Garmin Fenix 8 Review

The watch that does it all? Garmin Fenix 8 Review

I've been using the Fenix 8 for quite some time now and I can genuinely say it's a watch that has changed the way I approach my fitness, health and everyday life.

Being active is a huge part of me. I exercise regularly and consider training to be very important. Since I started training alot more seriously in recent years, I have used multiple competitor brands (which I won't name), however the Garmin Fenix 8 has quickly become my favourite.

Now there are three variants of the Fenix 8 available, including an Amoled, Solar and E version. The model I have been testing is the Amoled.

Battery Life

Now this was always going to be a big deal for me. As somebody who travels regularly and quite often goes on camping trips which involve multiple days of running without access to electricity, I needed something that could hold up. The great thing about the Fenix 8 is that it retains charge really well. If it's fully charged I am able to get quite a few long runs out of it (using GPS) without needing to charge again. Day to day, I will usually go a week or two without needing to charge it and when I do, it charges really fast which is useful when you just need to gain a few bars before heading out again.

Durability

Trail running is my main form of exerscise, which consequently leads to me ending up on the floor alot. I've had a few tumbles, with the watch taking impact. Whilst I have noticed a few small dents, marks and scratches, the watch has withstained every fall and still looks as good as it did once I opened the box. I've also worn it to swim in lakes, rivers and of course in the shower. As expected the watch has made it through all of this with thanks to the 10ATM water resistance, which in turn makes it suitable for diving up to 40M.

Health and Training Tracking

Everybody knows that Garmin is no stranger to providing an abundance of statistics and data when it comes to tracking peformance. One of my favourite features is the tracking of the body battery. By monitoring your stress and rest the watch is able to determine how your body is functioning. Remarkably I have been suprised by just how accurate it is. It has urged me to look at how much sleep I am getting, how I am managing stress and by listening to the Garmin coach I feel as if I can optimise myself everyday.

Tracking perfomance in exerscise has also been extremely useful. It's easy enough to ignore your body as a gauge for training readiness but when your watch is also telling you when to rest and when you're ready, it's super reaffirming. I also love features like the race predictor, which gives you an idea of what you are capable of in respect of your training and data.

Navigation

The GPS has been a really useful feature. Thankfully the Fenix 8 is compatible with OS Maps which is what I use for navigation when out on the trails. I always found it really annoying referring to my phone to navigate routes when out on a run. Having everything on my wrist is much more convenient. The GPS also connects really fast and always proves to be super accurate.

Pros

• Durable

• Exceptional Battery Life

• Comprehensive Data

• Design and Aesthetic

Cons

• Price point

Overall, I would say this watch is the ideal for the individual that prioritises fitness. It feels as if you have a sidekick on your wrist, ready to tell you when to go and when to stop. Although it's of a higher price point, I like to think your health is a big investment and something you can't put a price on. If you're looking for something to assist and better your training programme or just everyday life, the Fenix 8 could be the place to start.

You can purchase the Garmin Fenix 8 HERE