My Five Favorite Features of the Garmin Forerunner 970 (so Far)
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is the latest and greatest watch in the Forerunner series (also known as Garmin’s flagship line of running watches). It’s an improved version of the Forerunner 965, though it has shorter battery life and a higher price. Whether this tradeoff is worth it depends on your needs. For long-distance runners looking to track, analyze, and optimize every aspect of their performance, the 970 is one of the best watches on the market. My in-depth review is still in progress, but several standout features have already made a strong impression on me.
Bright AMOLED display (plus sapphire glass and titanium frame).
Right out of the box, the Forerunner 970 display feels high-quality. The AMOLED screen is bright, clear, and easy to read at a glance—whether you’re mid-run or just checking your stats while sitting on the couch. The sapphire crystal and titanium bezel give the watch a rugged feel, making it suitable for serious training.
Full-color maps with improved navigation
The full-color maps on the 970 work impressively well even in poor signal conditions, particularly in my New York City walk-up apartment, where the GPS signal is intermittent. Whether you’re exploring a new route or simply trying to navigate a dense urban environment, the improved navigation on this watch works flawlessly from the get-go.
Normally I’d post a photo of my apartment’s working GPS navigator here, but then you’d be able to find me. Nice try, readers!
Indicators of running endurance and training readiness.
This is probably the feature that most interested me. The Forerunner 970 features a running tolerance assessment system that helps you better understand the cumulative impact of each run on your body, as well as a recommended weekly maximum mileage so you can continue to improve your fitness without risking overtraining.
Plus, from the moment you wake up, you’re greeted with training readiness assessments that combine data on sleep quality, recovery, training load, and more to give you a clear signal: should you go all out today or slow down?
The thing is, I already know I’ll have to ignore some of Garmin’s rest recommendations. As I’ve written before , Garmin tends to be overly conservative when it comes to long-distance runners. Still, I like having this data at my fingertips, even if I sometimes choose to ignore it.
Predicted race time
Predictive race times aren’t exactly a new concept, but the 970 version feels more meaningful thanks to the deeper training metrics that underpin them. These predictions show what your race time and pace might be if you train consistently until your target race date—and by factoring in more subtle factors like running endurance, these predictions are expected (and hoped) to be more accurate than ever. I have a race in May that will be a real test. Stay tuned.
Built-in LED flashlight
Last but not least: the flashlight. A quick double-tap of the button in the upper left corner turns it on and off, and it’s incredibly powerful. In fact, I accidentally shone it directly into my eyes and spent the next few seconds blinking while trying to type this sentence.
Aside from my occasional momentary blindness, the headlight is fantastic. More importantly, it makes night runs a little safer—as long as I’m prepared for the battery to drain quickly. For those who run early in the morning or at night, this is a small detail that can make a big difference.