I’ve been a dedicated user of Garmin’s high-end Fenix and Epix lines for years, so I’m always curious about what else they’re developing. At a recent press conference, I was given the new Garmin Venu 4. With a price point around $500, it sits well below my trusty Fenix 7, making it an interesting proposition. My initial thought was that it’s likely more of a lifestyle and general fitness watch. But I decided to put it through the wringer of my triathlon training to see if it could hang with the more expensive multisport-specific models.
The short answer? I was genuinely surprised. For athletes seeking a powerful, stylish watch that can withstand rigorous training without the premium price tag, the Venu 4 presents a compelling option.
First Impressions and Set-Up
Right out of the box, the Venu 4 feels more like a sleek smartwatch than a rugged sports tool. It’s lighter and more refined than the Fenix, with a brilliant AMOLED display that makes data easy to read, even in bright sunlight. Set-up was a breeze using the Garmin Connect app. I had it paired with my phone, customized my watch face, and connected my essential third-party apps in under ten minutes.
One of the first things I did was link it to TrainingPeaks, TriDot, and Strava. As someone who relies heavily on these platforms for structured workouts and data analysis, seamless integration is non-negotiable. The Venu 4 synced perfectly, pushing my completed workouts and pulling my planned sessions without any issues.
Putting It to the Multisport Test
A watch can look great and have all the features in the world, but the real test is how it performs during a workout. I used the Venu 4 for several weeks, covering all three triathlon disciplines.
Open Water Swimming
This is often where many GPS watches falter. I’ve had watches in the past that produced wildly inaccurate squiggly lines for my swim path. I was skeptical about how the Venu 4 would perform, but it exceeded my expectations. I took it for a few open water swims, and the GPS tracking was impressively accurate, closely matching the known distance of my route. The display was bright and clear enough to see my pace and distance with a quick glance at the water. It captures all the key metrics you need, including distance, pace, stroke rate, and SWOLF.
Cycling
For biking, the Venu 4 functions just as you’d expect a quality Garmin watch to. It paired instantly with my power meter and heart rate monitor. During my rides, it displayed all my critical data fields clearly. After the ride, the data was automatically uploaded to Garmin Connect, providing a full breakdown of my performance. Whether you’re doing a structured power-based workout or a long endurance ride, the Venu 4 has you covered.
Running
The run tracking is equally solid. GPS accuracy was spot-on during both road and trail runs. The watch provides a wealth of data, including pace, distance, cadence, and heart rate. One of the standout features is the wrist-based running dynamics, which give you insights into your form without needing an external pod. This includes data on vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and stride length, helping you identify areas for improvement to become a more efficient runner.
The Triathlon Activity Profile
What truly makes the Venu 4 a viable multisport watch is the dedicated triathlon activity mode. This feature allows you to seamlessly track your entire race or brick workout—swim, T1, bike, T2, and run—as a single activity. Simply press the lap button as you move from one discipline to the next.
This is a crucial feature that separates true multisport watches from general fitness trackers. The ability to record an entire session without stopping and starting different activities is essential for accurate race data and convenient training. The Venu 4 also allows you to create custom multisport profiles, so if you’re a duathlete or have a unique combination of activities you do back-to-back, you can program the watch to track them.
Data, Connectivity, and Everyday Use
Beyond its sports tracking capabilities, the Venu 4 shines as an everyday smartwatch. It delivers smart notifications, allows for mobile payments with Garmin Pay, and has onboard music storage. The Body Battery and advanced sleep tracking features provide a holistic view of your recovery, helping you make smarter training decisions.
As mentioned, the data connectivity is flawless. For data-driven athletes who live and breathe the numbers in TrainingPeaks or follow the AI-powered plans in TriDot, the Venu 4 is a reliable partner. It ensures your data gets where it needs to go, so you and your coach can analyze your progress and plan your next steps.
A Worthy Contender?
After spending a few weeks training with the Garmin Venu 4, I can confidently say it’s more than just a pretty lifestyle watch. It is a legitimate multisport tool capable of handling the demands of serious triathlon training.
While it may not have some of the niche, ultra-endurance features of the Fenix or Enduro series, it packs all the core functionality most triathletes need into a more affordable and stylish package. If you’re looking for a watch that performs flawlessly in the water, on the bike, and on the run, offers a dedicated triathlon mode, and seamlessly integrates with your favorite training platforms, the Venu 4 deserves your attention. It proves you don’t have to spend top dollar to get a top-tier training experience.