The race for the very best GPS watch is heating up, and Suunto is aiming for the highest with its new Suunto Race GPS watch.
Recognized for its adventure-driven designs, the model is now making a daring push into the operating world. However after years of carving out a distinct segment for path and outside lovers, can Suunto convey one thing contemporary and thrilling to the desk for on a regular basis runners?
The Suunto Race is full of options designed for athletes who need to dive into the main points—assume superior metrics, restoration insights, and even race preparation instruments.
For seasoned runners who love having a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips (and who prioritize map and navigation options), this watch could possibly be excellent for you.
I’ve been testing this watch on street runs, on the observe, and even on the treadmill, and I’m right here to share my takeaways. So let’s dive into what makes this watch stand out—and the place it would fall brief for sure runners.
Who’s it good for?
- Novice Runners: This can be a LOT of a watch, each weight-wise and on the options facet
- Present Garmin Customers: Persist with what . This watch and the Suunto app don’t supply sufficient differentiators so that you can bounce ship.
- Path Runners: You might have discovered your subsequent watch! A number of GPS modes, map importing capabilities, plus altimeter and barometric capabilities.
- Every day Utilization: Has a variety of strong coaching options however doesn’t function cell pay choices
- Worth for Worth: The value has dropped to $399, which is aggressive for a mid-range watch.
This one might should be subsequent on our checklist of greatest path operating watches.
Suunto Race Watch Evaluate
What first struck me when unboxing the Suunto Race was the large show display screen (1.43”). It positively appears the closest to a sensible watch than something I’ve examined. The brilliant AMOLED show and contact display screen performance function a terrific reminder how far operating watches have come previously few years!
However yeesh, this watch is HEAVY, tipping the dimensions at 83g.
Comparatively, my Coros Apex 2 Professional weighs in at 66g and my older Garmin Forerunner 945 sits at 50g. Level being,it’s considerably heavier than nearly all of its rivals and also you positively really feel that distinction.
*Excellent news: there’s a Suunto Race S which goes to be the smaller model and weigh solely 60g.
The burden of the watch is additional amplified by the match of the silicone wristband. Whereas the secondary clasp does assist preserve the watch face in place, I discovered myself having to tighten the strap fairly a bit to stop any motion. Certain, I don’t need the watch bouncing round whereas operating, however I additionally want the match to be snug—and sadly, it’s not.
As a brand new Suunto person, I discovered the watch and corresponding app a bit difficult to arrange.
The menus and group of the watch’s options should not tremendous intuitive, so it did take me some time to really feel assured utilizing fundamental capabilities.
This watch brings a boatload of knowledge to the desk and boasts complete coaching options I’ll get into shortly. However let’s take a fast take a look at a few of my takeaways from my time testing this watch.
Fast Take Professional’s and Con’s
Professionals
- Amoled Display and enormous show (1.43 in.)
- Knowledge galore: Steps, HRV, 24/7 HR, Resting HR
- Prolonged battery life
- A number of modes of GPS
- LOVE the flashlight
- Greater than 90 completely different exercise modes
Cons
- This watch is HEAVY 83g – in comparison with my Coros Apex Professional 2 that weighs 66g
- Strap match
- App is clunky and gradual updating information
- Buttons on the watch are sporadically unresponsive or lag
GPS added .02~.04 mile for every mile I ran - Configuration and menu movement on the watch isn’t intuitive
Fast Take:
100% we’re on board with the Suunto Race S for being lighter and cheaper! That being mentioned it does drop the battery life so much, so there’s your commerce off!
Examine them each out right here >>
Sensible Watch
The watch packs in a number of useful smartwatch options, together with name, textual content, and electronic mail notifications, climate alerts, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t assist media storage, so if you happen to’re trying to take heed to music or podcasts throughout your runs, you’ll nonetheless must convey your cellphone.
The excellent news? You’ll be able to management your media immediately from the watch. Equally, the watch doesn’t assist contactless funds.
For these of us who continually misplace our telephones (responsible as charged), there’s additionally a “Discover My Cellphone” operate. And as foolish because it sounds, I’ve to confess—I like the flashlight function.
That mentioned, syncing the watch with the Suunto app isn’t at all times seamless. Throughout testing, I typically needed to open the app and maintain it near the watch, and even then, information like climate updates and up to date exercises generally took some time to point out up. However this watch brings a variety of information to the desk, together with HRV (Coronary heart Fee Variability), steps, coronary heart charge, resting coronary heart charge, sleep evaluation, and extra.
At first, the three-button structure may really feel a bit difficult, however when you get the cling of it, customizing your watch and arranging your favourite widgets is a breeze. The crown scroll button permits you to simply navigate by way of options, or you should utilize the touchscreen, relying on desire.
Whereas the Suunto Race affords extra smartwatch capabilities than every other operating watch I’ve examined, it does miss a couple of key options that many runners worth, like contactless funds, multi-bluetooth pairing, and media storage—which you’ll typically discover on competing fashions.
Battery Life
- As much as 16 days in smartwatch mode
- 40 hours in all techniques coaching mode (a number of GPS frequencies)
- 65 hours in all techniques coaching mode (single GPS frequency)
- AMOLED shows normally drain battery fairly shortly, however the Suunto Race has sufficient energy to remain dependable as a day by day wearable, which is a big plus! The watch takes between 1-2 hours to cost fully and begins notifying you of low energy as soon as the battery degree reaches roughly 30%.
GPS and Navigation
Navigation is the place the watch really shines. You’ll be able to add maps and race routes, and select between a number of completely different modes of navigation.
- Route Navigation (Breadcrumb Trails): Observe a preloaded route with a easy path show.
- Again to Begin: Navigate again to your place to begin with a reverse breadcrumb path.
- Compass: Know which path you’re going through to take care of a way of orientation.
- Waypoint Navigation: Navigate towards particular factors of curiosity you’ve set as waypoints.
- Maps: Use detailed maps for navigating extra advanced or distant routes.
It’s vital to name out that multi-band GPS mode, route navigation, and mapping options will drain the battery extra shortly than normal operating options. I didn’t have the possibility to check the watch on the paths however the suggestions I’ve learn highlights the navigation as this watch’s greatest function!
With regards to the GPS operate, I used to be stunned to seek out the Suunto Race measured my run distance as about 0.02 to 0.03 miles longer per mile in comparison with the Coros Apex Professional 2, which I wore alongside it. I additionally swapped out the Coros for my Garmin Forerunner 945 and received just about the identical outcome.
After digging into it, I discovered that different runners on the market observed the identical discrepancy. A bit ironic that the navigation is spot-on however the GPS isn’t fairly as correct.
Coronary heart Fee Monitoring
Wrist-based coronary heart charge displays typically get a foul rap for accuracy. The guts charge information from this watch was persistently on par with the Coros I used for comparability throughout testing. For those who’re critical about dialing in your coronary heart charge information, Suunto additionally affords a coronary heart charge belt for extra exact readings.
Personally, I’m nonetheless getting the cling of low coronary heart charge coaching, however Coach Amanda swears by utilizing an correct coronary heart charge monitor as a key coaching part.
For some recommendations on the way to get extra correct coronary heart charge readings and benefit from your GPS watch, be sure you try her GPS watch suggestions!
Exercises
We’ve already coated how a lot this watch can do, however I need to spotlight three options which might be particularly nice for runners.
First up is Suunto’s FusedSpeed know-how.
This distinctive function combines GPS information with an accelerometer (which tracks your motion) to present you extra correct readings of issues like tempo and distance. It’s particularly useful in areas the place GPS alone can wrestle, like in cities with tall buildings or dense, wooded trails. Runners love their information, however let’s be actual—it solely issues if it’s correct, proper?
The second standout function is the Ghost Runner mode.
You set a distance and time aim on your exercise, and when you begin, the watch updates you in actual time on whether or not you’re forward, behind, or proper on tempo together with your “ghost runner.” It’s a enjoyable, contemporary take that may assist lighten the temper throughout harder coaching periods.
This watch has a TON of superior coaching information for us to nerd out on, factoring in your brief and long-term coaching masses, restoration, and the depth of your exercises. For those who’re a fan of deep-diving in information, the Suunto Race is a superb possibility for you!
Last Ideas
For those who’re after a watch that permits you to geek out on information and affords a couple of strong smartwatch options, the Suunto Race is a superb choose. However if you happen to’re actually specific about match and GPS accuracy, this won’t be the one for you.
You may think about the Garmin Forerunner 965 or Coros Apex 2 Professional.
Effectively there you’ve it! I hope this evaluation helps you discover your subsequent operating watch!
On the lookout for extra gear and path suggestions?
