If you’re on the hunt for a flashy smartwatch that caters to a wide array of activities, has a high-res, full-color screen, and can measure nearly any variable you can think of (plus plenty you never knew existed), the Garmin Forerunner 35 is probably not for you.
But if you’re a dedicated runner more interested in a simple interface, a comfortable, low-profile look, and a few key metrics — like pace, distance, and cadence — then the Forerunner 35 definitely deserves a spot on your shortlist.
At $169.99 on Garmin.com (and $99 on Amazon), not only is it more affordable than most smartwatches on the market, but it’s also sleeker, it actually fits small wrists, and it requires minimal effort to set up or use.
⚡ Mashable Score
4.25
Here’s everything to know about the Garmin Forerunner 35 before you commit:
It’s more comfortable than most smartwatches
The biggest selling point of the Forerunner 35, in my opinion, is how comfortable it is. It’s lightweight (just 37.3 grams, less than half the weight of the Fenix 6 Pro Solar I recently tested); small by smartwatch standards (1 inch x 1.6 inches, with a slightly less than square-inch black-and-white screen); and it only feels a little bulkier than an old school Timex. It also has a smooth, slightly grippy silicone strap, which comes in black, white, lime green, and light blue.
One caveat worth mentioning is that this watch may look small or feel constricting on large-wristed individuals. If that’s you, you’ll probably feel better in a bigger watch.
It’s simple to use
A huge advantage of a basic watch like this one is that it’s a lot more intuitive to use than more high-end models. The Forerunner 35 comes with a partial charge and, once you download the Garmin Connect App (if you don’t already have it), is basically ready to go. There’s very little guesswork involved with the four clearly labeled buttons, and you most likely won’t have to turn to YouTube to figure out the ins and outs of the watch, as I always seem to do with more techy ones.
As a professional marathoner, I’d consider this watch as close to my ideal as I’ve found.
To get a quick tour of this watch, simply scroll down from the home screen, which hosts the watch and date display. There’s a display for heart rate (current and average resting); notifications (if you’ve set that up); step count (showing your progress towards a daily goal); calories burned (total and divided between rest and active); weekly minutes of training; last run’s details (time, distance, average pace); and current weather (plus hourly if you scroll right). The watch is not fancy, but it’s clear, useful, and easy to navigate.
The activity modes are limited
Unlike some smartwatches that track upwards of 80 activities, the Forerunner 35 has just five sport modes: run outdoor, run indoor, bike, cardio, and walk. For me, that’s plenty; in fact, I’d be fine with just the run outdoor mode. But for triathletes, swimmers, and other multidisciplinary athletes, those limited activities probably won’t cut it (especially without a swim function). And that is exactly what makes the Forerunner 35 such a running-specific — and user-friendly — watch.