Garmin dismiss Smart Glasses – but leaves the door open for a new Varia Vision
…glasses have come and gone once, and the utility and the concerns around the use of those in public have always come up in the context. So I’d say it’s a wait-and-see thing. I think people want choices when it comes to things they wear, including watches and glasses. And so there may be some special use cases for those, but in general, we believe that the utility of a wearable is still very strong.[C. Pemble, CEO Garmin]
Earlier this year, I had some good intel that Garmin was considering microLED technologies for near-eye sports usage. So that means integrating with glasses or goggles for training in sports ranging from skiing to triathlon.
Garmin previously had its Varia Vision product that clipped onto glasses and was predominantly used for cycling, but that was discontinued years ago. There is still a need in many sports for near-eye performance data, perhaps live-streamed from a sports watch or other accessory. This could be in high-speed sports where glancing at a watch or bike computer adds danger, or it could simply be for the convenience of an avid runner or walker seeking route directions or an indication of live effort.
It’s a niche market. However, Garmin likes relatively niche markets where its technology commands a natural premium. But it wasn’t to integrate those technologies in sensibly easy ways, so producing smart sports glasses in various shapes and colours won’t happen. A clip-on might happen, and smart skiing goggles might happen.
Garmin Acquires MyLaps – what this means for our watches and bike computers
In a recent interview with Garmin’s CEO, Clifford Pemble, he rightly dismissed the fit of generic smart glasses to Garmin’s business model. Still, he left the door open for the special use cases I’ve just described for sports.
Take Out
I’m reasonably sure Varaia Vision will soon be rekindled in some form or other. I’d not really considered the skiing perspective until recently. Perhaps something to look forward to there in the fall/autumn?
Last Updated on 26 January 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — The small adapter that keeps your charging cables tidy. Essential for race day. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
- Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.
Reader-Powered Content
This content is not sponsored. It’s mostly me behind the labour of love, which is this site, and I appreciate everyone who supports it.
Support the site: Follow (free, fewer ads) · Subscribe (paid, ad-free) · Buy Me A Coffee ❤️
All articles are written by real people, fact-checked, and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure — some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
Varia Vision was an excellent product but premium priced, so Garmin should have / still can look for growth by using later hardware innovation to drive the volume up and the price down to a mainstream price point.
The software is already capable and flexible so only needs Compatability updates on newer 40, 50 series devices. Still works with 1030.
they seem to be doing some thing along those lines with a specific kind of microled capability