Features:

  • GPS running watch with multisport features
  • Estimates heart rate at the wrist so you can run freer on race day.Shock resistant
  • Provides advanced dynamics for running, cycling and swimming7, including ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical ratio and more (when paired with a Running Dynamics Pod, HRM-Run or HRM-Tri Monitor, sold separately)
  • Offers VO2 max estimate, lactate threshold (when used with a chest strap heart rate monitor), race predictor and recovery advisor
  • Connected features4: smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, live tracking and more
  • Customize with free watch faces, apps and more from our Connect IQ store
Full Featured, super light, incredible battery life - Finally everything I wanted in an activity tracker for my lifestyle.

Most activity trackers I've tried or looked at had some sort of a trade-off, whether it was lacking (good) HR monitoring, unable to log high precision/rate GPS positions, was ungainly or had poor battery life. This is everything I wanted in an activity tracker. It precisely records my location for runs and other activities (which can be configured), has an accurate heart rate (except when strength training), and has proven to be quite reliable with step counts. Then there is so much more. I got the Tri-strap (it also comes with the pool swim strap which was a suprise) because I do sprint tri's. It is helping me improve my running technique. Coupled with MyFitnessPal, I'm able to accurately measure my calories burned and match it up with my calories consumed to stay on track with weight management. It is light as a feather and is not noticeable on my about average adult male wrist. I have the HR monitor going full-time. I use GPS only for my soccer referee activity profile, GPS and GLONASS for my run profile. The battery will last several days even if I have a couple of these GPS (power hungry) activities. If all I do is HR monitor (which would include indoor strength and cardio activities), then It loses about 10% charge per day, meaning that it will last a week or so. The photo attached (yes I've hardly moved from my desk so far today and I'm on my lunch break) shows the custom watch face I've been using. You can also see at the 4:00 position where my glass screen protector took a ding. I bought a 3 pack so I'll swap it out if it gets worse. The only time I've seen the HR be off is when strength training. I think the blood vessels to my hands are constricting. I played around with the location/tightness and mostly have it figured out, but I don't think about HR when strength training most of the time. So what if it misses <50 calories. I know it can connect to some stuff for my bike but I haven't ridden in a while. I haven't rode or swam since I got the kit. The screen is fairly dim. My middle aged eyes are starting to go. The screen shown in the photo is hard to read in certain lighting conditions, but the default one is fine. If you can get by without the GPS logging or heart rate monitor, you can save some money, but for me, this was worth the $600 I spent on the whole kit. I'm super happy with it. I won't be buying another one for as long as this lasts!!!

As Advertised

I've had the watch for a couple of months now and have really enjoyed it. I have used it primarily as a running watch and it's running functionality is fantastic. Sleep tracking and heart rate monitor is also useful and seems very accurate. So far the only disappointing thing I have to say is I haven't found a quality app to track time in the gym while lifting weights. It's a small gripe, but I'm hopeful they are able to add some new apps. Also, wish the watch had replaceable straps and utilized the popular quick release function, but I understand those are more likely to fail during strenuous activity. Would recommend to people who do lots of running, biking and swimming. Gym focused people should consider other options.

Incredible Sports Smart Watch.

I love this sports watch! This watch does everything I want from a sports watch, and more! It's also a smart watch so it shows my text messages. I haven't even tried all of the functions yet. I really like the display in that the brighter it is outside, the easier it is to see. I'm not sure what the technology is, but all phones, tablets, etc... should be like that! I bought this watch AND the Garmin fenix 3 HR watch to compare because I wasn't sure which one I would like better. I actually liked the fenix 3 better and it had a few more functions that I liked, but I simple couldn't get used to the size so I returned the fenix 3 HR and kept the Forerunner 735XT. I've attached a couple of pictures comparing the two so hopefully it helps your decision on which one to purchase. I believe Garmin has the best smart sports watches out there and several different options at different prices so no mater what style you prefer in a sports watch, I recommend Garmin.

Best GPS enabled tri watch for small wrists!!

I have a 5.5 inch wrist circumference and this watch fits comfortably. Has more functions than I know what to do with. In love. Highly reccomend to petite triathletes (or any athlete) as it's feature packed, highly adjustable, and capable of tracking open water swims among other things like outdoor cycling, indoor, cycling, running, heart rate, and recommended recovery time. Gives text notifications as well.

Garmin has reached new heights in design and customization, but there will be a learning curve for most in using it

Note: I will update this review as I use the watch more, but wanted to give my initial impressions after two runs with it. Updated 7/10/16: I've worn it for about three weeks now, so provided some additional thoughts at bottom of review. Updated 7/20/16: Something else great about this watch is how quickly it charges. I've never had a Garmin come close to the speed this thing powers up. I'd estimate that it charges at least twice as fast as my FR225 did. Background: I know it is a tri-watch, but I only use it for running. I've previously owned the Forerunner 220 and 225. There are a ton of new features with this one, and I couldn't resist. The Great: Weight, feel, size, look. Aesthetically no complains. Battery life is also excellent (although it might not last through an Iron-Man) and the apps/features feel limitless. The Good: If you have used a Garmin watch before, then the learning curve shouldn't be too steep. That being said, it can be overwhelming. The customizable nature of it (considering the size and weight) is, like, amazing. I've been playing around with it for the last 36 hours (which some people might not want to spend the time doing...) The "Needs Improvement" Stuff: To be fair, this has less to do with the watch than it does Garmin. But they continue to have issues in terms of ease of use between the device, their apps and their desktop applications. This isn't as big of a deal with watches that have less features, like my 220 and 225, but for the 735xt, it can be quite challenging. The watch already comes preloaded with a lot of widgets, which is good and bad. Generally the biggest challenge is figuring out how to get apps and turn on/off widgets (and rearrange everything as you'd like). It isn't intuitive and the roadmap to doing it could be better articulated. A second "Needs Improvement" area is the "flow" between screens/interfaces. I completely understand that there is only so much they can do, but between the five watch buttons, it takes some real time to figure out what does what. For example, you can scroll through the widgets by pressing down, but pressing down does other things depending on what you're doing at the time. Despite the constructive criticisms, I'm still giving the 735xt five stars for now. You simply can't beat the size and customizable nature of it. However if you aren't willing or able to invest the time needed to really understand the device and adjust it to meet your needs, then you might end up frustrated. Update: Have worn it long enough to say that it is very comfortable. GPS, HR, etc. is fairly accurate ("fairly" compared to perfection, but very accurate when compared to current competition). Customization (once you get over the learning curve) is pretty great. No issues on the battery life. I think that 14-hour max w/ GPS on might be on the low end. If you started a long race at 100 percent battery, I feel confident you'd get at least 18 hours out of it (unless you kept the backlight on a lot). I was able to get six days of constant wear w/ HR monitor on and running for about eight hours during that time before it got down to about 1-2 percent.

Great smartwatch

I recently purchased the Garmin Forerunner first because I needed to track multiple activities, running and cycling, and second I wanted to be untethered from my phone on my runs. When I received the Garmin watch the packaging secured the watch. the watch was undamaged and the package was not beat up as other orders I received have been. When I opened the package and read the instruction manual, the set up process was easy. The Garmin app was free to download and paired the watch to my iphone was no trouble. I am pleased with the intial set up. When using the Garmin watch while cycling indoors, the watch keeped good time and pace. I had trouble keeping any metrics except for time with my apple watch. When using the Garmin watch while running, the watch keeped accurate time and distance without taking my iphone with me. I had to take my phone with me when using the apple watch to track distance and time which was a problem when it was raining because I dont have a waterproof case for my phone. I wore the Garmin watch while it was raining and the watch function perfectly. One thing to note is when done with any activity make sure the watch pairs with app to save the activity. The only problem I have encountered is after I allowed the Garmin app and watch access to my facebook account I still can't post through the app. I like being able to see my heartrate and calories burned on one face before, during, and after workouts. the watch has other metrics but I don't need them. Overall, this watch is great for tracking any activity as well as showing heartrate and calories. the watch is waterproof, so I dont have to worry about water damge, and the watch functions independant of my phone.

Love it

I have owned a TomTom Runnung Cardio and Fitbit Surge. This Garmin is far superior to the other watch brands that I have used in the past. The GPS feature is excellent and refreshes quickly. Many apps and widgets available for download, including watch faces. I use the app for my iPhone and it works well with the watch. Set up and full programming options require logging on to the Garmin website with the watch attached to the computer. The chest strap works well and enables V02 Max calculation. The strap with a runny bra was a little chafing. I wouldn't wear it for a long run. It might work better for men. I also purchased a screen protector based on other reviews. I am hoping that the blue strap wears well.

Versatile and getting better with each use

Really impressed with this watch. I mainly use this for running but really like that there is a seamless transition for other sports. I can't speak to the differences between this model and the 235. I mainly bought this model to have the Strava Segments Live feature, which is not available on the 235. To that end, the "Segments Live" feature is not as cool as I thought it would be, though that is no fault of the watch. The segments seem to start a short distance after the segment would appear on Strava, but I don't think that is the watch's fault. I really like the ease of use. Screens are easy to navigate and I'm a fan of buttons over touch screen, particularly where I'm in gloves all winter and sweating like a pig in the summer. You can tell that this watch is designed with athletes in mind. Like any watch, it takes a little while for it to get used to you. My heartrate data (which I admittedly don't use all that often) was all over the place at first but seems to have leveled out. The distance measurements also seem to get more and more consistent with time. The satellite is picking up faster and faster each time as well. Really great watch.

Best Fitness Watch I Have Owned

I use the watch mainly to track my heart rate while running and biking every day. The heart rate sensor works very well and I am 100% satisfied with this watch. It connects to my android phone perfectly. The details that it gives you are amazing. The battery really does last 2 weeks. I run every day for about 35 minutes and ride 2 days a week for about 3 hours each time. I use the watch gps for all my exercises and the battery still lasts 2 weeks. I have charged it from 5% to 100% in about an hour. When i first got the watch it took some time to learn how Garmen does things, since im use to samsung watches. But now I can breeze through the menus. I have had the watch for about 3 months. The sleep info is pretty good too. On the days that I am tired I can look back at my sleep pattern for the night before and see how many times I woke up, how much deep sleep I got and light sleep. The heart rate "suffer score" works very well and motivates you to pick up the pace when it falls to low. You can also download routes to follow and the watch will track your best times and alert you as you complete each segment on the route. Its a little pricy but well worth the 455.00. The first picture is the heart rate score while running and the second is a free watch face i downloaded that tracks and shows steps, calories burned and heart rate right on the main screen. One last thing, it helps to track your heart rate if you wear the watch a little above your wrist, like in the pictures. OK. its now nem 9 months and I still wear the watch everyday all day long. I was charging it this morning after the battery went completly dead on me over night. I have been busy with work and havent been using the GPS and I havent charged the watch in 2 weeks. Actually I forgot all about charging it. lol. So I thought I would update my review and give more info. This is truly one of the best exercise waches on the market. Garmen just updated the phone app and it even better and easier to use.

Right size and weight for runners, especially long distance ones.

I have the Fenix 3 HR and was considering a switch to either the 735XT or the newer and more expensive 935. I do not relish carrying a huge tank of a watch like the Fenix 3HR on my wrist when going long distances and wanted something smaller and lighter. For me, I would say the 735XT strikes the perfect balance for a running watch. It is much much smaller than the Fenix 3HR (and also the new Fenix 5 series), and significantly smaller than the 935 (44mm vs 46 mm - yes, this makes a whole world of difference). It is also much lighter. It has practically all the functions I need and then some. I don't miss the extra features of the Fenix 3 HR.

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