Garmin Forerunner 965 Review: Best Garmin Watch For Swimming and Running

When it comes to choosing the perfect smartwatch for both swimming and running, the Garmin Forerunner 965 consistently stands out as a top contender. Whether you’re an athlete or a fitness enthusiast, finding a watch that can handle the rigors of both swimming and running is crucial. In this Garmin Forerunner 965 Review, we’ll dive into why this model might just be the Best Garmin Watch For Swimming and Running. From its advanced training features to its durable design, the Forerunner 965 offers everything you need to push your limits and achieve your goals in the water and on the track.

Overview of the Garmin Forerunner 965

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is a versatile and powerful running smartwatch, designed to meet the needs of serious athletes, particularly those focused on swimming and running. Equipped with a vibrant 1.4-inch AMOLED display and a lightweight titanium bezel, this watch not only stands out visually but also excels in functionality, making it a top choice for anyone seeking the Best Garmin Watch For Swimming and Running.

One of the standout features of the Forerunner 965 is its comprehensive set of training and recovery metrics. It offers a training readiness score, which combines data on sleep quality, recovery, training load, and heart rate variability (HRV) status to determine your readiness for intense workouts. The watch also provides full-color mapping, race-adaptive training plans, and daily suggested workouts that adjust based on your recent performance and recovery, ensuring that your training is both effective and personalized.

For multisport athletes, the Forerunner 965 is a game-changer. It includes profiles for triathlons, duathlons, and swimruns, and allows you to switch between sports with a simple button press. The watch also features advanced health tracking capabilities, such as sleep monitoring, Body Battery™ energy monitoring, and women’s health tracking, all of which contribute to a holistic view of your overall health and performance.

Additionally, the Forerunner 965 comes with wrist-based running dynamics, offering insights like cadence, stride length, and ground contact time, along with wrist-based running power, which measures the amount of power you’re applying to the road. These features, combined with built-in GPS and multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology, ensure superior accuracy and performance, whether you’re swimming in open water or running on a challenging trail.

With a battery life of up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and up to 31 hours in GPS mode, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is built to last through your most demanding training sessions, making it a reliable and indispensable tool for athletes.

Specifications Table

This table provides a comprehensive look at the key specifications of the Garmin Forerunner 965, highlighting the features that make it an excellent choice for athletes, particularly those focused on swimming and running.

Positives of the Garmin Forerunner 965

The Garmin Forerunner 965 has garnered praise for several standout features, making it a strong contender for the title of the Best Garmin Watch For Swimming and Running. Here are some of the key positives:

1. Brilliant AMOLED Display
   The Forerunner 965 features a stunning 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, offering vibrant colors and sharp clarity. This display makes it easy to view your stats, even in bright sunlight, enhancing the overall user experience.
2. Comprehensive Training Metrics
   With advanced training readiness metrics, this watch helps you determine when you’re primed for a hard workout or when you should take it easy. It uses a combination of sleep quality, recovery, training load, and HRV status to give you a clear picture of your readiness to train effectively.
3. Extensive Multisport Support
   The Garmin Forerunner 965 is designed with multisport athletes in mind. It offers built-in profiles for triathlons, duathlons, swimruns, and more, allowing you to switch between sports with a simple button press. This versatility is ideal for athletes who participate in various activities.
4. Accurate GPS and Mapping
   Equipped with multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology, the Forerunner 965 provides superior GPS accuracy, even in challenging environments. The full-color, built-in maps with turn-by-turn directions ensure you can confidently navigate any route, whether you’re running through city streets or swimming in open water.
5. Long Battery Life
   One of the most significant advantages of the Forerunner 965 is its impressive battery life. With up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode, you can rely on this watch for long training sessions, races, or multi-day events without worrying about running out of power.
6. Advanced Health Monitoring
   The Forerunner 965 goes beyond basic fitness tracking by offering advanced health monitoring features. This includes sleep monitoring with a sleep score, Body Battery™ energy monitoring, and women’s health tracking. These features provide a holistic view of your overall well-being, allowing you to optimize both your training and recovery.
7. Wrist-Based Running Dynamics and Power
   The watch provides detailed running dynamics, such as cadence, stride length, and ground contact time, all from your wrist. Additionally, it measures wrist-based running power, giving you continuous feedback on how much power you’re applying during your runs, helping you improve efficiency and performance.
8. Durable and Comfortable Design
   With its lightweight titanium bezel and comfortable fit, the Forerunner 965 is built for endurance. It’s durable enough to withstand the rigors of daily training while remaining comfortable enough for all-day wear.

These positives make the Garmin Forerunner 965 a top choice for anyone looking for a powerful, reliable, and versatile smartwatch, particularly for those focused on swimming and running.

Negatives of the Garmin Forerunner 965

While the Garmin Forerunner 965 is a highly capable smartwatch, it’s not without its drawbacks. Here are some of the key negatives to consider:

1. Complex User Interface
   The Forerunner 965 is packed with features, but this can make the user interface somewhat overwhelming, especially for those new to Garmin devices. Navigating through the multitude of menus and settings can be challenging, which may detract from the overall user experience, particularly for those looking for simplicity in a watch that’s touted as the Best Garmin Watch For Swimming and Running.
2. Price Point
   The Forerunner 965 is positioned as a premium device, and its price reflects that. While it offers a wealth of features, the high cost might be a deterrent for some potential buyers, especially those who may not fully utilize all the advanced functionalities. For athletes on a budget, there might be other Garmin models that offer sufficient capabilities at a lower price.
3. Limited Third-Party App Support
   Although the Forerunner 965 comes with a wide array of built-in sports apps and Garmin’s own robust ecosystem, its support for third-party apps is relatively limited compared to other smartwatches on the market. This could be a downside for users who rely heavily on specific third-party apps for their training and tracking needs.
4. Occasional GPS Accuracy Issues in Dense Areas
   Despite its advanced multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology, some users have reported occasional GPS accuracy issues when running in densely built-up areas or under heavy tree cover. While these instances are relatively rare, they can be frustrating during activities where precise tracking is crucial.
5. Lack of Music Storage
   While the Forerunner 965 does support music playback via streaming services, it lacks sufficient onboard music storage for those who prefer to leave their phone behind during workouts. For runners and swimmers who enjoy listening to music without carrying extra devices, this might be a significant limitation.
6. Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
   The advanced training and health metrics offered by the Forerunner 965, such as training readiness and HRV status, require a good understanding of how to interpret and apply them. For users who aren’t familiar with these concepts, there may be a steep learning curve, making it harder to fully utilize the watch’s capabilities.
7. Battery Drain with High Usage of GPS and AMOLED Display
   While the battery life is impressive overall, heavy usage of GPS in combination with the always-on AMOLED display can lead to faster battery drain. For long-distance events or extended outdoor activities, this could mean needing to manage battery settings more actively or carrying a charger just in case.

These considerations highlight that while the Garmin Forerunner 965 is a strong contender for the Best Garmin Watch For Swimming and Running, it may not be perfect for everyone. Potential buyers should weigh these negatives against the watch’s many positives to determine if it’s the right fit for their needs.

Real-World Performance

The Garmin Forerunner 965 excels in real-world scenarios, showcasing its strengths and addressing some of its limitations in practical use. Here’s how it performs across different activities:

1. Swimming
   For swimmers, the Forerunner 965 proves to be a reliable companion. Its water resistance and accurate tracking capabilities allow it to monitor swim metrics such as distance, pace, and stroke count effectively. The watch’s advanced GPS and heart rate monitoring provide valuable insights into swim workouts, although some users have noted that the watch may occasionally struggle with accuracy during open water swims due to signal interference. Overall, it performs well in both pool and open water environments, living up to its reputation as the Best Garmin Watch For Swimming and Running.
2. Running
   When it comes to running, the Forerunner 965 truly shines. The wrist-based running dynamics and power metrics offer detailed insights into your running form and efficiency, helping you to fine-tune your performance. The watch’s full-color maps and multi-band GPS ensure you stay on track even on unfamiliar routes, and the race-adaptive training plans provide tailored workouts to match your performance and recovery. However, some runners have experienced occasional GPS inaccuracies in densely built-up or heavily wooded areas, which may impact precise tracking.
3. Multisport Events
   For athletes who participate in multisport events, the Forerunner 965 is a versatile choice. Its ability to switch seamlessly between different sports profiles—like triathlons, duathlons, and swimruns—makes it easy to track performance across multiple activities. The customizable multisport profiles also allow users to tailor the watch to their specific needs, providing a smooth transition between disciplines during training and races.
4. Daily Use and Health Monitoring
   In everyday use, the Forerunner 965 offers a comprehensive view of your overall health. Its sleep monitoring and Body Battery™ energy tracking provide valuable insights into your recovery and energy levels, helping you to manage your training load effectively. The watch’s morning report feature, which summarizes your sleep, recovery, and training outlook, is particularly useful for planning your day. Users appreciate the detailed health metrics, although some might find the data overwhelming if they’re not familiar with interpreting advanced training statistics.
5. Navigation and Mapping
   The watch’s built-in full-color maps and turn-by-turn navigation are highly praised for their clarity and ease of use. Whether you’re exploring new trails or navigating urban routes, the Forerunner 965’s mapping capabilities help you stay oriented and confident. The GPS accuracy, supported by multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology, generally performs well in most conditions, although occasional issues in very challenging environments may occur.

Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 965 demonstrates impressive performance in real-world conditions, balancing its advanced features with practical usability. While it excels as the Best Garmin Watch For Swimming and Running, potential users should consider both its strengths and limitations to determine how well it aligns with their specific needs and preferences.

Last Thoughts

In the competitive world of sports watches, the Garmin Forerunner 965 stands out as a leading choice for athletes who demand excellence in both swimming and running. This Best Garmin Watch For Swimming and Running delivers a compelling blend of advanced features, including a brilliant AMOLED display, comprehensive training metrics, and robust GPS capabilities.

The Forerunner 965’s versatility shines through its ability to cater to a range of activities, from detailed swimming analytics to precise running dynamics. Its extensive multisport support and long battery life further enhance its appeal, making it a reliable companion for both everyday training and competitive events.

While it offers numerous advantages, such as accurate health monitoring and full-color maps, it’s essential to consider its drawbacks, including a potentially complex user interface and higher price point. Some users may also encounter occasional GPS accuracy issues or find the advanced features overwhelming.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a high-performance smartwatch that excels in tracking and optimizing your swimming and running workouts, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is a top contender worth considering. Its impressive array of features and overall functionality make it a strong candidate for the Best Garmin Watch For Swimming and Running, ensuring that it meets the needs of dedicated athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.