Is The Garmin Forerunner 965 Waterproof? | What 5 ATM Means

Yes, the watch is rated 5 ATM for swimming and rain, but that rating does not make it a scuba-diving watch.

If you’re buying a Forerunner 965, this question matters more than the screen, maps, or battery life on day one. A watch can look great on a spec sheet, then fail your use case if the water rating doesn’t match how you train. Pool laps, sweaty summer runs, beach trips, shower use, open-water swims, and accidental dunks all put different kinds of stress on a watch.

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is built for runners and triathletes, so Garmin did not leave water protection as an afterthought. In the official owner’s manual specs, Garmin lists the water rating as “Swim, 5 ATM,” which means the device is tested to withstand pressure equivalent to 50 meters under controlled conditions. That wording tells you a lot, and it also tells you what not to assume.

This article gives a plain answer, then breaks down what 5 ATM means in real life, what activities are usually fine, what activities push past the rating, and how to keep the seals in good shape over time. If you want a simple buying decision, you’ll get it early. If you want the practical details so you don’t wreck an expensive watch, you’ll get those too.

Is The Garmin Forerunner 965 Waterproof? The Real-World Answer

Garmin markets the Forerunner 965 as a premium running watch, and the watch is rated for swimming. In plain terms, it can handle rain, sweat, shower spray, and swim sessions for normal training use. Garmin’s spec page and owner’s manual align on the same 5 ATM class for this model.

That said, “waterproof” is a casual word people use for convenience. Watch makers and standards pages use water rating or water resistance language because no watch is invincible in every water scenario. Pressure changes, age of seals, chemical exposure, and impact all change the risk.

So if your question means “Can I run and swim with it?” the answer is yes. If your question means “Can I treat it like a dive computer and take it deep underwater?” the answer is no.

What 5 ATM Means On A Running Watch

5 ATM is often read as “50 meters,” and many people take that line too literally. It does not mean the watch is built for all activity at a true 50-meter depth in every situation. It refers to a pressure test under controlled conditions.

That difference matters. A hard slap into water, a fast tow sport, or repeated button presses underwater can put stress on the case and seals in ways that static testing does not match. A pool workout is one thing. A high-speed water sport is another.

Why Garmin Uses “Swim, 5 ATM” In The Specs

Garmin’s wording is useful because it ties the rating to a use case. “Swim” signals the watch is made to be worn during swimming sessions, which fits the Forerunner line’s training focus. You’re not left guessing whether it is only splash-safe.

You can check Garmin’s published specifications for the model on the Forerunner 965 owner’s manual specifications page, where the water rating is listed as “Swim, 5 ATM.”

When The Forerunner 965 Is Safe In Water

For most owners, the Forerunner 965’s water rating is enough. The watch is made for training, and that includes wet training. If your routine stays within normal swimming and day-to-day exposure, you’re in the watch’s intended zone.

Daily Water Exposure

Rain during a long run? Fine. Sweat during summer intervals? Fine. Hand washing splashes? Fine. A quick rinse after a workout? Fine. These are low-risk situations for a 5 ATM watch in good condition.

The bigger risk in daily use is not plain water. It’s buildup. Sweat salts, soap residue, sunscreen, and grime can sit around the button edges and strap connection points. That buildup does not ruin a watch overnight, though it can wear things down if the watch never gets rinsed and dried.

Pool Swimming And Triathlon Training

This is the sweet spot for the Forerunner 965. Pool sessions, structured swim workouts, and regular triathlon prep are exactly where a 5 ATM Garmin running watch makes sense. The watch supports swim tracking features, and the rating matches that use.

If you swim in a chlorinated pool, rinse the watch with fresh water after each session and dry it with a soft cloth. Chlorine and saltwater are rough on straps and seals when they sit for hours.

Open-Water Swimming

Open-water swimming is also within normal use for a triathlon watch like this, as long as you treat it like training gear and not dive gear. Water pressure in open-water swims stays within what the watch is made for during normal strokes and entries.

Watch fit matters here. If the band is too loose, the watch can bang against your wrist or gear. A snug fit cuts motion, helps sensor contact, and lowers wear from repeated impact.

Activity	Forerunner 965 Fit	Notes
Rainy runs	Yes	Normal use for a 5 ATM sports watch.
Sweaty gym sessions	Yes	Rinse and dry after frequent heavy sweat use.
Hand washing splashes	Yes	Low water pressure exposure.
Shower use	Usually yes	Water is fine; soap residue is the bigger issue.
Pool lap swimming	Yes	Built for swim tracking; rinse after chlorine.
Open-water swimming	Yes	Good fit on wrist helps reduce knocks.
Triathlon race use	Yes	Fits swim-bike-run use in normal race conditions.
Shallow snorkeling	Caution	Short, gentle use may be fine; not the watch’s main use case.

What The Forerunner 965 Is Not Made For

This is where buyers get tripped up. A 5 ATM rating sounds higher than it feels in actual sport use. The Forerunner 965 is not a dive watch, and it is not built for rough water impact from motorized sports.

Scuba Diving And Deep Diving

Do not use the Forerunner 965 as scuba gear. The watch lacks dive-specific design and certification. Depth, pressure changes, and the stakes involved in dive timing are outside the role of this watch.

If diving is on your list, look at models built for diving or dive computers. That is a separate category, and the ratings, testing, and feature set are different from a running watch.

High-Speed Water Sports

Jet skiing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and similar sports create impact forces that can exceed what a 5 ATM watch handles well. The issue is not only submersion. Fast contact with water can spike pressure against the watch case.

A watch may survive one session and fail later, which is part of why people get mixed stories online. Water damage can show up after repeated stress, not only after one obvious event.

Hot Water And Harsh Chemicals

Hot tubs, steam rooms, and long exposure to hot water are rough on seals. Heat can age gasket material faster. Chemical cleaners can do the same. Even if the watch appears fine right away, repeated exposure shortens the margin.

For cleaning, stick to fresh water and a soft cloth. Mild soap can be used on the band when needed, then rinse well and dry before charging.

Garmin Forerunner 965 Waterproof Rating Vs What People Mean By Waterproof

People use “waterproof” as a shortcut for “safe in water.” That’s normal. The problem starts when the shortcut turns into a promise the device never made. The Forerunner 965 is water-resistant at a swim-rated 5 ATM level, and in daily speech many owners still call that waterproof.

If you want the safest buying rule, use this line: the Forerunner 965 is swim-safe, not dive-safe. That one sentence keeps expectations lined up with how the watch is built.

Why The 50-Meter Label Confuses Buyers

The “50 meters” part sounds like a depth claim, so people picture a straight depth limit. In practice, the rating is tied to lab pressure tests. Real activity adds motion, impact, and wear over time. That is why two people can own the same watch and report different outcomes after years of use.

Garmin also points users to its water rating definitions and legal notes from its manuals, which is worth a read if you want the wording behind the labels. You can find Garmin’s published definitions on the Garmin water rating page.

Question	Short Answer	Reason
Can I swim laps with the Forerunner 965?	Yes	Garmin lists “Swim, 5 ATM” in the specs.
Can I wear it in rain and sweat?	Yes	These exposures are well within normal sports use.
Can I shower with it?	Usually yes	Water is fine; rinse off soap residue after.
Can I scuba dive with it?	No	It is a running watch, not dive gear.
Can I use it for jet skiing?	No	High-speed impact water pressure can exceed 5 ATM use.

How To Protect The Water Rating Over Time

Water resistance is not a forever shield. It depends on seals, case integrity, and wear. A new Forerunner 965 in good shape gives you the best margin. A watch that has taken hits, lived in saltwater, and never gets rinsed will lose margin faster.

Rinse After Pool Or Saltwater Use

Fresh-water rinse, soft cloth dry, done. That one habit helps more than people expect. Salt and chlorine left on the watch can dry into residue around edges and buttons.

Charge Only When The Watch Is Dry

Dry the charging contacts and cable area before plugging in. Water and charging contacts do not mix well. If you just finished a swim, give it a few minutes and wipe it down first.

Check For Damage After Hard Knocks

A crack, dent, or lifted screen edge changes the risk right away. Even a small hit can affect sealing surfaces. If the watch takes a sharp impact on a door frame, bike tool, or pool edge, inspect it before the next swim.

Use Buttons With Care In Water

Many sports watches survive underwater button presses, though repeated use underwater adds stress around openings. If a function can wait until you’re out of the water, wait. That habit costs nothing and lowers risk.

Should You Buy It If Swimming Is Part Of Your Training?

Yes, if your swimming is normal pool work, open-water training, and triathlon race use. The Forerunner 965 fits that profile well, and the 5 ATM swim rating matches the job. You get a bright display, strong training features, and water handling that works for the way most runners and triathletes train.

If your week includes scuba diving, freediving, or fast motorized water sports, pick a device built for that category instead. You will save money and stress by matching the watch to the sport from the start.

A Simple Buying Rule

Buy the Forerunner 965 if you want a run-first training watch that can swim. Skip it if you want a dive-first watch that can also run.

That split keeps the choice clean. For most runners, the answer is easy: the Forerunner 965 is water-ready for training and daily life, and that is what Garmin built it to do.