Garmin Forerunner 955 Review

For years, I’ve seen countless runners and multisport athletes sporting Garmin devices on their wrists. There’s a certain look of determination and data-driven focus that comes with them. Recently, I had the chance to spend significant time with the Garmin Forerunner 955, and it truly lived up to its reputation.

I’d heard many positive comments from fellow athletes about its capabilities, especially its comprehensive training metrics. Friends who train for marathons and triathlons often highlighted its accuracy and deep insights. This personal exposure, combined with their glowing feedback, formed my initial impressions.

This isn’t just another smartwatch; it’s a serious training partner. The Garmin Forerunner 955 Review aims to explore what makes this product stand out. It’s designed for those who want to elevate their performance, offering a wealth of features that go beyond basic activity tracking.

Product Specs

* Weight: 1.8 ounces (53 g) for the standard model; 1.9 ounces (56 g) for the Solar model
* Display Size: 1.3 inches (33 mm) diameter
* Display Resolution: 260 x 260 pixels
* Display Type: Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
* Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer
* Lens Material: Corning Gorilla Glass DX (Standard); Power Glass (Solar)
* Water Rating: 5 ATM (suitable for splashes, rain, showering, swimming, diving into water, and snorkeling)
* Memory/History: 32 GB
* Battery Life (Smartwatch Mode): Up to 15 days (Standard); Up to 20 days with solar (Solar)
* Battery Life (GPS Only): Up to 42 hours (Standard); Up to 49 hours with solar (Solar)
* Battery Life (All-Satellite Systems + Multi-band): Up to 20 hours (Standard); Up to 22 hours with solar (Solar)
* Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
* Sensors: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Multi-band GNSS, Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor.

This Product is Best For

The Garmin Forerunner 955 is ideally suited for dedicated athletes, especially runners, triathletes, and multisport enthusiasts. If you are serious about understanding your body’s response to training and optimizing your performance, this watch is designed for you. It appeals to those who thrive on data and actionable insights.

It’s also an excellent choice for adventurers who need reliable navigation and robust battery life. Whether you’re exploring new trails or competing in ultra-endurance events, its advanced GPS and mapping capabilities provide peace of mind. This product truly caters to a demanding user base.

Features Overview/Summary

The Forerunner 955 packs an impressive array of features aimed at serious training and everyday wellness. It goes beyond simple pace and distance, offering deep metrics like Training Readiness, HRV Status, and a comprehensive Morning Report. These tools help you understand your body’s recovery and readiness to perform.

Beyond its training prowess, the watch offers smart features like contactless payments, music storage, and smart notifications. It’s a versatile device that seamlessly integrates into both your active lifestyle and daily routine. The overall quality of its functionality is consistently high, making it a valuable purchase.

Feature Explanations

Training Readiness

One of the standout features of the Forerunner 955 is Training Readiness. This metric provides a score each morning, indicating how ready your body is for a strenuous workout. It considers sleep quality, recovery time, HRV status, acute load, and stress history.

This allows you to make informed decisions about your daily training. Instead of blindly following a plan, you can adjust your intensity based on what your body truly needs. It’s a game-changer for preventing overtraining and maximizing adaptation from your efforts.

HRV Status

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a key indicator of your body’s recovery and stress levels. The Forerunner 955 tracks your HRV overnight, providing a seven-day average that helps establish your baseline. Deviations from this baseline can signal fatigue or illness.

Understanding your HRV Status helps you fine-tune your training. A consistently low HRV might suggest you need more rest, while a stable or improving HRV indicates good recovery. This feature adds another layer of personalized insight to your health and performance.

Multi-band GPS

For pinpoint accuracy, especially in challenging environments like dense cities or deep forests, the Forerunner 955 utilizes multi-band GPS. This technology accesses multiple satellite frequencies, significantly improving location precision and speed of acquisition.

This means more accurate pace, distance, and track recording for your runs, rides, and swims. When you’re striving for personal bests or navigating unfamiliar terrain, reliable GPS data is crucial. This high-quality feature ensures your activity data is as precise as possible.

Battery Life

The battery life on the Forerunner 955 is exceptional, a major selling point for endurance athletes. In smartwatch mode, the standard model offers up to 15 days, while the Solar version extends this to 20 days with sufficient sun exposure. This reduces the frequency of charging.

Even with GPS active, you get significant run time. The standard model provides up to 42 hours in GPS-only mode, and the Solar model pushes this to 49 hours. This longevity is vital for long training sessions, multi-day adventures, or ultra-races, ensuring your device won’t die mid-activity.

Morning Report

Start your day informed with the Morning Report. This personalized summary appears on your watch screen shortly after waking. It includes your sleep score, HRV status, training readiness, and even a weather forecast for the day.

It also offers daily suggested workouts based on your recovery and training history. This convenient feature puts all critical information at your fingertips, helping you plan your day’s activities and make smart training choices right from the start.

Touchscreen and Buttons

The Forerunner 955 offers the best of both worlds with its dual interface: a responsive touchscreen and traditional five-button controls. The touchscreen is great for navigating menus and maps in casual settings. It adds a modern feel to the product.

However, during intense workouts, especially in wet conditions or while wearing gloves, the physical buttons are invaluable. They provide tactile feedback and reliable control when precision is paramount. This combination ensures usability in all scenarios.

On-Device Mapping

Detailed, full-color maps come preloaded on the Forerunner 955. This feature allows for on-wrist navigation, turn-by-turn directions, and the ability to explore new routes or follow existing courses. It’s incredibly useful for trail running, cycling, and hiking.

You can easily see your position relative to the surrounding terrain and points of interest. This mapping capability enhances safety and exploration, making it less likely you’ll get lost. It’s a high-quality addition that elevates the outdoor experience.

Pros

* Exceptional Battery Life: Especially with the Solar model, reducing charging frequency.
* Highly Accurate GPS: Multi-band GNSS ensures precise tracking in challenging environments.
* Comprehensive Training Metrics: Training Readiness, HRV Status, and Acute Load provide deep physiological insights.
* Detailed On-Device Mapping: Full-color maps for navigation and exploration.
* Dual Interface: Responsive touchscreen combined with reliable physical buttons.
* Robust Build Quality: Durable design suitable for rigorous outdoor activities.
* Smartwatch Features: Contactless payments (Garmin Pay), music storage, and smart notifications.
* Morning Report: Daily summary of key health and training metrics.
* Recovery Advisor: Helps prevent overtraining by suggesting optimal rest periods.
* Race Widget: Provides race day predictions and training suggestions leading up to an event.
* Wide Range of Activity Profiles: Supports numerous sports, from running and cycling to swimming and strength training.
* Extensive Data Fields: Customize your display to show the exact metrics you need during an activity.
* Connect IQ Store: Access to a vast ecosystem of apps, widgets, and watch faces for personalization.
* Reliable Heart Rate Monitoring: Garmin Elevate sensor provides accurate wrist-based heart rate data.
* Pulse Ox Sensor: Monitors blood oxygen saturation, useful for altitude acclimation and sleep tracking.
* Excellent Integration with Garmin Connect: Seamless data syncing and analysis on the platform.
* Solar Charging Option: Extends battery life significantly for the Solar model.
* Lightweight Design: Comfortable for all-day wear and during intense workouts.
* Advanced Sleep Tracking: Detailed breakdown of sleep stages and quality.
* ClimbPro Feature: Provides real-time information on current and upcoming climbs.

Cons

* Higher Price Point: The Forerunner 955 sits at the premium end of the spectrum for GPS watches, which might be a barrier for some. However, considering its advanced features and robust performance, it offers significant value for serious athletes, making it a worthwhile investment for those committed to their training.
* Learning Curve for Advanced Metrics: The sheer volume of data and advanced metrics like Training Readiness or HRV Status can be overwhelming initially. Garmin Connect offers extensive explanations and resources to help users understand and interpret these insights, and with a little time, they become invaluable tools for performance optimization.
* Touchscreen Responsiveness in Wet Conditions: While generally excellent, the touchscreen can sometimes be less responsive when completely soaked. Fortunately, the presence of physical buttons provides a reliable alternative for controlling the watch during swims or heavy rain, ensuring functionality is never compromised.

Comparison with Similar Products

When considering a high-end GPS watch, the Garmin Forerunner 955 often finds itself compared to other strong contenders. Let’s look at a couple of popular alternatives.

One common comparison is with the Garmin Fenix 7 series. The Fenix 7 is Garmin’s flagship multisport watch, known for its premium materials like titanium and sapphire glass, making it even more rugged. While the Fenix 7 might offer a more premium feel and potentially even longer battery life in some configurations (especially the larger models), the Forerunner 955 offers virtually identical software and training features at a lighter weight and typically a lower price. For dedicated runners and triathletes, the 955 often provides a better value without sacrificing core functionality.

Another strong competitor is the Coros Pace 3 or Coros Apex 2. Coros watches are highly regarded for their exceptional battery life and competitive pricing. The Pace 3 is a fantastic entry-level multisport watch, offering great value, while the Apex 2 steps up with better materials and mapping. However, the Forerunner 955 generally offers more advanced physiological metrics like Training Readiness and HRV Status, along with more sophisticated on-device mapping, which can be a decisive factor for data-driven athletes. The Garmin Connect ecosystem also remains a significant draw for many.

Finally, some might consider the Apple Watch Ultra. This premium smartwatch excels in its integration with the Apple ecosystem, offering unparalleled smart features, a stunning display, and a very robust build. For general fitness and everyday use, it’s hard to beat. However, for serious, data-intensive endurance training, the Forerunner 955 often surpasses it in specialized metrics, battery life during GPS activities, and dedicated physical controls. The Garmin is purpose-built for athletes who prioritize training data and outdoor adventure.

Ultimately, the Garmin Forerunner 955 holds its own by striking an excellent balance. It offers top-tier training features, robust build quality, and extensive battery life, often at a more accessible price point than the Fenix series, and with more advanced metrics than many Coros models. It’s a compelling purchase for anyone serious about their sport.

User Comments

Overall, the sentiment for the Garmin Forerunner 955 is overwhelmingly positive. Users consistently praise its comprehensive training features, accurate GPS, and impressive battery life. Many highlight how the advanced metrics have genuinely transformed their training approach, helping them avoid overtraining and optimize performance. The quality of the product shines through in these reviews, making it a solid purchase.

Here are some specific user comments:

* “This watch has completely changed how I train for marathons. The Training Readiness score is incredibly accurate and helps me decide when to push hard and when to rest. The GPS is spot-on, even on my trickiest trail runs. Definitely worth the purchase.”
* “I upgraded from an older Garmin model, and the difference is night and day. The multi-band GPS is phenomenal, my routes are so much more accurate now. Battery life is also a huge improvement – I can go for days without thinking about charging, which is great for my long weekend rides.”
* “As a triathlete, I need a watch that can handle everything, and the 955 delivers. Switching between swim, bike, and run is seamless. I love the detailed recovery insights; they’ve genuinely helped me improve my performance and prevent injuries. It’s a fantastic product.”
* “The Morning Report is my favorite new feature. It gives me all the vital info I need right when I wake up – sleep score, HRV, and even a workout suggestion. It sets a positive tone for my day and helps me plan my training effectively. The quality of life improvements are significant.”
* “I was hesitant about the price, but after using it for a few months, I can say it’s a solid investment. The data it provides is actionable and helps me understand my body better. Plus, having maps on my wrist for trail running has been a lifesaver. You really get what you pay for with this review.”
* “This watch is a beast for battery life! I have the Solar version, and it just keeps going. I recently did a 50-mile (80 km) ultra, and it barely touched the battery. The features are endless, and the touch screen works well, though I use the buttons mostly during runs.”
* “Initially, I found the amount of data overwhelming, but after watching some tutorials and using it daily, I’ve learned to interpret it. The HRV Status has been crucial for me to understand my stress levels and recovery. It’s a powerful tool if you take the time to learn its features.”
* “I appreciate the balance between a fully functional training watch and everyday smartwatch capabilities. Garmin Pay is super convenient, and getting notifications on my wrist is handy. It’s a versatile product that fits seamlessly into my active life.”

Final Verdict

The Garmin Forerunner 955 stands as a highly capable and incredibly feature-rich GPS multisport watch. It’s a testament to Garmin’s commitment to providing serious athletes with the tools they need to excel. From its precise multi-band GPS to its deep physiological insights like Training Readiness and HRV Status, this device is built for performance.

While its price point might be a consideration for some, the value it offers in terms of data accuracy, battery longevity, and comprehensive training analysis is undeniable. This product is more than just a watch; it’s a dedicated coach on your wrist, guiding you toward your fitness goals with unparalleled detail.

If you’re a runner, triathlete, or any multisport enthusiast looking to gain a significant edge in your training and truly understand your body’s capabilities, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is an exceptional choice. It’s a high-quality purchase that will support your athletic ambitions for years to come. We strongly recommend doing further research on this excellent product.