Disclaimer: I received Garmin Forerunner 935 Multisport GPS Watch from Garmin to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I haven’t always been a runner. When I first started running, I would keep track of simple running stats in a running application on my phone.

When I started training for my first half marathon at the beginning of 2015, I was as green as they come. I didn’t run with any watch, phone, or app for my first race. I didn’t buy my first watch until a week after my second half marathon later that year – and that was because I had met my “goal weight” in my weight loss journey (at the time). 

Once I had my first fitness watch, I was hooked! All the information I hadn’t ever known about was like a black hole, so much to see and know…and I didn’t think I would ever come to know everything about it!

Well, a couple years later and many races of various distances under my belt, I know what features I look for most in a watch. 

Garmin

I grew up in Olathe, KS and always knew where the Garmin Headquarters is located. Until I became a runner, I had no idea what Garmin was or the impact they have on the local community and world.

“We make products that are engineered on the inside for life on the outside. We do this, so our customers can make the most of the time they spend pursuing their passions.” 

Since getting my first Garmin fitness tracker in 2015, I have used various Garmin devices.

I was recently given the opportunity to try one of Garmin’s newest multisport watches – the Garmin Forerunner 935 Multisport GPS Watch – and I jumped at the opportunity to upgrade!

Since then, I have logged 30 activities, 170+ miles, and over 5K of elevation gain – so I guess it is time for a review!

Garmin Forerunner 935 Multisport GPS Watch

Other than being a sleek, beautiful piece of tech, the Garmin Forerunner 935 Multisport GPS Watch has so many notable features. This blog post could easily be a small book by the time I am done going over the specs.

From Garmin’s website, these are the most notable features : 

• Offers advanced running and multisport features in a comfortable watch you can wear all day, and it only weighs 49 grams
• Provides elevation changes with a built-in barometer; altimeter and electronic compass help you keep your bearings
• Evaluates your training status to indicate if you’re undertraining or overdoing it and offers additional performance monitoring features
• Provides advanced dynamics for running, cycling and swimming, including ground contact time balance, stride length and more

For now, I will go over a few of my favorite features about the Garmin Forerunner 935.

Let’s get started!

Favorite Features 

Wrist-based heart rate monitor

Rather than a chest strap, Garmin has put an optical heart rate sensor in the back of the watch. This sensor is able to detect and report an accurate estimation of my heart rate at any given time.

Over the years, I have tried to be more in tune with the effort of my runs based on my heart rate. I keep my easy runs in Zone 2 (up to 140 bpm) and my harder runs in Zone 3 to Zone 4+ (150bpm+).

Since I started using the FR935, my main data screen is always the heart rate monitor rather than miles, pace, or time. This way, I am able to better control the intensity of my workouts no matter the situation.

With the wrist-based heart rate of the Garmin Forerunner 935, these numbers are at my fingertips…or at least at my wrist. 

Long battery life

My second great feature of the Garmin Forerunner 935 Multisport GPS Watch is the great battery life! Below are the rough timing functions of the battery in relation to the type of GPS function : 

• watch mode : 2 weeks
• GPS mode : 24 hours
• UltraTrac™ mode (w/wrist-based HR) : 50 hours
• UltraTrac™ mode (w/out wrist-based HR) : 60 hours

Out of the box, I charged my Forerunner 935 completely the first night. After that, it was well over a week before my battery was into the teens of percent battery left…which just made me a little nervous – so I charged it again. In the month that I have been wearing this watch, I have charged it only a couple of times – while maintaining 20-40 mile weeks on the road and trail.

Amazing!

UltraTrac™ mode

As a runner partaking in the ultra marathon scene more each year, I am drawn to the UltraTrac™ mode of the 935.

To elaborate a little more on the battery function, a typical GPS will take measurements every 1 second. This is why standard GPS will suck the life from your device relatively quickly (or 24 hours for this watch). 

With your Garmin Forerunner 935 in UltraTrac™ mode, the GPS points are taken less frequently – thus, extending the life of your battery by over double the time! 

With plans of taking on the 100 mile distance in 2018, the UltraTrac™ mode will help me stay charged up and not need to take an extra battery pack to charge my watch along the way!

Multisport functions (activities)

The Garmin Forerunner 935 Multisport GPS Watch is a running/triathlon watch with wrist-based heart rate. While I use mostly the various run activities (run, walk, treadmill, trail run), the 935 goes far beyond JUST a running & triathlon watch.

When scrolling through the different activities that you can track with the 935, you may be surprised to find : 

Yoga   Strength   Cardio   Bike   Multisport   Open Water
Indoor Track   Pool Swim   Triathalon   Hike   Climb
Ski   Snowboard   SUP   Row   Golf

…and several more!

Depending on the activity you use, the 935 will adjust the information it collects. For example, there is no need for the GPS to be on if you are on the treadmill. Similarly, the only information retained when you are using the Yoga activity is your heart rate and time spent. 

Another bonus – you can create your own Multisport activities. I don’t typically run only roads or only trail…I usually have to run roads to get to the trail. So I created a “Road/Trail” custom option! This way, I can have a better understanding how my pace, heart rate, and cadence changes between these two different running surfaces.

Full Customization 

There is no shortage of ways to customize this watch. Here are just a few (yeah, there are more!) :

• watch bands
• watch face + watch face features + colors
• activities & apps + favorite activities
• widgets (heart rate, performance stats, steps, calendar, etc.)
• notifications (all day and/or during activity)
• additional sensors & accessories
• navigation & GPS settings
• data screens + alerts
• alarms

Widgets and apps aren’t just for your smart phone anymore. The amount of data and information these programs and applications provide is a game-changer for sure! 

Altitude     Stress Level     Average Heart Rate     Calories Burned
Cadence     Ascent/Descent     Training Effect    Elevation
Stairs Climbed     Training Status     Weekly Mileage
Steps     Calendar     Weather

My fellow BibRave Pro’s also went through various features on their review posts as well. Be sure to check them out!

Gina     Jenna     Heather     Samantha     Mark     Meridith     Mai     Emily     Brenda     Casey      Angie     Ryan     Vanessa     Lisa     Frank

Check out Garmin Fitness on their social handles for fun promotions and to get the scoop on new products : Facebook    Twitter    YouTube    Pinterest    Instagram

As always, check out these awesome run-spiring linkups this week :

Tuesday’s on the Run     Wild Workout Wednesday     Running Coach’s Corner

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and start a conversation!

More Ways to connect with Lindsey from LivingLovingRunner :

Facebook > @livinglovingrunner
Instagram > @livinglovingrunner
Twitter > @livinglovingrun
Pinterest > @livinglovingrun
Bloglovin’ > @livinglovingrunner