Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Memorial Day sales Switch 2 Pre-Orders Best laptops Best Mattress Wordle Today Recommended reading Smartwatches I test Garmin watches for a living — here are the 5 coolest new features of the Forerunner 570 and 970 Smartwatches Bad news for Garmin users — future features could go behind the Connect+ paywall, according to CEO Smartwatches Garmin may be adding huge LTE upgrade to the Fenix 8 smartwatch — here's what we know so far Smartwatches I tried Garmin Connect+ for a week: here’s 3 things I like and 3 I dislike AllTrails just announced a massive summer update with six new tools to help you plan and prepare for your next big day outdoors. Smartwatches I tried waking up with Garmin’s new Smart Alarm for a week — 5 things I learned Fitness Trackers I test smartwatches for a living — 5 reasons I’d buy the new Garmin Vivoactive 6 and 3 reasons I’d skip it Smartwatches Garmin adds rucking, trail maps and more to these smartwatches — what you need to know Jessica Downey 22 May 2025 Garmin's smartwatches just became smarter When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Future/Jessica Downey) What are the new features? How to access the new features Some of the best Garmin watches just got an upgrade, thanks to a new software update that adds more tools for tracking sleep, training with weighted gear, and exploring outdoor trails. The update is now rolling out to devices including the fēnix 8, Forerunner, Instinct 3, Lily 2 Active, and Venu 3. New additions include sleep breathing tracking, a rucking activity mode for carrying weight, a stage timer for shooting practice, and premium golf and trail features. You may like I test Garmin watches for a living — here are the 5 coolest new features of the Forerunner 570 and 970 Bad news for Garmin users — future features could go behind the Connect+ paywall, according to CEO Garmin may be adding huge LTE upgrade to the Fenix 8 smartwatch — here's what we know so far To access the new tools, users need to sync their watch with the Garmin Connect app or use Garmin Express. What are the new features? Most of the new features in this update are free for all users of the compatible Garmin smartwatches. However, a couple — including premium golf features and expanded trail filters — will require a subscription to Garmin’s new Connect+ paywall. Breathing Variations (free) This new feature uses Pulse Ox sensors to track changes in your breathing patterns while you sleep to offer deeper insights into your respiratory health. Rucking Activity (free) A brand-new activity profile designed for weighted hiking. You can manually input your pack weight to get more accurate metrics like pace, heart rate, calorie burn and VO2 max. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Pack Weight Input (free) A broader feature that lets you add pack weight to existing activities like running, hiking or walking. This helps ensure your VO2 max estimates aren't thrown off when you're carrying extra load. Stage Timer (free) A timer designed for competitive marksmen. It provides audible alerts through your paired hearing protection or watch speaker to let you know how much time remains in your current shooting stage. (Image credit: Future) Passcode & Wrist Detection (free) An added security feature that lets you set a passcode to protect sensitive smartwatch data. The watch can detect when it’s removed from your wrist and lock itself automatically. Garmin Trails (premium) Garmin Trails is a new subscription-based feature available through Garmin Connect+. It’s designed to help outdoor enthusiasts find and filter trails based on details like terrain, steepness, dog-friendliness, or natural features such as waterfalls and rivers. You can also view community reviews, save trails for offline access, and edit them with custom waypoints. A 30-day free trial is available for new users. Garmin Golf Membership (premium) (Image credit: Future/Tom's Guide) Venu 3 users with a Garmin Golf Membership can gain access to advanced golf tools like full-color CourseView maps, touch targeting, PlaysLike distance, and Green Contours. These features were previously only available on Garmin’s premium Approach golf watches. Memberships cost $9.99/£8.99 per month or $99.99/£89.99 per year, with a 30-day free trial. How to access the new features Before getting started, make sure you have one of the compatible devices listed above because only those models will receive this update. To access the new features, simply update your smartwatch by syncing it with the Garmin Connect app on your phone or using Garmin Express on your computer. You can also enable automatic updates on your watch to help ensure you get new features as soon as they roll out. More from Tom's Guide Garmin Forerunner 265 vs. Forerunner 570 — which running watch should you buy? I ran a half marathon with the Garmin Forerunner 570 vs. Garmin Forerunner 265 — here’s the winner My Garmin watch alerted me to a heart issue I didn’t know I had — here’s how Today's best deals on Garmin watches $399.99View $999.99View $1,099.99View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices See more Smartwatches News Jessica Downey Social Links Navigation Senior Fitness Writer Jessica has been a fitness writer at Tom’s Guide since 2023, bringing three years of experience writing about health, fitness, and the great outdoors. Her passion for exercise began during her childhood, where she spent weekends hiking and competing in local athletics club events. After earning a master’s degree in journalism from Cardiff University, Jessica found the perfect way to combine her love of storytelling and fitness into a career. Jessica is passionate about testing fitness gear and tech, using her reviews to help readers make informed buying decisions. She ran her first marathon in April 2024, finishing it in 3 hours and 48 minutes. Through her training, she’s developed a deep understanding of what it takes to grow as a runner, from effective workouts and recovery techniques to selecting the right gear for every challenge. When she’s not at her desk, Jessica enjoys spending time in the kitchen crafting new recipes, braving cold water swims and hiking. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. I test Garmin watches for a living — here are the 5 coolest new features of the Forerunner 570 and 970 Bad news for Garmin users — future features could go behind the Connect+ paywall, according to CEO Garmin may be adding huge LTE upgrade to the Fenix 8 smartwatch — here's what we know so far I tried Garmin Connect+ for a week: here’s 3 things I like and 3 I dislike AllTrails just announced a massive summer update with six new tools to help you plan and prepare for your next big day outdoors. 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