The Suunto Run 2 lands in a really appealing spot for runners who want accurate GPS, useful training data, and a bright AMOLED display without paying for a top-tier multisport watch.
Starting at $349, it gives you dual-band GPS, upgraded wrist heart rate, real-time running metrics, recovery tracking, and up to 10 days of everyday battery life in a very lightweight 35-gram package.
The obvious comparison is a watch like the Garmin Forerunner 265, which has been one of our favorite midrange running watches because it gives runners plenty of performance data without becoming completely overwhelming.
The Suunto Run 2 takes a slightly different approach. It feels simpler and more streamlined, while still covering most of the things runners actually want to see during training.
It focuses on GPS accuracy, easy-to-read run data, recovery, and a lightweight design that works well for everyday training. Ready to dig deeper? Here’s what else we found in testing.
Who Is It Good For?
- Novice Runners: Yes, the watch and app are very easy to use, without many of the bells and whistles of other watches that can potentially overwhelm new runners. However, the steeper price point may steer newer runners to a less expensive option.
- Current Garmin Users: Although there is much I like more on my Garmin, there are several features of the watch and app that have turned my head a bit. Suunto definitely leveled up with this iteration.
- Trail Runners: Absolutely! Suunto now offers a Trail Running activity, and you can even download Offline Mapping (NEW with the Run 2 64GB model) so you can take your watch with you to track any adventure, anywhere.
- Daily Usage: Although not marketed as a lifestyle watch, it does offer daily metrics like sleep and HRV, and it allows for notifications from your phone.
- Value for Price: The Run 2 increased its price from its original version by $100-150 (depending on GB), but for the amount of metrics and tracking it allows, I do see the value in the price jump.
Suunto Run 2 Specifications
- Size: 46 mm
- Weight: 53 grams
- Satellite Connection: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS
- Navigation: Offline Maps
- Waterproof Rating: 5 ATM
- Touchscreen: Yes, 2,000-nit AMOLED
- Battery: 10 days
- 32+ built in sports
- 3 colors available
- Available from us.suunto.com for $349 (4 GB) or $399 (64 GB)
Suunto Run 2 Overview
The Run 2 is a very sleek, simplistic-looking watch. While this is a touchscreen watch, it does include buttons on the side, including a scrolling crown button, which I really liked and found myself using the most.
It also offers a 3x brighter AMOLED screen vs. its predecessor, which I found very easy to read in bright sunlight, pre-dawn darkness, and even in the rain.
The Run 2 is offered with two different storage sizes: 4GB (MSRP $349) and 64GB (MSRP $399), depending on how much a user might need for mapping and music storage. They also increased the battery capacity by 29%, offering 24 hours of use in performance mode, or 10 days with typical daily use.
To deliver on accurate distance and pacing, the Run 2 relies on its next-generation dual-frequency GNSS, which supports five major satellite systems and should allow tracking even around tall buildings, under tree cover, or beneath overpasses.
I found the distance outside to be in line with my Garmin on most runs, but I did have a few runs where my distance was not picked up initially, and I needed to restart the activity a few times to get things working.
The few treadmill walks I tried were very far off in terms of distance, but I’m assuming, like most watches, the more you use it on the treadmill, the better it gets to know your arm swing.
You also cannot calibrate the treadmill distance on your watch post-treadmill walk/run, but you can edit the distance in the app after it uploads.
Quick Take
Pros
- Sleek, minimalist design
- 35 sport activities
- Movement Detection for when you forget to unpause your watch
- Personal Records are broken out by activity (Running, Trail, Treadmill, Track, etc)
- Multisport option to track and see data on several different activities in one workout
- Can set multiple different Training modes per activity, allowing for better customization and goal setting
- Free Suunto AI Coach plans and feedback
Cons:
- HR can be inconsistent
- Had a few runs where my distance was not picked up initially
- Cannot calibrate your Treadmill distance on the watch post-workout (must do in the app)
- No website, just the app
- Cannot tap the watch screen to wake it up; the only way to wake it up is to lift your wrist or press a button
- Many of the personalization settings are not available via the app; they must be done on the watch
- SHRM2 has no visual or physical indicator that it is on
Suunto Run 2 Features
Let’s dive into the details of the different features and what I found in testing.
Design
My first impression of the packaging was that it is fun and beautiful. Rooted in their Finnish heritage of exploration, the sticker on the watch face literally lets you know that “Adventure starts here.”
The packaging really feels targeted to those who love being outdoors. The matte black bezel on the watch is so sleek and so light at just 35g.
The band is soft and fits my small wrist comfortably while also looking a bit rugged and ready for anything.
Once I turned the watch on, I gave myself plenty of time to move through the watch options and see how it’s all integrated into the app before taking it on the move.
Activity Tracking and Navigation
The Suunto Run 2 offers 35 different activities for tracking, including:
- Treadmill Running
- Track Running
- Trail Running
- Marathon
- Vertical Running.
All activities are color-coded by group (running, walking, gym, etc.), so it is very easy to visually locate similar activities while you are scrolling through the list on your watch.
As you use the activities, they get moved to the top of the list with the assumption that this is a common activity for you, allowing for ease of finding them the next time you need to track them.
I used this watch to track walking and running activities on the road, trails, treadmill, and track, along with strength in my home gym.
Within each activity, you have the ability to use the app to create different Training Modes under the Sport Mode Customization option. The defaults are:
- Free Training
- Duration Training
- Distance Training
- Calorie Training
- Ascent Training
Within each mode, you have the ability to customize your watch data screens (you can set up more than one under each mode).
You can also set things like your intensity goal, when you’d like your watch to autolap, any reminders (fueling, hydration, return home, etc.), and your intensity zones.
I think this is a cool feature, but it felt like a lot of extra setup that I’m just not used to using, so I haven’t taken advantage of it. Some people may find it to be useful, though!
The Map view on the app allows you to find and create courses to send to your watch for turn-by-turn navigation. If you have a course map file you’d like to load, you can import GPX and KML files via the app to share to your watch.
You also have the ability to download Offline Maps (on the 64GB version) if you’re planning to be somewhere with spotty cell service, to have that peace of mind.
I have not utilized any of these options on a run, but I did play around with them in the app and found it to be very user-friendly.
Heart Rate Tracking
The Run 2 has an upgraded 12-channel HR sensor on the watch, allowing you more accurate readings through intense movement and sweat.
I did a full week of runs utilizing just the watch HR, and I found it was fairly accurate on most runs in comparison to my Garmin, fluctuating by just a few bpm.
However, there were some runs where it was very inaccurate. I couldn’t really find a rhyme or reason for it, but it wasn’t as reliable and consistent as I’d like it to be.
As for the Smart Heart Rate Monitor 2 (SHRM2) Belt, instead of Standard HR data, which is on most watch-based sensors and monitors your BPM once every second, the SHRM2’s high-resolution R-R interval data measures the time between individual heartbeats down to the millisecond, providing a more accurate heart rate reading.
My HR while wearing the belt matched my Garmin HR perfectly. It also tracks your form, including things like cadence, step count, ground contact time, and balance.
The SHRM2 belt was very easy to get fitted and pair with the app. There is a button on the bottom to turn it on, but there is no accompanying light or vibration to let you know it is actually turned on.
Suunto does also say the SHRM2 will automatically turn on when it senses a heartbeat, though, so just make sure you wet the sensors before wearing it.
Once it is paired, you will see a green heart icon when you go to start an activity, giving you the visual indicator that the belt is on and connected to your watch.
The SHRM2 belt is also compatible with third-party watches and smart devices, allowing you to use this HR belt regardless of your preferred watch maker. It can be connected to up to three devices simultaneously.
Buy Suunto Smart Heart Rate Belt 2
App Features and Integration
Suunto currently only allows for data review via their Suunto app; they do not have an accompanying website for larger viewing.
Thankfully, the app itself is fairly easy to use, once you get used to the layout. And ironically, since everything only lives in the app, I never wondered how things might differ or expand within the web version.
What you see is what you get, and I respect that. And it is loaded with every metric and option under the sun.
On the Homepage view, there is a Dashboard tab that houses multiple “widgets” like your Progress, Sleep, Heart Rate, HRV, Steps, Calories, etc., and is customizable for however you’d like to rearrange things or add/remove metrics to it to reflect whatever is most important to you.
There is also an Activities tab on the Homepage view that allows you to filter to see just your activities, or your followers’ activities.
Everything is clearly labeled and appears with a map and a small summary that allows you to click into it to get to the meat of your metrics for each activity.
You can see stat groupings such as:
- Duration
- Distance
- Pace
- Speed
- Power
- Heart Rate
- Physiology
- Technique
- Conditions
I personally loved seeing my lap information have some metrics color-coded as lowest, median, and highest, to really give me a visual for where I worked harder during my run.
There is also a calendar view if you want to review your recent activities or to see what you may have planned for workouts in the near future.
A Training Zone view that gives you metrics related to your training, progress, recovery, daily health, and statistics. A Map view that allows you to create routes, as well as see all of your own personal hot spots for routes you’ve logged miles on. (They are even color-coded by activity!) And lastly, your Profile view with your settings.
Miscellaneous Features
For those who love to take Peloton or Orange Theory classes, or who participate in Triathlons: One feature I am beyond excited about is Suunto’s Multisport option.
This lets you switch to different activities in real time during your workout, allowing you to see the appropriate watch face data screens for each activity. (It also logs transition time between each activity!)
When you are done, they seamlessly connect for one total workout at the end. The app will show this as a Multisport activity, and you’ll see total stats for the entire workout, as well as individual stats for each different activity (tailored to the activity).
The watch also offers motion detection, so if you’ve ever paused at a stoplight and forgot to restart your watch once you’ve crossed (we’ve all been there!), the watch will trigger you immediately to say, “Movement detected. Resume exercise?” So you’ll never be missing a tracked portion of your run again!
This might be an odd thing to like, but I’m also a huge fan of the watch charger.
Charging Your Suunto
Unlike Garmin’s watch chargers that plug in awkwardly in the back, causing you to put your watch on its side while charging, Suunto has a magnetic charging puck that allows your watch to lay flat while charging.
And honestly, it’s pretty satisfying to hear the magnetic pull snap them together.
Suunto AI Coach
The Suunto app also offers Suunto AI Coach, which gives short feedback in several areas in your Training Zone activity. You can also sign up for a Suunto Coach (beta) plan via the Calendar view under the My plan (BETA) tab.
You have the ability to search through a library of plans and choose the one best for you, while also customizing it with your personal preferences and goals.
You can even choose to add in strength days, and the plan will give you detailed strength exercises to do. This is entirely free within the app and does not cost anything extra to use.
I really wish this watch existed in my Peloton days, because Treadmill Boot Camps were my favorite, and I was always frustrated that the current watch selection didn’t allow for the Multisport option that Suunto has!
Our Verdict
The more I used the Run 2, the SHRM2, and the Suunto app, the more I really liked them all. Suunto has clearly elevated the experience from their initial Run watch, and if you aren’t currently partial to a particular running watch, I think you should give the Suunto Run 2 watch a try.
Buy Suunto Run 2
Buy Suunto Smart Heart Rate Belt 2
What to read next?
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- Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra Review | Massive 60-Hour GPS Battery Meets Titanium Toughness
The post Suunto Run 2 Review | A Sleek Watch With Serious Running Features appeared first on RunToTheFinish.
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