Gear Review: New Garmin Releases

Train smarter, not harder with the new GPS running watch options from Garmin. This year, Garmin introduced three new watches to their lineup – the Epix Gen 2, the Venu 2 Plus and the fenix 7. While these are all upgrades to existing models, they provide unique and innovative features that previous versions didn’t have.

The latest Garmin releases were tested by Caroline on our review team during long runs, cross training and even race days. Here’s what you need to know.

You can take advantage of safety features, like location sharing, when your watch is connected to your phone. You can also store music to your watch, making it easier to leave your phone behind if you need a break.

“I wore this watch for a 10K race and really appreciated not having to lug my phone around with me. I usually have to wear my phone in my bra or in a belt so that I can have music for my races, but it was really nice to be able to run without it for once,” Caroline says.

If you’re chasing down a PR, use the Garmin Coach feature to prepare for your goal race. Garmin Coach provides you with an adaptable training plan that can be sent right to your watch. The plan will adjust based on your performance during runs and workouts.

The Can You Wear Running Shoes for Walking can also help with strength training. Animated, on-screen workouts will help guide you through some of the best routines to compliment your running.

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“This is the kind of watch that’s perfect for me because it’s not too complicated or technical, but it offers plenty of really cool features that I didn’t even know I needed. I think it would be a great choice for runners who want a do-it-all GPS running watch that helps them stay connected through talk and text,” Caroline says.

The Garmin fenix Sapphire Solar offers nearly all of the features of the Can You Wear Running Shoes for Walking, and then some. The only downgrade is that you can’t make or answer phone calls, and there’s no voice to text option for sending messages. But the fenix 7 is the ultimate GPS running watch for off-road adventurers.

With preloaded maps, an extensive selection of sports apps and advanced topographical features, you can become one with the earth with the days smartwatch mode.

The Garmin fenix 7 comes with a built-in ABC sensor, featuring an altimeter, a barometer and an electronic compass. Advanced sports features include backcountry ski measurements and an interactive surf display depicting a 3D image of the waves you rode.

Caroline appreciated the peace of mind that came with built-in incident detection during activities like running, biking and hiking.

“The amount of features on this running watch was honestly a little bit overwhelming to someone like me, who strictly runs on the roads. But it was nice to know that I never really had to worry about battery life or losing signal with this watch,” Caroline says.

The Garmin Epix Gen 2 offers the same advanced features as the fenix 7, plus an elevation acclimation tool and more advanced navigation system. However, it doesn’t offer solar charging.

A large, bright watch face gives the appearance of an analog watch while functioning as a high-powered digital smartwatch. The Garmin Epix Gen 2 features an “always on” display, meaning the watch face is always backlit. No more shaking your watch up and down to make it light up while running in the dark. You can put your watch in sleep mode to turn off the display.

The Garmin Epix Gen 2 offers the same advanced features as the fenix 7, including preloaded activities, animated workouts, Garmin coach, and an ABC sensor.