Suunto Race sports smartwatch: Rugged elegance meets cutting-edge performance
Suunto Race Sports Watch. Picture: Suunto.
Suunto is a Finnish company that manufactures and markets sports watches, dive computers, compasses and precision instruments. Suunto watches are well known for their robust design and reliable performance. The Suunto Race GPS Sports Watch, the brand’s latest flagship model, promises to continue this legacy with cutting-edge technology and rugged durability.
The Race is large and ruggedly stylish. Its bold 1.43-inch AMOLED display encased in stainless steel or titanium exudes a rugged elegance. The large screen is easy to read in all lighting conditions, whether on a bright trail or a dimly lit gym.
The sapphire crystal glass covering the display adds a layer of scratch resistance, ensuring the watch remains pristine even after rough use.
There's a style for every taste in five distinct colour options: Black, Midnight, and Birch for the stainless steel version (Race S 45mm) and Charcoal and Amethyst for the titanium variant (49mm).
The titanium models are remarkably lightweight at 69 grams (this is the one I was sent for this review), while the stainless steel variants are a bit heftier at 83 grams. Both versions, however, are built to military-grade standards (MIL-STD-810H), making them capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and harsh conditions. Whether you’re racing in the blistering heat or braving sub-zero temperatures, the Suunto Race is built to handle it all.
The Race sports a large digital crown that makes using it very satisfying. The watch is tall, so there’s lots of room around the crown to make it easier to access. On either side of the crown are large buttons – the top button launches you straight into workouts, while the other acts as a back button.
Navigating the watch’s functions is intuitive and quick, even during intense workouts. The AMOLED display is sharp and vibrant, and everything is large and bold, making it easy to view metrics at a glance.
The watch’s interface is clean and well-organised, a crucial factor when accessing different modes mid-exercise. The Race will feel limited if you’re coming from an Apple Watch or similar featured smartwatches with Wear OS because the limited selection of apps in the Suunto app store is based on activities. You can download apps to keep golf scores or Live Pacer, which allows you to adjust your target pace while running. However, if you’re looking for a smartwatch with lots of apps, notifications and smart features, you should look elsewhere. This might seem like a downside, but it’s more of a case of horses for courses. So many of us are tired of notifications and just need a more straightforward solution that provides all the features we need and nothing more. What makes the Race appealing is its rugged nature, ability to accurately track activities, excellent battery life, and ability to use offline maps.
The Race has a lot of advanced training metrics, including detailed insights into heart rate variability (HRV), recovery status, and overall fitness for athletes looking to fine-tune their performance. The HRV measurement is particularly useful for tracking recovery, showing how your body responds to training loads.
The watch doesn’t stop at HRV — it compares recent data with long-term trends, allowing you to make informed decisions about your training intensity and recovery needs.
In addition to HRV, the Race offers over 95 sports modes, ranging from running and cycling to more niche activities like windsurfing and ball sports. For those who want a personalised touch, the watch even allows you to create custom sports modes, tailoring the experience to your specific needs.
The Race can also link to the Shimano E-Bike system and Moxy Monitor.
One of the most practical features for outdoor athletes is the inclusion of free, detailed offline maps. Downloading maps directly to the watch means you’ll never lose your way, even when your smartphone is out of reach or the cellular signal is non-existent. The dual-band GNSS system ensures market-leading accuracy in tracking your location, a crucial feature when navigating unfamiliar terrain.
The robust navigation tools allow you to plan routes, mark waypoints, and track your progress in real-time. For those who enjoy venturing off the beaten path, the confidence of having reliable navigation at your wrist is invaluable.
When it comes to battery life, the Race doesn’t disappoint. In its most accurate GPS tracking mode, the watch can last up to 40 hours on a single charge — plenty for ultramarathons or multi-day adventures.
In daily mode, the battery life extends to a remarkable 26 days, making it a reliable companion even when you forget to charge it for a while. I could get over ten days from a single charge with all the features enabled, including the always-on display.
Recharging is also quick, taking just two hours. Most smartwatches cause battery anxiety, but with the Race, I could forget about the battery until the watch prompted me to say the battery was low.
The Race is bulky but relatively light, and I like how it looks and feels on my medium-sized wrist. Its heft has a purpose, including being waterproof up to 100 meters and freediving down to 10 meters, making it suitable for swimming, diving, or enduring unexpected downpours. The rugged build and weather resistance from -20°C to +55°C make it clear that the Race is designed to handle whatever nature throws your way.
The Suunto Race combines a rugged build, advanced features, and impressive durability in a stylish smartwatch. For serious athletes who demand more from their sports watch, the combination of advanced training metrics, offline mapping capabilities, and extensive battery life makes it an excellent choice for those who push their limits, whether in competition or training.
Suunto Race S from €349
Suunto Race from €449 Suunto
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