Garmin’s Flagship Running Watch Evolves
The Garmin Forerunner 965 represents a significant leap forward in Garmin’s premium running watch lineup. Building on the success of the Forerunner 955, the 965 introduces a stunning AMOLED display, titanium bezel, and refined interface—all while retaining the multisport depth and training analytics that make Garmin a leader in endurance tech.
Released in March 2023, the Forerunner 965 targets runners, triathletes, and performance-focused athletes who want advanced metrics, full-color mapping, and long battery life in a lightweight form factor.
Design and Build: Lightweight Elegance Meets Durability
The Forerunner 965 features a 47.1mm case with a 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen boasting a crisp 454 x 454 resolution. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass DX, offering scratch resistance and clarity in bright conditions. The titanium bezel adds a premium feel without increasing weight—at just 52g, it’s lighter than many competitors in its class.
The watch is water-resistant to 5 ATM, suitable for swimming and wet weather. It uses Garmin’s 22mm QuickFit strap system, allowing easy swaps between silicone, leather, or nylon bands.
Display: AMOLED Brilliance with Always-On Capability
The AMOLED screen is the standout upgrade. Compared to the MIP display on the Forerunner 955, the 965’s screen is:
- Brighter and more vibrant, especially in direct sunlight
- More responsive, with smooth touch interactions
- Customizable, supporting widgets, watch faces, and data fields
The always-on mode is available and surprisingly power-efficient, though it does reduce battery life slightly.
Battery Life: Endurance Without Compromise
Despite the AMOLED upgrade, the Forerunner 965 delivers impressive battery performance:
- Smartwatch mode: Up to 23 days
- GPS mode (no music): Up to 31 hours
- GPS + Music: Up to 10.5 hours
This makes it suitable for ultra-distance events, multi-day adventures, and regular training without frequent charging. The switch to USB-C charging is a welcome modernization, though legacy Garmin cables still work.
Training Features: Deep Metrics for Serious Athletes
The Forerunner 965 includes Garmin’s full suite of training tools:
- Training Readiness: Combines sleep, HRV, recovery, and stress to assess daily readiness
- Training Load & Load Ratio: Tracks acute vs chronic load to prevent overtraining
- Running Dynamics: Wrist-based metrics like cadence, stride length, ground contact time
- Race Widget: Predicts race times and offers countdowns and weather forecasts
- Daily Suggested Workouts: Personalized based on recovery and goals
- Real-Time Stamina: Helps pace long efforts by estimating remaining energy
It supports multisport profiles, including triathlon, swimrun, gravel biking, and trail running, with one-touch transitions.
Navigation and Mapping
Unlike mid-tier models, the 965 includes full-color maps with:
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- ClimbPro for elevation breakdowns
- NextFork trail guidance
- Offline map downloads via Wi-Fi
This makes it ideal for trail runners, hikers, and cyclists who venture off-grid.
Health and Wellness Tracking
Beyond training, the 965 offers robust health monitoring:
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
- Pulse Ox (SpO2)
- Sleep tracking with sleep stages
- Stress and Body Battery
- Respiration rate and hydration tracking
- Morning Report: Daily summary of sleep, recovery, and training readiness
These features help athletes balance performance with recovery and lifestyle.
Smartwatch Features
While not a full smartwatch, the 965 includes:
- Garmin Pay for contactless payments
- Music storage (up to 2,000 songs) and streaming via Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music
- Smart notifications (calls, texts, app alerts)
- Find My Phone and Incident Detection
- Connect IQ store for apps and watch faces
It’s compatible with Android and iOS, though text replies are Android-only.
Comparison Chart: Forerunner 965 vs Key Competitors
| Feature | Garmin Forerunner 965 | Garmin Forerunner 955 | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 | Polar Vantage V3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.4″ AMOLED | 1.3″ MIP | 1.3″ AMOLED | 1.39″ AMOLED |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 260 x 260 | 416 x 416 | 454 x 454 |
| Battery (Smartwatch Mode) | 23 days | 15 days | 16 days | 8 days |
| GPS Battery Life | 31 hours | 42 hours | 42 hours | 40 hours |
| Weight | 52g | 53g | 70g | 57g |
| Mapping | Full-color maps | Full-color maps | Full-color maps | Basic route tracking |
| Training Readiness | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Running Dynamics (Wrist) | Yes | Yes (via update) | Yes | Yes |
| Music Storage | 2,000 songs | 2,000 songs | 2,000 songs | No |
| Garmin Pay / NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Price Range (UK) | £599 | £479–£549 | £829+ | £519 |
Value and Pricing
At £599, the Forerunner 965 is priced at the top of Garmin’s running lineup. However, it often sees discounts below £500, especially from retailers like Rock + Run, Sigma Sports, and Trek Bikes UK.
Compared to the Epix Pro or Fenix 7, it offers similar features in a lighter, more run-focused package. For athletes who prioritize performance over ruggedness, the 965 delivers excellent value.
Final Verdict: A Top-Tier Watch for Performance-Driven Athletes
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is a standout choice for runners, triathletes, and multisport athletes who want deep training insights, vibrant visuals, and reliable navigation. It’s not the most rugged or smartwatch-like device, but it excels where it matters: performance, precision, and endurance.
If you’re upgrading from a Forerunner 255 or 955, or switching from Polar or Suunto, the 965 offers a compelling mix of features and usability. It’s a watch built for athletes who train with intent—and want their gear to keep up.
