From strategic military tools to fashion accessories to smart wear, watches have come a long way. In the 19th century military men realized that pocket watches were impractical in the heat of battle and swapped them for wristwatches. Now, the time has come for you to make a similar decision and swap your ordinary watch for an outdoor model that suits your venturesome spirit. If you’re wondering whether you should get a smartwatch, GPS watch or fitness tracker, why not opt for a device that ticks all the boxes or to put it simply, Garmin.

Garmin was founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min Kao hence the name, although it was formerly known as ProNav. The product that started everything was the GPS 100 – a panel-mounted GPS receiver that catered to the marine market. Fast forward today, Garmin is one of the leaders in GPS and wearable technology markets.

Garmin watches are created with the active, adventurous individuals in mind. No matter if you’re into running, water sports, or you just want to explore the great outdoors, there’s a watch for your activity preference. Scroll down below to find your perfect companion for your next, big adventure.

The Fenix series of Garmin watches is currently in the 6th edition although it shouldn’t be long before we see their upgraded successors. The 6th edition includes base, pro and solar watches that come in three sizes 6s (42mm), 6 (47mm) and 6x (51mm). If you’re into top tier multisport Garmin outdoor watches, this edition is for you. Bigger screens, slimmer cases and loads of incredible features, let’s see what some of the most impressive models are capable of.

The Garmin Fenix 6 Pro GPS Watch is a rugged and tough smart GPS device. It’s specially designed for fitness training and outdoor navigation. Suitable for extreme training and everyday use, this Garmin sports watch can keep up with every activity. It’s fully waterproof with 10ATM rating and rechargeable with up to 20 hours in GPS training mode and up to 6 weeks in watch mode. Moreover, it’s equipped with Wi-Fi and Garmin Connect IQ app connection so you can use it as smartwatch and sync and update without using a smartphone or computer. It comes with numerous multisport modes including but not limited to running, cycling, swimming, golfing, activity tracking, skating and the list goes on.

The solar version of this Garmin watch has all these features, but it gets a battery boost from sunlight so you can go up to 16 days between charges. Both of these Garmin outdoor watches work with Astro 430 or Alpha 100 to track your dog wirelessly from your small watch instead of the big handheld device.

If you need a Garmin running watch, then you should pick one from the Forerunner series. These models are specially designed for professional running/triathlon and they’ll accurately measure everything from distance to heart rate and pace. The Forerunner series features everything from easy-to-use GPS watches to advanced models with extended battery life and music storage. All models include wrist-based heart rate, personal records, smart notifications, safety and tracking, but the FR 745 and 945 provide more advanced training stats and performance monitoring.

These two models are quite similar actually. They both excel in performance with their built-in sports apps, daily workout suggestions, accurate performance monitoring and contactless pay function. The detailed stats include crucial running metrics, training status, training load and performance condition. The FR 745 and 945 would make changing between training routines a breeze and they’ll provide you with stats for different activities including cycling, triathlon, pool and open water swimming. The main difference between the two is that the FR945 weighs slightly less and it features offline maps and more storage space.

Garmin sports watches from the Instinct series are an excellent choice if you want to have an outstanding watch without breaking the bank. The lower price tag doesn’t mean that these outdoor watches don’t hide powerful features in the case. Build to withstand the toughest environments; these watches make the perfect companion for every explorer of the great outdoors. The series includes tactical, camo, surf and solar edition, all of which are rugged, but at the same time lighter than the Fenix models.

The Garmin Instinct Solar GPS Watch is perfect for the Aussie adventurer. It harnesses the power of the sun, so you can go up to 14 days in smartwatch mode. The built-in sports apps will allow you to train smarter and track your heart rate, stress and energy levels. Moreover, you can pair it with your phone to receive all the notifications on your wrist. In addition, it supports GPS, GLONASS and Galileo, connects quickly to the satellite systems and provides reliable, accurate tracking.

If you’re on the lookout for a Garmin swimming watch, let’s have a look at the Quatix series that’s dedicated to water sports enthusiasts. It features 7 editions including Quatix, Quatix 3, Quatix 5, Sapphire, Quatix 6, Titanium and Quatix 6x solar all of which excel in marine features, but are also equipped with everything you need once you’re out of the waters.

The Quatix 6x is similar to Fenix 6 in the sense that they’re both loaded with built-in sports apps. The Quatix 6x features the same multisport modes as the Fenix 6 and will allow you to track numerous activities such as golf, hiking and more. What’s different is the marine twist that brings a plethora of useful tools among which autopilot control, tide tables, boat data and watersports modes for fishing, kayaking, rowing etc.

These outdoor watches are just a small fraction of the huge selection that Garmin has to offer. If you want a sleeker model, you can check out the Venu sports watch which comes with a super fancy AMOLED Display. No matter which model you choose, one thing is certain, once you buy Garmin outdoor watch, you’ll never want anything else on your wrist.