Suunto Tech and Navigation
Jun 10, 2018
For over eight decades, Suunto has built a reputation for creating rugged, dependable gear trusted by adventurers, athletes, and explorers around the world. Their range now spans from advanced GPS watches to innovative outdoor audio equipment, all designed to perform in the most challenging conditions.
Since March 2024, the Suunto Vertical Watch has been my go-to for trekking and tracking, a dependable and invaluable bit of kit that’s earned its place on my wrist for every adventure. Its reliability and navigation features make it the first piece of gear I reach for whenever I head into the wild, perfectly embodying the durability and precision that define the Suunto name.
From the Vertical to the Race series watches and their open-ear headphones, Suunto continues to refine its lineup for those who live and train outdoors. Each product carries the same focus on endurance, safety, and innovation, traits that make Suunto a trusted companion, whether you’re navigating mountain trails or pushing through your next training session.
Suunto Vertical Watch
Vertical Titanium Solar Watch (Weighs 72g) & Vertical Steel Solar Watch (Weighs 89g)
The Suunto Vertical Solar is an ultra-rugged GPS adventure watch designed for the most demanding outdoor pursuits. The solar model packs solar charging capabilities and delivers outrageously long battery life—up to 500 hours of continuous exercise tracking in Tour mode or 85 hours at maximum GPS accuracy. For daily use, you can go for months without charging.
But the Vertical is more than just a battery beast. It's loaded with crucial outdoor features like offline topographic maps with navigation, barometric altimeter, storm alarms, and weather forecasting to keep you safe in the backcountry. The durable steel and sapphire crystal construction can handle any abuse. No matter if you're tackling big mountain adventures or just training at home, this watch has your back.
The high-resolution display and intuitive interface make the Vertical a pleasure to use. Over 90 built-in sports modes cover all your outdoor activities, and you can add more from Suunto's app store. The Suunto app allows you to analyse your efforts post-workout with advanced metrics, AI coaching, and powerful route planning tools.
I used this watch on a coast-to-coast trek of Scotland; it quickly became my primary navigation tool. Loading the offline maps and transferring my GPX files for my planned route was straightforward, and the interface is very intuitive once you get used to it.
The solar-powered, ultra-long-lasting Suunto Vertical is an outstanding choice for hardcore hikers, climbers, and explorers who need a GPS watch as rugged and capable as they are. With supreme battery endurance and full-featured mapping/navigation, it's built to thrive in the wildest outdoor playgrounds.
Train for Your Next Adventures
Suunto Vertical is an excellent companion for everyday training too. From running to cycling, and swimming to cross-country-skiing, your favourite sports are sure to be found here.
Receive personalised feedback on your training load, progress and recovery, calculated based on heart rate variability (HRV).
Maps You Can Count On
Suunto Vertical's intuitive maps tell you all you need to know about the landscape. Contour lines, water, paths and other important landmarks are available in three different map styles.
For maximum safety, all navigation features can be used in offline mode too. Never get lost exploring!
Stay Safe in Challenging Environments
With the altimeter, barometer and compass, you'll maintain spatial awareness with ease. In demanding surroundings, this can be a lifesaver.
Storm alarm and up to date weather forecast help you stay out of harm's way.
Suunto Race 2 Watch
Race 2 Titanium Watch (Weighs 65g) & Race 2 Watch (Weighs 76g)
The Suunto Race 2 brings tangible upgrades across the board. The larger 1.5-inch AMOLED screen is bright, crisp, and easy to read in strong sunlight or low light, while the thinner 12.5 mm case and 65g weight (titanium) make it comfortable for all-day wear. The move to a faster processor and upgraded optical heart rate sensor improves responsiveness and data accuracy, particularly during interval work and climbs. The addition of dual-band GPS gives excellent track precision, even in wooded or mountainous terrain, and offline, pre-downloaded maps with climb guidance are genuinely helpful for route planning and navigation.
Battery life remains a strong suit, with around 55 hours in high-accuracy GPS mode and roughly a week of mixed use. The strap fits securely on smaller wrists and feels comfortable over long sessions. Build quality inspires confidence, with a sapphire crystal lens and solid buttons that respond cleanly even in gloves. While daily step and sleep tracking still feel secondary to the watch’s sport focus, the training and mapping performance are now among the best in class. A confident step forward from Suunto, aimed squarely at serious runners, hikers, and endurance athletes who value accuracy, reliability, and simplicity.
Suunto Race S Watch
Race S Titanium Watch (Weighs 53g) & Race S Watch (Weighs 60g)
The Suunto Race S offers a powerful combination of advanced training metrics, robust navigation tools, and a stylish, lightweight design. Weighing just 53g (titanium), the watch is comfortable for all-day wear, with a 45mm case and a stunning 1.32-inch AMOLED touchscreen that remains crisp even in bright sunlight. The titanium bezel adds durability without sacrificing its low-profile build.
ith over 95 sport modes, dual-band GPS, and offline maps, it excels in tracking performance and aiding navigation. I used the Race S’s big brother on a coast-to-coast hike and found the navigating tools useful and incredibly easy to program. Features like the Race Pacer and heart rate variability-based recovery metrics help fine-tune your training. Its Suunto Coach AI is beneficial for personalised feedback and maintaining motivation.
Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 30 hours in high-accuracy GPS mode and extending to five days in Tour mode, ideal for multi-day outings. While the heart rate monitor may not be flawless during certain activities, the overall functionality is superb for endurance athletes and hikers.
Suunto Sonic Headphones
Sonic Headphones (Weigh 31g)
The Suunto Sonic headphones allow you to enjoy music without sacrificing awareness of your surroundings when out on trails or roads. Their open-ear, bone conduction design leaves your ear canals open so you can still hear ambient noise like nature sounds, voices, or traffic. This makes the Sonics an excellent choice for outdoor activities where staying alert is crucial.
Despite their lightweight and low-profile fit, the Sonics don't compromise on sound quality. A newly designed transducer provides powerful audio with enhanced bass while reducing noise leakage. An IP55 water/sweat-resistant rating means they can handle harsh outdoor conditions.
Battery life is superb at up to 10 hours of continuous play from a single charge. If you run low, a quick 10-minute top-up provides three more hours of music. Intuitive physical controls make it easy to handle calls and music without pulling out your phone.
Connecting the Sonics to Suunto's smartphone app allows you to customise your listening experience further. This allows you to tweak EQ modes, manage Bluetooth connections, and more.
Suunto Wing 2 Headphones
Wing 2 Headphones (Weigh 35g)
The Suunto Wing 2 refines the brand’s open-ear design with a titanium and silicone frame that feels stable, durable and comfortable during movement. At 35g, it is marginally heavier than the original model but still light enough for all-day use without bounce or pressure. The upgrade to Bluetooth 5.3 brings a more stable connection and slightly faster pairing, which helps when switching between devices on the move. The open-ear design maintains full awareness of surroundings while providing clear, detailed sound. Audio quality is improved over the first Wing, with cleaner mids and highs, although bass remains more restrained than traditional in-ear designs.
Battery life continues to impress, offering around 12 hours of playback, extending to about thirty with the compact power bank. The magnetic charging cradle and USB-C compatibility make recharging simple in camp or at home. Gesture and head-movement controls work accurately, and the integrated LED lighting improves visibility in low light. The IP66 rating protects against sweat, dust and light rain. A durable, well-balanced option for runners, hikers and multi-day outdoor use where safety and comfort take priority.
Navigation
Heritage is more than our history and products. It’s about the culture, people and country that have shaped Suunto through the decades and made it become what it is today. Evolution is natural, yet some things remain an integral part of our brand and DNA; accuracy, robustness, reliability, design and being Finnish to the core.
Suunto was founded over 80 years ago by Tuomas Vohlonen, a Finnish adventurer. In 1936, unsatisfied with current technology, knee deep in snow, and in the all-day Arctic darkness, he invented a liquid-filled compass with a steadier, more accurate needle. He was a revolutionary. And he was never lost.
In the world of electronic navigation, a mechanical compass and a printed map is still the most reliable way to navigate. Made in Finland, Suunto compasses help you safely and accurately navigate the great outdoors. Advanced engineering combined with thoughtful design ensure fast, stable and simple use. No batteries required.
For over eight decades, Suunto has built a reputation for creating rugged, dependable gear trusted by adventurers, athletes, and explorers around the world. Their range now spans from advanced GPS watches to innovative outdoor audio equipment, all designed to perform in the most challenging conditions. From the Vertical to the Race series watches and their open-ear headphones, Suunto continues to refine its lineup for those who live and train outdoors. Each product carries the same focus on endurance, safety, and innovation, traits that make Suunto a trusted companion, whether you’re navigating mountain trails or pushing through your next training session.