- Garmin launched Enduro, an ultra-performance GPS running watch, aimed at Ultramarathon runners after seeing a huge increase in trail running activities on its Connect platform during the pandemic.
- The watch has the longest battery life in a Garmin to date – a full charge gives 70 hours in GPS mode, which extends to 80 hours with solar capabilities.
- There are a number of new features on the watch, including VO2 max trail running, climbingpro and a rest timer, for ultrarunners to record how much time they spent at a distress station.
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Garmin brings this watch to the market with a specific runner in mind – the type of runner who needs weeks of battery life for the final adventure. With 80 hours of battery life and rest timers for aid stations, this is done for the ultrarunners among us.
Dan Bartel, vice president of worldwide sales at Garmin says: ‘Built to last during any training session or ultra-event, Enduro gives ultrarunners and cyclists the confidence that their watch has as much energy as they do, plus the unique insights they need monitor and improve your performance. And with Enduro on the wrist, ultra-performance athletes can focus on competition rather than battery life. ‘
The battery
The Enduro features Garmin’s Power Glass solar charging lenses, which allow the power of the sun to charge the watch as you move. A full charge of the watch will give the athlete 70 hours in GPS mode, which is extended to 80 hours when used outdoors. Garmin removed the Fenix 6 Pro’s built-in native mapping features to offer this long-lasting battery, but there is still a crumb trail element.
Obviously, in blocking, it has been difficult to test the battery life of the watch, with current coronavirus restrictions limiting runs to once a day and close to home. Speaking to Garmin ambassador and ultrarunner Tom Evans about Enduro, he praised the battery, saying: ‘For me, training is more than just running – it’s nutrition, it’s stress, it’s sleep, it’s managing all these things and what Garmin watches do is monitor all of that. With the 945, I’m charging once, maybe twice a week, that is, one or two nights a week when I’m not monitoring my sleep or my step data; with Enduro, it lasts 80 hours in GPS mode or about 80 days of normal use. This means that you can track all of these metrics and data all the time without having to reload them.
‘People have gotten used to charging the phone once a day and the watch twice a week and this is completely different – Enduro shows what is possible. It’s still a normal watch, it’s still the same size as a normal watch, but it has these features that mean you can have this 360 degree control all the time, which will improve my performance as a professional athlete, but also improve the general well-being of those using it, whether running or not. ‘
That said, the watch is still incredibly light and not much bigger than the other solar powered watches in the Garmin collection. Available with and without a titanium bezel, the watch has Garmin’s new UltraFit nylon strap, which is lightweight and comfortable against the skin. Runners also have the option of exchanging for a silicone or leather bracelet if they prefer.
New training and recovery tools
With Enduro, Garmin launched a series of new training and recovery tools to help runners on an ultra adventure. In addition to the traditional features of the smartwatch, with Enduro, Garmin added:
- VO2 max. On the trail: runners who regularly hit the trails will notice that their VO2 max is different in the most difficult running conditions. The new trail running VO2 max option automatically adjusts based on performance, environment, heat and altitude acclimatization.
- Improvements to the ClimbPro trail: taken from Garmin cycling computers, it provides runners with real-time information about current and future climbs, including gradient, distance and elevation gain. Runners will be able to see how far they are on a climb, allowing them to adjust their pace and effort accordingly.
- Rest timer: When running in the ‘ultrarun’ configuration, runners will be able to start and stop a rest timer to record the time spent at each help station.
- Mountain Biking: with the addition of mountain bike metrics plus specialized measurements of sand and flow, you will now obtain a trail difficulty rating.
- Recovery: after each workout, the watch provides runners with recovery data, telling how long they should rest based on sleep and well-being data.
- Recommended exercises: like other Garmins, the Enduro has daily running and walking suggestions based on the current training load.
How are you in the race?
By the size of the watch, we were impressed by the lightness he felt on his wrist when moving. It is definitely a serious kit and although most runners don’t need 80 hours of battery life, having to charge the watch less is always useful. That said, if you are looking for a watch that will accompany you on your adventures, it is worth investing in this watch.
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