Reviewed: Garmin Forerunner 955 Smartwatch
Garmin’s update to the deluxe multisport 9xx line is mostly predictable, but doesn’t make the Forerunner 955 any less interesting.
Chris Foster is the editor-in-chief of Triathlete magazine and a former pro ITU/short-course triathlete. After a collegiate running career at Penn State University, where he was a part of the school record-setting distance medley relay with a 4:01 mile leg, Foster represented the U.S. national team at the ITU Elite Triathlon World Championships in 2010.
Today he lives in Los Angeles with his wife where he tends to a small flock of chickens, runs the nearby hills, and swims in the Pacific when it gets a little bit too hot.
Favorite Race: La Paz ITU Continental Cup, La Paz Argentina
Favorite Quote: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!'”
— Hunter S. Thompson
Favorite Triathlete story: “Never Get Out Of The Boat: An Ötillö Catalina Race Report”
Garmin’s update to the deluxe multisport 9xx line is mostly predictable, but doesn’t make the Forerunner 955 any less interesting.
Throw a little “speed play” into your training holding pattern with a run that makes the miles fly by.
In case you missed it: The Olympian, four-time Escape From Alcatraz winner, and runner-up at 70.3 World Championships in 2017 talks Alcatraz strategy, race-day pacing, and much more.
Just like anything, there are two ways to put on a triathlon wetsuit—the right way and the wrong way. Any pro will tell you that putting on a cheap wetsuit correctly is better than putting on an expensive one the wrong way.
Colnago's first time trial bike with disc brakes is complete with a bayonet-style fork, integrated base bars, and some super-slick Euro lines.
For triathletes looking to maximize their bike training, a power meter is essential. We look at the best options.
A deep look at the differences (and similarities) between Cam Wurf's triathlon and WorldTour time trial setups.
Let us tell you a tale of the risky unknown and what it looks like to win or lose big bets in St. George.
Braden Currie's sleek new Felt IA 2.0 has plenty of customization on an already fully integrated frameset.
We take a close look at Kristian Blummenfelt's new bike: An unreleased prototype CADEX frameset.
There’s plenty of exciting new gear being debuted at Ironman World Championships in St. George this week. Check out what they’re showing at the expo (and even some stuff they’re keeping hidden).
We take a look at the newest, hottest gifts for all the tri-moms.
After consolidating its tri range into one non-double-diamond frame, where does the unconventional, tri-first bike brand land? We dig (way) in.
Ranging from $3,500 to $12,000, we hands-on review and rate five of the best triathlon bikes from 2022 and beyond.
We all love new gear, but what’s the best, most environmentally conscious way to deal with your old stuff?
Ready to shave seconds off your transition? Time to consider running sockless in your race-day shoes—check out our list of favorite sockless shoes, updated for 2022.
A seat can be your best friend or your worst enemy. With help from an expert bike fitter, we look at the best options for triathlon saddles in 2022.
While 99% of pool workouts are time/distance based, we look at a few alternative options and the gear you’ll need to help make you faster.
Running with power is a great way to consistently measure your effort, increase your efficiency, and pace yourself more accurately while racing. We break down what running with power is, what it isn't, and how to get started.
$100 for a carbon-plated super shoe? $80 for a pair of 6-ounce trainers? We dig into Atreyu’s current offerings and see if the disruptive, Austin-based brand has truly cracked the running shoe code.
Working on your bike is hard. Having the wrong tool makes it worse. We look at the best bike tools that every triathlete should own.
While training with power on the bike isn’t a new phenomenon, the affordability of power meters in recent years has led to more and more athletes watt-ing up. Here's everything you need to know about training with power and the best power meters for triathlon.
We gave one midpack triathlete the best gear and advice money can buy. Now we reveal the "what" and the "why" behind his handpicked choices.
They're not just beginner tri bikes—we look at nine of the top tri-specific rigs in 2022 for under $4,000.
Not looking to spend as much on your smartwatch as you would on a laptop? The good news is that the Suunto 5 Peak and the Garmin Instinct 2 have everything a triathlete might need for under $400. But which watch wins?
A2 Bikes has released their second tri range, the SP1.x series—starting at $2,800.
Swimming is hard. These training tools might not make you the best swimmer, but they’ll make you better.
We pit two of our favorite recent high-end tri bike releases—the Scott Plasma 6 and the Trek Speed Concept SLR 7—in a head-to-head deathmatch, winner take all (of our $$).
Direct-to-consumer pioneer AJ Alley has finally upgraded his popular, budget-priced carbon tri frame the Speed Phreak with the SP1.x series. But at $2,800 to start, does it deliver?
The latest entry into the power-meter game hits some (but not all) of the things that makes Speedplay a favorite for triathletes.
Knowing what to wear, how to wear it, and when to make adjustments while spring running is more of a fine art than science. Fortunately years of getting it right (and wrong) will help us help you.
Quintana Roo’s HYDROsix2 ditches men’s and women’s sizings for 14 genderless options. Here's what works and what doesn’t.
Wahoo (and Speedplay) finally delve into the world of cycling power meters. Here's the in-depth review on why triathletes, specifically, should be excited.
As triathletes either toil away indoors until the weather clears up or start banging out some spring base mileage, now is the time for a new saddle.
Smartwatches are a near-essential tool in the multisport toolbox, but today’s offerings can more closely resemble a home computer than a digital watch. We break down what you need (and what you don’t).
We review eight of the hottest triathlon smartwatches by price, specs, and an eight-point rating system.
In the last 15 years, the school of thought for bike tire pressure has basically been flipped on its head.
The new Garmin Instinct 2 line could also be pound-for-pound one of the best multisport watches released so far this year. Read why.
James Elvery and his company Race Ranger aim to change the way triathlon enforces its rules by adapting space-age technology to multisport.
The Garmin Fenix 7 series finally tidies up the small details that made this line less-than-perfect. Novel features like a flashlight (yup) are just the icing on the cake.
Garmin’s latest Fenix 7X is an Inspector Gadget-level smartwatch—touch screen, solar power—it even has a flashlight. A real flashlight. But does it hit the mark for triathletes? We dive deep.
Ice suits? Double (triple!) power meters? Read about how one triathlete-turned-eSports-competitor put together the most over-the-top indoor training setup, and what you can learn from his project.
As only one of four female presidents of an international federation, World Triathlon leader Marisol Casado is paving the way for both women and tri in the Olympics.
Boost your confidence (and your speed) with this interval running workout.
The British women are fast. How fast are they? Only six of the top 10 women in the world right now AREN'T British.
Get your plié on with these nine movements and stretches to strengthen your core, tighten your posture, open your hips, and more.
These six products pack plenty of dollar punch.
A short breakdown of what gear our guinea pig used.
It goes better than you'd think.
Just get the warmest everything, right? Nope.
Over the course of this season, we're going to find out. In our newest series, we’re taking a mid-pack triathlete, giving him unlimited access to our resources, and outfitting him with the best of everything he needs for his next race.
The first day of the Do Something Streak welcomes you into a (better) new year with a 2022-themed run workout.
The offbeat way to log winter miles, meet people, and jumpstart your motivation to move.
Our gear editor tries a lot (a lot!) of stuff each year—we present the eight things he loved the most.
We give you the nitty gritty details and ride impressions on the 2022 Trek Speed Concept—a simplistic-but-necessary update to Trek's well-loved (and well-worn) Speed Concept line.
Trek’s third generation Speed Concept tri bike has sleek lines, tons of storage, a low weight, and suspension. Yes, suspension.
All hope is not lost (yet) for getting a good multisport gift for the triathlete you love. We’re here to help.
As we get into the heart of the gift-giving season, we take a look at a handful of affordable gifts for the multisport person in your life.
We take a super close look at all of the multisport-related functions and updates in this new, near-perfect super-premium smartwatch.
We look at three new pairs of agile trail shoes for offroad running adventures: Hoka’s Zinal, Brooks’ Catamount, and Saucony’s Peregrine 11.
We take a close look at a huge upgrade and a near-perfect tri-specific bike, the Scott Plasma 6.
We dig in deep on one of the best wetsuits for 2021, the crazy-flexible Zoot Wiki Wiki 2.0.
We asked the multiple world champion (and winner of Triathlete’s best male performance of the year) for his most effective open-water swim workouts.
As the days get shorter, we take a look at what every runner needs to stay safe and seen while trying to get in their fall and winter miles.
Indoor cycling trainers have gone from sketchy and barebones to super high-tech. We break down the terms, spec, and tech you need (and what you don’t) for your inside ride.
The announcement of new technology from Race Ranger could drastically reduce drafting and better punish offenders. But does tri even want to rehab its drafting addiction?
The new devices promise to not only weed out drafting cheaters, but also help triathletes prevent accidental infractions.
Balance is the name of the game with Quintana Roo’s new V-PR. Read on for our on-bike impressions.
We dig into the specs, ride, and all of the things that work (along with what doesn’t) on the latest superbike from Quintana Roo, the V-PR.
Even though winter is coming, it doesn't mean you should go inside. We look at the best wetsuits and accessories for swimming in chilly temps.
The answer is probably “now,” but we break down what to look for, how to keep track, and some good options for replacements this spring.
Polar finally gets it right with the Grit X Pro, an all-in-one, self-reliant smartwatch that actually looks good and performs well. Read our review.
A small upgrade to some long-needed functions, a little bump in price—is the new Grit X Pro worth it? We dig into this $500 smartwatch.
We take a look at a new device with the most-accurate and least-invasive way to get real-time core body temperature readings.
Even if you can’t be on the Big Island next week, we give you the tips and at-home hacks to make your Hawaii From Home Challenge experience (almost) like the real thing.
For roughly a decade, if you wanted a Roka wetsuit, you needed to shell out some big $$$$. We take a close look at the brand’s first “budget” wetsuit offering, the Roka Maverick.
Even in the hills of St. George at 70.3 World Championships, pros were ditching their front derailleurs and using a single chainring up front. We’ll tell you why it could work for you and what you need to get on the "one-by" train.
The latest version of Coros’ do-everything model adds color onboard maps, music, and a ridiculous amount of battery life.
We give a close look at Emma Pallant-Browne's speedy Specialized Shiv.
Take a close-up look at the newest Orbea Ordu that Australian Joe Gambles will be riding this weekend at 70.3 World Championships
Take a close-up look at Lucy Charles-Barclay's new Cube Aerium C:68.
Get a close-up look at Sam Appleton's unique Giant Trinity Advanced Pro.
For a big DIY tri adventure, there are a few pieces of important gear you’ll need. We take a look at what works, what doesn’t, and why you might or might not need it.
Doing a self-supported “adventure tri” is a good way to get your kicks without entry fees or crowds. We’ll tell you how.
It may never be super comfy, but with a few pointers you can achieve a natural, powerful aero stance on your tri bike.
Maximize your strengths (and overcome your kryptonite) to race your best.
Shimano has (finally) joined the 12-speed shifting ranks with a setup that's lighter, faster, and semi wireless.
You do the miles, they do the math. We take a look at the best run tracking apps for your smartphone.
We put some serious miles into three very different, cutting-edge pairs of brand-new, cush-forward running shoes: Hoka’s Bondi X, Saucony’s Endorphin Shift 2, and Craft’s CTM Ultra.
With the team captains’ picks announced this morning, a few interesting and unexpected short-course faces will enter the long-course fray.