According to a recent publication on Mippin, the Garmin Forerunner 920XT is considered the best triathlon watch available in 2020. So, as we do with many performance-enhancing gadgets, we decided to put it through its paces (pun intended).
Whilst not always cheap, fitness tracking technology exists to rebuild and assist our understanding of training capacity. Ranging from as little as $30 to $700 the performance capabilities are also a steep curve. On the upper-scale of currently available fitness watches, the Garmin Forerunner 920XT is positioned for the more serious triathlete. Imagine having the best performance coach everywhere you go and you’ve got the 920XT.
Garmin Forerunner 920XT Design:
We’ve seen a lot of comments stating that the Garmin Forerunner 920XT is uncomfortably large. As far as size goes for fitness watches, we actually see this as a positive. For starters, when exercising, you want the ability to quickly glance at you watch.
The bigger facade of the 920XT allows you to do this in all weather conditions. But more importantly, the non-touchscreen nature of the 920XT eradicates any problems with fiddly features. Unlike smaller fitness watches, the Garmin Forerunner 920XT has big, easy to hit buttons on the front and side. So whilst the watch is bigger, the use-ability is improved ten-fold.
As for the aesthetics, you won’t receive anything nearly as funky as Garmin’s Vivofit Jr 2 series. However, the Forerunner 920XT is aesthetically pleasing nonetheless. For the vanity trainer, you could always bootstrap funky Garmin accessory bands from Amazon.
Otherwise, the professional nature of the Garmin Forerunner 920XT is what makes this fitness tracker so great. One look at the watch and you will immediately identify as someone who is serious about personal fitness.
A sample of currently available accessories of the Garmin 920XT include:
- Garmin Forerunner 920XT (Blue/Black)
- Garmin Forerunner 920XT (White/Red)
- 920XT Customisable Bands (Black/Silver)
- 920XT HRI-Tri & HRM-Swim Accessory Bundle
- Garmin Bicycle Mount Kit
Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 920XT has been designed as an epitome of function over form. Whilst we have only had our own for a few months now, there are plenty of comments from serious triathletes making good use of this multi-sport fitness watch for over 4 years. There isn’t anything nicer than knowing your expensive gadget purchase is going to go the distance and this is a huge win for Garmin.
Garmin 920XT Features:
To obtain the maximum capabilities of the Garmin Forerunner 920XT, we strongly recommend that you purchase a bundle strap. Bundle straps deliver data specifically for your training discipline and there is a suitable match for everyone. Available for running, swimming or monster triathlons, practically everything you need can be found on your wrist. Combine the huge of ‘out-of-the-box’ features alongside a bundle strap and you have one of the best multi-sport fitness watches available.
Take a look at the full feature list by sport discipline below.
General Features:
- Flexible, hinged band for added comfort.
- A high resolution colour screen display.
- Auto pause, auto scroll, auto lap and alerts system.
- Limited navigation and routing capabilities.
- Phone notifications for text, emails and alerts.
- Live tracking which lets people follow your races in real time.
- Activity and sleep tracking for steps and calories.
- Move vibration alerts to keep you active.
- Automatic uploads to Garmin Connect.
- Instant sharing with friends via Garmin Connect.
- WiFi connectivity to up to 7 networks.
- VIRB Control to record and relive achievements.
- Up to 40 hours battery in UltraTrac mode.
- Up to 24 hours battery in training mode.
–
Key Running Features:
Purchasable separately, the HRM-Run strap delivers advanced running dynamics including cadence, vertical oscillation and ground contact time. Out of the box, the Garmin 920XT also offers the following metrics and features.
- Speed, distance, accurate route and pace measurements.
- Metronome alerts for specific running cadence.
- Run/Walk mode to create customised periods.
- Tracked recovery metrics to monitor recovery time.
- VO2Max calculations for gender/age race predictions.
–
Key Swimming Features:
The HRM-Swim bundle tracks heart rate plus interval summaries in the pool or open water (both fresh and saltwater). By pairing with the HRM-Tri or HRM-Swim, you can also capture heart rate data underwater. As a comfortable, no-slip strap, the product provides 20 hours of heart rate data and stays right in place; even as you push off the out of water.
Out of the box features specifically for swimming include:
- Open water and pool swim modes.
- Pace, distance, stroke type, count and SWOLF measuring.
- Advanced stroke rate, calories and pace alerts.
- Waterproof up to 50m.
- Log drills and kick sets.
- Rest timers and advisory.–
–
Key Cycling Features:
When paired with an appropriate sensor, the Garmin Forerunner 920XT measures speed and distance, as well as power and cadence. Compatible sensors include speed, heart rate, ANT+ power meter and cadence measurements. Out of the box, the Garmin Forerunner 920XT delivers the following features specifically for cycling:
- Speed and distance measurements.
- Indoor cycling mode.
- Accurate descent, accent and gradient data.
- VO2Max heart rate and power meter measurements.
–
The Best Features:
Surprisingly, one of the best features of the Garmin 920XT is it’s featherweight nature. You would expect that a watch with all of this capability would be heavy. However, it’s surprisingly light. Weighing 32% lighter and 25% thinner than 910X, the Garmin 920XT is power-packed; without the strain. Unlike other fitness trackers, the recording of swimming data that helps improve distance, stroke count, stroke rate and overall pace is also a huge win. This is backed up by a higher resolution colour screen to display pertinent metrics, whilst you transition between sport modes.
Honestly, the watch itself without a compatible bundle strap is awesome. But we seriously recommend that you spend a little extra and completely max out the 920XT’s capabilities. All HRM straps included with add-on bundles all feature soft-to-the-skin edges and covered seams for the ultimate comfort, both in and out of water.
Other awesome Garmin 920XT fitness tracker features include:
- No Touchscreen – (Hurray!!)
- HRM-Run heart rate monitor.
- Excellent running dynamics.
- Recording of speed and distance.
- An advanced race predictor.
Like most quality fitness trackers, the Garmin 920XT Forerunner connects directly with a compatible app to save and record data. This is something that you definitely want to take into consideration if you are serious about training. The Garmin Connect App also happens to be one of the best in the market. Can you see a growing trend here?
–
The Worst Features:
We really struggled to find absolute terrible features with the Forerunner 920XT. Despite this gadget being nearly 6 years old, it absolutely smashes even some of the newest fitness smartwatches available. If we were to be really selective, the 1-day battery life in training mode was a let down when on the move. However, for triathletes, this shouldn’t be a problem. Who does back to back triathletes amongst travelling anyways!
Another absolute nitpick would be the square design of the Forerunner 920XT. Modern day gadgets make use of smooth aesthetics and the Forerunners Casio watch vibe may not be for everybody. Again, we’re really splitting hairs.
Garmin Forerunner 920XT vs Forerunner 935
Like most, you may be tempted to purchase the Garmin Forerunner 935. Whilst technically an upgrade, we honestly cannot think of any crucial training functionality that the 935 reigns superior over the 920XT. Okay, the circular shape of the 935 outperforms the squareness of the 920XT. But we’re talking about specifications here and that’s all that really matters. Other small upgrades with the Forerunner 935 include:
- Better Battery Life.
- 24/7 Heart Rate Monitoring.
- Varia Radar & Varia Vision Support.
- Improved GUI.
- Improved Powermeter Support.
- Bluetooth Sensor Support.
The 24/7 heart rate monitor may provide you with a greater sense of training status. However, that would only really apply to absolute professionals. For those of you training for longer, the battery life of the Garmin 935 does outperform the 920XT which is ultimately a biggest consideration here in our opinion. Overall, it’s an extremely close race and the cheaper 920XT wins by a photo finish.
–
Garmin 920XT Smartwatch Price:
Currently, the Garmin Forerunner 920XT is available online from $500 with add-on bundle straps from $120. With the upgraded Garmin 935 typically priced at $690 out the box, you can see why we chose the 920XT as the overall winner when you combine the features.
For the more casual triathlete, you may find the feature stack slightly overburdening. We would recommend in this instance that you really assess whether you are going to get the maximum value from the Garmin 920XT. As for the aspiring Michellie Jones of the triathlon world, it doesn’t get much better than this.
–
Garmin Forerunner 920XT Review Summary:
So, the question remains. Is the Garmin Forerunner 920XT a triathletes best friend? In short, it’s a hell yeah from Mr Gadget. For a fitness tracker that is nearly 6 years old, the Forerunner 920XT is leaps and bounds above more recent models from competitors. From it’s durability to delivering fitness data above and beyond anything that’s reasonably manageable by the non-professional triathlete, the Garmin 920XT is a quality purchase.