The Refurbished Garmin Forerunner 45S is designed for people who want a running watch that fits comfortably, feels natural on the wrist and quietly supports everyday activity without becoming a distraction. It is especially well suited to smaller wrists, but its appeal goes beyond size alone. This is a watch built for real use, for early morning jogs, lunchtime walks, weekend runs and the kind of steady routines that form over months rather than days. It does not try to overwhelm you with features. Instead, it focuses on giving you clear, reliable information that helps you understand how you move and how your body responds.
When you first put the Forerunner 45S on your wrist, the lighter and slightly smaller case is immediately noticeable. It sits neatly without sliding around or catching on sleeves. For people who have found larger sports watches bulky or uncomfortable, this model often feels like a relief. The strap is soft and flexible, designed to be worn all day rather than only during workouts. Over time, a refurbished unit may show light cosmetic signs of previous use, perhaps a faint mark on the casing or a softened strap texture. These details rarely affect comfort or performance and usually fade into the background as the watch becomes part of your daily routine.
In day to day life, comfort matters just as much as features. The Forerunner 45S is light enough that you can wear it from morning to night without feeling the need to take it off. Sitting at a desk, driving, cooking or heading out for errands, it stays out of the way. During runs and workouts, it remains secure and does not bounce or shift. This sense of stability is particularly noticeable on longer runs where any irritation would quickly become distracting. The smaller case and balanced design make it easy to forget you are wearing a watch at all, which is often exactly what people want.
The display on the Forerunner 45S is clear and practical. It is easy to read in daylight and remains visible indoors or in low light with the backlight switched on. Numbers are large enough to glance at while running without slowing down or breaking stride. The layout avoids clutter, showing only the information you need such as pace, distance, time and heart rate. This simplicity makes a real difference in everyday use, especially for people who want quick reassurance about their pace or effort rather than complex charts on the wrist.
GPS performance is one of the core reasons people choose this watch. When you head out for a run, the Forerunner 45S typically locks onto GPS quickly and maintains a stable connection throughout the session. Whether you are running through residential streets, along riverside paths or around local parks, the recorded routes tend to match your actual path closely. This consistency builds trust in the data. Over time, you come to rely on the distance and pace information because it feels accurate and repeatable from one run to the next.
Heart rate monitoring is handled through a wrist based sensor that works well for most everyday activities. It tracks changes in effort during runs, showing when your heart rate rises on hills or settles into a steady rhythm during easier sections. While it may not replace a chest strap for highly specific training needs, it provides more than enough insight for general fitness, regular running and casual training. Many people appreciate not having to think about extra accessories and simply letting the watch do its job.
Using the Forerunner 45S during workouts is straightforward thanks to physical buttons on the side of the case. Starting and stopping activities feels intuitive, even when your hands are sweaty or when you are wearing gloves. This is especially useful in colder months when touchscreens can be frustrating. The buttons respond reliably and allow you to focus on your movement rather than fiddling with controls. During a run, a quick press lets you pause, resume or finish without breaking your flow.
Battery life on a refurbished Forerunner 45S remains well suited to everyday routines. When new, the watch was designed to last several days in watch mode and deliver multiple GPS tracked workouts on a single charge. A refurbished unit may have slightly reduced capacity compared to a brand new one, but in practical terms it still handles regular runs and daily wear without frequent charging. Many users find that charging every few days fits easily into their routine, whether that means plugging it in overnight or topping it up while getting ready in the morning.
Charging itself is simple and familiar. The clip style charging cable attaches securely to the back of the watch and connects to a USB port. There is no guesswork or complicated setup. This simplicity helps ensure the watch is always ready when you are. It also means you do not need special charging pads or accessories, which makes it easier to live with long term.
Across a typical week, the Forerunner 45S blends into both active and quieter moments. A morning run before work is tracked with clear data on pace, distance and heart rate. Later in the day, the watch continues to monitor steps and general movement, giving you a sense of how active you have been outside of formal workouts. If you receive calls or messages on your phone, notifications appear on your wrist with a gentle vibration. This allows you to stay aware without constantly checking your phone, which many people find surprisingly helpful.
Garmin Connect plays an important role in turning raw data into something meaningful. Once the watch syncs with your phone, you can view your activities in more detail. Maps show where you ran, graphs display how your pace and heart rate changed, and summaries help you see patterns over time. For people new to running, this feedback can be encouraging as it highlights progress that might not be obvious from memory alone. For more experienced runners, it offers a simple way to reflect on training consistency and effort.
The Forerunner 45S also supports structured training plans through Garmin Connect. If you have a specific goal such as completing a first 5k or building consistency, you can follow guided plans that sync directly to the watch. During runs, the watch prompts you through each step of the session. This can be particularly reassuring for beginners who want guidance without having to plan every detail themselves. Even for casual users, knowing the option exists adds to the watch’s sense of quiet support.
Beyond running, the watch tracks other activities such as walking and cycling. While it is not a specialist multisport device, it provides enough flexibility for people whose routines include more than one type of movement. Daily step tracking adds another layer of insight, showing how active you are overall rather than only during workouts. Over time, many users notice how small habits contribute to their activity totals, which can gently encourage more movement throughout the day.
Durability is an important consideration for any watch worn daily. The Forerunner 45S is designed to handle sweat, rain and the occasional bump without complaint. Its water resistance allows you to wear it in wet conditions and during showers without worry. For everyday life, this means you do not need to constantly take it off or think about protecting it from the elements. Refurbished units may show signs of prior wear, but these are typically cosmetic and do not affect the watch’s ability to perform reliably.
Living with the Forerunner 45S over months reveals its real value. It becomes a quiet record of your routines, your effort and your progress. You start to recognise how certain runs feel compared with what the data shows. You may notice that a run felt hard but your pace was steady, or that your heart rate was lower on a familiar route. These small insights help you understand your body better and make more informed choices about rest and training.
The smaller size of the 45S makes it particularly appealing for those who prefer a watch that does not dominate the wrist. It pairs well with everyday clothing and does not feel out of place outside of workouts. This versatility encourages all day wear, which in turn gives you a more complete picture of your activity and movement. The watch does not demand attention, yet it is always there when you want to check something or review your progress.
A refurbished Garmin Forerunner 45S often feels like a sensible and thoughtful choice rather than an impulsive one. It delivers the essential features most people actually use, wrapped in a design that is easy to live with. The fact that it has already been used and refurbished does not detract from its usefulness. Instead, it offers a more accessible way to own a reliable piece of technology that has already proven itself in real life.
For people starting their running journey, the Forerunner 45S provides clear guidance without complexity. For those returning to fitness after a break, it offers gentle structure and feedback. For anyone who simply enjoys seeing how their daily activity adds up, it becomes a familiar companion. The watch supports these different needs without trying to be everything at once.
The Refurbished Garmin Forerunner 45S is best suited to those who value comfort, clarity and reliability. It is not about chasing the latest features or constant updates. It is about having a watch that works consistently, fits comfortably and helps you stay connected to your activity over time. If you are interested in comparing different sizes, features or training tools, there are other models available that may suit different priorities, but for many people, this watch strikes a reassuring balance that feels right from the first wear.
