The Best Garmin for Triathlon in 2025

Looking for the best Garmin multisport watch for triathlon? This guide covers top Garmin watches for triathletes in 2025 to help you find the right one for training and racing. We spoke to the team at Garmin to get their recommendations for an entry level sports watch, as well as options for serious triathletes and professionals.

Top Garmin Watches for Triathlons

Triathletes require watches that not only track multiple sports but also provide accurate data and are comfortable to wear. Garmin have a huge selection of watches, so we asked them to pull a list of the best Garmin watches for triathlons in 2025.

• Best for Beginners: Garmin Forerunner 265

• Best for Advanced Metrics: Garmin Forerunner 965

• Best Premium Option: Garmin Fenix 8

These tri watches cater to different levels of athletes and offer all the features that can boost your performance and training efficiency. All of the below are suitable for open water swimming and feature tri specific features such as built in GPS.

*Please note prices accurate at the time of writing and subject to change

Garmin Forerunner 265 - Best for Beginners

Price: $‌408.00

Specifications:

• 1.3-inch display with 416 x 416 pixels resolution

• Solid battery performance (up to 13 days)

Pros:

• Affordable and essential triathlon functionalities

• User-friendly interface

• Suggested workout and essential metric tracking

• Features like onboard music, Garmin Pay and Garmin Connect

Cons:

• Limited advanced metrics

• Shorter battery life compared to other Garmin watches at higher price points

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is an excellent choice for those new to triathlons. Its affordability and core functions make it perfect for entry-level users. Beginners will find its user-friendly interface easy to navigate and it also provides workout suggestions and tracks key metrics like heart rate and sleep, aiding new users. Its 1.3-inch display with a resolution of 416 x 416 pixels provides clear visibility of data.

While the battery life is shorter compared to higher-end models, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is a solid choice for beginners looking to get a foothold with their triathlon training. If you are looking for the best budget triathlon watch on the market, you can't go wrong with the Forerunner 265.

What is the difference between Forerunner 265 and 265s?

The Garmin Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 265S are nearly identical in features, but they mainly differ in size, weight, and battery life. Pick the Forerunner 265S if you have smaller wrists, want a lighter watch, or prefer slightly better battery life.

Features That Make the 265 the Best Triathlon Watch for Beginners

Triathlon & Multisport Tracking – The built-in triathlon and multisport profiles allow seamless transitions between swimming, cycling, and running, automatically recording splits so athletes can focus on their race.

Advanced Training & Recovery Insights – Features like Training Readiness, HRV Status, and Recovery Time help triathletes optimise performance by ensuring they train effectively and recover properly.

Accurate GPS & Performance Metrics – Multi-band GPS, wrist-based running power, and performance condition analysis provide precise tracking and real-time insights to fine-tune race strategy and training.

Garmin Forerunner 965 - Best Triathlon Watch for Advanced Metrics

Price: $‌536.00

Specifications:

• AMOLED screen with 454 x 454 pixels resolution

• Up to 31 hours battery life in GPS mode without music

Pros:

• Advanced performance metrics like VO2 max and lactate threshold

• Excellent battery life

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for beginners used to other fitness tracking watches

• Higher price point than other Garmin GPS watch models

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is a powerhouse for serious triathletes. It boasts advanced performance metrics such as VO2 max, lactate threshold, and running dynamics, which are essential for those looking to maximise their training and performance. Its AMOLED display with a 454 x 454 pixels resolution simplifies viewing maps and training stats, and the battery lasts up to 31 hours in GPS mode without music. Garmin’s Forerunner 965 is an essential tool for any athlete, with everyday useful features like Garmin Connect and Garmin Pay.

While Forerunner 965’s menu system can be a little overwhelming for beginners, but for those who are serious about their training and need detailed metrics, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is an excellent choice. This is a premium watch for endurance athletes looking for training analysis and fitness features.

Features That Make the 965 the Best Triathlon Watch for Advanced Multi Sport Athletes

Optimised Training Readiness – Get a daily readiness score based on sleep, recovery, and training load to help determine if it’s a good day to push hard or take it easy.

Seamless Multisport Tracking – Automatically switch between sports with built-in triathlon and multisport profiles, ensuring smooth transitions and accurate split tracking.

Advanced Navigation & Mapping – Full-colour built-in maps, turn-by-turn directions, and round-trip routing keep you on track whether running, cycling, or swimming in open water.

Garmin Fenix 8 - Best Premium Option

Price: $‌917.00

Specifications: The new addition to Garmin's Fenix range, this device features a 1.4-inch bright amoled screen display. This touchscreen technology enhances visual quality.

• Long battery life of 29 days

• Built-in LED flashlight

• Also available in 51mm and Solar Options

Pros:

• Comprehensive tracking capabilities

• Durable and robust construction

• Comfortable for long wear

• Offers the ultimate in GPS tracking

Cons:

• Hefty price tag compared to other watches from Garmin

• May be overkill for casual users

The Garmin Fenix 8 represents the pinnacle of premium triathlon watches. With robust construction, a built-in LED flashlight, and a battery life of up to 29 days, it’s a top choice for serious athletes. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED display guarantees bright and clear visibility, even in direct sunlight. Athletes appreciate its durability and comprehensive tracking capabilities, justifying the investment.

The price tag of around $‌917.00 may be a bit too much for casual users or those new to triathlons. Nevertheless, the Garmin Fenix 8 stands out as a top-tier option for those seeking the best in durability, features, and performance tracking.

Features That Make the Garmin Fenix 8 the Best Triathlon Watch

Seamless Multisport Transitions – The Multisport Auto Transition feature detects sport changes between swimming, cycling, and running, allowing triathletes to focus on their race without manually switching modes.

Advanced Performance Metrics – Features like Endurance Score, Training Readiness, and VO2 max tracking help athletes optimize training and recovery, ensuring peak race-day performance.

Rugged & Race-Ready Design – Built to endure with leakproof buttons, a titanium bezel, and a scratch-resistant AMOLED display, the watch meets U.S. military standards for durability in extreme conditions.

Navigation & Safety Features – Turn-by-turn navigation, TopoActive maps, ClimbPro, and NextFork™ Map Guide keep triathletes on course, while the built-in LED flashlight and safety tracking enhance security.

Smart Connectivity & Convenience – Built-in speaker and microphone allow for phone calls and voice commands, while music storage, Garmin Pay, and smart notifications keep athletes connected without distractions.

For those seeking solar charging check out the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar.

Choosing the Right Garmin Watch for Your Triathlon Needs

Choosing the right Garmin watch for triathlons can feel daunting due to the many options available, but here are some key factors to consider:

Battery Life: For triathletes, great battery life is a key consideration. Seek watches with extensive GPS battery life to support long training sessions and events.

Features and Training Tools:

• Advanced training features offer athletes valuable insights into performance and recovery.

• Real-time stamina meters are crucial for monitoring energy levels during races, providing essential feedback for athletes.

• Seamless sport-switching in multisport mode is also critical for smooth transitions between swimming, cycling, and running. Training and recovery features play a significant role in enhancing overall athletic performance.

Comfort and Design: Watch weight affects comfort, with some models weighing as little as 30g without the strap. Other design features like a bright Amoled touchscreen are great for training at different times of the day making it easier to digest your data on the move.

Transitioning Between Sports: Garmin watches enable users to track sleep tracking and gain recovery insights, crucial for triathlon training. Offline mapping, like that supported by the Fenix 8, enhances usability during outdoor training. These are the sort of features something like an Apple watch cannot match and why triathletes choose a brand such as Garmin.

Summary

In summary, Garmin offers a range of triathlon watches that cater to various needs and budgets. From the affordable Forerunner 265 to the advanced Forerunner 965 and the premium Fenix 8, there’s a Garmin watch for every triathlete.

Choosing the right watch involves considering factors like battery life, features, comfort, and price. By understanding your specific needs and preferences, you can select the Garmin watch that will best support your triathlon training and racing. From open water swimming to GPS accuracy the watches outlined above are great options for multisport training and events.

Garmin Watch for Traithlon FAQs

What is the best Garmin watch for beginners in triathlon?

The Garmin Forerunner 265 stands out as the ideal choice for beginners in triathlon, thanks to its affordability and user-friendly interface. It makes tracking your training straightforward and efficient.

Which Garmin watch offers the most advanced metrics for serious athletes?

The Garmin Forerunner 965 offers the most advanced metrics for serious athletes, including VO2 max and lactate threshold, making it an excellent choice for peak performance analysis.

What makes the Garmin Fenix 8 a premium option?

The Garmin Fenix 8 is a premium option due to its extensive tracking features, robust construction, and impressive battery life of up to 29 days, catering specifically to serious athletes.

What other triathlon watch options are there?

The Garmin Enduro is another watch with various sports modes included, while the COROS Pace 3 is another option for triathletes to consider.