Image source: Garmin

Rucking finally lands on more Garmin watches

March 28, 2025 Ivan Jovin Firmware update, Smartwatch 2 min read

Rucking has quietly arrived on a wider set of Garmin watches, marking the first time this activity appears outside the Tactix 8. Along with it comes a firmware refresh with 65 other changes! So quite a massive update.

The launch of Connect+ yesterday stirred up quite a bit of concern. Garmin has introduced a subscription tier for its Connect platform, and many users aren’t thrilled. There’s growing anxiety that features currently available for free might eventually end up behind a paywall. Some are also wondering if this signals a slowdown in updates for their existing devices.

But hey, Garmin is still rolling out software updates. If you’ve got a Fenix 8 (AMOLED or Solar), an Enduro 3, or the new Fenix E, and are part of the beta program, go to the “Check for Updates” option on your watch to install Beta 15.16.

What has changed?

Once you dig deep into the changelog, you’ll notice how much ground it actually covers.

The standout addition is the rucking activity profile. It’s been available on the Tactix 8 since its launch, but this is the first time it’s moved into the broader lineup. It’s a niche feature with growing popularity. Think of it like tracking hiking, but with the ability to add the weight of the backpack that you are carrying.

There’s some attention on diving too. Average and max depth tracking got a correction, and flashlight color translation issues were sorted out. A few updates also target the MIP display devices, particularly around golf play data and deep sea watch faces.

Another notable addition is new support for displaying overnight breathing variations. This is something that might be useful for those keeping a close eye on recovery or sleep metrics.

Garmin also seems to be expanding support for voice interactions, with updates to voice commands and voice control over specific app modes, though the limitations are still there depending on your language and model.

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Garmin’s calendar and stress widgets also got some care, as did the mapping experience and the altimeter graphs. And if you ever found yourself frustrated with timer glitches or sync issues with Garmin Connect Mobile, those have apparently been addressed too.

The fixes list is long and full of the kind of stuff you only notice when it’s broken—like the battery graph refusing to true-up, the flashlight strobe misbehaving, or random crashes when editing strength activities. You can see the full change-log below.

For those in the beta program, 15.16 is already available. If not, now might be a good time to join.