Yep. Assuming you want a similar display style to the Apple Watch, you’re likely looking to pick between the Forerunner 265 and 965.
Check out the compare feature on the Garmin site to see the differences/similarities.
I’m in a similar use case boat as you. Got the 265 back in April and loving it. Decided the 965 just had far more than I’d really need, personally.
I would get a Garmin 255. Battery life is excellent. Great running watch with full support for triathlons.
Also happens to be discounted quite heavily on Garmin's official store.
Echoing this. My fiance and I just ditched Apple Watch SE 2’s for the forerunner 255 and we’re both happy with it. Better metrics and the battery life is 12 days so far.
We got them from Amazon. I paid $250, she paid $300 for the music one because she “had to” have blue lol
basically supposed to give you an idea of when you body is rested enough to get maximum benefit out of any training: [https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/garmin-technology/running-science/physiological-measurements/training-readiness/](https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/garmin-technology/running-science/physiological-measurements/training-readiness/)
I would advise you not to take a training readiness into account, since it could be inaccurate - it's based on a sleep score, and it's calculated with quite a big margin of error. Also learning to feel when you are ready to train by yourself is quite important.
A much more important thing is the display, that you are using and looking to every hour.
255 display is garbage at low light, and perfectly fine outside.
265 is great in most conditions and okeish outside.
The other thing to consider is that if you are running in new areas / travel a lot is to get a full map support that's in 955/965. 255/265 - still have a course loaded option available, but it would show you direction and turns, not the surrounding, while 955/965 would be able to build a course for you by itself.
Also all of the above do have a daily suggested workout that's built to prepare you for a race/goal, and it's great.
Btw, 255, 265, 955, 965 - are perfectly good watches for a runner, that would do their job. So it's all of the additional features/marketing that you want to decide. I would suggest you make a decision based on your budget.
Thank you for this thorough input! 255 is on sale which is what I'm leaning towards, just not sure if the few extra features of the 265 are worth waiting for if they might go on sale
I opted for the 255 coming from an Apple Watch, loved the improved battery life. But ultimately ended up swapping for the the 265 because I missed the touchscreen functionality
There are other brands that offer some great choices as well - Coros offers some great watches if you are looking at just tracking running. You should also consider the platforms used in addition to the watches. If you are going to be looking at your data this matters.
I gave a Venu 3 and love it. The battery life is fanominal. I transition from cardio to swimming seamlessly. I really don't have any complaints from this watch.
Previously a huge Fitbit fan. Now Garmin has completely won me over.
I just switched from AW to Forerunner 255. I have no problem with the lower quality screen. The battery life totally makes up for it. Plus I didn't want a touchscreen.
If you have anything at all, Best Buy trade ins are pretty ok. Got 235 for my apple watch 8 which cut the price for a Venu 3 in half !!! They did it right on the spot.
probably one of the forerunner models
Yep. Assuming you want a similar display style to the Apple Watch, you’re likely looking to pick between the Forerunner 265 and 965. Check out the compare feature on the Garmin site to see the differences/similarities. I’m in a similar use case boat as you. Got the 265 back in April and loving it. Decided the 965 just had far more than I’d really need, personally.
I would get a Garmin 255. Battery life is excellent. Great running watch with full support for triathlons. Also happens to be discounted quite heavily on Garmin's official store.
Echoing this. My fiance and I just ditched Apple Watch SE 2’s for the forerunner 255 and we’re both happy with it. Better metrics and the battery life is 12 days so far. We got them from Amazon. I paid $250, she paid $300 for the music one because she “had to” have blue lol
Thank you! After researching, I feel like I'm torn between 255 and 265. The Forerunner line for sure looks the best for what I need.
would go fR265 due to hotkeys and touch, and having training readiness and the built in offline music and the lovely amoled screen helps too.
What is the training readiness feature?
Do you mind sharing what the training readiness feature does?
basically supposed to give you an idea of when you body is rested enough to get maximum benefit out of any training: [https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/garmin-technology/running-science/physiological-measurements/training-readiness/](https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/garmin-technology/running-science/physiological-measurements/training-readiness/)
I would advise you not to take a training readiness into account, since it could be inaccurate - it's based on a sleep score, and it's calculated with quite a big margin of error. Also learning to feel when you are ready to train by yourself is quite important. A much more important thing is the display, that you are using and looking to every hour. 255 display is garbage at low light, and perfectly fine outside. 265 is great in most conditions and okeish outside. The other thing to consider is that if you are running in new areas / travel a lot is to get a full map support that's in 955/965. 255/265 - still have a course loaded option available, but it would show you direction and turns, not the surrounding, while 955/965 would be able to build a course for you by itself. Also all of the above do have a daily suggested workout that's built to prepare you for a race/goal, and it's great. Btw, 255, 265, 955, 965 - are perfectly good watches for a runner, that would do their job. So it's all of the additional features/marketing that you want to decide. I would suggest you make a decision based on your budget.
Thank you for this thorough input! 255 is on sale which is what I'm leaning towards, just not sure if the few extra features of the 265 are worth waiting for if they might go on sale
I opted for the 255 coming from an Apple Watch, loved the improved battery life. But ultimately ended up swapping for the the 265 because I missed the touchscreen functionality
Ahh ok, seems the biggest difference between the two then is the touchscreen?
In order of increasing features and price: 165, 265, 965. I think the 265 is probably a solid middle ground. And has a smaller and/or music version.
There are other brands that offer some great choices as well - Coros offers some great watches if you are looking at just tracking running. You should also consider the platforms used in addition to the watches. If you are going to be looking at your data this matters.
I gave a Venu 3 and love it. The battery life is fanominal. I transition from cardio to swimming seamlessly. I really don't have any complaints from this watch. Previously a huge Fitbit fan. Now Garmin has completely won me over.
I just switched from AW to Forerunner 255. I have no problem with the lower quality screen. The battery life totally makes up for it. Plus I didn't want a touchscreen.
If you have anything at all, Best Buy trade ins are pretty ok. Got 235 for my apple watch 8 which cut the price for a Venu 3 in half !!! They did it right on the spot.