COROS PACE Pro Review
A running watch with a bright AMOLED display, responsive interface, accurate GPS, and full-scope training tools, for only $350!
The Suunto Wing headphones bring together bone conduction technology, LED visibility, head movement controls, and a portable power bank (with a USB-C Charge port) for a unique listening experience. But how do they hold up in real-world conditions while running?
After a couple of weeks testing them out on road and trail runs, here’s what I’ve learned so far.
Key specifications
- Price: $169 at Amazon.com
- Weight: 1.2 oz (headphones), 2.5 oz (with powerbank)
- Battery Life: 10 hours of playtime, with an additional 20 hours via the powerbank
- Water Resistance: IP67 (headphones)
- Features: LED visibility lights, head movement controls, anti-wind noise up to 30 km/h
Fit and comfort
At just 1.2 ounces, the Suunto Wing feels very lightweight to wear, and that’s lucky because these do only come in one size, so for those with small heads, there is going to be extra material in the wraparound loop with more space between it and the back of your head – it won’t fit quite as securely on you either.
This wraparound design does allow the speakers to rest securely on your jawbone, however, whether you have a large or small head. This outside-ear design leaves the ear canals open for situational awareness – this is a feature that’s invaluable for urban runners or those navigating crowded trails like at a trail race for example.
I’m used to running with wraparound-style headphones, as i already own a couple of pair of Shokz headphones, which actually look very similar to these but don’t have quite as many features.
The Suunto Wing headphones stay in place even with running hats and sunglasses, offering a snug, irritation-free fit during long runs and workouts. I mention this because it was one of my first concerns before ever trying out wrap around headphones years ago – I thought they would feel odd with sunglasses sitting on top of them but they don’t at all.
Performance highlights
The bone conduction technology and speaker combination delivers clear audio while allowing ambient noise to filter in, which is a vital safety feature for outdoor activities.
I see way too many runners running in crowded places with standard headphones that are clearly on very loud due to all the near misses I witness as cyclists zip past them.
Though the sound quality lacks the depth you’d find in traditional earbuds, it performs well within the limits of this technology, with a surprising level of bass that keeps playlists engaging – and to be honest this is plenty of sound while running – I’d much rather be able to also hear my surroundings than be unsafe and have the best sound quality while running.
However, in louder environments like busy streets or public transit, the open-ear design’s inability to isolate sound becomes evident.
The addition of LED visibility lights on either side of the headphones is a thoughtful touch for early-morning or evening runners. You can use the app to make them flash when you run, or to have them stay permanently on, or off.
These lights provide a subtle but effective layer of safety, though they’re going to be less visible if you have longer hair – time for a buzz cut? The innovative head movement controls are pretty cool too. You have to turn them on within the Suunto App.
When this setting is active, it lets you skip tracks or take calls with a nod or shake of the head. This has actually worked really well for me while running – even if I may look a little bit odd when doing it. I can see it may get tripped up if you want to use them whilst playing sports that require a lot more head movement however.
Battery life is a major strength – a single charge delivers up to 10 hours of use, and the powerbank adds 20 more; that’s huge and plenty for anyone running a marathon or ultramarathon.
A quick 10-minute charge offers three additional hours of playtime; a feature that saved me more than once when I forgot to charge them overnight – and it takes roughly an hour to charge them to 100%.
The anti-wind noise feature works quite well too, noticeably reducing distractions during high-speed activities like intervals or cycling – or if it’s just a particularly windy day.
It uses the two built-in HD microphones to cancel the wind noise to a degree – similar to noise canceling headphones in a way. These are the same microphones used for taking voice calls.
I like how Suunto has included a clip of sorts that holds the headphones attached to the power bank so that they don’t disconnect from charging if you’re traveling with them in your bag.
Oh they also have NFC pairing, which simplifies the process of connecting the headphones to your device. Pairing is nearly instant and eliminates the hassle of searching for the device in Bluetooth settings.
Areas for improvement
While the Suunto Wing offers some very innovative features, the sound quality, though acceptable for bone conduction, remains a weak point if rich, immersive audio is important to you. At higher volumes, the vibrations are noticeable, which may detract from the listening experience during intense workouts or long runs – it can tickle some what, It doesn’t bother me though.
The controls volume controls are quite small, and although the button on the left bud is larger (the one that lets you skip tracks, and pause your music), you do need to know which button does what, otherwise you’ll be fumbling around trying to change track or pause the music when you need to.
Side note, the Suunto Wing does not have a sensor that stops your music when you take them off your head, like Apple AirPods, for example, so you do need to use that pause, or off button.
The LED lights, while useful, could be brighter to enhance visibility further, especially in pitch-dark conditions but I understand that would compromise battery life.
If being seen at night is a concern for you, I recommend reading my ‘Best Running Headlamps‘ and ‘Best Reflective Running Vests‘ roundups, as well my ‘7 tips for running at night‘ and ‘Running safety gear for night running‘ articles next.
As mentioned earlier, if you have longer hair you may find that the lights are partially obscured, reducing their overall effectiveness – luckily I didn’t have that issue as I recently gave myself a fresh cut ;).
Lastly, $169 at Amazon, positions the Wing at the premium end of the market, and while its features justify some of the cost, alternatives like Suunto’s own Sonic model at $149 may offer better value for those who don’t need extras like the 20+ hour power bank, LED lights or motion controls.
My verdict
The Suunto Wing is a strong contender in the bone conduction headphone market, excelling in comfort, battery life, and situational awareness. I do prefer it to my Shokz headphones right now because of the lighting and 20hr charging bank.
Its thoughtful safety features and hands free controls make it a solid choice for outdoor enthusiasts who need to prioritize function over audio perfection.
Enjoyed this review? Subscribe to my newsletter and Youtube channel for more running gear reviews like this one. Have you tried the Suunto Wing or another bone conduction headphone? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! -Alastair
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