Garmin announces May 2025 Feature Updates with new Rucking activity and sleep improvements

Garmin has announced major new software updates for various smartwatches across its range, including but not limited to its Fenix 8 series, Instinct 3 and Venu 3 series. Incidentally, the company also mentions Forerunner smartwatches, albeit without specifying which models. Presumably, this includes the Forerunner 255 through Forerunner 965 (curr. $499.99 on Amazon) rather than the new Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 as well.

In a press release, Garmin reports that its latest feature update delivers new tools aimed at enhancing not just device security, but also health insights and workout precision. For example, Breathing Variations monitor breathing changes during sleep by leveraging Pulse Ox data provided by supported smartwatches. Meanwhile, the company's latest round of updates adds rucking activity and Pack Weight features for weights training to improve the accuracy of calorie burning and VO2 max metrics.

Garmin's updates finally introduce its vaunted passcode functionality and optional wrist-detection, too. Moreover, the same updates add Stage Timer as a tool for competitive marksmen, which can provide remaining time alerts via paired hearing protection. Garmin is also expanding its premium offerings with new features like Garmin Trails, which are all tied to its Connect+ and Outdoors Maps+ services. Please see Garmin's press release for more details.