Review: Is the Garmin Forerunner 965 all the cr*p bits did I just waste my money … Worth the Hype?
Verdict in 10 Seconds: If you’re a serious runner or multisport athlete who values mapping, battery life, and training insights over flawless smartwatch polish, the Forerunner 965 is worth it – just don’t expect perfection.
The Good & The Bad
- AMOLED Display: The 1.4-inch, 454x454px screen is vibrant, crisp, and easily readable in sunlight – Garmin’s best yet on a Forerunner.
- Battery Life: Up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 19–31 hours with GPS (depending on mode) means you’ll charge less than weekly, even with daily runs.
- Multi-Band GPS & Built-In Maps: SatIQ auto-switches GNSS modes for accuracy; topographic maps are downloadable and detailed for trails and cities.
- Training Tools: Morning Report, Body Battery, VO2 Max, recovery advice, and suggested workouts offer real coaching value.
- Durability & Build: Titanium bezel, Gorilla Glass 3 DX, and 5ATM water resistance make it tough enough for daily abuse.
- Heart Rate Inconsistency: Optical sensor struggles with sweat, tattoos, or rapid intensity changes – often underreads by 10–15 BPM or spikes falsely.
- No Wireless Charging: USB-C cable is included, but no Qi pad convenience – charging takes ~1 hour (fine, but feels dated).
- Garmin Connect App Frustrations: Clunky interface, sync delays, and manual logging for strength sessions make post-workout management tedious.
- Pricey for What You Get: At $599, it’s a premium buy – especially when compared to the non-AMOLED Forerunner 955 ($100 cheaper) or Apple Watch Series 9 ($399).
- Limited Smart Features: No ECG, no voice assistant, and notifications feel basic next to Wear OS or watchOS rivals.
So… did I waste my money? After logging nearly 500 activities over a year with the Garmin Forerunner 965, my answer is: mostly no – but with caveats. This isn’t a fashion statement or a mini iPhone on your wrist. It’s a performance tool disguised as a watch, and if that’s what you bought it for, you’ll love it. But if you expected seamless tech magic, flawless biometrics, or effortless smart integration, prepare for some eye-rolls.
In The Hand
At 53 grams and 47.2mm across, the 965 feels substantial but not bulky – lighter than a Fenix, slimmer than an Epix. The titanium bezel gives it premium heft without weight, and the two-tone silicone band is comfy for all-day wear (though swapping it for a QuickFit band is easy). The flat AMOLED screen sits flush with the bezel, which looks sleek but means you’ve gotta be careful not to scrape it against doorframes or rocks – though Gorilla Glass 3 DX has held up surprisingly well through my clumsiest moments.
Performance Test
GPS tracking was rock-solid: within ±0.05 miles on road runs and reliable on wooded trails thanks to multi-band support. Heart rate? Meh. It matched my Polar H10 chest strap within ±0.76 BPM in steady-state runs but went haywire during intervals or when sweat pooled under the sensor. For strength sessions, it only logged time and HR – no rep counting, no form feedback. You’re better off using a dedicated app and syncing later (which, spoiler: doesn’t always work smoothly).
Battery life lived up to claims – 20+ days with always-on display off, still 10+ days with it on and daily GPS use. Charging from 10% to 90% in about an hour via USB-C is solid, though wireless charging would’ve been a nice touch at this price.
Can It Shoot?
Not literally – but metaphorically? Yes. The navigation features are where this watch truly shines. Turn-by-turn directions on trail maps look gorgeous on that AMOLED screen, and TracBack got me home safely after getting lost in the woods (again). That said, for complex route planning, I still reach for my phone. The 965 handles “follow this trail” beautifully but isn’t replacing your hiking GPS unit anytime soon.
Final Score
| Category | Score (/10) |
| Accuracy | 9.3 |
| Activity Use | 8.0 |
| Everyday Use | 8.0 |
| Extra Features | 8.5 |
| Wearability | 9.0 |
| Battery Life | 5.1 |
| Overall | 8.3 |
The Garmin Forerunner 965 isn’t perfect – but it’s purpose-built. If you’re chasing PRs, exploring backcountry trails, or just want a watch that lasts longer than your phone’s battery, it delivers. Just know: the “cr*p bits” (looking at you, finicky HR sensor and clunky app) are real. But for athletes who prioritize function over flair? This might just be the best running watch money can buy.
Tags: Garmin Forerunner 965, GPS running watch, AMOLED smartwatch, multi-band GPS, fitness tracker review, heart rate accuracy, Garmin Connect app, battery life test, running watch comparison, Garmin vs Apple Watch, training readiness score, Body Battery, trail navigation, USB-C charging, titanium bezel
