

Garmin's high-tech range of smartwatches leads the market in health tracking. Up and down the price range, Garmin devices measure a handy range of health metrics to paint a vivid portrait of your health and performance in the wilderness.

Top-of-the-range models like the Garmin Epix (Gen 2) track all manner of metrics from your hydration levels to jet lag, while budget options like the Forerunner 55 measure the essentials with accuracy and insight.

They also feature a diverse range of sports modes to help you train for myriad athletic pursuits.

Samsung watches don't boast the same pedigree, but still include useful health trackers and fitness insights.

The Samsung Galaxy Ultra watch is built for fitness fanatics and covers the basics well. Along with essential measurements like your heart rate and blood oxygen levels, there are a few unique trackers like the FDA-approved sleep apnea detector and ECG (Electrocardiogram) feature, which checks for heart rate and rhythm issues.

There's also an insightful energy score, akin to Garmin's body battery feature, which measures your tiredness and estimates when you can get back in action.

These health monitors are generally accurate and dependable.

Like Garmin models, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is great for training thanks to its diverse range of sports modes, which measure your performance with precision.

Ultimately, Samsung's top-end fitness-focused watch is a competitive health monitor, with a little less variety than the best Garmins and plenty of handy sports modes.

Other Samsung models, like the Galaxy Watch 7 and Fit 3, are less suited to exercise and include fewer fitness features than the Ultra.

As the Fit 3 is a basic, budget model, it only measures a few fitness metrics, like your daily activities, sleep, and heart rate.

Both brands boast useful smartwatch apps that show your fitness information and workout data. These easy-to-use apps can be downloaded to most smartphones.

Display and design

• Both Garmin and Samsung devices use AMOLED and OLED displays
• Both brands use the same sturdy glass
• Not all Garmin watches are touchscreen

Both Garmin and Samsung use bright and easily visible OLED and AMOLED displays. These screens offer a vivid, clear image that you can make out in pitch black or bright sunlight.

A few budget Garmin watches use MIP screen displays, which are still clear and visible but a little less shiny and high-tech. In comparison, the budget Samsung Fit3 uses an AMOLED display.

Not all Garmin devices are touchscreen, whereas all modern Samsung watches, even the budget Fit 3, are.

You can still access a wide range of features on non-touchscreen Garmin models, such as the Instinct 2 or Forerunner 255, but you'll need to use the buttons on the side.

The Samsung Galaxy 7, Galaxy Watch Ultra, and Fit 3 all feature the same Corning Gorilla Glass used in Garmin devices. This sturdy, scratch-resistant glass is designed to survive heavy wear and tear in tough environments.

Smartwatch features

• Both brands offer plenty of everyday features
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is built for everyday use

As they're designed for everyday use, watches from Samsung's Galaxy watch series, including the Galaxy Watch Ultra, feature a greater variety of smartwatch features than some fitness-focused Garmin models.

You can use the latest Galaxy Watch 7 to make and take phone calls, send and receive text messages, and access your emails. You can also control your watch using Samsung's voice assistant, Bixby, or download the Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa from the Google Play Store.

Garmin devices have a few similar smartwatch features, but generally prioritize health modes. Top-end models like the Venu 3 and Fenix 8 can make and receive phone calls, but only when paired with a compatible nearby phone, while text messages are chosen from a pre-determined selection.

Garmin devices throughout the price range can also connect to Bixby and other voice assistants like Google Assistant or Apple's Siri, depending on the phone your device is connected to.

Top-end and mid-range models from both brands can download and store music. They're also Bluetooth compatible, so you can connect your watch to a pair of headphones and listen on the go.

Battery life

• Some Garmin and Samsung devices have comparable battery lives
• The Galaxy Watch 7 falls well short of its Garmin counterparts

Adventure-oriented Samsung and Garmin devices like the Galaxy Watch Ultra or the Fenix 8 can last for days on end, especially when battery-consuming modes like GPS tracking are turned off.

Some Garmin devices can even run indefinitely due to a handy solar-charging feature. The Instinct 2 Solar edition, for example, needs just three hours of sunlight per day to achieve its 'unlimited' battery life.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra doesn't have solar-charging but will still last a long time, with up to 100 hours of battery life in smartwatch mode and 48 hours of working GPS tracking.

Samsung's budget Fit 3 device also has a decent battery life. Without the bells and whistles of its high-tech counterparts, this affordable fitness tracker usually lasts around 6 days, depending on its usage.

The battery life of Samsung's everyday smartwatch models isn't as dependable. The latest Galaxy Watch 7 lasts between 22 and 28 hours on one charge, which pales in comparison to similar devices.

Garmin's budget Forerunner 55, for example, has up to 20 hours of battery in GPS mode and can otherwise last for up to two weeks.

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Garmin Instinct 3 and Instinct E users can benefit from loads of new changes and fixes after the popular Instinct range got a fresh beta update.

Among multiple improvements, Instinct 3 and Instinct E users can access increased breathwork support, a new rucking activity, and improved GPS tracking.

Garmin's Instinct range is designed for outdoor adventure and constant use in the wilderness. Instinct models are well known for their super-accurate GPS tracking, long-lasting battery life, and rugged exterior.

We've been seriously impressed by Instinct models like the Garmin Instinct 2X, which running expert Michael Sawh described as "one of the most likeable and more unique watches in Garmin’s range", in his review for Advnture.

Updates for each model

There are a few different updates available for the solar, AMOLED, and MIP versions of the Instinct 3 and Instinct E. Below is a full list of all the changes for each.

All Instinct 3 and Instinct E models

• Support for the new Garmin Connect+ feature
• Passcode support
• Improved breathing variations
• Location support in weather
• Fixed daily summary freeze

Instinct Solar and Instinct E models only

• New daily workout suggestions in the workout app
• Fixed GPS tracking crash
• HR glance and history glance modes now accesible
• Fixed battery incorrectly showing as 'low'
• Fixed crashes when connecting and disconnecting to a computer
• Fixed calendar issue

Solar and AMOLED models only

• Added a new rucking workout activity
• Support for pack weight
• Improved and added to gaming modes
• Fixed race course issues
• Fixed jump rope activity issues
• Fixed PC connectivity issue
• Fixed golf distance issue

AMOLED models only

• New morning report animations
• Fixed water barometer inaccuracies
• Improved battery saver watch face
• Fixed flashlight controls issue
• Fixed pool swimming activity crashing
• Fixed body battery widget crash

How to get beta updates

To access these updates, you'll need to be enrolled in Garmin's public beta program, which allows users to access new features and updates before they're available to everyone.

To sign up, log in to your Garmin Connect account and install the beta software to your device. From then on, you'll receive Garmin's beta updates whenever they become available.

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Want to pay even more for Garmin's latest and greatest app features? We didn't think so, but you might soon be left without a choice as the smartwatch specialist confirmed it's considering additional paywalls, following the introduction of its AI Connect+ paid subscription service.

In a recent earnings call, CEO Cliff Pemble let slip that the company may reserve certain existing features "for premium offerings".

Pemble didn't specify which features were being targeted, but his latest comment is the clearest indication yet that Garmin intends to continue down the paywall path.

Garmin's Connect+ service launched in March to a mixed reception. For a monthly fee of $6.99 (£6.99) or an annual subscription of $69 (£69.99), subscribers can access Garmin's Active Intelligence AI, which sends personalised health insights and suggestions to their Garmin watch based on that day's fitness data.

While some welcomed the latest innovation, others were quick to point out the issues with an additional charge.

"We need to take a firm stand to stop this totally detrimental trend of subscriptions everywhere," said one user in a post with more than 11,000 upvotes on the Garmin Reddit page.

"We are already paying hundreds for watches that only last a few years because batteries are not replaceable."

The latest and greatest Garmin watches already leave a substantial hole in users' pockets. The new Fenix 8 model, for example, costs up to $1,099.99 (£949.99) on the Garmin website.

Despite the backlash, Pemble was mostly positive when asked about the Connect+ launch.

"I think we've been saying for a while that we are evaluating opportunities to have a premium offering on Garmin Connect," he said.

"The developments of AI and particularly around AI-based insights for our users was one of those things that we felt was important to recognize the value for the investment that it takes to do."

Alongside AI coaching, the Connect+ service entitles users to additional exercise videos and social perks on the Garmin Connect app.

The latest indication of extra fees comes as Garmin looks to bounce back from the impact of the Trump administration's tariffs policy, which Pemble expects will hit the brand to the tune of $100 million.

Garmin watches are primarily assembled in Taiwan, which currently faces a 10% tariff on imported goods, meaning that Garmin has to pay more in manufacturing costs.

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• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

Your next Garmin sports watch could cost a lot more after the best-selling brand took a beating from President Trump's tariff policy.

In a recent call with shareholders, CEO Clifton Pemble revealed that Trump's controversial economic strategy will cost Garmin an estimated $100 million in 2025, a sum it aims to recoup with 'mitigations'.

He didn't specify exactly what mitigations these would be, but it's possible they could include a price hike for Garmin's upcoming smartwatches.

"We are not ruling anything out, and we intend to be strategic and selective with these actions," said Pemble.

Any intention to raise prices is likely to become clear in the coming weeks with the impending release of the Forerunner 970.

Last week, we reported the leak of what appears to be Garmin's latest sports watch when eagle-eyed fanatics at Garmin Rumours spotted the Forerunner 970 listed in an Extended Warranty Campaign Application page on Garmin’s Taiwanese website.

This latest high-tech wearable is expected to debut Garmin's latest fitness tech, along with all the bells and whistles of current models.

The previous Forerunner model, the 965, cost $600 (£600) on release, 10% more than the Forerunner 955, which came before it.

What are tariffs?

Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods, which increase their price and aim to make domestically-sourced products more appealing.

On April 2, President Trump announced a 10% tariff on all US goods, along with additional, and in some cases, substantially higher, tariffs on products from 57 countries. One week later, after a drastic stock market reaction, he announced a 90-day pause on most additional tariffs, but kept the 10% blanket rate.

Garmin watches are primarily assembled in Taiwan, which initially faced a 32% tariff that's now at 10%.

The current $100 million cost estimate depends on Taiwan's tariffs staying as they are. Garmin will face even greater financial difficulty should they return to 32%.

“It's important to note that approximately 25% of our revenue is generated in the U.S. market from products manufactured outside of the US, primarily in Taiwan,” explained Pemble.

“Our assumptions include a 10% baseline tariff on all products manufactured outside of the U.S. including those manufactured in Taiwan.”

The effects of tariffs on the outdoors industry

Garmin isn't the outdoor brand affected by Trump's tariffs. Big names like Black Diamond and Columbia outsource manufacturing to Asian countries, including China, which is still suffering from a 145% tariff.

Facing massive charges, brands are often left with little choice but to raise their prices.

"These tariffs will raise costs for American manufacturers, retailers and families,” explains Kent Ebersole, president of America's Outdoor Industry Association (OIA).

“That’s going to slow growth, put pressure on small and mid-sized outdoor companies and could force some to close their doors. These tariffs also make it more difficult for global outdoor brands to operate in the US and maintain their American workforce."

Logistics expert Will Kogan told Advnture recently: "For US consumers, the effects of these price hikes are becoming increasingly apparent.

"For high-end brands like Yeti, this could impact demand, as consumers might start to opt for more affordable alternatives, especially in a time of economic uncertainty."

• The best Garmin watches: make the right choice for the sport you love
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

It's no longer news that the Garmin Forerunner is the most popular GPS watch on the planet – the only question that remains is which one will you choose? Today, you can pick up two of our favorite Forerunner models at their lowest price ever on Amazon.

The biggest discount is on the Garmin Forerunner 265, which is down to just $349.99 at Amazon. That's a healthy savings of 22% off the list price for this entry-level triathlon watch, and we haven't seen it this cheap in nearly six months.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is an excellent mid-range sports watch that's very similar to the 255, but with a couple of big upgrades. The most obvious is the bright and crisp AMOLED display, but it's also touch-sensitive. It lacks full maps, but does have excellent GPS. This deals applies to the 46mm watch face, as well as the 42mm solar model.

If it's full color mapping you want from your sports watch, the more advanced Garmin Forerunner 965 is down to just $499.99 on Amazon. That's 17% off this top-tier sports watch and the cheapest it's been since December.

The 965 is a premium GPS watch, with a stunning AMOLED display, advanced metrics and a long battery life.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965.

These two Forerunners are extremely similar to their predecessors, with the same training tools and everyday fitness tracking chops, but boast bright screens you can view in all conditions.

Both offer the extremely handy morning report, which helps prepare you for the day ahead, a race widget that helps you get ready for upcoming events, daily suggested workouts, and a training readiness score that lets you know what to expect from your body before you hit the pavement or trails.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965 where you are:

• The best Garmin watches: across the price range
• The best GPS watches: fetaure-packed timepieces

Whoops! Garmin may have just accidentally confirmed the latest sports watch in their beloved Forerunner range - and it's not the model you might be expecting.

On Tuesday, the eagle-eyed Garmin fanatics at Garmin Rumours spotted the Forerunner 970 listed in an Extended Warranty Campaign Application page on Garmin’s Taiwanese website.

The page, which was swiftly deleted, was designed to help Taiwanese Garmin lovers apply for an extended warranty with the supposedly incoming watch.

The leak doesn't officially confirm anything, but as noted by our sister site TechRadar: "the Forerunner 970 shows up as a brand, so there's no chance this is some kind of machine learning-induced translation of, say, the Forerunner 965."

This latest leak might come as something of a surprise to Garmin lovers, after months of rumours about a new Forerunner 975 watch.

In March, we reported on a newly registered device that had the potential to be the Forerunner 975, but ultimately wasn't.

If it's on the way, as this leak suggests, the Forerunner 970 would break from tradition to become the first '70' Forerunner watch. This clouds any prediction about new features, although it would likely include a similarly extensive range of health trackers and sports modes as the Forerunner 955.

It could also be the first Forerunner watch to feature Garmin's ECG heart monitoring app, after the American brand introduced its Elevate Gen5 optical HR sensor tech to Enduro, Fenix, and Venu watches in the UK and Switzerland earlier this month.

The ECG app uses sensors in your Garmin watch to track and record your heart's electrical activity, including its rate and rhythm. This creates an electrocardiogram (ECG) which can recognise dangerous heart problems like atrial fibrillation.

• The best Garmin watches: make the right choice for the sport you love
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

If you're in the market for a new smartwatch, you're probably considering one of the best Garmin watches, but there are plenty of other great brands to choose from.

Like Garmin, Apple's functional range of smartwatches is popular among athletes and everyday people alike. Their watches combine a sleek design with lots of handy features and fitness tracking. The first Apple watch launched in 2015, and multiple high-tech models have followed.

Garmin is the biggest name in sports watches. It's been crafting super-smart fitness wearables for twice as long as Apple and has established a stellar reputation. The Garmin range is designed to suit all manner of different athletes, incorporating scores of different sports modes and fitness tracking features.

On the fence about which watch to choose? Don't sweat it, as we've rounded up all the key information so you can make an informed decision.

The Verdict

Both brands boast a wide variety of well-rated GPS watches, featuring multiple sports modes, health trackers, and smartwatch functions. Despite their many similarities, Apple and Garmin devices have a few distinct strengths and weaknesses, which make them suitable for different users.

Garmin devices are hard-core, high-tech health trackers that monitor every aspect of your fitness to paint a vivid portrait of your well-being. Top-of-the-range models like the Fenix 8 measure everything from your skin temperature to jet lag, while budget models provide a decent array of health stats.

Apple watches track your fitness in a little less detail. There are still plenty of health monitors, but you don't get the same in-depth analysis as you do with high-end Garmins.

Instead, Apple watches provide a wide range of handy everyday features, like call and text compatibility and Siri voice assistant. Garmin devices typically have a good selection of smartwatch features, but not as many as Apple watches.

In short, Garmin watches are great sports watches with a good selection of smartwatch features, while Apple devices are great smartwatches with a good selection of sports features.

Both brands' budget and mid-range watches are priced similarly, while Garmin has the more expensive top-end models.

Pros and cons

Both brands have their various strengths and weaknesses, which set them apart in different areas.

Garmin Pros

• Typically rugged and durable
• Long-lasting battery lives
• Reliable GPS tracking
• A wide variety of accurate fitness trackers
• Multiple training modes
• Some models can make and receive calls

Apple Watch Pros

• Accurate GPS tracking
• Handy features for everyday use
• Bright OLED and AMOLED screens
• Multiple health trackers
• Useful companion app
• Emergency SOS
• Mostly durable

Garmin Cons

• High-end options are very pricey
• Susceptible to bugs and can occasionally crash
• Complex user interface

Apple Watch Cons

• Pricey high-end models
• Only compatible with an Iphone
• Comparatively short battery life
• Limited health trackers

Price

• Garmin's high-end models are more expensive
• Budget options are similar prices

Top-end Garmin sports watches are typically more expensive than Apple counterparts.

The new Fenix 8 will set you back up to $1,199.99 (£1,199.99), while a top-of-the-range Apple watch Ultra 2 costs $799 (£799).

Although both are powerful sports watches, the Fenix 8 offers more bang for your buck with a wider variety of health trackers and a battery life that puts the Ultra 2 to shame.

Prices are rather more similar at the budget end of both brands. The Apple Watch 10, which includes many of the same features as the rugged Ultra 2, retails for just $399 (£399), comparable to a slightly older Garmin like the Forerunner 955.

Budget options are also similarly priced. You can find the dependable Forerunner 55 for around $150 (£118). The Apple Watch 8, which has been on the scene for a few years, retails for $20 (£16) to $40 (£31) more.

GPS

• Both brands have reliable and accurate GPS

Garmin watches excel in GPS tracking, offering an accurate, easily understandable picture of your whereabouts at all times. Most models have the feature and record GPS activity without the need to use your phone.

GPS in the Apple watch range is also excellent; the latest models pick up your movements with ease and accurately track your position in the backcountry. In her review of the Ultra 2, former editor Cat Ellis described Apple's GPS tracking as "superb".

"The watch always established a GPS lock within a couple of seconds and showed no signs of GPS drift, regardless of tree cover, nearby high-rise buildings, and even tunnels," said Cat.

We've heaped similarly high-praise on Garmin models, especially top-end options like the Fenix 8 and Forerunner 965.

Health trackers and sports modes

• Garmin watches tend to have more advanced health monitors
• Apple offers a decent selection of trackers

Garmin devices typically offer a greater variety of in-depth health tracking features than Apple Watches, which often prioritize other areas.

In addition to basic measurements like your heart rate and sleep levels, top-end Garmin models like the Epix (Gen 2) track less common metrics like your hydration levels and jet lag.

These watches also feature a wide range of sports modes, which provide real-time information on your stamina and performance while you train.

Budget Garmin models don't offer as much insight, but still provide a useful and generally accurate image of your overall health, with a good selection of trackers.

Apple watches monitor your health in a little less detail than their Garmin counterparts, although they still offer a decent selection of trackers.

The top-of-the-range Ultra 2 watch monitors plenty of health metrics, including your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep, wrist temperature, and atrial fibrillation. There are fewer niche statistics than you'll find on a top-of-the-range Garmin, but the Ultra 2 still reflects your health with good accuracy.

As is the case with Garmin watches, Apple offers fewer health features the lower down the price range you go. Older models like the Apple Watch 8 or 9 offer a similar selection to budget Garmin watches and track an insightful selection of basic metrics, including your daily activity, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels.

Both brands display their fitness statistics on graphs and charts in easily understandable fitness apps. The Garmin Connect and Apple Activity apps both do an excellent job of storing and displaying your data so you can track your progress and up your game in the wilderness.

Display and design

• Both Garmin and Apple devices use AMOLED and OLED displays
• Garmin and Apple watches use different glass
• Not all Garmin watches are touchscreen

Both brands use bright and colorful OLED and AMOLED displays in their top-end and mid-range watches. These screens offer a vivid, clear image that's usually visible in bright sunshine.

A few budget Garmin watches use MIP screen displays, which are still clear and visible but a little less shiny and high-tech.

All Apple watches are touchscreen, while multiple budget and mid-range Garmin devices are not. You can still access a wide range of features on non-touchscreen Garmin models, such as the Instinct 2 or Forerunner 255, but you'll need to use the buttons on the side.

Garmin and Apple also use different glass frames. The majority of Garmin watches are protected by tough and scratch-resistant Corning gorilla glass, which is designed to survive heavy wear and tear in the backcountry.

Apple watches use either sapphire or Ion-X glass.

Like Corning gorilla glass, Ion-X is chemically strengthened; both provide a high level of durability and scratch proofing. Sapphire glass is still strong, but not as scratch-proof as Ion-X and Corning gorilla glass.

Smartwatch features

• Both brands offer plenty of everyday features
• Apple watches are built for everyday use
• Apple Watches are only compatible with IPhone

Apple Watches are generally better suited to everyday life due to their handy selection of smartwatch features. They can pair with your phone to take and make calls and send and receive texts, you can even check your emails with the mail app.

You can choose between cellular and non-cellular Apple Watch models. With the former, you can make a call from your watch, regardless of your phone's location.

Garmin has a few similar features but nothing comparable in quality. Top-end models like the Venu 3 and Fenix 8 can make and receive phone calls but only when paired with a compatible nearby phone.

A few Garmin models can also receive texts but can only reply with a pre-written message, which you can select from a list.

Apple Watch users can also access Siri, Apple's voice-controlled digital assistant, through their device.

Garmin devices throughout the price range can also connect to Siri and other voice assistants like Google Assistant or Bixby, depending on the phone your device is connected to.

The Apple Watch line is designed to work exclusively with IPhones. If you've got a Google Pixel or Android phone, for example, you'll be unable to connect, and your Apple Watch's capabilities will be severely limited.

Garmin doesn't have this issue and can connect to various devices, including IPhones.

Battery life

• Garmin watches have a far superior battery life

Garmin watches are miles ahead of their Apple counterparts when it comes to battery life. Adventure-oriented models can last for days on end, and some can technically go in indefinitely due to a handy solar-charging feature. The Instinct 2 Solar edition, for example, needs three hours of sunlight per day to achieve its 'unlimited' battery life.

The batteries on Apple devices, which generally aren't built for the same backcountry use as the Instinct 2, don't last anywhere near as long. The Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple's premium sports model, is good for up to 36 hours of normal usage and 72 hours in low-power mode.

Not all Garmin watches last as long as the Instinct 2, and battery lives dwindle as you go down the price range.

They also vary depending on what mode you're using. The Forerunner 255 lasts only 16 hours in activity mode, but can run for up to 16 days in smartwatch mode.

• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course
• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings

Over two decades in the industry, Garmin has forged a stellar reputation for crafting high-tech, reliable sports watches. Its wide range of fitness wearables caters to athletes keen to up their game and track their fitness.

The best Garmin watches feature a wide range of different health trackers and sports modes, as well as accurate GPS and a wide range of functional features.

Although top-of-the-range models like the Fenix 8 and Forerunner 955 have more to play with, budget Garmin watches like the Forerunner 55 can still paint an accurate and useful picture of your health and include plenty of sports modes to take advantage of.

Whatever model you've got on your wrist, chances are you'll be able to access Garmin's personalised training feature - Garmin Coach. This handy option uses your fitness data to craft a pinpoint training plan to make you faster, stronger, and fitter.

Read on for our guide to Garmin Coach: what it is, how you can access it, and how you can put it to good use.

What is Garmin Coach?

Garmin Coach is a personalized training tool that uses the health and fitness data recorded by your Garmin watch to craft tailor-made training plans. It works with your Garmin device to provide recommendations and routines to help you train and progress.

You can access the Garmin Coach feature on the Garmin Connect app or Garmin Express website. It works with all devices that are modern enough to connect.

How to access Garmin Coach

You can access Garmin Coach by synching your Garmin sports watch with the Garmin Connect app or Garmin Express website. Once in-sync, you can send a personalized training plan from the app or website to your Garmin watch and start training.

Although this might sound simple, there are a few steps you'll need to take to sync your devices and access your training plans. They are as follows:

The Garmin Connect app

• Download and open the Garmin Connect app.
• Log in or create a Garmin account.
• Once your device is synced, select 'More' in the bottom right.
• Select 'Training and Plans'.
• Select 'Garmin Coach Plans'.
• Select a training plan under 'Find a Plan'.
• Sync your device by selecting 'Add Device' and following the on-screen instructions.

The Garmin website

• Head to the Garmin Express website and log in or create an account.
• Select 'Training and Plans' from the left side menu.
• Select 'Garmin Coach Plans'.
• Choose a plan and select 'Set up Plan'.
• Sync your device by connecting your Garmin to your computer using a Garmin branded charging cable, selecting 'Add Device' and following the on-screen instructions.

How to use Garmin Coach

Garmin Coach is designed to give you the tools to train for whatever goal you're striving to achieve, so there are lots of different options to explore.

Once you're in, you can choose from strength, running, or cycling coaching. You'll then be prompted to input your fitness goals, training preferences, and other crucial information that Garmin needs to craft your plan.

You'll also be asked to select a coach from three experts. Although they won't be prescribing it themselves, your plan will follow your chosen coach's training style and techniques.

For example, if you're looking for a running regime, Olympian Jeff Galloway's plan emphasizes injury prevention by mixing running and walking. Then there's physical therapist and running expert Amy Parkerson-Mitchell, who prefers gradual running and cross-training. Finally, there's running coach and physiologist Greg McMillan, whose pace-based plans focus on physiology and performance prediction.

With your plan ready, you're free to start training.

Each day, you'll receive tailored workouts to suit your goals. While you're exercising, Garmin's various health trackers will measure your progress to determine the intensity of your coming workouts. Garmin Coach will also plan rest days and suggest different activities to suit your goals.

This approach aims to get the most out of your training by pushing you towards your goals without burning you out along the way.

It's also flexible. If you miss a workout, Garmin Coach will adjust the following workouts accordingly so you can stay on track with your goals.

Plans differ greatly depending on your goals and chosen discipline. Running plans can work towards different goals, like an upcoming race, new PB, or longest distance.

If you're targeting a race, the workout plan will build in intensity in the weeks prior and tail off just before to make sure you've got as much energy as possible on race day.

Alongside target times and distances, Garmin Coach incorporates drills designed to improve your form. For example, a running plan might give you a target cadence or tempo to aim for while running.

The Cycling Coach and Strength Coach features are similarly tailored to your fitness goals, creating a workout plan that builds in intensity towards a target of your choosing.

Strength Coach offers a variety of plans to help you bulk up and build muscle at your own pace. These plans suggest different strength-based exercises and gym routines.

Unlike the Run Coach and Cycling Coach features, Strength Coach is only available on a limited number of devices. You can't access the Strength Coach feature on older and often cheaper Garmin devices like the Forerunner 55 or Fenix 7.

• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

Polar sports watch wearers can now sign up for a paid subscription plan, weeks after Garmin put up a similar paywall with its new Connect+ service.

Like Connect+, Polar's new fitness program uses your health data to design a customizable and adaptive training schedule tailored to your individual goals and availability that you can use with Polar watches like the Vantage V3. Although there's no mention of artificial intelligence in any press release, our sister site TechRadar reports that AI is being used on some level to personalize the training experience.

Users can also benefit from weekly and monthly "rewards" to motivate their progress, although it's unclear exactly what this means.

The new subscription-based programme is available as an addition to the Polar Flow training app. It'll set you back $11 (£8.50) per month.

Despite the launch of the new programme, Polar is adamant that the Polar Flow app and its pre-existing features will remain free, and users can still "fully enjoy" their Polar sports watch without the add-on.

"The new Fitness Program does not affect the development of other Polar services in any way," a Polar spokesperson confirmed to TechRadar.

The new Polar launch comes weeks after Garmin announced its own paid subscription service. Connect+ charges users $6.99 (£6.99) a month, or $69 (£69) annually, to access the new Active Intelligence AI, which sends personalized health insights and suggestions to your Garmin watch based on that day's fitness data.

You'll also receive training benefits like a performance dashboard, sharable tracking data, and expert educational videos that aren't available to other Garmin Connect users.

Here at Advnture, we've reviewed multiple Polar watches and been consistently impressed with their wide variety of insightful health trackers and bright AMOLED displays.

The Polar Vantage V3 was one of our favorite GPS watches of 2024 and received a coveted four-and-a-half star rating in our review.

• The best running watches: tech to help you outpace your PB
• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings

There's no denying that Garmin watches offer all the best tech for training and tracking your outdoor activities, but some of them are simply too big for many wrists. That's why the brand has created some more compact versions of its popular models, like the compact Garmin Instinct 2S Solar, which you can pick up for just $214 at Amazon right now. That's an unbelievable 46% off the list price for this rugged smartwatch, which we've only ever seen cheaper once before.

The Garmin Instinct 2S Solar has a more modest 40mm face, but don't let its petite build fool you. This GPS smartwatch is water-rated to 100 meters and thermal- and shock-resistant with a fiber-reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass.

With solar charging, you can go longer than ever with up to 51 days in smartwatch mode in three hours of direct sunlight and up to 28 hours in GPS mode.

This feature-packed watch helps you track your adventures with a built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter, plus multiple GPS systems.

This deal applies to the Garmin Instinct 2S Solar 40mm in the Graphite colorway but it's a limited-time deal, so suggest you jump if you want it.

If you're not in the US, scroll down for today's best deals on the Garmin Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S where you are.

Whether you're training or just want to understand your body better, you can benefit from all-day health monitoring features that track your heart rate, sleep, Pulse Ox, respiration and more.

If you're not in the US, here are the best deals on the Garmin Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S where you are, with prices updated daily:

• The best Garmin watches: across the price range
• The best budget GPS watches: log your adventures without breaking the bank

• The best Garmin watches: all the latest models tested and rated

A new player in the sports watch game wants to blow Garmin and Apple out of the water with its new repairable watch.

The all-new Una Watch aims to combat the costly model of big-name sports watch brands like Garmin and Apple, which limit the latest features to new devices.

Instead, the Una Watch features replaceable components that can be repaired, swapped out, or upgraded, so you can extend its lifetime and get the latest features without forking out for a new watch.

“Customers are tired of replacing expensive tech every few years. We’re showing the industry there’s a better way," said CEO and founder Lewis Allison in a statement.

The watch will launch in August 2025 after a successful crowd-funding campaign and plenty of investment. Last week, the Una Watch Kickstarter campaign raised over $255,000 (£200,000) in just two days as over a thousand supporters backed the project.

The Una Watch boasts multiple GPS features and health trackers to rival the budget and mid-range models of their competitors.

On launch, you'll be able to track the following health metrics:

• Current heart rate
• Average heart rate
• Resting heart rate
• Sp02 max
• Daily steps
• Daily floors climbed
• Daily activity minutes

You can also connect your phone to receive notifications and play music, and take advantage of post-activity metrics like your average pace and route map.

You can pre-order the Una watch for $275 (£210) by pledging on the Una Watch Kickstarter. It will retail for $350 (£260) upon release.

• The best running watches: tech to help you outpace your PB
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

Garmin has unveiled its latest smartwatch drop, and it sounds like it's going to make mornings a whole lot better.

The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is available for order on April 4, offering a brighter display and better running insights than its predecessor plus a new "smart wake alarm" that's making its Garmin debut.

Priced at $299.99 / £279.99 the Vivoactive 6 continues to sit comfortably in the moderately-priced GPS watch market and in terms of features, it looks like it's still going after the crowd who love the functionality of an Apple Watch but don't want to have to charge their watch every day.

Though it has an even brighter AMOLED display than the 5, the Vivoactive 6 still boasts up to 11 days of battery life and users can access Garmin’s advanced Running Dynamics metrics, which wasn't possible with the previous edition. That means you can view your Body Battery, HRV status and Pulse Ox, track your monthly cycle, take advantage of Garmin's Sleep Coach and reduce stress with the Meditation Coach.

However, it's the smart wake alarm that we're most curious about. According to the official press release, this is a new tool never seen in any other Garmin watch that looks at lighter sleep stages during a pre-selected window of time to gently rouse you awake with a light vibration.

“No matter your fitness goals, vívoactive 6 is designed to help you understand your body better than ever before," says Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing.

We haven't got our hands on the watch yet, but we're guessing this means you get woken up at the most optimal time for your physiology, so you can tell that to your boss when they ask why you're late for work. Speaking of mornings, you can also customize your morning report now too.

The Vivoactive 6 looks a lot like the last model, with an aluminum bezel and silicone band. It comes in Black/Slate, Bone/Lunar Gold, Jasper Green and Pink Dawn and will be available to order on Garmin.com on April 4 for $299.99 / £279.99.

• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings
• The best Garmin watches: make the right choice for the sport you love

With warmer weather right around the corner, now is the perfect time to up your fitness game and hit the trails. The best GPS watches will help you do just that, tracking your movements and fitness to help you boost your performance.

If you're in the market for a high-tech health tracker, check out this super-smart, half-price Garmin. The Epix (Gen 2) sports watch is currently available for just £324.99 at H.Samuel.

Boasting 24/7 health monitoring and a handy smart notifications feature, this Garmin watch seeks to keep you in touch with your fitness at all times. Its 1.3in always-on AMOLED display is crystal clear in bright sunshine and encased in tough fiber-reinforced polymer.

In our guide to the best Garmin watches, we ranked the Epix (Gen 2) as our favorite watch for the gym, but it's got plenty of features that will help you along the trails.

"It offers a huge range of activity tracking options for indoor and outdoor sports, and has all the training tools you'd expect from a premium Garmin watch," said former editor Cat Ellis.

"If you want to explore a new area, the Epix (Gen 2) is one of the best watches for the task, showing roads, trails, and paths in excellent detail."

Check out Amazon's epic Spring Sale for great models at reduced prices. We've rounded up the best deals in our expert guide.

Not in the UK? Not to worry!

We've sorted the best daily deals on Garmin Epix (Gen 2) watches where you are.

• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings
• The best running watches: tech to help you outpace your PB

Garmin users can now access personalised AI performance data, expanded tracking and several other handy features - but it comes at a price.

The new Garmin Connect+ service expands Garmin's Connect smartphone app with new paid features designed to personalise and improve health and performance data.

For a monthly fee of $6.99 (£6.99) or an annual subscription of $69 (£69.99), you can access the new Active Intelligence AI, which sends personalised health insights and suggestions to your Garmin watch based on that day's fitness data. The more you use Active Intelligence, the more personalised its suggestions become.

You'll also receive additional training benefits like a performance dashboard, sharable tracking data, and expert educational videos.

You can also unlock exclusive badges on your Connect social profile for completing fitness challenges, like recording 1,640ft (500m) of total ascent during a month of running.

"Customers worldwide love using Garmin Connect to track, analyse and share their health and fitness activities," said Susan Lynman, Garmin's Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing.

"We are excited to provide even more personalised data and enriched features with the addition of Garmin Connect+. You can now learn even more about yourself, take on new challenges, train confidently and stay even more connected.”

If you want to try Connect+ without splashing the cash, you can access a 30-day free trial on Garmin's Connect app.

• The best running watches: tech to help you outpace your PB
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

If you've been pondering purchasing one of the best Garmin watches, chances are you will also have considered other brands.

Garmin and Fitbit are two heavyweights of the fitness wearables world. Both have been around for a while and aim to bolster your performance with a wide array of health and fitness monitors.

Garmin has more than two decades of experience crafting reliable sports watches. In that time, their trademark fitness wearables have incorporated more and more technology.

Fitbit's range of fitness wearables is focused on performance. Each model tracks multiple crucial health metrics to paint a clear image of your health and well-being.

In 2021, Fitbit was taken over by Google, which ceased the production of all new Fitbit devices and instead focused on the Google Pixel watch line. Internal support for Fitbits has dwindled, while Google Pixel watches have thrived. We'll be considering the new Pixel 3 model alongside old Fitbits.

Both Garmin and Fitbit offer a wide range of different models, suitable for all manner of athletes and available at several different price points.

If you're not sure which watch to choose, we've rounded up all the key information to help you make a decision.

The Verdict

Although they fall into similar categories, Garmin and Fitbit devices generally suit different needs. Ultimately, it comes down to detail and price.

Garmin GPS watches are high-tech health trackers that monitor every aspect of your fitness to paint a vivid portrait of your well-being. They're very functional, featuring multiple sports modes and accurate GPS tracking to help put that data to good use.

Fitbit wearables also track your health but generally do so in less detail. Many models don't feature the high-tech GPS or sports modes of their Garmin counterparts. However, they're considerably cheaper and usually good value for money.

If you want to track every inch of your health and training, a good Garmin watch is the one for you. While high-end Fitbit devices like the Versa 3 and Google Pixel 3, can almost live up to this, generally the range is aimed at simpler requirements.

Mid-range and budget Fitbits are cheap and easy-to-use fitness trackers that do their job well without the bells and whistles of their Garmin counterparts.

Pros and cons

Both brands have their various strengths and weaknesses, which set them apart in different areas.

Garmin Pros

• Typically rugged and durable
• Long-lasting battery lives
• Reliable GPS tracking
• A wide variety of accurate fitness trackers
• Multiple training modes
• Some models can make and receive calls

Fitbit Pros

• Solid selection of accurate health and fitness trackers
• A variety of affordable budget options
• Generally easy to use with a simple user interface
• Some models have GPS

Garmin cons

• High-end options are very pricey
• Susceptible to bugs and can occasionally crash
• Complex user interface

Fitbit cons

• Don't offer the same in-depth statistics as Garmin devices
• Many devices aren't supported by Google
• Not compatible with iPhones
• No new Fitbit models

Price

• Garmin watches tend to be more expensive
• Fitbit offers a greater selection of budget options

Garmin watches are generally more expensive than Fitbit devices.

Top-end Garmin models like the new Fenix 8 will set you back up to $1,199.99 (£1,199.99). For that price, you'll receive super-accurate GPS, a wide range of sports modes, insightful health monitors, and much more.

Fitbit's top-of-the-range models are drastically cheaper. The super-smart Fitbit Sense 2 is now available for just $199.95 (£219.99). Google's flagship Google Pixel 3 watch is also comparatively cheaper, retailing for just $339.99 (£349) in its largest 45mm size.

This trend repeats itself throughout the Garmin and Fitbit ranges. Whether you're comparing top-end, mid-range, or budget watches, Fitbit always comes up cheaper.

You can find a budget Fitbit device like the Inspire 3 for less than $70 (£54) on Backcountry or Amazon, but you'll need to fork out upwards of $140 (£109) for a wallet-friendly Garmin like the Forerunner 55.

That said, a budget Garmin gives you far more bang for your buck, with many more features than a low-end Fitbit.

GPS

• Most Garmin's feature accurate GPS tracking
• Not all Fitbits have GPS

Garmin watches excel in GPS tracking, offering an accurate, easily understandable picture of your whereabouts at all times. Most models have the feature and record GPS activity without the need to use your phone.

Due to their origins as pedometers, not all Fitbit devices feature GPS tracking, and some require your phone's GPS sensors to map your route when you're exercising outdoors.

A few Fitbit models, like the Versa 3 and Google Pixel 3, have built-in GPS tracking, which is easily accessible and generally accurate, according to reviews from our sister site TechRadar.

Health trackers and sports modes

• Garmin watches tend to have more advanced health monitors
• Fitbit offers a decent selection of easy-to-understand trackers

Garmin watches typically offer a greater variety of in-depth health tracking features than Fitbits, which paint a simpler picture of your overall health with a few easy-to-understand fitness metrics.

Alongside standard health measurements like your heart rate and sleep levels, top-end Garmin models like the Epix (Gen 2) record less common statistics like your hydration levels and jet lag.

The Epix (Gen 2) also includes a wide range of sports modes. These keep you updated while training with real-time information on your stamina, performance, and more.

Budget Garmin models don't go into as much depth but still offer an insightful and generally accurate image of your overall health with a decent selection of trackers.

Fitbit devices generally track fewer health metrics than their Garmin counterparts, but top-end models still offer a decent selection. The Fitbit Versa 3 accurately tracks multiple fitness metrics, including your steps, heart rate, calories burned, sleep, and blood oxygen levels.

The Google Pixel 3 also includes a good selection of trackers and sports modes. Features like the tempo and cadence monitors keep track of your run and help you smash your personal best.

Cheaper Fitbit devices monitor less. The Inspire 3 monitors your heart rate, steps, calories, Active Zone Minutes, stress, SpO2, and sleep - less than top-end Fitbits and most Garmin watches but an excellent selection for its price tag of just $70 (£54).

Display and watchface

• Both Garmin and Fitbit devices use AMOLED and OLED displays
• Some Garmin watches offer greater screen protection

Garmin and Fitbit are relatively similar when it comes to displays and watchfaces.

Both use AMOLED, OLED, and MIP displays in their different devices. Top-of-the-range devices use ultra-bright and colorful AMOLED displays, which remain visible even in the brightest sunshine.

Some models, like the Garmin Forerunner 955 and Google Pixel 3 are touchscreen and can be controlled by simply swiping your finger.

Most Garmin and Fitbit devices are protected by the same corning gorilla glass, a tough, scratch-resistant glass designed to survive heavy wear in the wilderness.

Smartwatch features

• Budget Fitbit devices lack the smartwatch features of most Garmin watches
• Google Pixel 3 is built for everyday use

Top-end Garmin and Fitbit models both include multiple smartwatch features that are handy for everyday use.

High-end Garmin models like the Fenix 8 and Venu 3 allow you to make and receive phone calls as long as your phone is nearby and connected by Bluetooth. Both of these watches are voice-activated and feature many more handy smartwatch features like notifications, ample storage, and Garmin Pay.

The Google Pixel 3 features many of the same useful lifestyle features. It's voice-activated, connects to Bluetooth, and uses Google Pay for contactless payments.

But there's a catch: the Google Pixel 3 watch will only pair with Android or Google phones. So, you can't make or receive calls, get notifications, or access multiple other functions if you have an iPhone.

The Fitbit Versa 3 doesn't have this issue but faces other limitations. It can pair with your iPhone to receive calls and texts but doesn't allow you to make outgoing calls.

Budget Fitbit models are fitness-focused, and do away with most smartwatch options altogether.

• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

You can find a round up of some of the other top Garmin deals in Amazon's Big Spring Sale 2025 here. We'll be updating it regularly between now and March 31 so that you don't miss out on the best offers.

Tired of recharging your GPS watch? With this rugged Garmin, you won't have to. When exposed to ample sunlight, the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar will remain indefinitely charged, so you don't have to worry about running out of juice in the wilderness.

What's more, the Instinct 2X Solar is now available for $289 in Amazon's Spring Sale in Amazon's spring sale. a whopping 36% off

Alongside its smart solar charging, this high-tech Garmin watch is a rugged and durable model with plenty of features for exploring the backcountry and hitting the trails. Its clear MIP display is encased in a tough polymer case, tested to military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance.

You can also stay on top of your fitness with various health trackers and built-in sports apps that measure your performance while you run, hike, bike, and more.

In his review for Advnture, fitness tech expert Michael Sawh was particularly impressed by this watch's wide range of accurate health trackers.

"When it’s time to get tracking, everything from hiking, climbing, bouldering, kayaking, and skiing is covered here," said Michael.

Not in the US? Look below for today's best deals on the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch where you are:

Hungry for more deals? Check out our round-up of the best Garmin offers in Amazon's price-slashing spring sale.

• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course
• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings

You can find a round up of some of the other top Garmin deals in Amazon's spring sale 2025 here. We'll be updating it regularly between now and March 31 so that you don't miss out on the best offers.

Amazon's spring sale is here, slashing prices on thousands of products, including some of the best Garmin watches. Alongside loads of great deals, we've found the Garmin Forerunner 955 available for just $349.99 - $150 off its normal list price.

This high-end model is the perfect companion for multi-sport athletes who want to improve their performance, thanks to its wide variety of training modes and insightful health monitors. It's well-suited to long adventures in the wilderness, with up to 15 days of battery life, a fiber-reinforced polymer case, and a rugged corning gorilla glass lens.

In her review for Advnture, former editor Cat Ellis was immensely impressed by this super-smart Garmin, calling it "a top-tier multi-sports watch that's solidly built and packed with the best location-tracking tech and biometric sensors Garmin currently has to offer".

Cat was particularly keen on the Forerunner 955's accurate GPS, which tracked her movements with pinpoint accuracy on the trails.

"It establishes a lock extremely quickly, even in built-up areas where many devices tend to struggle, and my pre-measured 10km route was tracked to within a couple of meters," she said.

The ultra-bright touchscreen AMOLED display also deserves a mention. It remains visible on super-bright sunny days and offers a colorful, vivid picture.

Not in the US? Look below for today's best deals on the Garmin Forerunner 955 where you are:

• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course
• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings

Amazon's 2025 Spring sale is almost over! But you can still save hundreds of dollars on some of the best Garmin watches available before it ends on April 1.

There are loads of savings to be made, but don't waste time scrolling - we've collected all the top offers right here.

Can't find what you're looking for? Scroll to the bottom of this page for a collection of today's best deals on a wide range of Garmin watches. You can also check out our expert guides to the best GPS watches and the best cheap GPS watches.

And if you'd rather browse the sale for yourself, you can check out all the Garmin deals at Amazon right now here.

US deals

Alongside Amazon's spring sale, you can look below for the other retailers offering money off Garmin watches.

US links

• Amazon: today's savings on Garmin tech
• Best Buy: up to $100 off Garmin watches
• Dick's Sporting Goods: this week's big Garmin deals
• Garmin: up to hundreds off selected items
• REI: cheap Forerunner and Instinct watches

UK deals

Look here for all of today's best deals in the UK. Get yourself a well-rated Garmin watch from retailers like Amazon, Currys, and more.

UK links

• Amazon: Garmin offers updated daily
• Garmin: Deals on the Garmin Lily 2, Vivomove and Vivosmart
• Very: Recent offers on Garmin watches

More deals

If you're in the market for a new Garmin watch, here are today's best deals on some of their best-selling models, wherever you are.

These prices are updated daily, so you can be sure to snag a bargain.

• The best Garmin watches: the latest models tested and ranked

Over several decades, Garmin has forged a well-earned reputation for producing high-performance GPS watches.

But despite Garmin's stellar reputation, things can sometimes go wrong. Even the best Garmin watch can occasionally crash, or find itself plagued by troublesome bugs.

Occasionally, you may need to reset your Garmin watch to get it back in working order.

However, resetting your Garmin is a little trickier than you might think. There are multiple reset options, each with a different purpose. What's more, resetting isn't always the answer, and can even get rid of precious data that you don't want to lose.

So, read on for our guide to how, why, and when to reset your Garmin watch.

When to reset your Garmin

Generally, Garmin does not recommend resetting your Garmin watch, but there are a few instances when it may be necessary.

• The watch does not receive a satellite signal - Garmin watches rely on satellite signals to track your movements and activate vital GPS features. Without a signal, you won't be able to use many of Garmin's key features, hence a reset is necessary.
• To restore default factory settings - Resetting is the only way to restore your Garmin to its original factory settings, as it was before you got your hands on it.

• The watch is in the wrong language - Garmin watches are sold across the globe, so models include multiple different language options. If you're Garmin is stuck in the wrong language, you'll need to change it by resetting.
• The watch is frozen or not responding - This is the most common, and perhaps most pressing issue that requires a reset. Your Garmin watch can freeze due to an individual bug or range-wide issue that affects multiple models. In January 2025, users across the globe were forced to reset their Garmin watches following a global crash.

Read on for the lowdown on which reset to use and how to do it.

How to reset your Garmin: which button is which

To reset your Garmin watch, you'll need to press a combination of several buttons at a time. They are as follows:

1. Light 2. Up / Menu 3. Down 4. Start / Stop 5. Back

Resetting your Garmin: Hard reset

A hard reset is recommended if your watch is frozen, not responding, or cannot connect to your phone. This reset will not delete any of your data.

• Hold the light button until the watch face goes blank (this may take up to 30 seconds)
• Release the light button
• Press the light button to turn the watch on again

Resetting your Garmin: Default settings reset

You'll need to perform this reset if you want to reset your watch to its original factory settings. This will delete personal records and information including your profile and health records.

• Hold the light button until the watch face goes blank (this may take up to 30 seconds)
• Press and hold the back button
• Turn on your Garmin with the light button while continuing to hold the back button
• Release the back button when the 'Reset to default settings?' message appears
• Press yes

Resetting your Garmin: Delete data reset

This reset will completely clear all of your settings and data, including your profile, health records, preferences, and more.

• Hold the up / menu button
• Scroll to settings
• Press system
• Press reset
• Press delete data and reset settings
• If prompted, press the down button, and press continue
• Select yes to begin the reset

Resetting your Garmin: Unprompted reset

Try this reset if you're unable to perform a delete data reset. It will clear all the same data and records.

• Hold the light button until the watch face goes blank (this may take up to 30 seconds)
• Press and hold the back and start / stop buttons at the same time
• Press the light button while holding the back and start / stop buttons
• Release the start / stop button after you hear a beep
• Release the light and back buttons once you hear a second beep

Here at Advnture, we're experts on all things Garmin. We review their GPS watches and keep you up to date on the latest Garmin news, releases, and updates.

Check out our ranking of the best Garmin watches here.

• The best cheap GPS watches: log your adventures without depleting your savings
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

Garmin Fenix 8: first impressions 

The Fenix 8 was one of the most eagerly anticipated drops in Garmin watch history when it finally landed last summer, and that says a lot about the success of its predecessor. The Fenix 7 is already a top-tier GPS watch with tremendous battery life and great training tools for trail runners, and the Fenix 8 has taken that winning formula and added more navigation tools, the option of a crystal clear AMOLED display, voice commands and more smartwatch functions like the ability to take and make phone calls.

There are tons of options to pick from with this rugged watch that's purposely built to withstand the grime and bashing of your outdoor adventures. Choose between a 43mm, 47mm or 51mm case size and a bright AMOLED display or solar option which doesn't have as bright a display. There's also the Fenix E which has the AMOLED display but a stainless steel case and is missing a few of the features, such as the flashlight and dive buttons.

In design, this watch looks a lot like the 7, with five buttons to operate it: a Start/Stop and Back button on one side and Up, Down and Options on the other. It's a high profile watch, and by that we mean pretty bulky – enough that you'll find it annoying to wear with long sleeves.

As for features, there are so many it's hard to know what to talk about, so let's start with what's new. Both the heart rate sensor and GPS tracking have been updated for improved accuracy, and Dynamic Routing means backcountry runners and hikers can now access really nifty functions like being guided back to your starting point.

If you're following a preloaded route, the topographical maps are brilliantly clear, even on the smallest case, though we did find we sometimes had to open the Garmin Connect app to get it to refresh. Once you're out on the trail, the GPS is super sharp and responsive if you get off route.

If aquatic adventures are more your thing, the case is 40-meter dive-rated and has leakproof metal buttons and support for scuba and apnea dive activities, all tested to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance.

Almost no matter what you're doing and how cold your hands are, it's easy to operate between the responsive touchscreen and voice commands and the interface is really intuitive for a watch that has so many options.

The battery life is said to be improved, with the official specs claiming up to 21 days in smartwatch mode (28 days with solar) and 67 hours in GPS only. Crucially though, it offers up to 48 hours if you're using it in All Satellite Mode which means greater accuracy but a faster drain on your battery, and it does have an energy saving mode. In our field tests, we had to charge it every five or six days when using it to track a run, hike, swim or yoga for typically at least 90 minutes a day.

There's a whole suite of data and performance tools you can pull from this watch, such as Training Readiness Score, Race Predictor, Running Lactate Threshold, Body Battery, Abnormal Heart Rate Alerts and of course, VO2 Max. It's impossible that you could ever use them all unless it's your full-time job, but also unlikely that you'll ever think of something it doesn't have.

The flashlight is the same as on the Fenix 7, operated by the double click of the Options button, and it's still one of the best features. It's bright enough for night running, plus the red light mode is just brilliant for not blinding your run club friends and getting dressed in the dark without annoying your partner.

All in, this is one of Garmin's best watches yet and a fun toy for those who love the outdoors with some excellent training tools, but there's no denying that many people will be priced out of this one. You're unlikely to not have a lot of fun with it, but it remains to be seen whether there's a a big enough market for those who want a truly rugged watch like this with so many smartwatch functions.

Garmin Fenix 8: in the field 

I gave Garmin Fenix 8 an initial three-week test during which time I used it for six trail runs (two in remote mountainous terrain), one road run, three hikes, two pool swims and nine yoga classes.

I then wore it on my trek to Everest Base Camp, and more recently on a five-day thru-hike in the Lake District National Park.

I've been wearing it on my right wrist and my Coros Pace 3 on my left wrist to see how the two compare in terms of metrics.

Here’s how it performed:

Design

I tested the 43mm case, which is the smallest size, but it is still surprisingly high profile. It's a big, bulky watch and takes up my entire wrist. I'm on the small side, sure, but not tiny so if you have more of a birdlike physique, I don't think you can wear this watch (try the Fenix 7S instead).

For the first couple of days I found I had a slight bruise on my wrist bone from wearing it. I got used to that, but I do find that this watch is a little awkward to wear and I wouldn't be able to sleep with it on, so I'm missing out on some of the training tools.

I've been testing it during winter, so when I'm trail running and hiking I typically have multiple layers on, all with long sleeves. The size of this watch means that clothes are both difficult to get on and off when wearing it, and also that it's exceptionally difficult to pull up my sleeve to check the map. For that reason, I've mostly resorted to pulling all my sleeves up over it and hiking or running with a cold right hand. I'm sure it's great for people who run in T-shirts in summer.

The flip side of that is that it's a really robust build. Not only can it withstand being dropped and bashed around, I don't find myself accidentally pressing buttons and pausing it when wrestling with my sleeves.

Features

This watch is brimming with features, having taken all the best ones from the rugged Fenix line and added more smartwatch features, so I'll just focus on the new ones and the ones I used the most. The GPS has been updated and had some new functions added, so as a mountain runner and hiker I was most excited to explore these.

I started off with the Back to Start function, which I think is genius for people like me who quite like to just hare off into the hills without a plan. To be on the safe side, I used it in a huge, meandering country park where I never seem to be able to create the same running route twice, but was sure I wouldn't end up too lost. Instead of trying to figure out my route or memorize my return, I just ran until I reached about 4k, then hit Back to Start and followed my watch the way I came. It's so easy.

The other big new update is the dive function, but since I'm not a diver I haven't been able to test this. That said, I did make sure to get into the pool for a couple of 1,000m swims and I noticed that the homescreen cycles through different data, so it wasn't always easy to see how far I'd swum without stopping. Ordinarily, I like to just swim without counting and check my watch every so often to see how far I've done. There may be a way to edit this, but it seems obvious to me that it should be a default. I noticed that when I finished, it prompted me to make sure I drained the speaker of water, which I thought was smart.

The voice command works great and means that I can just double press the Options button and say "start trail running" rather than having to scroll through the menu. I also found I really liked the touchscreen, something I had disabled on my Coros.

I'm not so interested in the smartwatch functions so I can't say I spent a lot of time taking phone calls on my watch, though I tested it out for journalistic purposes, and I also don't listen to music when I run so I didn't go through the process of adding Spotify and pairing my headphones, but this is something you can do.

As for training tools, there's practically an infinite suite now, many which you'll find on the 7. Because of the watch's large size, I wasn't able to sleep with it on for three nights, which is required to get a Training Readiness score and HRV (although in my interview with Michael Crawley, he explains that 24-hour use isn't actually required for accurate readings so I hope they rethink this). Anyway, I really like accessing the other metrics like VO2 Max, Hill Score and Running Lactate Threshold and I noticed these got updated as I logged more workouts.

Finally, even though it's available on the 7 and the Enduro, I need to mention the flashlight because it's just such a great feature. I was having issues with my headlamp on a night run and the flashlight function on this watch absolutely saved me. It's really bright (and adjustable) and is surprisingly good at lighting up the path even though it's on my wrist rather than a focused beam. It also means I always have a secondary light source for backup when I'm fiddling with my headlamp.

Best of all, when we stopped to enjoy the stars I could quickly turn it down to red light to avoid dazzling my friends. I also use the red light function regularly now when I get dressed in the dark for my 6:30am yoga class so I don't disturb my boyfriend and I'm going to be very sad to go back to a regular watch that doesn't have this.

Performance

This was my first time using a Garmin – I've been wearing the Coros Pace 3 for over a year, and I was a bit worried that it would be overly complicated to use when I saw it had five buttons compared to two on my Coros. However, as soon as I fired it up I got a handy graphic from Garmin showing me what each button does what and I was away. The touchscreen function helps, but I found the whole interface to be instantly intuitive, even if there are myriad options, which was a relief.

To test the updated GPS, I first used a preloaded map during an 11k night run in the Campsies, which are hills not too far from Glasgow where I live. These hills are well-traveled by hikers, but they're not known for great paths, so I was keen to see how my watch would handle them. Even though I'm familiar with the area, I downloaded the map from AllTrails to follow, a process which I found fairly painless, although it did require me doing it via my laptop and I'd prefer to be able to do it all on my phone.

Once I got going I could tell almost instantly that the GPS was spot-on, giving me an alert if I veered off route, which I did once or twice to avoid boggy areas. Next, I made sure to test this on a route I'd never hiked before, and it was a tricky enough route I don't think I'd have managed it without my watch, which kept me right the whole way.

I love the maps function so much that I decided to bring it along on my recent five-day long-distance hike and I was so glad I did. The 75-mile trail really wasn't that well waymarked and the weather wasn't great either. Because I had pre-downloaded the GPX file to my watch, I was able to breeze past every confusing trail junction which saved me a lot of time and gave me a lot of confidence in remote areas.

Just out of interest, I also tried doing a Zone 2 trail run to see how well it worked. It was pretty straightforward, alerting me every time my heart rate got too high and then again when I was back in Zone 2. That part worked brilliantly, with the only real issue being that it's impossible to run in Zone 2, but that's another article.

The problem with this was that for my next run, which was a four-hour mountain run with a group, I just went back to Trail Running and hit start, not realizing that it had saved my previous options. The result was my watch beeped at me annoyingly every 30 seconds, even when I was eating lunch (surely if I was stationary it would know I wasn't trying to be in Zone 2?). I was the least popular person on the trail that day and although I accept it must have been user error, I think it would be better for it to default back to regular settings than assume you want to run in Zone 2 until you die, since I still haven't figured out how to turn it off.

One other slight quirk I noticed is that the map doesn't always update, so sometimes when I'm at home it thinks I'm still 40 miles away until I open the Garmin Connect app on my phone. That's not ordinarily a problem, but it could be if you were out in the wild and you lost your phone.

Garmin says the heart rate sensor has been updated too, which is the main reason I wore this watch in tandem with my Coros Pace 3 for every activity. After interviewing Crawley about GPS watches, and learning that his experiments sometimes showed different watches to be as much as 40bpm apart, I was expecting I might see a big difference between the two watches. However, in every activity the two watches were only about three beats per minute off, which I think is a good sign they're both pretty accurate.

Finally, battery life. This is a complicated thing to estimate because how long you get out of any watch all depends on which version you buy and how you use it. Basically, I used mine for an activity or two every day, usually for a minimum of 90 minutes, often with GPS, sometimes without (as in yoga) and sometimes with the battery-draining flashlight I love so much. What I discovered is that with this level of use, I had to charge every five or six days. That's a lot more frequently than my Coros, but miles better than an Apple Watch. If you wear yours for a more moderate 30 - 60 minutes five days a week, I reckon you'll get more like twice that, and if you're training for an ultra or doing a long distance hike, you'd better bring a portable charger.

Speaking of chargers, this one requires Garmin's proprietary plug charger, not a standard USB, which I don't own, but luckily I could charge it on my laptop.

Value

There's no denying that this is a phenomenally expensive watch. At $999 for the 43mm and $1,199 for the 51mm, it's even more than the Fenix 7, which we thought was expensive when it came out, and more in line with the Enduro 3. Will you get one of the best-performing smartwatches on the market for that price? Undoubtedly. But do you really need so much functionality? That's really up to you. I can't help but think the overlap between people who really love smartwatch functionality and rugged outdoors features might be small, but then again, there's a big market of people who just like great gadgets.

There is one workaround that's worth knowing about, and that's the Garmin Fenix E, which comes in 47mm only for $799. It has an AMOLED display but a stainless steel case, a shorter battery life, no flashlight and lacks the Dive-proof buttons.

Garmin Fenix 8: the bottom line 

After years of saying I'm not a Garmin person, it turns out I could be a Garmin person if there's a flashlight and excellent navigation thrown in. If you love adventuring in the backcountry, fancy gadgets with tons of tech and have a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket, this watch is definitely for you, and clearly one of the best from Garmin yet, but it is big and bulky which can be a pain at times.

Also consider

Comparison table

• How Advnture tests products

Fancy hitting the trails with a high-tech GPS watch, but don't want to fork out several hundreds of dollars? Right now, you can get your hands on the Garmin Forerunner 55 for just $149.99 at Garmin, a sizable 25% reduction off its list price of $199.99.

Despite its low price, the Forerunner 55 boasts many of the same high-tech health trackers and GPS features as its pricey counterparts. An accurate wrist-based heart monitor is one of many ways that you can track your fitness, while pinpoint GPS monitors your location at all times.

The Forerunner 55 is a great option for running but can be used for so much more, thanks to its multiple sports modes.

We ranked it as our favorite value model in our guide to the best Garmin sports watches.

"You're getting a huge amount for your money here," reads our expert guide.

"It's a very accurate GPS watch with impressive heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, recovery stats, and training tools, including workout suggestions and recommended recovery periods."

The Forerunner 55 is available on the Garmin website in Black, White, and Aqua colorways.

Look below to see today's best Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS watch deals where you are:

• The best running watches: tech to help you outpace your PB
• The best GPS watches: feature-packed timepieces to keep you on course

Garmin lovers could soon be in for a treat after on-the-ball users spotted documents indicating a new product is on the way.

Over the weekend, the5krunner noticed a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing for an incoming Garmin product.

These filings indicate that a product has passed safety testing and is ready to go on sale to the general public. They're considered to be a trustworthy sign that a new product is on its way.

Rife with anticipation, some users have speculated that this new model could be the long-awaited Forerunner 975 - the new and improved version of Garmin's flagship multi-sport watch.

Frustratingly, there's little detail that suggests this would be the case; the only thing we know for certain about this new product is its generic filling number: IPH-04968.

What could it be?

There's no way of knowing for certain what Garmin's latest release will be until it drops.

The Forerunner 975 is a possibility, but experts say not a strong one. The5krunner speculates that either a Forerunner watch or Edge cycling computer will launch in the next ten days. Most users will be more excited by a new Forerunner, but the Edge is more likely based on documentation that suggests the device is rectangular.

Release dates are also an issue, as the Forerunner 975 was previously expected to come out in May.

Our sister site, TechRadar, has deemed the chances of a new Forerunner to be slim.

"Whichever way you slice it, a new Garmin Forerunner 975 in the coming days would be a big surprise and seems like a sadly unlikely prospect," said Fitness & Wearables writer Steve Warwick in a recent TechRadar article.

The new release could also be the anticipated D2 Mach 2 aviation watch or the Quantix 8, a specialized marine watch well-suited to sailors.

The Forerunner range is Garmin's premier series of multi-sport watches. Models range in price and quality from the beginner-friendly Forerunner 55 to the latest and greatest Forerunner 965. All feature GPS and a variety of handy health trackers.

We've been thoroughly impressed by multiple Forerunner watches over the years.

In her review for Advnture, former editor Cat Ellis gave the high-tech Forerunner 955 a coveted four-and-a-half star rating, describing it as a "top-tier sports watch in a modest and unassuming case."

For more on Garmin, check out our guide to the best Garmin sports watches.

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These days, you hardly ever hear about a mountain rescue effort that doesn't involve a Garmin InReach device, and that's a good thing. But if your outdoor adventures involve more hiking boots than parachutes, you might think that a $400 satellite communicator is overkill.

Think again, says Garmin, after releasing its 2024 data that shows that the vast majority of SOS calls last year came from hikers and backpackers.

According to the Garmin 2024 Year in Review report, these two groups made up nearly half of all SOS alerts last year – that's more than mountain biking, paragliding, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling combined.

The data also shows that while SOS alerts were triggered across six continents (and three oceans), the vast majority were in North America, with the west coast and Alaska showing the heaviest InReach use.

Meanwhile, the most common reason for a hiker, or anyone, activating their InReach device, was due to injury, though 2024 saw an increase in alerts due to wildfires, flash floods and hurricanes as well as encounters with wildlife like bears and rattlesnakes.

Of course, this almost certainly doesn't indicate that hiking is more dangerous than dirt biking – even if it does pose hazards like sprained ankles – or that Americans are particularly accident prone on the trail. Most likely, it's just a question of numbers. More people go hiking than skiing – according to Statista, 61 million Americans went hiking last year compared to just 18 million skiers, never mind the fact that most skiers are on resorts where there is cell service.

What this hopefully does indicate is that hikers are increasingly taking safety seriously. Since hiking and backpacking can take us way off the beaten path, cell service is often unavailable, which poses a problem if you fall, become ill or get lost.

With a device like the Garmin InReach Mini 2, you can quickly send a distress signal or communicate with emergency responders, even in areas with no cell phone service, all over the world (but don't take yours to India, or you might get arrested).

An active subscription is required with an InReach device, with plans starting at $14.99 a month. It's a small price to pay for your life, but there are other options if that's not in your budget.

Just yesterday, we reported on Overwatch x Rescue, an SOS subscription plan that costs $79.99 per year and works with InReach devices as well as iPhone 14 or higher running on iOS 18 in North America and. Then there are Personal Locator Beacons like this one on Amazon that don't require a subscription at all. Newer iPhones have an SOS function but if this is your backup, you'll need to make sure you carry a portable charger.

If you're considering updating your hiking kit, get more guidance in our article on satellite communicators.

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Garmin Fenix users can now access 80 new features and bug fixes thanks to a wide ranging software update to some of its most popular sports watches.

Runners, swimmers, and hikers with a Garmin Fenix 8, Fenix E, or Enduro 3 smartwatch can benefit from new heart-rate monitor features, several new training modes, and a new map for mountaineering.

The update also fixed pesky bugs impacting sports modes and is designed to improve the general user experience.

Below are some of our favorite new features and fixes:

The best new features

• A map option for mountaineering activities
• A respiration graph for meditation activity
• Advanced snorkeling advice
• Syncing body battery data across multiple devices
• A jumpmaster mode
• A sail racing mode
• Speed and distance modes on heart rate monitor
• Improvements to training readiness

The best bug fixes

• Fixed breathwork activity not selecting
• Fixed maps crashing on the search feature
• Fixed HIIT training timer issues
• Fixed crash during meditation
• Fixed crash on fitness age mode
• Fixed heart rate zone crashes
• Fixed crashes in the maps app

Garmin's Fenix range was designed to be the ultimate companion for sportspeople and fitness fanatics. The latest Garmin Fenix 8 was released in August 2024 to rave reviews.

Our sister publication Tech Radar gave the high-tech sports watch a coveted five-star review, praising its advanced GPS and heart-rate monitor.

Expert tech reviewer Matt Evans described the Fenix 8 as 'rugged, expensive perfection'.

"You know what you’re getting, and if you like Garmin’s existing stable of adventure watches, this is the best one yet," said Matt.

How to get the update

You can access the latest updates by enabling automatic updates on your Garmin device.

If you're stuck on old software, head to menu, then system and software update, and tap 'check for updates'.

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When three hikers "panicked" in whiteout conditions and activated their Garmin inReach device they didn't include much detail for rescue crews to go on – but using the emergency contact feature may have saved their lives.

According to New Hampshire Fish and Game, the three men – Jack Tragni, 24 and Vaishnav Raja, 25, both of Boston and Justin Yang, 24 of Cambridge – had set off to hike Franconia Ridge in the White Mountains on Sunday at around 9 a.m. as a training hike for Mount Washington.

The group encountered deep snow and whiteout conditions across the ridge, and while officials say the hikers were "fairly well prepared for winter," they lacked experience above treeline.

Hiking above treeline means you're more exposed to the elements and, particularly in winter, can make it much harder to navigate. The men were reportedly having difficulty following the trail and after going over Mount Lincoln, realized they weren't equipped to return. Officials say they activated their Garmin inReach satellite communicator at around 5:30 p.m. knowing "it would take hours for rescuers to get to their location."

The initial alert didn't contain much information for rescuers, and no more communication was received because the hikers found it difficult to operate the device in the cold and wind.

Fortunately, the device allows users to save emergency contacts, and because the hikers had previously set up this feature, officials were able to establish communication with people who knew of the group's intended route. The emergency contacts told officials the men had been in touch via text and shared that they were suffering from cold-related injuries.

Rescue teams were able to reach the hikers below the Greenleaf Hut just after 9 p.m. where they found that some of their light sources had gone dead. They gave them headlamps and escorted them back to the trailhead which took around an hour.

The hikers in this story did a lot of things right, but the case highlights the importance of respecting your ability level, learning navigation, carrying satellite communication and leaving a detailed plan with someone you trust. In addition, if you're venturing out in winter conditions, it's advised to charge your headlamp or flashlight and carry extra batteries.

How to add contacts to your Garmin InReach

To add an emergency contact to your inReach device, log in at the Garmin Explore website then complete the following steps:

1. Select Contacts (you may need to select My Info in the top banner to see Contacts).
2. Select Add.
3. Enter the contact's information.
4. Save details.
5. Repeat steps 3 through 5 for each contact to be added.
6. Sync the device when you're finished.

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Garmin Fenix 6 and Fenix 6 Pro users can now experience their multi-sport smartwatch free from several irritating bugs, thanks to a new update.

It comes as Garmin continues its steady bounce back from last week's worldwide crash, which left users across the globe without access to their favorite sports watches.

The new update is currently available on Garmin's Beta Program and will be made public in the coming weeks.

Among a number of useful fixes, users will no longer be bombarded with elevation alerts when hiking, running, or cycling uphill. Bugs affecting notifications and navigation have also been fixed.

Below is a full list of all the major fixes:

• Fixed an issue causing crashes when loading certain courses
• Fixed an issue where notifications would sometimes be slow to pop up
• Fixed an issue where the elevation alert would constantly tone
• Fixed an issue causing crashes in the Track activity feature
• Various smaller bug fixes and improvements
• Fixed a user interface issue on the flight paths feature

The Fenix 6 and Fenix 6 Pro are well-suited to all manner of athletes, with a wide range of sports modes and fitness trackers to help take your game to the next level.

In his review, our resident trail running expert Pat Kinsella gave the Fenix 6 Pro's solar version a rare five-star rating. He was blown away by its 'top-of-the-range' navigation and large variety of performance data.

"This category-leading watch has a discombobulating amount of capability – we’ve been using it for running, hiking, backpacking, wild swimming, mountain biking, road cycling, climbing, kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding for well over nine months now, and we’re still finding new features to play with," explained Pat.

"It truly is on a par with the best navigation apps."

How to get beta updates

To access the latest update, you'll need to be enrolled in Garmin's public beta program, which allows users to access new features and updates before they're available to everyone.

To sign up, log in to your Garmin Connect account and install the beta software on your device. From then on, you'll receive Garmin's beta updates whenever they become available.

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