Can a budget-minded smartwatch from a relatively new brand beat a tried-and-true Garmin when it comes to accurately tracking your outdoor adventures? I decided to find out by pitting my favorite rugged smartwatch, the Garmin Instinct 3, against the new Amazfit Active Max while snowboarding Blackcomb Mountain in British Columbia, Canada. The Instinct 3 model I tested (45mm AMOLED edition) is priced at $449, while the Active Max costs $169. The Amazfit Active Max impressed me with its slope-side performance, recording nearly all the same metrics as the Garmin Instinct 3. Across the board, the data is reliable, even with a few slight outliers. Amazfit's post-ride map isn't quite as interactive as what Garmin and the Slopes app deliver, but it still makes it easy to figure out which runs you conquered, post-ride. Of course, this isn't the first time an Amazfit surprised me on the slopes; I was thoroughly impressed when I tested the $99 Amazfit Active 2 at my local mountain last season. In fact, when it comes to overall comfort, I still prefer the slim profile of the Active 2 to the chunkier Active Max, especially under a ski glove. The Verdict: When it comes to the Amazfit Active Max, the answer is a resounding yes based on my experience at Blackcomb. The Instinct 3 and Active Max noted identical top speeds and similar average moving speeds. The Amazfit recorded less distance covered, both downhill and overall, than the Instinct 3. However, Amazfit's tallies match up nicely with Strava's total distance and Slopes' downhill distance. Make of that what you will.
