Instinct 2S - Surf Edition vs Garmin Forerunner 165
Side-by-side on the specs that matter, with category winners and an opinionated take to help you decide.
This choice is between a surf-focused outdoor watch and a daily fitness tracker with travel-friendly charging.
Pick the Instinct 2S - Surf Edition if your travel is centered on ocean sports where tide tracking is essential.
Pick the Garmin Forerunner 165 if your travel involves general city exploring and daily runs where USB-C charging is a major convenience.
- —The Instinct 2S offers surf-specific data but likely has a bulkier, more rugged design.
- —The Forerunner 165 provides standard GPS running features but lacks the specialized ocean metrics.
- —The Forerunner 165's modern USB-C port is a travel advantage over a proprietary charger.
Full specs
Ask anything — we'll answer with Instinct 2S - Surf Edition and Garmin Forerunner 165 in mind for travel use.
Pindear may earn a commission when you buy through these links. Winners are determined by numeric spec comparisons only; non-numeric features (app quality, ecosystem, real-world feel) are covered in the verdict.