Garmin Fenix…. Uncomfortable?

I wore one 24x7 for a few years, didn't particularly notice it. Using an Instinct 2X now, which is definitely lighter.

I went for the 5S for that reason, agree that the standard one is a bit uncomfortable. The X must be unwearable for proper rough riding or running

have had a fenix 6 for a few years, worn 24 x 7, feels fine to me, no comfort issues.

Friend of mine had to swap her standard Fenix for the titanium version as it irritated her skin. Apparently there’s a few cases of this, and she’s had no issues with the new one (apart from being more expensive). Personally I’m no fan of the silicone strap on my Instinct 2, find I get random skin irritation where the buckles sit. 

I ditched my fenix 5x as I found it really uncomfortable after a while due to its size. I ended up with a forerunner 255 and barely notice it now

I've got the Epix Pro 51mm titanium as my skin doesn't like stainless steel, I forget it's there until I remember it's there, I don't wear it as tight as they ask it should be all the time though I wear it quite loose on my wrist and just slide it up above the wrist when excercising for better HR data, when I do remember its there I just move it up or down my wrist slightly, use the leather band most of the time for day to day and I give it a scrub with soapy water on the back where the HR sensor is about once a week otherwise it starts to feel a bit grimey and sticky

No issues here. Also wear it fairly loose on my wrist when not exercising.

The only time I every have any issue with it is Alpine riding / lift assisted laps, no matter how tight it is, it batters the bobbly end bit of my ulna on the outside of my wrist, which is unpleasant.

i bought the smallest version

has a 42mm face rather than the larger 51mm

it made a fair difference to the weight for every day wear while still being useful.

I think it depends a little on your wrist size and shape tbh. I haven't used the latest versions, but the original felt huge on my relatively narrow wrists and, for running in particular,  I had to cinch it up very tight and higher up to stop it feeling really uncomfortable and banging around. Personally I prefer a smaller, neater watch - Coros do some decent ones - but it's personal, as with any watch I think,

I've had a 5s for a year now and it was the first watch I've worn really since breaking my  wrist 15 years ago - no issues whatsoever.

Is your Fenix one of the large ones?

No, it’s a 6 pro Solar.   I can’t really fault except for the fact the Solar is more novelty than of any use, but I don’t use maps either so the longevity of the instinct Solar appeals for holiday use, and I’d be more inclined to use an Instinct as a Gshock alternative.  That said, it’s always cheaper to keep what you have 😄

I've a Fenix 7 solar..the middle size. I have to use an 'infinitely adjustable' strap or it shakes...but with a nice strap done up just tight enough, i don't realise it's on (until i clunk my OH in the head with it in bed...)

Maybe try a velcro strap?

DrP

No, it’s a 6 pro Solar. 

Comes in 3 sizes. which have you got.

Pro 6 for a couple of years only noticed on one uplift day when it must have been bobbling around and gave me a sore patch. Possibly not tight enough and only happened the once

The middle one, 47mm

I wear a Descent Mk2i as a daily watch (basically a Fenix that has been beefed up for scuba diving). It did feel a bit large to start with, but forget it is there now.  I wear it for lots of activity and can’t say it is noticeable at all.   As mentioned above the tightness of the strap can have an impact on the comfort level.

I treated myself to the new Fenix 7 Solar Sapphire Titanium (47mm the X is massive on my wrist) in Nov when it was on sale with a forces discount (much cheapness)..  Anyway.. I had found on occassion that the back, where the optical sensors are can still be a little irritating, it was quite noticeable at first after wearing it 24/7, but i can only think my skin has got used to it as it's no longer an issue.  One thing i did find, i that i was wearing it too tightly -that may sound silly, but i though in order to get the sensors to work correctly it needed to be quite snug -but by all accounts it doesnt.

The strap i think is actually quite nice albeit rubber/plastic.  I did get the white and orange strap if that helps as i thought black and full titanium was too boring.  I will use a watch for its intended purpose at all times, if it gets scatched, ho hum it adds character -they dont belong in boxes..

 Solar is more novelty than of any use,

I was in Saudi the other weekend and noticed it actually did give some decent life expectancy and worked well wth the maps - this was almost very much needed after almost getting stranded in the middle of the desert (story for another time)

I've a 7 Solar Sapphire, and I definitely get a few days extra in summer.

Bikepacking late last summer (only using the Fenix as a smar****ch, no activity tracking), and it only used 11% battery for over 7 days.

A mate had one ride with a very chunky new Garmin and his bony wrist didn't agree with it! Said he was going to send it back. Not sure what model but it was metal backed and fancy looking.

Not sure if my vivioactive 4 is the small or normal one but it's comfy enough.

I have a 47mm Fenix 6 and very skinny wrists. I wear it all/every day/night and never really notice it.

I didn't like the silicon strap

Found this a much better alternative

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0928FGLXB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wore my 5Plus daily for years and it was fine to wear.  I did have to cinch it down for MTB and the case hammered my wrist bone. I was often aware of it.

I recently got an Epix Gen 2 Ti and barely know I am wearing it, sometimes even check that it's still on.  It's something like 30% lighter and all of that weight is in the case which makes a huge difference in the balance.

Lots of money (there's a thread about that!) but it's great. Very happy with it as a daily watch.

I wear a 5Plus 24x7 and barely notice it, I only take it off to charge and it feels weird until I put it back on.

Wear my Fenix6 Pro Solar 47mm all the time. Have scraped it on a couple of stone walls when opening gates which has added a it of patina, but don't generally notice it.

Maybe just me then, perhaps because I use it on / off then decided to wear it all day yesterday it became more noticeable.

Re the solar again I think this is more apparent due to my use case; I kept the instinct / keep the Fenix inside the window sill.  Despite being INSIDE a window the instinct gained charge when not in use quite nicely, the Fenix doesn’t, due to the small photocell arrangement.

So bizarrely it feels “worse” but perhaps only because of my personal headspace.  🙂

I have just got a Fenix 7, and have worn it all day a couple of times with no issues. Usually I like a smaller watch as have fairly narrow wrists, and don't like big watches when touch typing, so the Fenix 7 has been a pleasant surprise. But maybe it just suits my wrist bend or something.

Panda

No issues here worn a fenix 5 and 7 24x7 for years now.

I had a Fenix 6S Solar and found the silicon strap just held sweat/moisture and irritated my skin. Swapped out for one of Garmin's own expensive fabric straps and didn't have any skin issues after that. The other very minor issue was having a wrist size sort-of between two of the holes - one felt ever-so-slightly too loose, the next felt ever-so-slightly too tight.

Upgraded to an Enduro now and despite the bigger bezel size looking a bit huge and overly 'tactical' on my skinny wrists, the slightly stretch velcro strap is super comfortable and much easier to get a precise-but-not-too-tight fit

I find that I have to swap between two of the holes in the strap depending on how warm I am , it can start off comfy then feel tight over time.

Yeah, the velcro straps as above solve the issue of the holes being not quite right, bugged me when it was slightly too loos while riding and the watch would vibrate, or too tight and it would irritate. Velcro allows a goldilocks tightness and a touch of stretch

I've got an Epix, wore a Fenix 6 pro for a year and a bit before. It's definitely more noticeable than some other watches, had an apple watch for a bit which I found really comfy, but just wasn't as good.

I do think it's strap dependent too, I found them better with standard straps than the aftermarket one I currently have but it looks nicer so I'll live with it. Velcro ones don't work for me because of the amount of canal water they get soaked in

Pro 6 titanium, felt a bit big when I first started wearing it but I put that down to not having bothered with a watch for years.

Ti strap is absolutely fine but I don't use it for exercise, I switch to the silicone strap as I can get that one a little more snug.

I’ve work fenix’s for years - generally 24/7 and don’t notice it’s there anymore. I guess it fits my wrist size (quite large) plus I’ve got used to it.

It is relatively heavy though so if I get back into running any significant distances I might consider getting a smaller, lighter model for running only but it would have to be a cheap and cheerful one - likely a second hand version of an older basic model.

I have a 47mm Fenix 6 and very skinny wrists. I wear it all/every day/night and never really notice it.

Same  here. I don't feel mine on my pipe cleaner wrist.

Maybe just me then, perhaps because I use it on / off then decided to wear it all day yesterday it became more noticeable.

Na, it's personal preference. 

Even smaller, but high mass watches, have the potential to be annoying because they're more likely to bounce around unless you cinch them up proper tight, which can be uncomfortable in its own right. I'm quite fussy and I don't like wearing either large or heavy watches and particularly large and heavy watches. 

The only real exception for me is my battered Elliott Brown Canford watch on a NATO-type, webbing strap, which conveniently moves the watch slightly away from the skin and effectively adds some cushion to the experience.  

But it's very much a personal thing and depends on you. What other people find isn't necessarily very helpful.

6 Pro Solar here (not S or X variant)

I find it mostly comfortable, although I have a tendency to overtighten it.  Have usual issues with skin irritation if not kept clean.

I do fancy a velcro strap but waiting til the silicone one breaks

My fenix is too big for running. It’s a heavy old thing. The instinct is far lighter and more appropriate for the job

Again, it's all personal choice, but my Fenix is probably the thing least holding back my running. Maybe it's more of an issue on longer runs though. The most I've managed with it on is only 52km. 

When I was looking I had a look at my BIL's watches.... Various sizes. 50mm was massive.

Went for the Fenix 6s as the proportions match my dainty wrists.

Oh yeah, I've pretty much always used a fabric strap - it does make a difference imo. The silicone straps were mostly okay, but I found that they were generally either slightly too lose and gave a poorer HR reading, or slightly too tight and became uncomfortable. Current favourite is a Apple Trail strap clone.

Again, it’s all personal choice, but my Fenix is probably the thing least holding back my running. Maybe it’s more of an issue on longer runs though. The most I’ve managed with it on is only 52km.

You may be unbalanced... try wearing a Fenix on both wrists to even the load and improve your running action 🙂

I've actually found that I run best on anticlockwise routes. 😂