Suunto Run running watch review
A run focused GPS running watch with excellent accuracy, training tools that matter, and a price that makes it all the more tempting.
Suunto just launched their most capable outdoor GPS watch to date, the Suunto Vertical 2 (available for preorder now). It brings serious upgrades to the table while staying true to the brand’s no-fuss, expedition-ready ethos.
If you’ve used any of Suunto’s recent watches, like the Suunto Race 2, Race S, or Suunto Run, you’ll immediately feel at home here.
But this one goes bigger, literally. The Vertical 2 has a large and vibrant 1.5″ AMOLED display, a new flashlight built into the case, dual-band GNSS, offline topo maps, and some of the best battery life I’ve seen on any outdoor watch with a full-color screen.
Whether you’re heading up a volcano or just ticking off daily base mileage, the Vertical 2 feels like a watch designed by people who actually use these features in the real world.
Key highlights of the Vertical 2
- Steel ($599) or titanium ($699) versions available for preorder now at Suunto.com, both with sapphire glass and rugged build. Shipping October 15th 2025.
- Super-bright 1.5” AMOLED screen (2000 nits!) that stays visible in blinding sun or on pitch-black trails
- Up to 65 hours of GPS tracking (dual-band mode) or 20 days of smartwatch use
- Offline maps with contour lines, paths, and terrain—downloadable from the Suunto app
- Built-in LED flashlight with red light mode and SOS signaling
- New optical heart rate sensor for better wrist-based accuracy
Compared to the Suunto Race 2 and Run
I’ve been training with the Race 2 recently, which has impressed me with its AMOLED clarity, excellent wrist HR accuracy, and structured training support.
The Vertical 2 takes most of that tech and packages it into something even more durable, and with more of a true adventure-first mindset.
I’m hoping to get one in for review soon, so stay tuned for my full review, coming soon, and subscribe to our newsletter in the meantime so that you get notified when it drops.
The big changes on paper, that I noticed right away:
- Battery life is way longer than the Race series. With AOD off, you can get over two weeks of use easily.
- Maps on the watch, not just breadcrumb trails, are a major upgrade. These are full-color, offline topo maps that make a huge difference when exploring new routes.
- The flashlight sounds gimmicky, but this feature is surprisingly handy when digging for gear in a van, walking the dog at night, or fumbling for zippers in a tent. I know this from the Garmin Fenix 7X Pro I reviewed not too long ago
Who it’s for
Simply put, the Vertical 2 is built for people who do more than one thing.
Runners who hike and bike. Climbers who ski. Athletes who like structure and spontaneity.
It has 115+ sport modes, supports interval workouts, tracks recovery with HRV and sleep data, and syncs with third-party apps like Strava, SuuntoPlus, and TrainingPeaks.
It’s also a legit everyday smartwatch. You get notifications, music controls, stress and recovery tracking, and a full AI coaching system that adjusts your training plan in real time.
Suunto’s AI Coach is surprisingly good at understanding fatigue and nudging you into smarter workouts.
Some of the details that matter
- Dual-band GNSS makes positioning more accurate, especially in canyons or tree cover
- Quick-start navigation means you can load routes on the fly, mid-run, without stopping tracking
- Barometric altimeter and climb guidance give real-time grade, elevation changes, and route color-coding for mountain training
- Two included straps — a nice touch that makes the watch more versatile from trail to town. This is through Suunto’s limited time ‘Buy New Vertical 2 Get Free $49 Strap Gift‘ offer.
- 100m water resistance and tested operating range from -20°C to +55°C
This isn’t the slimmest, most lightweight racing watch; It’s bold, clear, and ready for the rough stuff but still light enough (especially the titanium version) for everyday wear, and that’s the rugged vibe I’m loving right now.
Final thoughts
If you’re already in the Suunto ecosystem, the Vertical 2 feels like the natural evolution of their most capable platform, finally with the screen and sensor package it deserves.
For athletes new to Suunto, this is probably the easiest entry point yet if you want one of the most highly capable adventure watches. Its intuitive interface, beautiful visuals, and tools that don’t require a YouTube deep-dive to figure out, all make it worthy of the investment.
I hope to test the Vertical 2 more in the weeks ahead, especially on longer trail run sessions, hikes, and maybe some travel days where battery life, offline maps, and navigation really matter.
