Swimming, biking, and running have been a big part of my life. For several years I enjoyed using the Garmin 745 Forerunner but when I saw the Forerunner 955 offered solar charging I knew I had to upgrade. I have been using the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar for probably a year now and it has become my go to training watch. Of all the Garmin Forerunner watches I’ve owned over the years, I consider it the best triathlon watch used. If you are serious about endurance sports, specifically running and triathlons, this GPS smartwatch offers a lot of features that can actually help you train better.
The Forerunner 955 stands out with its solar charging feature that extends the already impressive battery life to up to 20 days in smartwatch mode. But even when using multi-band GPS and playing music with my Shokz earphones the battery life doesn’t disappoint. Additionally, the always on color display is easy to read during bright outdoor runs and the dual navigation options of traditional buttons and touch display made it easy to interact with the watch in any condition.
- Built with an always-on, full-color display that’s light on the wrist and easy to read even in direct sunlight
- Battery life: up to 20 days of battery life in smartwatch mode for a full picture of your health — from sleep to training (assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions); up to 42 hours in GPS mode and up to 49 hours with solar charging (assuming continuous use for entire period in 50,000 lux conditions); up to 110 hours in UltraTrac mode with solar charging (assuming use in 50,000 lux conditions)
- Click or swipe through maps and stats with traditional button controls or a new, responsive touchscreen
The morning report feature stands out to me because it provides daily summaries of sleep quality together with recovery status and training outlook and an inspirational quote like “you got this”. The training readiness score provides me with actual data to determine my intensity level for the day instead of relying on feelings. The multi-band GPS system delivers superior accuracy when compared to previous models and maintains reliable tracking during difficult conditions such as running through urban areas or forested trails. The built-in full-color maps on this device have become essential for my exploration of new running routes.
Bottom Line
The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar provides excellent value to serious runners and triathletes who need advanced training metrics and reliable performance.
The solar charging feature combined with its excellent battery life and extensive health and training features make this device worth the investment for serious athletes who want to enhance their performance.
Ready to elevate your training? Click here to purchase the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar and discover the transformative power of an elite training watch.
Overview of the Garmin Forerunner® 955 Solar
As I’ve mentioned I’ve been using the Forerunner 955 Solar for at least and it has been the best triathlon watch I’ve owned. The solar charging system provides extended battery life which reaches up to 20 days when the watch receives sufficient sunlight in smartwatch mode. The touchscreen interface operates smoothly for me but I appreciate having traditional buttons available for my intense workout sessions. I honestly don’t often use the touchscreen features.
The multi-band GPS system delivers outstanding precision in difficult locations including forested areas and urban canyons where standard watches tend to lose signal. Even though I ride my bike with the Garmin Edge cycling computer, I still use the Forerunner 955 was a backup to record by workout just in case. And it’s a little mind blowing to see built-in full-color maps on this watch even though I’ve never had to use them on a run.
The training intelligence feature stands as the main factor which distinguishes this watch from others. The morning report provides my daily recovery status overview while the training readiness score helps me make decisions about intense exercise or easier activities. The HRV status monitoring system delivered important information about my health condition and recovery trends.
Innovative Solar Charging Feature
The Power Glass™ solar charging lens embedded under the display captures sunlight to generate power during outdoor activities. The solar charging function does lengthen the battery life based on my personal experience but it’s not earth shattering. The solar charging system works well to generate power even when you run through areas with partial shade. I value the solar intensity and charging metrics shown on the watch but I don’t really pay much attention to it. To be honest though the solar feature does not offer a miraculous charging capability but I am happy with anything that helps extend the time until I have to take it off and plug into a charger.
Advanced GPS Navigation
The Forerunner 955 Solar has noticeable improved route tracking when I look at my workouts in Strava. Before the multi-band GPS implementation running on roads through my neighborhood would appear on the map that I had cut corners or that I somehow ran through someone’s backyard or even home. Additionally the 955 acquires my location noticeably faster than any GPS device I have owned previously. Although I haven’t had a need for them yet the built-in full-color maps on the display provide clear visibility so I can discover new paths without risking getting lost. The touchscreen allows smooth map navigation but I am glad Garmin included physical buttons for situations where I need them during rainy or gloved conditions.
Training Status and Performance Metrics
The Forerunner 955 has delivered outstanding tracking of my training development. The watch generates a Training Readiness score each morning through its evaluation of sleep quality and recovery time and recent workouts which helps me determine my workout intensity. The feature has proven essential for preventing excessive training.
The HRV (Heart Rate Variability) status feature provides advanced recovery information through sleep-based variation monitoring. The customized Morning Report provides me with immediate information about my sleep quality and training outlook and recovery status after waking up.
The race widget provides customized daily workout plans and forecasts finish times according to course information and weather data for race preparation. Real-Time Stamina has become my essential tool for managing long runs because it shows me when to save my energy. The system displays training status through indicators which indicate productive training or peak performance or strain.
Morning Report and Health Insights
The Forerunner 955 Solar delivers a detailed morning report to me every time I open my eyes which provides me with a complete summary of my daily information. The device presents my sleep quality together with recovery status and training outlook through a single easy-to-read summary. The device tracks my heart rate variability during sleep to deliver authentic information about my health condition and recovery patterns.
The morning report provides me with my most valuable tool because it enables me to optimize my training approach. The training readiness score displayed on my watch enables instant decisions about my daily intensity level. The watch allows users to personalize their display with only the most important information they need to see while ignoring everything else.
The HRV status feature stands out as a standout feature. The device provides advanced recovery and training performance insights through nighttime heart rate variability data collection. Firstbeat Analytics developed this technology which allows me to prevent overtraining while creating optimized workout schedules according to my body’s current state.
Advanced Swimming Metrics
Similar to the Forerunner 745, the Garmin Forerunner 955 provides complete swimming metrics which makes it an ideal choice for triathletes and swimmers. This triathlon specific GPS watch tracks swimming data that includes distance and pace and stroke rate during both pool and open water swimming sessions. The Forerunner 955 tracks pool distances by measuring completed lengths after you input the correct pool size. The watch computes your SWOLF score through stroke count and time measurements to evaluate swimming efficiency.
The Forerunner 955 tracks open water swimming distances through GPS technology while allowing users to customize their data screens to show their preferred metrics during swims. The watch automatically retrieves stored heart rate data from heart rate monitors after you save your timed swim activity. The Forerunner 955 delivers complete swim functionality for both pool and open water swimming which meets the tracking needs of competitive swimmers and triathletes.
Can you say playlist?
One of the reasons I love the Forerunner 955 is that even with all the new and advanced features it still allows me to store my favorite music locally on the watch and randomly shuffle the songs for endless enjoyment. The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar has the capacity to store around 500 songs in MP3 or other supported file formats. According to Garmin’s official support documentation, Garmin watches that feature a music player can hold up to 500 songs in various formats including MP3 (standard music format) and M4B (audiobooks). You can upload your own personal audio files, such as.mp3 and.m4a files, to your Forerunner 955 watch from your computer, so you have plenty of music to listen to during your workouts without needing your phone.
Design and Display Considerations
The Forerunner 955 Solar features an always-on full-color touchscreen display which maintains visibility during bright sunlight conditions. The screen proved essential for reading during afternoon runs because most devices lose their visibility at that time. The 1.3-inch display with 260 x 260 resolution gives enough room to see statistics without needing to strain your eyes.
The watch weighs only 1.9 ounces which makes it feel light on the wrist during extended training periods. The hybrid control system provides users with the advantages of physical buttons for workout precision and touchscreen functionality for map and menu navigation.
The watch design combines professional daily wear aesthetics with performance-oriented features that I really like. The 1.83 x 1.83 x 0.57-inch dimensions create an optimal size which allows easy reading but remains unobtrusive for smaller wrist sizes. The placement of physical buttons provides excellent tactile feedback which remains effective when wearing gloves.
Pros and Cons
The Forerunner 955 Solar premium running smartwatch has undergone my week-long testing so I can now explain both its positive and negative aspects. The solar charging function stands as the main differentiator that distinguishes this device from many other products available in the market.
Pros
- Battery life -The battery performance of this watch has truly amazed me since it maintains its charge for extensive periods. The additional boost of solar charging enables me go longer between charging periods.
- Dual controls – The combination of touchscreen and physical buttons offer great flexibility in daily operation
- Mapping -The built-in full-color maps incredibly helpful when exploring new areas
- Training Metrics – The morning report in particular has become part of my daily routine with valuable insights about HRV status and sleep quality along with training readiness and suggested workout for the day.
- Precise GPS – Multi-band GPS delivers exact GPS tracking even when operating through demanding conditions including forested areas and urban streets.
Cons
- Price – The Garmin 955 is a premium watch. You can buy phones for this price but with native mapping you could also leave the phone at home
- Learning Curve – The abundance of data together with numerous features might create an overwhelming experience for new users
- Size & Weight – If you have a small wrist or hands you may not appreciate this watch as much.
- Smartwatch Features – Maybe a con for some but honestly I don’t want phone notifications on my watch. That’s why I have a phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Having spent several weeks with the Forerunner 955 Solar on my wrist through various training conditions, I’ve compiled answers to the most common questions I’ve encountered. This advanced running watch offers significant improvements over previous models, but potential buyers naturally have specific concerns before investing in a premium sports watch.
What are the new features in the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar compared to the previous models?
The Forerunner 955 Solar brings several innovative features which were absent in previous models. The Training Readiness score stands out to me because it uses sleep quality together with recovery metrics and training load to determine my readiness for an effective workout. The morning report feature provides users with a personalized daily summary of sleep data and recovery information and training projections. The Multi-band GPS system delivers better accuracy when navigating through difficult conditions such as urban canyons and dense forests. The 955 brings a touch screen interface to the watch while keeping the button controls and built-in map display and HRV status metric which provides advanced health data.
How does the battery life of the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar compare to other models in the Forerunner series?
The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar has better battery life than most other models in the Forerunner series. It can last up to 20 days in smartwatch mode with solar charging (compared to 15 days for the non-solar 955) and up to 49 hours in GPS-only mode with sufficient sunlight. Users have reported that they only consume about 6% battery per day with normal usage and get 7-8 days of battery life even when tracking daily runs with power-hungry multi-band GPS enabled.
Have users found the solar charging feature on the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar to be efficient?
In my experience, the solar charging feature of the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is positive. I have found it to extend battery life however one has to maintain realistic expectations about its capabilities. The solar function of this watch prolongs battery life during outdoor activities but does not function as a replacement for standard battery charging. According to Garmin the solar charging function provides additional GPS runtime between 42 and 49 hours when users are in ideal sunlight exposure. The efficiency rates show wide variations depending on weather conditions together with outdoor duration and feature activation patterns.
How does the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar perform for different types of athletes and fitness enthusiasts?
The 955 Solar delivers exceptional performance to runners, cyclists, and triathletes yet maintains strong versatility in different activities:
Runners: The device delivers outstanding performance through its training readiness and real-time stamina analysis and race prediction features. The Multi-band GPS technology delivers precise pace and distance information in difficult environmental conditions.
Triathletes: The dedicated multisport profiles enable smooth transition tracking. The device provides extensive swimming data which works for both swimming in pools and open water conditions.
Cyclists: The 955 Solar provides cycling metrics although it focuses more on general use and supports power meter and sensor data display.
Trail/Ultra runners: The device provides ideal features for extended adventures because it includes full-color mapping and extended battery life and accurate altimeter readings.
Casual fitness enthusiasts: The advanced metrics on this device might confuse casual users who would probably benefit from more budget-friendly Garmin models.
In Summary
After a year of use, my experience with the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar has led me to believe this is the best triathlon watch I’ve owned. Whether you are a recreational athlete like me or an elite athlete this watch stands as one of the top GPS watches for athletes. It is a compelling training solution. It honestly has more training and performance metrics than I can keep track of or even use. The 955 Solar more than delivers on its most important features which include reliable bio tracking, precise multi-band GPS, actionable training insights, together with enough battery life to run a full marathon playing music stored locally on the watch while connected Bluetooth earphones! The Forerunner 955 Solar serves as a powerful training tool which has earned its position on my wrist. I will continue to recommend this watch to everyone I meet.
