I Upgraded My Watch From a Garmin Forerunner 165 to the 970 and It Was Worth It.
Over the past few years, I’ve gone from being a die-hard minimalist runner to a humble fan of Garmin’s most basic running watches, and now I’ve fallen in love with the company’s top-of-the-line model, the Forerunner.
Here’s a little secret to understanding the model numbers in the Garmin Forerunner line: the first number indicates how feature-packed (and expensive) the watch is. This means that my upgrade from the Garmin Forerunner 165 to the Forerunner 970 isn’t just a small step up. Frankly, it’s more like skipping the stairs and taking the elevator to the penthouse. The price difference alone—from $250 to $750—is enough to give anyone serious pause. After the upgrade, here’s my honest opinion on who really needs such a significant upgrade in a running watch.
The Forerunner 165 is a decent entry-level watch, especially considering its price.
In fact, for the casual or intermediate runner, I think the 165 exceeds expectations. It offers daily workouts, tracks heart rate variability (HRV), provides a morning report, displays running power, and has over 25 sport profiles. What it lacks are features I always told myself I didn’t really need: training readiness, training status, multi-band GPS, built-in maps, and more. As I write in my full review , this watch is ideal for athletes who want running-specific metrics without the complexity of larger, feature-rich devices. But if your training becomes more structured (like mine has been lately), the 165 may not be for you.
The Forerunner 970 is one of the best running watches on the market.
The hardware improvements on the 970 start with a titanium bezel and sapphire crystal, giving it a noticeably more premium look than the 165. It’s still quite lightweight, weighing less than two ounces, and the AMOLED display is the brightest Garmin has ever put on a Forerunner, which really makes a difference when running in direct sunlight. There’s also a built-in LED flashlight (white and red), which has become a must-have for some Garmin fans. There’s also a speaker and microphone, so you can now make and receive phone calls directly from your wrist, use your phone’s voice assistant, and reply to text messages (features that may have become standard on the Apple Watch but have been missing from Garmin’s running-focused watches until now).
Regarding sensors, the 970 model features the new Elevate Gen 5 heart rate sensor, which also offers ECG capabilities—another first for all Forerunner models. Additionally, it features skin temperature tracking, allowing for more accurate assessment of recovery and sleep quality. The new GNSS chip improves location accuracy and satellite lock, especially in challenging GPS environments, such as the high-rise buildings I typically navigate.
I could go on, but unless you’re a triathlete, many of the features may be unnecessary. But for those who do multiple sports, the 970 is currently the most feature-rich tool Garmin makes outside of the Fenix line.
In my detailed review, I explain why it doesn’t deserve five stars, the main reason being the steep price increase compared to the 965. For our purposes, it’s important to know that I’m consistently impressed with how all the data I’ve gathered from the 970 has helped me improve my training.
My impressions of upgrading from Garmin Forerunner 165 to 970.
It’s the technical specifications of the 970 that (to some extent) justify its price for serious runners. For me, the most important metrics and ratings are running economy ( how efficiently are you using your energy? ), resistance to stress ( should you push harder today or slow down? ), gait reduction ( how long does your foot stay on the ground while running? ), and improved predicted race times.
Unfortunately, there’s an immediate disappointment: measuring running economy and gait speed requires a Garmin HRM-600 chest heart rate monitor . Since I don’t have one, I can’t evaluate the usefulness of these features. I can only say it’s a shame that I have to factor this additional cost into the overall price of the watch before purchasing.
Built-in full-color maps with turn-by-turn directions are also a significant improvement over the GPS-only 165. Especially when running on rough terrain, having a map on your wrist instead of having to fumble for your phone really improves usability. The round-trip routing feature—where you enter a target distance and the watch generates a route—is one feature that could prove indispensable for more adventurous runners.
For me, when upgrading from the 165 to the 970, the most revealing way to appreciate the benefits of this update was through my daily running metrics. For example, the running endurance feature immediately transformed my training program. It sets a weekly mileage limit based on your individual impact history, essentially acting as a safety net against overtraining, which can lead to injury. For someone who tends to over-run when preparing for races, this is valuable information—even if I somewhat ignore Garmin’s recommendations.
Who should upgrade from the Garmin Forerunner 165 to the 970?
So, is it worth upgrading your watch? Honestly, for me, yes, but only if you have a clear understanding of who the watch is truly intended for. Before buying a new watch, ask yourself: have you really reached the limit of what your current watch can teach you? Because here’s how I see it: if you’re a recreational runner who runs three to four times a week without any specific races on the calendar, I can’t recommend a $750 watch. Something entry-level, like the 165, would probably still be suitable for you. Why not spend those $500 on running shoes and race fees for years to come, right?
If you’re a dedicated runner training hard for races, a triathlete, a trail runner looking for navigation, or simply someone who’s exhausted the 165’s capabilities, the 970 has a lot to offer. You’ll experience a significant leap in sensor quality, intelligent training features, navigation capabilities, and the overall user experience. When used correctly, all of these features can actively transform your approach to training, not just the amount of data it collects.