The Garmin Instinct series has always been about rugged reliability, and with the Instinct 2X Solar, Garmin took things up a notch. Bigger screen, better battery, added features like a built-in flashlight, and a solar panel that actually makes a difference—on paper, it looks like an adventurer’s dream. But does it hold up in real-world use?

Every journey has a lesson, and when I’m not in the thick of adventure, I turn to others for inspiration, knowledge, and motivation. Our niche community of like-minded adventure seekers who each bring a unique flavor to their sport or activity.