The Refurbished Garmin Forerunner 735XT is a multisport training watch that feels like a companion rather than a gadget. It is a device that many triathletes, runners and cyclists have relied on because it blends performance tracking with a form factor that is comfortable enough to wear all day. It offers detailed metrics without asking you to wade through menus that feel detached from real use. Instead, it quietly records what you do, presents it in ways that make sense and becomes part of the rhythm of your life rather than a distraction.
On first handling a refurbished unit you might notice signs of previous use such as very light marks on the casing or strap. These cosmetic details rarely detract from the overall experience and often serve as a reminder that this is a tool that has already lived a useful life. What quickly becomes more important than surface appearance is the way the watch feels on your wrist. The Forerunner 735XT is light, not bulky, and its size suits a wide range of wrist shapes. Whether you wear it during a long run or keep it on throughout a workday, it settles into place in a way that feels natural. The silicone strap is flexible and secure, giving confidence that it will stay put in motion without feeling constrictive on quiet days of sitting and moving between appointments.
Design and comfort are not things you single out with this watch. Instead they become part of a seamless experience where the device feels like a quiet presence on your wrist. The display is clear and easy to read in a variety of light conditions. Outdoors in bright daylight the numbers remain visible and indoors they do not glare or strain your eyes. The watch does not draw attention to itself, which for many people is exactly what they want. It is a tool to track performance and activity rather than something that interrupts the flow of everyday life.
One of the real strengths of the Forerunner 735XT is how it tracks performance across multiple activities. Whether you are running, cycling, swimming or combining them all in a triathlon, the watch handles each discipline with a level of nuance that feels earned through experience. The built in GPS acquires your position quickly when you start an outdoor activity and generally holds that connection well throughout. That means the distance and pace numbers you see after a session feel consistent and dependable. Heart rate monitoring from the wrist sensor gives a clear picture of effort in many cases, and for activities where you want the most precise measure you can pair a chest strap. This flexibility is part of what makes the watch appealing to people who train seriously but do not want to be weighed down with extra equipment for every session.
In real world use, the performance data from the Forerunner 735XT feels meaningful rather than overwhelming. When you head out for a run you can glance at pace, distance and heart rate without having to scroll through confusing menus. On a bike ride the watch shows speed, distance and cadence in comfortable layouts that let you keep your focus on the road rather than your wrist. For swimming it records laps and stroke rate with enough detail to help you spot patterns in your sessions. All of this combines into a picture of your training that helps you reflect on what you did and prepare for what is next.
One of the aspects people often comment on when they live with this watch is how the training load and recovery insights feel grounded in real use. Over several weeks of training you get a sense of how hard sessions affect your body and when it might be wise to rest. These insights come from a combination of heart rate trends, training history and the way the watch measures effort across sessions. They do not shout at you. Instead they feel like sensible feedback that helps you make choices about your next session rather than simply logging numbers.
Physical buttons around the case make interacting with the Forerunner 735XT feel straightforward. There is no reliance on touchscreens that can be awkward when your hands are sweaty or you are wearing gloves. Button presses give reliable feedback and let you start, pause and stop workouts without fuss. This is particularly useful in multisport sessions where transitions between disciplines happen quickly and you do not want to be fiddling with controls. The buttons feel intuitive and solid, which makes them easy to use on the move.
Battery life on a refurbished unit remains practical for daily and weekly use. When this model was new it was known to last through extended periods of tracking across multiple activities before needing a charge. Refurbishment often means the absolute maximum capacity may be slightly reduced compared with new, but in everyday use it still gives you plenty of GPS tracked workouts and daily activity between charges. Most people find that plugging it in every few days fits nicely into a routine, whether that means topping up overnight or while preparing for a workout. Charging itself is simple with the supplied cable, and the connection feels secure rather than delicate or fussy.
Using the Forerunner 735XT across a typical week shows how it fits into life beyond just workouts. A morning run before work gives you clear data on pace and effort, and that synchronises with your phone so you can review it in the Garmin Connect app later. Throughout the day the watch counts steps, tracks general movement and even notifies you of phone alerts with a gentle vibration. This integration with your daily rhythm keeps you connected to information you care about without demanding attention constantly. Whether you are walking to a meeting, riding through town or preparing dinner at home, the watch stays quietly at your side.
Garmin Connect plays an important role in shaping how the data from your watch feels meaningful. After syncing with your phone, you can explore maps, graphs and summaries that show how your training is progressing over time. Looking at a run in the app gives you a map of your route, a breakdown of pace and heart rate, and a sense of how the session fits into the broader context of your training week. These insights help you understand patterns rather than just seeing isolated numbers. For someone training for a specific event, being able to see how your efforts evolve across weeks or months brings reassurance and clarity to the process.
The multisport features of the Forerunner 735XT are especially apparent in events like triathlons or brick workouts where you combine running and cycling. In these scenarios the watch lets you switch seamlessly between sports so your data stays coherent throughout the session. This makes it easier to analyse your performance and refine your transitions for future races. The watch also offers structured training options so you can follow plans that guide you through interval sessions, long endurance workouts or recovery days. These plans sync from Garmin Connect to the device and prompt you through each step with clear instructions.
Durability is another aspect that people living with this watch tend to appreciate. The Forerunner 735XT is built to handle sweat, rain and the knocks that come from an active lifestyle. You can wear it in wet conditions or under the shower without worry because it is designed to cope with moisture. Regular use does not seem to faze it, and a refurbished unit will still feel robust even if it carries small traces of prior life. The screen and body are resilient and hold up well to everyday wear, which matters when you are wearing the device through workouts and normal life alike.
Real world use over time reveals how the watch becomes less about catching your eye and more about supporting what you do. You might notice that a run felt easier than expected and then see that reflected in a lower heart rate or steadier pace. Or you might finish a long ride and discover how your training load score suggests taking a lighter day tomorrow. These kinds of insights help you make small, informed decisions about your routine rather than leaving you to guess. It is this quiet intelligence that helps the Forerunner 735XT feel like a trusted part of your training rather than a piece of electronics waiting for attention.
Daily life beyond dedicated workouts also benefits from having this watch on your wrist. The step counter gives you a sense of overall activity, which can encourage you to take an extra walk at lunchtime or choose the stairs instead of the lift. Sleep tracking gives you a snapshot of how restful your night was and how that might influence your readiness for training the next day. Notifications from your phone appear with a gentle buzz on your wrist so you can decide whether to check your phone or stay present in the moment. This balance of awareness without intrusion often makes the device feel like a companion rather than a nuisance.
One of the subtle pleasures of owning a watch like the Forerunner 735XT is how it helps you build a picture of your progress over time. A single run or ride might feel like a blur in the moment, but when you look back over weeks of sessions you begin to see patterns and improvements emerging. Perhaps your pace on a familiar route has smoothed out, or your heart rate stays steadier over longer distances. These small victories add up and give a sense of connection to your training that goes beyond the immediate session.
A refurbished unit often comes with a battery that still holds strong life and a strap that is comfortable and ready for everyday wear. The signs of previous use tend to become unnoticeable as you begin to live with the watch and focus on the data it provides rather than how perfect it looks. Some people even find that a lightly worn unit has character and a sense of having already been tested in real life, which gives confidence in its reliability.
The Forerunner 735XT is best suited to people who want a dependable multisport watch that handles a range of activities without overwhelming them with complexity. It brings together GPS, heart rate monitoring, structured training, multisport modes and everyday activity tracking in a way that feels sensible and grounded. Whether you are training for events, maintaining a regular exercise routine or simply enjoy seeing how your activity unfolds over time, the watch provides clarity and context that feels personal and useful.
Living with the Refurbished Garmin Forerunner 735XT over months, rather than days, reveals how the device becomes part of your training routine and daily life. You strap it on in the morning and let it gather data that helps you understand your movement, effort and recovery. You begin to recognise how your body responds to different sessions and how small choices influence your goals. This continuity of experience is what many people value most because it turns raw numbers into meaningful insights that help shape what you do next.
If you want to explore other watches with different features such as extended battery life, higher resolution displays or advanced training metrics you might look at newer models that offer those strengths. Comparing how those features align with your own priorities can be a helpful way to decide what matters most in your training and everyday life.
