The latest Suunto Run running watch isn't just a new device on your wrist - it's your new personal running coach, inspiration, and (if you believe it) motivation guru with an AMOLED display. Will the new watch from Helsinki finally convince those who have long sworn by Garmin or Coros?
Suunto The Run offers a minimalist design but a technical precision that is unmatched in its price range. The question is: is this enough to convince the user looking for a watch for every day, every kilometer and every regeneration?
First of all – who is Suunto?
Finnish company Suunto has been around since 1936, when Tuomas Vohlonen patented a compact liquid compass. Almost a century later, Suunto is known as a synonym for robustness and precision in the world of outdoor equipment. If you are a mountain runner, alpinist or polar explorer, your watches have probably carried the Suunto name.
But in recent years, their smartwatches have often been overshadowed by Garmin's "ubiquity" and Coros' "young revolution." That's why the model seems Suunto Run as their thoughtful counter-offensive: lower the price, improve the design, optimize the functions – and offer something that also makes sense for the urban runner.
What does Suunto Run bring?
- Weight: only 36 grams. Even the Coros Pace 3 (30g without strap) should start worrying.
- Screen: AMOLED. Finally, Suunto enters the world of high brightness and vivid colors.
- GPS: Sony dual-band chip, same as in Suunto Race. Translated: your running track will finally look like a park and not a modernist abstraction.
- Battery: up to 12 days in normal mode, 20 hours with GPS at full accuracy. Up to 120 hours in Tour mode.
- Sports modes: 34. Which is enough for 95 % people and more than most can even count.
- The price: under €300 (purchase), which puts it directly in the ring with the Coros Pace 3 and Garmin Forerunner 165/255.
Why would I choose it over Garmin?
Garmin is synonymous with running watches, yes, but it's also synonymous with complicated menus, too many options, and the feeling that the watch is smarter than you. The Suunto Run goes the other way: it gives you what you really need. GPS, heart rate, interval training, sleep analysis - and an app that's not designed like a rocket science tablet.
And Coros?
Coros has surprised in recent years with its lightness, accuracy and very affordable price. But Suunto has one advantage: design and experience. The watch is visually sophisticated, carries the heritage of decades of sports watches, and is made of materials that don't pretend to be something they're not.
What about weaknesses?
If you’re a power user, you’ll notice that Suunto doesn’t have all the “IQ apps” that Garmin does. If you’re an analytics fan, you’ll miss out on more detailed metrics like cadence, stride length, or VO2max trends over the years. But realistically, most users never even check these.
Conclusion: a watch that can say “no”
Suunto Run It's not for everyone. And that's exactly why it's interesting. It's not the best all-in-one smart device. It's not a fashion accessory, it's not a toy for statistics fanatics. But it is a watch that knows why it exists. For running. And for runners.
If you want a watch that's smart enough to understand you, but not too smart to overpower you – this is your story. Or, as Suunto says: Run your story. For the price of 249 euros - we think this is a pretty good deal.
