Garmin - Instinct 2 - Standard Edition (45mm)

Garmins might do better for you then. They are great at tracking and have smart features but also get a week or more on a charge. I love my instict 2 for how simple and non intrusive it is.

The first and arguably best choice id recommend for anyone is the Garmin Instinct 2 (or the larger Instinct 2X), that's about it, check it out and see what you think Yes it has smart notifications but you can fully turn off Bluetooth at the system level, and when you do, those notifications are completely gone just like many other models in the market, they're not as intrusive as you think If you want something even simpler, check on the Suunto Core and if you want to go for something a bit more on the high end side, check on the Coros Vertix 2 which is a premium option but has an insane battery life, dual-band GPS and amazing performance over smart features. Funnily enough, I got both the Instinct 2 and the Coros Vertix which I alternate between but the Coros hits differ with the premium feel idk. You can try [9 Best Smartwatches Worth Investing in 2025: Hiking and Running](https://alaskanarrows.com/best-smartwatches-in-2025-for-hiking-and-running/) for others though Cheers, hope this helps!

My requirements list was almost identical to yours. I got an Instinct 2 a couple of months back (when they were on special due to imminent release of Instinct 3) I was a bit concerned about not having AMOLED. But that was lack of familiarity . I'm really happy with the MIP.

I got mine about 2 months ago. I've gone from a Pixel watch, to an Instinct 2 to the X1. When I got it I was looking at the Fenix, Epix range, but just came away feeling that they were simply too bulky. Then I went back to a local streo for another look and by chance saw a couple of boxed X1s in the Garmin display cabinet, they weren't on display and the staff didn't want to open one up for me to take a look. I hung around a bit and read the DC Rainmaker review in the store and just bought it on the spur of the moment. So light! I use the LED torch much more than I though I would. The battery life is fine, I plug it in when I shower and that's it. Sure, it does't look like I've got half a kg of apocalypse-proof steel strapped to my wrist - and some might think it looks like a $50 Apple knockoff from Temu - but in my opinion, it's still one the best tech purchases I've made. I love it.

I loved my coros pace 2. It was prettier than my garmin instinct 2, which i just got because I cracked the screen of the coros watch. I thought about replacing with the pace 3, but it was the second time in 4 years that the screen got cracked.

Exact. I have the Instinct 2 Solar and I bought it new for €200. It's spectacular.

I love my instinct 2's MIP display while biking. So easy to glance at my stats while riding. It looks like gshock (a pro and a con).

Yep. I wish it had some more bells and whistles in terms of health metric tracking, but I can live without that if it means I almost never have to worry about the battery. I genuinely wish I had gotten the solar one because it would become a complete non-issue, but even the regular model is bonkers compared to the competition

Depends what cycling you do. If you're a mountain biker I'm always going to suggest the instinct 2. It will survive a crash much better than the other garmins will. Not that we plan to crash on the mtb but let's be honest. Sometimes a tree steps out in front of you

I use a Garmin Instinct 2. I really love it, it seems to be an all-around sports watch instead of running focused (I don't run, but a do a lot of hiking, biking, and paddling).

Really like my instinct 2 I got during their summer sale for $170ish usd. I got it just for mountain biking

If you want max battery life and don't care about smartwatch features other than fitness tracking get the instinct series. There's several options based off of your preferred display and it gets up to 28 days of battery with notifications turned off

People have to stop comparing these. These are for two different people. I would never wear an Apple Watch based on battery life alone. I specifically got the Garmin for a wrist based gps and mapping tool to track and orient myself. You buy an Apple Watch to use smart features and be connected to your phone. Garmin has never been in that market. It's a whole company based on gps systems for outdoor activities . You buy an Apple Watch to have Apple ecosystem. you can't use half the feature of the fenix on an iPhone bc they only want you to use their watch... Garmin are all specifically made for their audience even down the the model . Apple watches are just to keep you plugged into your phone and have no bearing on actual outdoor activities despite calling it ultra. The Millitary has been orienteering with Garmin wrist based gps systems forever. You'd never catch an Apple Watch on patrol in Afghanistan. 😂

You can't go wrong with a Garmin. The Instinct series is very rugged and reasonably priced. The fenix series is also super rugged but is at a premium cost

Garmin Instinct 2 with the HRM Pro Plus chest strap. Laps are counted perfectly as long as you have a clear push off the wall and extend your arm to glide for a second. If you try checking your watch mid-lap it will think you are gliding after a wall and add a lap. Afterwards you can always adjust the number of laps on an activity. Autolap works for wall touches or flip turns you just need a predictable push off the wall for it to sense the lap. I also set my watch to vibrate every 4 lengths so I can keep track of lengths without reading my watch and also I notice right away if a lap was dropped or added, since the watch will vibrate when I'm swimming away from the starting wall (it buzzes about 4 strokes into your 4th lap). I use manual rest, I don't trust auto-rest. Plus when I'm done my rest I get a 321 countdown to start the next set. The chest strap - if your swimsuit goes over it you'll be set, since as a guy I just wear jammers I can't push off the wall full force otherwise the chest strap moves. The bonus of that though is my 50m pool pace is the same as my 25m pool pace since I'm not gaining anything from the wall push. I also check that the chest strap is connected to the watch before I start the swim activity and then after the swim activity it downloads heart rate data to the watch. During the activity the water gets in the way and you only get heart rate data from the watch, but after it downloads you can check which HR zone you were swimming in at certain paces. If you care about heart rate data this is the best way in my opinion, otherwise water gets between the optical sensor and your skin and throws off the readings completely.

FWIW I much prefer a Garmin instinct 2 over the Apple Watch. More durable and masculine

If you just want a watch over a computer, I'd look at a garmin watch. 100% the best fitness tracking watches out there. Apple Watch is often described as a smart watch with some fitness stuff thrown in Garmin is a fitness watch with some smart watch stuff thrown in. My instinct 2 lasts 23 days without tracking activities. With regular activities it's more like 14 days. However the best option for cycle tracking is always going to be a cycling computer and HRM strap. What brand you go for is up to you. I use a Garmin 530 as I'm already in the ecosystem with their watches.

Ah - this is why I scrolled down. I got the same watch back in the spring. I poked around at the buttons and tried to make sense of the bouldering widget. Maybe I don't understand it well - but it seems silly to have to log each boulder problem individually. Or if I'm climbing routes, I don't want to have to stare at my watch for 72 seconds and start a new activity after each climb. Am I doing it wrong?

Second this. This watch is indestructible and tells you everything you need to know!

Sure. I use the instinct 2. I mostly use it for tracking heart data during weight training. It's also got hiit workouts built in. And I also value the watch for tracking sleep data, hrv, steps, sunrise/sunset time....and the time. Great tool.

Have you considered a Garmin Instinct or Instinct 2 ($100-$200)? I use it in parallel to my Time. It supports canned responses for replying to messages, GPS, heart rate, has a msg counter on the watchfaces (useful for determining whether to check your phone), has long battery life, MIP AOD and I can scroll through my daily calendar too. New ones ($400+) have a mic you can use to reply to msgs and for the voice assistant.

No. Get the instinct 2, should be available in good prices as 3 is already available. One of my best cost benefit purchases ever

It's not a very feminine look, but the Instinct 2 has blown me away after moving from a Fitbit Sense 2. Garmin is a little harder to get used to, but is so much better once you do!

Forerunner 955 as my main watch. Refurbished Instinct 2 as a backup and for pool swimming (chlorine destroys everything, so I wanted something cheaper than the 955 to use as a semi-sacrificial watch).

I use the Garmin Instinct 2 and really happy with the tracking and training guidance it provides. Being able to customize the screens I see during my swim is something that I really like. Previously, I used an Apple watch for track my swims, and that was pretty accurate too, but because it was all touch interface I would end up accidentally pausing or ending my workout without intending to. Also, I realise now that Apple's insights don't even come close to the detailed analysis and guidance I get with Garmin.

maybe instinct series 2 or 3... with solar option if hiking multi days... lighter options like 45mm i2 solar for HR (lighter watches tend to give more precise HR results overall, especially recommended ones like i2)... good luck

Well having owned a se2 for 2 years now battery health is at 80% this means that on long bike rides my watch dies before my ride ends. I have now returned to my very old and abused garmin 45 which still lasts for almost a week. Will get myself Garmin Venu or FR 265 next. Also.. If I have to charge my watch daily... It really beats the purpose. And as a smartwatch /fittnes watch : Going on a weekend somewhere? Oh better bring my charger! Going for a ride somewhere but have to drive for 4 hours before arriving there? - oh better turn off the watch before I get there so the batter lasts while using GPS tracking :)) A apple watch that lasts for at least 5 days would keep me in the eco system for sure