Garmin Enduro 2

Fasten on the wrist, a watch like the Garmin Enduro 2 are big words. Even without testing its aesthetics and size imposes, but not in a negative sense. On the contrary, it gives you clues about all the performance it can offer for all kinds of sports activities, both indoor and, above all, outdoor. A priori, it is difficult to find a better ally on the market for the most extreme and longest adventures, but it also has the same potential to record any activity and parameter of everyday life. Let's see what our test of this top product has given us!

Key points

Fortunately, there are many aspects to highlight of this premium heart rate monitor . If there's one thing to start with, it's the excellent battery life, enhanced by the solar charging function included. The Enduro 2 is capable of running in GPS mode for no less than 150 hours. Without you having to do any calculations we tell you; that's more than 6 days of uninterrupted use, that's nothing! Few competitions in the world can resist it, even the most extreme and longest ones fall short in many cases.

This Garmin watch is built to be bombproof. It features an ultra-resistant design and its large screen incorporates a sapphire lens that protects the device from any bumps or scratches. Traversing the most inhospitable or wild terrain will be no problem for the Enduro 2.

It combines the use of traditional buttons on a touch screen that helps, above all, when using the GPS navigation options or to move through all the options that the watch provides. In the event that we are in an intense activity, we will always have at our fingertips the buttons that never fail.

One of the new features of this heart rate monitor is the possibility of measuring Vo2max in the trail discipline. So far we have seen this option in many models of the company as the Forerunner 955 or Fenix 7 watch, but focused on running training on asphalt. Therefore, a very interesting point to consider for those trail runners looking to maximize their performance in training and competition.

It incorporates the CLIMBPRO function which provides real-time information on the slope on which you are walking, with important data such as distances or altitude gain. Another of the star technologies is PACEPRO, a function that helps to maintain the right pace in hilly areas. Other interesting functions are the option to know the race forecast, acclimatization to heat and altitude or the option to record the automatic rest time without having to pause the activity, a great option for ultra-distance events.

As usual, the American company stands out for offering the most complete and advanced training metrics on the market. The Enduro 2 does not lag behind, offering the user all kinds of information about running dynamics, Vo2max adapted to heat and altitude, heart rate variability (HRV) or recovery control.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that it incorporates a flashlight that gives the option of alternating a white light and a red light. The first is very useful when our front light stops working and the second will help us when we have an emergency or we want to make ourselves visible to others.

Main features of the Garmin Enduro 2

User profile and recommended use

Although we are talking about one of the most complete and advanced heart rate monitors & sports watches on the market, we must keep in mind that it is not focused for all audiences. The first reason is the most latent. It is the price. Although the investment is more than justified, it is still a high price if we compare it with other devices in its segment. Therefore, we will have to study if we really have the potential profile of the Enduro.

If we had to focus this watch to a specific profile, it would be the athlete who trains and, above all, competes in ultra-endurance events such as mountain ultra trails or endurance raids. In this group we can also include asphalt ultra-endurance events. Apart from its great autonomy, all the information related to navigation and slope information is directly focused on outdoor adventure use. The longer the activity or test, the better.

Lovers of other sports such as climbing, skiing or surfing will also find in the Enduro 2 a perfect ally to record their activities, as well as having the security of wearing a watch robust enough not to fear for its integrity in any movement or accidental blow.

In fact, it does not resist any discipline and we could use it for any activity, even for running on a daily basis, swimming or cycling. Of course, in this case we must take into account whether we are going to take advantage of all the features it offers and if its size will fit us when we do our workouts on asphalt or water.

Buy prices Garmin Enduro

What we liked the most

It is difficult to summarize all the positive aspects of this watch. As much as we repeat ourselves, it is necessary to highlight its great autonomy. Despite using the watch for two weeks, the battery still had more than half of its capacity, which leads us to believe that with a single full charge the Enduro 2 will run for weeks.

One of the things that impressed us the most is the ability and clarity when activating the navigation function. The maps are seen to perfection and their level of detail is such that even points of interest near the selected area or the current location are displayed. Beyond sports, it is useful for locating geographical points and even stores or restaurants.

In terms of health and performance metrics, Garmin s commitment to measuring HRV is very interesting, although we did not really find enough time for the watch to give us an overall assessment. Wearing the watch when we sleep also gives us relevant information about the quality of our sleep, as well as the duration of the cycles. What is recorded instantly is the level of oxygen in the blood. In just a few seconds the watch performs pulse oximetry and you can keep track of your health, something that can be helpful for different audiences.

In terms of aesthetics, we really liked the UltraFit strap, although we were not convinced at first. It is a lightweight strap that fits very well, in addition to not accumulate sweat. Just in case, the producer brings in the box another usual silicone strap. Special mention to its flashlight, which is very useful to increase visibility on those night walks or get you out of some trouble in unlit areas.

Buy the Garmin Enduro 2 at the best price.

Opportunities for improvement

Let's be frank. It's complicated to improve such a complete product, but since achieving perfection is almost impossible, we're going to mention two aspects that could be improved. On the one hand, as running enthusiasts, the size may be too much for training on asphalt, especially if we are used to using smaller heart rate monitors & sports watches. If it doesn't fit very tightly, the watch can dance a bit on our wrist, which is uncomfortable, especially at high speeds.

On the other hand, and not unique to this watch, is that the estimation of running power via the Garmin chest band is still deficient. A watch of such quality should not fail in this way in power values, if we compare it with other measuring devices such as the Stryd or the Coros Pod.

Other products in its segment

Some of the models from other brands that are placed in the segment of the Garmin Enduro 2 are:

• Polar Grit X Pro
• Suunto 9 Baro
• Coros Vertix 2

Final conclusion

We can affirm that it is probably the most complete watch we have tested so far. Although its size is somewhat bulky at first glance, all this is compensated by a huge potential to record all kinds of sports activities, from the most everyday and usual to the most extreme and extravagant.

Its exceptional autonomy and impressive navigation capabilities make it the benchmark choice for lovers of the wildest adventures and competitors in ultra-endurance events. All this combined with the ability to measure all kinds of health and performance metrics makes the heart rate monitor capable of monitoring everything. And when we say everything, we mean everything.

If you are a person with an adventurous soul, who knows when you go out to train but don't know when you're going to arrive and who loves to complete the most demanding and longest sporting challenges, the Garmin Enduro 2 should be your choice.