Garmin Instinct 3 Solar GPS Watch Review

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing the Garmin Instinct 3 solar watch to assess how it fits into my everyday life as well as my time in the backcountry.

During my 2024 thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, I elected to leave my Garmin Instinct 2 watch at home, largely because I didn’t want to carry an extra cord and deal with charging in towns. However, the updated Instinct 3 Solar makes a compelling argument for its place on the wrists of backcountry explorers.

With an impressive solar-charging capability, advanced GPS, and comprehensive health tracking features, this watch aims to be a do-it-all companion for thru-hikers and runners.

The impressive solar charging capability is a game changer for long-distance backpackers.

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar At a Glance

MSRP: $399.99 (45mm solar version)
Weight: 53g
Battery Life: Unlimited (with sufficient solar exposure in smartwatch mode)
GPS: Multi-band with SatIQ
Water-Resistance Rating: 10 atm (meaning it can withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 100 meters)

Intended Use

Garmin designed the Instinct 3 Solar for outdoor enthusiasts who need a tough, long-lasting GPS smartwatch with strong health-tracking features. It’s ideal for hikers, trail runners, and anyone who frequently ventures into the wilderness.

Unlike more delicate smartwatches, this one is built to withstand the elements while offering crucial navigation and fitness insights. The added solar charging makes it an excellent choice for those who spend extended time off the grid (hello, thru-hikers!)

The daily view is nice too, with the date, battery time, heart rate, steps taken, current elevation, and sunset/sunrise time.

Circumstances of Review

I tested the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar in a variety of environments, including skiing in the Rockies, hiking in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and going for runs in the foothills of Colorado. The Instinct 3 comes in several configurations; I tested the solar version with a 45mm screen.

I focused on its GPS accuracy, solar charging effectiveness, fitness-tracking capabilities, although the watch has several other features I found myself unexpectedly loving.

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Features

Solar Charging for Extended Battery Life

Garmin’s solar technology is a game-changer. In smartwatch mode and with sufficient sunlight, the battery can last indefinitely. In practice, even in GPS mode, the solar extends battery life significantly, making this an outstanding choice for multi-day adventures.

Rugged Design with Scratch-Resistant Display

The watch features a 45mm* metal-reinforced bezel and a scratch-resistant display, built to handle tough conditions. It meets military-grade durability standards (MIL-STD-810), ensuring resistance to heat, shock, and water up to 100 meters.

*Also available in a 50mm size, and there is a non-solar, more budget version called the Instinct E with a 40mm display.

Built-in Flashlight

A standout addition is the built-in LED flashlight, which includes variable intensities and a red-light mode for night vision preservation.

If you’re like me, you hear this and think “OK, whatever,” but this flashlight is incredible. It may just replace my headlamp on trips where I don’t expect to use it but want to bring something for safety.

The flashlight, called the “torch” is unexpectedly helpful while setting up camp, looking for things under my bed, and hiking at dusk.

Multi-Band GPS with SatIQ

The Instinct 3 Solar delivers excellent GPS accuracy with multi-band support and SatIQ technology. This system dynamically optimizes GPS performance based on signal conditions, balancing accuracy and battery life.

Comprehensive Health & Wellness Tracking

The watch monitors heart rate, stress levels, sleep quality, Pulse Ox (blood oxygen saturation), hydration, respiration, and even HRV (heart rate variability) for deeper health insights.

Smart Notifications & Connectivity

When paired with a smartphone, you can receive texts, emails, and app alerts right on your wrist. It also supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments and can integrate with Garmin’s Messenger app for two-way text messaging.

Usage

Now that we’ve covered the features, let’s dive into how the watch performs in real-world conditions.

Battery Life & Solar Performance

Garmin’s solar charging really shines here. During my hikes, I found that with decent sunlight exposure, the watch maintained a high charge level, even when using GPS intermittently.

In smartwatch mode with regular solar exposure, the watch truly delivers on its promise of “unlimited” battery life. In full GPS mode without solar, battery life is still impressive, lasting me over 35 hours after forgetting to turn off GPS tracking after a hike.

Navigation & GPS Accuracy

The multi-band GPS provided fast and accurate location tracking. Multi-band essentially means the watch can utilize multiple satellite networks rather than being limited to just the Global Positioning System, improving accuracy and precision.

Even in dense tree cover and mountainous terrain, the watch maintained a strong signal. Whether I was tracking elevation gain up a 14er or navigating a preloaded course, the accuracy was spot on.

It’s wonderful to be able to check how far I’ve hiked, the elevation I’m at, my heart rate, and how much further I have to go with a simple scroll.

Health & Fitness Tracking

The Instinct 3 Solar offers deep health insights, from sleep tracking to stress monitoring. The HRV (heart rate variability) status was a useful addition, helping me understand recovery trends over time.

Sleep tracking was also detailed, breaking down light, deep, and REM stages. Although if I’m being honest, I don’t think any smartwatch tracks REM stages all that accurately. Still, the watch did a great job of telling me how many hours of sleep I got and how often I woke up overnight.

Durability and Usability

This watch is built to take a beating. The rugged design meant I didn’t have to worry about scratches, bumps, or exposure to harsh elements. The display remains visible in bright sunlight, and the physical buttons provide easy navigation even with gloves on.

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Pros

Outstanding Battery Life: With solar charging, the Instinct 3 Solar can run indefinitely in smartwatch mode and lasts far longer than many competitors in GPS mode.

Durable and Rugged: Designed for extreme conditions, it’s water-resistant up to 100 meters and meets military-grade durability standards.

Accurate Multi-Band GPS: Even in challenging environments, the GPS remains fast and precise.

Advanced Health & Fitness Features: From HRV to Pulse Ox, this watch offers detailed wellness tracking.

Built-in Flashlight: A handy tool for nighttime use, camping, or emergencies. I didn’t think I’d love the flashlight as much as I do, but it’s actually kind of a game-changer while setting up camp in the dark.

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Cons

Display is Monochrome (MIP Instead of AMOLED): Some users may prefer a more vibrant AMOLED screen, which isn’t available on the solar editions.

Limited Smartwatch Features: While it covers the essentials, it lacks the app ecosystem of some premium smartwatches, including a touchscreen. This can be seen as both a pro and a con; The touchscreen would’ve been nice to have in my day-to-day, but frustrating when running in the rain. Wet conditions + sweaty fingers = non-functional touchscreen.

In order to have the strap tight enough to not move at all, I sometimes get irritation on my wrist when I wear it for extended periods of time.

Price: At $399, it’s a premium investment. However, considering the durability and solar capabilities, it may be worth the cost for serious outdoor enthusiasts, especially if you’re looking for a low-maintenance watch to bring on a thru-hike.

Would I Recommend It?

For anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors and needs a rugged, solar-powered smartwatch, the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar is a top contender. It offers outstanding battery life, precise GPS tracking, and robust health monitoring in a bombproof design.

If you’re looking for a smartwatch that prioritizes durability, functionality, and longevity over flashy aesthetics, this is an excellent choice.

Shop the Instinct 3 Solar

I also love reviewing my hikes and runs after the fact and obsessing over every little stat and graph.

Comparable Products

Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar

• MSRP: $899
• Battery Life: Up to 22 days with solar (Smartwatch mode)
• Display: 51mm, Full Color MIP

Coros Vertix 2

• MSRP: $699
• Battery Life: 140 hours
• GPS Display: 1.4-inch, Full Color LCD

The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar was donated for the purpose of review.