Wear Radar

Polar Grit XvsGarmin Forerunner 265

Polar Grit X
Buy/Wait:bad

Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming

Best for: Trail runners, hikers, and outdoor athletes who want Polar's analytics with significantly longer battery life than the Vantage V3. The titanium case and sapphire glass make it suitable for technical terrain where watch durability matters.

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Garmin Forerunner 265
Buy/Wait:superseded

This model is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 570.

Best for: Regular runners who race 5K to marathon distances and want accurate GPS and detailed training load management.

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Polar Grit XGarmin Forerunner 265
TierSports GPSSports GPS
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
Battery40 days13 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
Health sensorshr, spo2, hrv, running powerhr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, training readiness
ReleasedApr 11, 2024Mar 1, 2023
Cycle length873 days806 days
Cycle advicebadsuperseded
Deals advicegoodclearance
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Why buy each?

Polar Grit X

40-day battery for trail and ultra runners

Five times the battery of the Vantage V3 — enough for week-long mountain stages or ultramarathons without charging access.

Hill splitter auto-detection

Automatically segments your run by uphill and downhill sections, calculating pace and power for each — essential for mountain race training.

Wrist running power at mid-range price

Running power without a chest strap or foot pod — Polar's key differentiator versus Garmin at this price tier.

Garmin Forerunner 265

Multi-band GPS accuracy

L1+L5 multi-band GPS reduces position drift in urban canyons and dense forest.

Training readiness score

Daily score combining HRV status, sleep, acute load, and recovery time.

Race time predictor

Estimates finish time for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon based on current fitness.