Review: Suunto Race – An Upgrade in Running Watch Technology
Suunto has long been a staple in the fitness watch market, but recent iterations have not made significant waves amidst competition from Garmin and COROS. The Suunto Race emerges as a strong contender, showcasing improvements that reinvigorate the brand’s appeal. While it may not surpass industry leaders, it positions Suunto back in contention.
Display Quality
One of the standout features of the Suunto Race is its display. The 1.43-inch AMOLED touchscreen, boasting a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels, delivers exceptional clarity and brightness. Although there is some bezel around the screen, the display remains ample for easy usage even in bright conditions. The brightness surpasses the Polar Vantage V3 and is comparable to the Garmin Forerunner 965.
The Race is designed with a robust 49mm casing available in two materials: stainless steel and titanium. The titanium model, priced at £479, weighs 69g and presents a sleek aesthetic, while the stainless steel version, at £389, is slightly heavier at 84g. Both variants come with 22mm interchangeable silicone straps, though the mechanism for attaching these straps could be more user-friendly.
User Controls
The Suunto Race combines touchscreen functionality with three physical buttons, including a prominent digital crown. While these controls are generally responsive, some users may find the crown prone to accidental engagement while in use.
Navigating the interface, however, can be less intuitive compared to competitors; the software responsiveness was found to lag at times, with the raise-to-wake feature particularly sluggish in operation.
Feature Set
The Race is equipped with an extensive range of advanced training features, positioned to rival offerings from Garmin and Polar. Its capabilities include:
- A variety of sports profiles
- Training effect assessment and recovery time suggestions
- VO2 Max estimates
- A daily Resources tool functioning similarly to Garmin’s Body Battery
- Heart Rate Variability insights for training readiness
In terms of battery life, the Race excels with a maximum of 40 hours during high-accuracy GPS use, outperforming the Garmin Forerunner’s 31 hours. It also offers additional modes for extended usage: 50, 70, and 120 hours, and can function for 12 days under regular conditions without training. My own tests showed a minimal 3% battery depletion after an hour run, though it slightly deviated from the advertised 40 hours.
GPS Capabilities
Joining the ranks of dual-frequency GPS devices, the Suunto Race supports four accuracy modes to help conserve battery life. During testing, its reliability matched that of the Polar Vantage V3 and Garmin Forerunner 965, with consistent performance in tracking distances and minimal stray signals, even in urban environments.
However, the optical heart rate monitoring fell short when compared to dedicated sensors. Tests alongside the Polar H10 revealed delays and inconsistencies during high-intensity intervals, resulting in a less accurate performance.
Navigation Features
As a brand with a heritage in adventure sports, Suunto has integrated substantial navigation features into the Race. Users can plan and upload routes, access heat maps, and utilize breadcrumb navigation for outdoor activities. The large, bright touchscreen enhances the usability of maps and waypoints during navigation.
While the smartwatch functions are limited to notification support and music controls, the Suunto Race lacks the comprehensive features found in general smartwatches, such as offline music storage and contactless payment options.
Technical Specifications
| Display | AMOLED |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels |
| Size | 1.43 in diameter |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, WiFi |
| Weight | 83g (titanium: 69g) |
Testing Methodology
Kieran Alger, an experienced ultramarathon runner and product tester, evaluated the Suunto Race over four weeks, engaging in various training sessions across diverse distances, primarily in West London.