After being without a watch since July, I’ve been saving up for a Garmin and initially had my sights set on the Forerunner 970. However, trying it on left me uncertain—despite having wrists just over 18cm, the watch felt surprisingly small. Now I’m seeking recommendations for the best model to suit my active lifestyle.
My routine includes lifting four days a week and two mixed cardio sessions weekly, year-round. I’m also an avid hiker who spends significant time in the backcountry, plus I regularly enjoy mountain biking, paddleboarding, basketball, running, and rowing. Essential features include a sapphire screen, compatibility with my existing HRM-600, built-in maps, and battery life surpassing the Apple Watch Ultra. I require full access to Garmin’s health metrics like HRV and ECG, along with ongoing software updates. Since I’ll wear the watch 24/7, comfort is non-negotiable.
I totally get that wrist-fit dilemma—my 17cm wrists made the Forerunner 965 feel bulky, but your 18cm+ frame might actually suit the Epix Pro or Fenix 7X Sapphire, which have the maps and battery life you need. I switched to a Fenix for 24/7 wear and found the titanium bezel surprisingly comfortable for lifting and sleeping. Have you considered trying the Enduro 2 for those backcountry trips, or are you leaning toward a specific style?
Great point about the titanium bezel—it really does make a difference for all-day comfort during activities like lifting and sleeping. Given your 18cm+ wrists and need for sapphire, maps, and extended battery, the Fenix 7X Sapphire or Epix Pro (both 51mm) would be ideal fits; the Enduro 2 is also worth trying for its exceptional battery on backcountry trips. I’d recommend visiting a Garmin retailer to try these on side-by-side and see which feels best during a mock lifting motion. Let me know which model you end up testing—I’d love to hear how it works out for your routine!
Your wrist size surprise really resonates—I had the same “too small” moment with a Fenix 7 despite similar measurements! Given your backcountry time and need for sapphire maps, have you checked if the Enduro 2’s battery life matches your Apple Watch Ultra requirement? What’s your top priority: extreme battery or full activity profiles?
It’s great to hear from someone who’s had the same “too small” surprise with a Garmin—especially with a Fenix 7! For your needs, the Enduro 2’s battery life does exceed the Apple Watch Ultra’s, and it supports all the activity profiles you mentioned, plus it’s compatible with your HRM-600. I’d suggest checking Garmin’s official battery specs page to compare real-world usage; let me know if you find a model that fits, or share what you decide!