Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch Review

First Impressions of Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch promises to be more than just a running watch. Garmin has packed this device with features aimed at athletes and fitness enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive tool for training, recovery, and overall health monitoring. The Power Glass solar charging capability is a significant draw, suggesting extended battery life for long training sessions.

I was drawn to the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch because I needed a reliable, multi-sport GPS watch with advanced training metrics and extended battery life. My aging watch struggled to keep up with my triathlon training schedule, often dying mid-ride or failing to accurately track open water swims. The promised solar charging and improved GPS accuracy of the Forerunner 955 Solar Watch seemed like the perfect solution to my performance tracking and endurance concerns.

Upon unboxing, the watch felt surprisingly light despite its robust feature set. The fiber-reinforced polymer case felt solid, and the silicone band was comfortable against my skin. The combination of traditional buttons and a touch display offered a sense of familiarity and modern functionality.

Compared to my older Suunto and a friend’s Polar Vantage V2, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch seemed to strike a better balance of features, usability, and battery life. The Suunto’s interface felt clunky, and the Polar’s battery life paled in comparison to the Garmin’s advertised 20 days with solar charging. I was also intrigued by the race widget, promising tailored training tips and completion time predictions.

My initial impression was excitement mixed with cautious optimism. The promise of extended battery life, advanced training metrics, and improved GPS accuracy was compelling. I was eager to put the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch through its paces and see if it lived up to the hype.

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Real-World Testing: Putting Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch to the Test

First Use Experience

I first tested the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch during a week-long training block that included running, cycling, and swimming sessions. The watch accurately tracked my pace, distance, and heart rate in all three activities. The open water swim tracking was particularly impressive, consistently mapping my route despite the challenging conditions.

During a long trail run in humid conditions, the watch performed admirably, and the silicone band remained comfortable and secure. The display remained easily readable even in direct sunlight, and the button controls proved useful when my fingers were sweaty and the touch screen was less responsive. I experienced no connectivity issues with my heart rate monitor or cycling power meter.

The watch was intuitive to use, and I quickly learned how to navigate the various menus and customize data fields. The daily suggested workouts were a helpful guide, and the training readiness score provided valuable insight into my recovery status. After the first few uses, the watch helped me understand when it was time to push hard and when it was time to rest.

My only minor issue after the initial use was with the sleep tracking, which occasionally seemed inaccurate. It sometimes recorded me as awake when I was clearly asleep and vice versa.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several months of consistent use, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch has proven to be a reliable and durable training companion. The fiber-reinforced polymer case shows no signs of scratches or damage, and the silicone band remains in excellent condition. I have used the watch in various environments, including rainy runs, dusty mountain bike rides, and chlorinated swimming pools, without any issues.

Maintenance is straightforward: I simply rinse the watch with fresh water after each use and occasionally wipe it down with a damp cloth. The solar charging has noticeably extended the battery life, especially during outdoor activities. I typically only need to charge the watch once every two weeks, even with regular GPS use.

Compared to my previous GPS watches, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch significantly outperforms them in terms of accuracy, battery life, and feature set. The advanced training metrics and recovery insights have helped me optimize my training and avoid overtraining. The watch is a noticeable upgrade.

Breaking Down the Features of Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Garmin. Garmin has truly delivered an impressive watch.
• Application: Fitness. The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch is specifically designed for fitness tracking and training.
• Gender: Unisex. Its design and features cater to both male and female athletes.
• Battery Type: Lithium Ion. This provides reliable and long-lasting power.
• Case Material: Fiber-Reinforced Polymer. This material provides durability and lightweight properties.
• Case Diameter: 33 mm. The compact size sits comfortably on the wrist.
• Bezel Finish: Black. The black bezel offers a sleek and stylish look.
• Band/Strap Material: Silicone. The silicone band offers comfort and durability.
• Wrist Band Type: Strap. A classic strap design offers a secure fit.
• Movement: Digital. This ensures accurate timekeeping and data processing.
• Weight: 53 g. Its lightweight design minimizes distraction during workouts.
• Battery life: up to 20 days of battery life in smartwatch mode (assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions); up to 42 hours in GPS mode and up to 49 hours with solar charging (assuming continuous use for entire period in 50,000 lux conditions); up to 110 hours in UltraTrac mode with solar charging (assuming use in 50,000 lux conditions). This extended battery life is a major selling point.

These specifications are important because they directly influence the watch’s performance, durability, and user experience. The lightweight design and comfortable band make it ideal for long workouts. The extended battery life ensures that it can keep up with even the most demanding training schedules.

Performance & Functionality

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch excels at its primary job: accurately tracking and analyzing athletic performance. The GPS is precise, even in challenging environments, and the heart rate monitor provides reliable data. The training metrics, such as training load, training effect, and recovery time, are invaluable for optimizing training.

One strength is the race widget, which provides personalized training tips and completion time predictions based on course details, weather, and performance. The morning report provides a comprehensive overview of sleep, recovery, and training outlook, which allows me to start my day informed and prepared. A weakness is that incident detection is enabled by default for select activity profiles only.

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch exceeds my expectations in terms of accuracy, functionality, and overall usability. The watch has become an indispensable tool for my triathlon training.

Design & Ergonomics

The build quality is excellent, with a robust fiber-reinforced polymer case and a comfortable silicone band. The watch feels lightweight and comfortable on the wrist. It is also easy to read, even in direct sunlight.

The watch is user-friendly, with an intuitive interface and a clear menu structure. While there is a slight learning curve to master all of the features, the watch is generally easy to use. The combination of traditional buttons and a touch screen is also a plus, as it allows for easy navigation in various conditions.

Durability & Maintenance

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch is built to last. The fiber-reinforced polymer case is resistant to scratches and impacts, and the silicone band is durable and easy to clean. The watch is also water-resistant, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities.

Maintenance is minimal, requiring only a quick rinse with fresh water after each use. The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch is designed for long-term use.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch comes with a charging cable and a quick start manual. It is compatible with a wide range of Garmin accessories, including heart rate monitors, running dynamics pods, and cycling power meters.

The watch face and data fields can be customized through the Garmin Connect IQ Store. There are numerous apps, widgets, and data fields available to enhance the functionality of the watch. The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch offers considerable customization potential.

Pros and Cons of Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch

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Who Should Buy Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch?

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch is perfect for triathletes, runners, cyclists, and other endurance athletes who want a comprehensive training tool with long battery life. It is also suitable for fitness enthusiasts who want to track their overall health and activity levels.

Those who are primarily interested in basic fitness tracking and do not require advanced training metrics or extended battery life may find this product to be overkill. Individuals who prioritize minimalist design and style over functionality may also prefer a different watch.

Must-have accessories include a heart rate monitor and a running dynamics pod for advanced running metrics. Consider also a screen protector to keep your watch free of scratches.

Conclusion on Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch is an exceptional GPS running and triathlon smartwatch that delivers on its promises. The extended battery life, accurate GPS tracking, and comprehensive training metrics make it a valuable tool for serious athletes. While the sleep tracking could be improved, the overall performance and functionality of the watch are outstanding.

The price is justified given the extensive feature set and the quality of the product. The features it boasts are well worth the money.

I would highly recommend the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch to anyone looking for a reliable, accurate, and feature-rich GPS watch for training and racing. If you are ready to take your fitness tracking to the next level, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch is a worthwhile investment.