Whether you’re a diehard Strava God or you’re one of the few (and proud!) resolutioners who’ve stuck with their 2026 fitness goals thus far, there comes a time in every aspiring ripped person’s life when they decide that in order to take their training to the next level, they need to invest in a smartwatch. And, though it’s decidedly not the magic secret to blowing through your next PR, a quality smartwatch can track important health and athletic metrics, which will help you structure your training more effectively and track your progress over time. That’s why I was so psyched to try out the Garmin Enduro 3. I put this smartwatch to the test on the trail, in the surf, on horseback, and at the campsite—here’s what I think.
The Do-Everything, Take-Everywhere Watch
The Enduro 3 comes in matte black with just one size option, 51MM, which is admittedly large, but doesn’t feel overwhelming thanks to the watch’s low weight and low-profile design. You’ll be hard-pressed to damage the titanium bezel and the scratch-resistant sapphire lens, which attach snugly to your wrist with the included black UltraFit nylon strap. It is easily adjustable and fits with the overarching tactical theme, and while it probably won’t win over any watch guys… it’s not really supposed to. The Enduro 3 is billed as an adventure watch designed for ultramarathoners, but it comes preloaded to support over 70 activity profiles, including everything from cycling and running to stand-up paddleboarding, horseback riding, and more. It also keeps working for you once the activity is finished.
Easy 100-mile ride inbound. (Eventually.)
Kevin Ford
Right at home on a nightstand.
Kevin Ford
The Garmin coach feature helps you set activity goals and provides structured training plans to achieve them based on your current fitness level. Getting back on your bike after an extended hiatus and wanting to crush a 100-mile ride? Set your desired date, and Garmin Coach will build a plan to make sure you get there. The built-in sleep tracking works similarly to a Whoop, providing insights into metrics like sleep stage lengths, resting heart rate, and HRV. It will provide you with a nightly sleep score and notify you if a “sleep debt” has accrued—a good excuse to take a longer slumber than normal.
Perfect trail companion.
Kevin Ford
Pro Tip: Don’t stare at your watch the whole time.
Kevin Ford
The watch also factors in recorded training sessions and sleep to provide a training readiness score and calculate the number of hours needed to achieve full recovery post-workout. The built-in flashlight comes in surprisingly handy—whether you’re on mile 80 of a 100-mile race or fumbling to find your Airbnb keys in the dark. The watch is also loaded with a ton of other features: We’re talking thermometer, barometric altimeter, compass, GPS, and pulse oxidation sensor, to name a few.
All that Eagle Scout training being put to use.
Kevin Ford
Specs, charging port, and sensors on the back.
Kevin Ford
All of this tech, packed into a near indestructible shell, made the Enduro 3 my summer adventure companion—I brought it everywhere. It tracked my runs through the rainy streets of Paris and allowed me to give the time to a fellow surfer in the Cotes de Basques lineup off Biarritz. It came with me on hikes in the Costa Rican cloud forest and tracked my route as I herded cattle on horseback. It was there when I PR’d cycling up Central Park’s Harlem Hill in August, and when I got thrown from the raft amidst some whitewater near Asheville, North Carolina. The Enduro 3 is a smartwatch that is ready to follow you wherever the adventure leads. All you have to do is press start.
Who Needs a Charger?
My favorite feature? Battery life, full stop. The Enduro 3 makes use of solar charging built into the watch face to deliver some truly best-in-class battery life. They advertise up to 90 days between charges utilizing solar, and while I didn’t push it that far, it easily lasted for over three weeks of daily wear and use without re-charging. Pretty impressive when compared to similar offerings from competitors like Apple. Having one less charger to worry about makes it that much easier to get outside and explore.
Surveying the surf.
Kevin Ford
Surveying the metrics.
Kevin FordThe Verdict: Is the Garmin Enduro 3 Worth It?
Garmin has made a name for itself as the go-to supplier of smartwatches that focus on durability, battery life, and in-depth fitness tracking. Basically, if you’re serious about your outdoor pursuits or athletic endeavors, you want to reach for a Garmin. And, if you’re looking for a model that offers incredible durability, serious battery life, and all the latest fitness tracking tech, then I recommend checking out the Enduro 3. Although definitely an investment, the Enduro 3 makes a strong case for best value in a Garmin Smartwatch. It offers similar battery life and all the software features of Garmin’s flagship Fenix 8 for $200 less.
If you want a heavy-duty outdoor and fitness watch that you don’t have to worry about keeping charged, then this is it. It’s not necessarily the most aesthetically pleasing timepiece—I wouldn’t wear it on a date (unless said date leans more skydiving than evening cocktails). It’s designed to provide support and insights on your outdoor and fitness pursuits without breaking or constantly dying on you. In that regard, the Enduro 3 excels. It also possesses a relatively solid value proposition. The only significant differences between the Enduro 3 and the up to twice-as-expensive Fenix 8 are a built-in Microphone/speaker, dive capability, and an upgraded AMOLED display. So, assuming you’re using Bluetooth headphones and don’t need a perfect sight picture on your watch, the Enduro 3 feels like a no-brainer.