I’ve been testing the new Suunto Run alongside my trusty Garmin Forerunner 965 and the Suunto Race S for the past couple of weeks.
Straight away, it feels familiar—like a slightly stripped-down version of the Suunto Race S but with a much stronger focus on running and a price point that makes it one of the best-value GPS watches out there, right now.
It’s got dual-band GPS, structured workouts, a beautiful AMOLED screen, and a crazy lightweight design that almost disappears on your wrist.
This is a running watch for those who don't want to overspend but still have access to all the necessary features in order to progress on their running journey. So let’s dig into what that means.
Key specifications
- Price: $249 at Suunto.com
- Weight: 36g / 1.27oz. Physical Size: 46 x 46 x 11.5 mm
- Display: 1.32” AMOLED (466×466 resolution)
- Battery life: Up to 12 days daily use, 20 hours GPS in performance mode, 40 hours in power-save GPS mode
- Water Resistance: 50m
- Sport modes: 34, including treadmill, trail, track
- GPS: Dual-band, best-in-class accuracy
- Build: Stainless steel bezel, Gorilla Glass lens, glass-fiber reinforced polyamide case. Strap is Nylon textile (comes with two sizes fits 125–175 mm wrists)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, smartphone notifications, music controls
- Navigation: Route guidance with breadcrumb trail
- Other features: HRV recovery, sleep tracking, training load, weather, alarm, stopwatch, breathing exercises
Design and display
At 36 grams, this is the lightest watch I’ve tested in a long time—and it genuinely makes a difference.
The minimalist design with the soft nylon strap that's easy to get a precise fit with, means you can forget you’re even wearing it, which I appreciate both during runs and at night for sleep tracking.
The AMOLED display is the same size and resolution as the Race S, and looks just as good—bright, crisp, and easy to read even on sunny midday runs.
There’s a crown-style button for scrolling and navigation, which works well, though like with the Race S, I still find myself occasionally brushing it during wrist bends.
GPS and accuracy
The dual-band GPS is excellent. It locks on quickly and tracks pace and distance with high consistency, even on tree-covered trails.
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I ran several test loops side-by-side with my Garmin 965, and the 1 km auto-laps were within seconds of each other.
For a $249 watch, this level of GPS precision is impressive—especially considering it’s the same dual-band chip found in much more expensive multisport watches.
Battery life
Battery performance is another win. I’ve been getting around 8–10 days on a single charge with daily HR tracking, sleep tracking, and several 60–90 minute runs a week.
If you run daily and use the AMOLED in always-on mode, you’ll get closer to 5–6 days.
In full GPS performance mode, Suunto promises 20 hours which is plenty for most ultramarathon races. You can also stretch it to 40 hours in power-save mode, though you’ll lose some data resolution so I don't recommend doing that, personally.
Alastair Dixon
For most runners training for distances up to the marathon, this is more than enough.
Performance and training tools
Suunto Run has all the core tools you’d expect for structured training:
- Interval workouts are easy to set up and follow
- Ghost Runner mode lets you pace against a virtual opponent (great for tempo runs)
- Training load and TSS tracking helps you monitor how hard you’re pushing. Suunto Run tracks your training load, monitors your post-exercise heart rate, and measures your Training Stress Score (TSS) for crucial insights to take your runs to the next level.
It syncs seamlessly with the Suunto App and Strava, so if you're already logging training or using a plan, it fits in easily.
The recovery and HRV tracking has been reliable, and I like being able to glance at my overnight HRV score widget before deciding whether to push or dial things back.
But right now, I'm training for UTMB Speedgoat Mountain Race in Utah, so I'm always swaying towards pushing hard.
the sensors
Heart rate tracking from the wrist sensors is solid, especially when the watch is snug. Like with the Race S, I’d still use a chest strap or armband if I was doing precision interval sessions, but for most runners, it’s good enough.
Alastair Dixon
Smartwatch features
Suunto Run isn’t trying to compete with smartwatches, and that’s honestly fine by me. You’ll get:
- Music controls (no onboard storage)
- Notifications from your phone (you can’t reply)
- Weather info
- Alarm, stopwatch, and breathing app
No NFC payments, and no ability to store music on the watch itself. If those are deal-breakers, look toward Garmin’s 265 or COROS PACE PRO. But if you're primarily using this as a running tool, like I have been, you're not missing much at all.
I almost always turn notifications off because I just don't need my watch buzzing at me during the day.
How it compares to the Suunto Race S
Suunto Run (left), Suunto Race S Titanium (right)
The Suunto Run and Race S look very similar on paper—and in real-world use, they’re closer than I expected. But there are a few important differences to note:
| Feature | Suunto Run | Suunto Race S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $469 |
| Weight | 36g | 52g (titanium) |
| GPS Battery (max) | 40 hrs | 120 hrs |
| Offline maps | ❌ | ✅ |
| Sport modes | 34 | 95+ |
| Multisport (Tri) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Materials | Nylon/textile | Titanium/fluoroelastomer |
| Crown navigation | ✔️ | ✔️ |
For runners who want multisport features, offline maps, or longer ultra-level battery life, the Race S still makes sense.
But if you’re just running—training for a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or even a full marathon—the Suunto Run covers the essentials brilliantly, for almost half the price.
Alastair Dixon
My verdict
The Suunto Run is a simple, reliable, and comfortable GPS running watch with a smart focus on features that actually matter to runners.
It’s lightweight, has excellent GPS accuracy, and gives you clear, actionable insights around recovery and training load—all wrapped in a sleek $249 package.
It doesn’t try to be everything to everyone, which is exactly why it works so well. No multisport clutter. No unnecessary apps. Just a well-designed tool for runners who want to train smart and stay consistent.
If you’re a runner looking for an affordable training companion that won’t weigh you down or overcomplicate things, the Suunto Run is a really solid choice.
👉🏼 Have any questions about the Suunto Run or want to share what watch you’re using right now? Drop a comment below or hit me up on YouTube.
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