Instinct 2 - 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 is a choice between an ocean-ready multisport watch and a streamlined daily runner for home fitness.
Pick Instinct 2 - Surf Edition if your home fitness includes swimming or you want a rugged, adventure-ready tool with surf tracking.
Pick Garmin Forerunner 165 if your home routine is mostly running or gym workouts and you prefer a lighter, more focused running watch.
- —Instinct 2 is tougher and water-sport focused, while Forerunner 165 is lighter and tailored for run metrics.
- —Instinct 2 has a monochrome display suited for bright conditions, whereas Forerunner 165 likely has a color screen for clarity.
- —Forerunner 165 offers streamlined running features, while Instinct 2 provides broader outdoor and surf-specific activity tracking.
Full specs
Ask anything — we'll answer with Instinct 2 - Surf Edition and Garmin Forerunner 165 in mind for home 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.