The Differences Between Suunto’s Race, Run, and Vertical Series Smartwatches
This week, Suunto released its latest addition to its Race line of sports watches, the Race 3S . At $599, it’s lightweight and premium, and the most exciting upgrade, in my opinion, is the new silicon-carbon battery, which Suunto claims provides up to 38 hours of battery life in dual-band GPS mode, up to 45 hours in Endurance mode, 10 days of training, and up to 12 days in daily mode. While I typically use my Garmin Forerunners , I personally tested the Suunto 3S and fell in love with it at first sight.
Suunto may be one of the lesser-known fitness watch brands, but its products, aimed at hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, have long enjoyed a well-deserved reputation. The company divides its sports watches into families: Run, Race, and Vertical. Three watch families, each encompassing several model generations and numerous overlapping features, can lead to choice fatigue, forcing you to spend hours poring over product pages. This week’s release of the Suunto Race 3S, the newest member of the Race family, is compelling enough to help you sort through the choices.
Suunto Run series: lightweight and running-focused watches.
Ideal for: road runners, those training for races from 5K to marathon, and anyone who wants a watch they can forget they’re wearing, even at night. It’s also a good first step into the Suunto ecosystem.
In her review of the Suunto Run, my colleague Beth Skwarecki calls it one of her favorite running watches, highlighting features that not only rival but perhaps even surpass Garmin and Coros watches in a similar price range. Both Run series models, the Run and Run 2 , are known for their ease of wear and use, while still offering all the essential features of a reliable running watch.
Suunto Race Series: Training and racing to improve your performance.
Ideal for: Trail runners, triathletes, and runners who need serious training and navigation tools.
The Race S is a compact option, while the Race 2 , which replaces the original Race, has a larger screen and a roomier body. It may be better suited for those with larger wrists who want a larger display and aren’t bothered by the weight.
Today, the Race 3S is a lightweight, premium option. It combines the compact size of the Race S with a titanium and sapphire crystal case, a longer-lasting battery, a brighter display, and twice the memory. Suunto claims its battery capacity is 46 percent larger than the Race S, and its display is 233 percent brighter.
If you’re unsure, the Race series is the perfect middle ground, and it’s the perfect choice. If you’re unsure between the Run and Race options, Beth has prepared a detailed comparison for you.
Vertical Series: Designed for extreme conditions.
Ideal for: Ultramarathon runners, mountain climbers, backpackers, and anyone heading out on multi-day hikes where charging is not possible. It’s also a good choice if you need a watch that can withstand intensive use.
The Vertical 2 is positioned as an expedition watch. Weighing approximately 87 grams and measuring 49 mm in diameter, it’s available in stainless steel or titanium. It’s water-resistant to 100 meters. It features a built-in LED flashlight, which the lighter Race and Run models lack, an upgraded heart rate sensor, and greater memory and processing power than the original model. Its key advantage is battery life: up to 65 hours of GPS tracking in Performance mode and up to 250 hours in Tour mode.
The original Vertical model is an older version with a solar-powered MIP display. It’s still available, often at a discount, but the Vertical 2’s AMOLED screen is a significant improvement in image clarity.
Result
The Suunto Run series is designed for runners looking for a lightweight, simple watch. The Race series is for athletes seeking a high level of performance and powerful, versatile training and navigation tools. The Vertical series is for those who travel far from civilization and require maximum battery life and a durable design.
The Suunto line also includes the Core outdoor watch and dive computers like the Ocean, but that’s a different story. For runners and trail runners, the choice boils down to the Run, Race, or Vertical models, depending on the distance, length, and difficulty of the trail you prefer to climb:
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If you primarily run on roads and want a lightweight, entry-level watch, consider the Run.
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If you race, train for multiple sports, or run trails and want a high-quality build, consider the Race 3S, or the Race if you’re on a budget. Alternatively, you could opt for the Race 2 if you prefer a larger frame and screen.
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If your adventures last not a few hours, but several days, choose Vertical 2.
Moreover, here are five useful tips that every Suunto user should know .