Suunto Race Review From 4 Runners: Garmin Forerunner 965 rival put to the run test

The Suunto Race is Suunto's first true AMOLED multisports watch that's clearly built to take on the Garmin Forerunner 965, Polar Vantage V3 and watches like the Forerunner 265.
Colour screen aside, the Race offers free offline maps, dual-band GPS and impressive battery numbers and does all that and more for less than what you'll pay for the 965 and the Vantage V3.
Testers Jane, Mike, Nick and Kieran have all been putting the Race to the test to find out if Suunto is onto a winner here.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:09 - Price and Key Details
03:57 - What We Like
13:32 - What We Don't Like
23:41 - Verdict
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[@rivingtonandstanton]

Thank you for such a comprehensive review. I recently discovered your channel whilst looking for alternatives to the celebrity sports tech reviewers who often end up saying the same things about products. Your method of having multiple independent reviewers with different perspectives and requirements makes for more insightful reviews.

[@gasken2182]

I’ve just got a Suunto race (titanium). It’s absolutely brilliant. I think this review is before some software update, but as of today it’s better than any garmin. I’ve had Fenix 3, fenix 3 titanium, 5x, 6x and Tactix Delta Solar, this Suunto is so much nicer to own.
As a mechanical watch collector, this is the only “sports” watch I enjoy wearing too, because the build quality is stunning. Well done Suunto

[@dgyoungs]

I'm looking at this watch, actually I ordered it yesterday. Curious what you think was recently fixed or improved via software update? Thank you

[@gasken2182]

Well, a lot of the reviewers say it’s laggy so I was expecting a really jerky clunky interface. This must have been improved since these reviews, as it’s pretty darn smooth! It’s really nice to use actually. The display and graphics are gorgeous, smooth and a pleasure to use.

[@callisallen9358]

How's the heart race sensor, do you find it to be accurate? Cheers

[@gasken2182]

@@callisallen9358 it’s ok, but I don’t find any watch wrist based heart rate sensor works correctly for me. My Garmin tactix delta (same as Fenix 6x) was terrible for me. I always use a heart rate strap. Just a cheap £24 Bluetooth one off amazon works a million times better.

[@gasken2182]

@@callisallen9358 I’ve never found wrist hr works for me even garmins, so I just use a chest strap

[@1976Bassey]

It's funny. Every watch reviewer goes on about Garmin interface and usability being the standard. It's terrible. The button layout is awful. Nothing makes sense. There are three sets of menus accessed three different ways. Down is down. Middle is up. Top right is select?? If you've ever had to explain a Garmin to a newbie it's a complete nightmare. Just because you've been using them for years (I have since 2009) and it is what you are used to, doesn't make it good. Polar has the best button layout and most logical interface. Suunto is okay. Garmin is dreadful.

[@ThanarakAnanphumtriphop]

I also hate garmin button layout.

[@RumbleBack-iz3tl]

I have the same opinion. Garmin is by far the worst of both watches

[@doubles8993]

lol yes, I’ve had a garmin for five years and still mess this up every now and then

[@mcs2733]

Yes so true

[@MG-dc9ki]

Great review

[@userSuperbrodyga]

Hello, I had a polar and a Garmin 945 polar froze! garmin right at the intervals in the end stupidly began to freeze and reboot (that is, your workout was interrupted, these facts directed me to buy Suunto 9 and I did not regret it and I think that race will not let you down 👍

[@teamhassan9686]

Thanks for another great review. I have a Suunto 9 and I love using it but there are instances i defintely would not use it. I really like the sound of the Race and love the price point and AMOLED display but just doesn't sound like its made enough improvements to challenge the Garmin watches. The laggy software is a massive turn off.

[@yongcu88]

Hello, for the tracking of the races with the suunto race watch, you can actually lock the screen which prevents button interaction but allows the user to still be able to swipe on the screen(to prevent accidental pausing during a race etc).You just have to hold down the lower button and then select lock. To undo this, hold the same button again to unlock it again. Hope this helps!

[@lloydfrancis9149]

Thank you very much for the review I just ordered from Amazon😅

[@VerticalMARS1]

Well, it’s been about two months. How do you like it? I was going to pick one up in about two weeks.

[@MikeWal2]

There was a slight error from the fourth speaker. I'm fairly sure he said that the titanium model is heavier than the stainless steel, whereas all the comparison lists I've read have said that it is lighter (which seems logical).

[@fadlylaudin4040]

Is it have count the stride?

[@fabii85]

Did someone test the Race with an nylon band? Perhaps this improves the HR accuracy because it has a better fit.

[@uldistucs]

I don't understand why Suunto Race is compared to much more expensive watches from other manufacturers?

[@gerwynbowen5643]

If the Vantage 3 was only £30 more than the Suunto Race, which would you say was better?

[@McStoolio]

I love watching racing snakes reviewing Suunto watches. Suunto never designed watches with them in mind.
Neither did they ever make smart watches. They still don’t.
People buy them for the aesthetics, build quality, reliability, longevity and lack of clutter.

[@wazeroonie6084]

FYI, I was going to pull the trigger and get a Race. Bu the watch only comes with a small strap included: up to 175mm wrist size max. My wrist is a chonky 185mm. I’m not willing to pay extra for a strap just so the watch fits. Sale lost I’m afraid Suunto.

[@jeffreytillack4709]

AliExpress. A couple dollars and they last for years (I have plenty of them)

[@JussiVaihia]

Just bought a Race. The strap deffo goes beyond 175mm as that's my wrist size and there's still a fingers length remaining adjustment wise.

[@paranoidandroid77]

- Bad HR
- No Ant+
- Only 1 sensor per type, so if you have 2 HR straps or some bike sensors, you have to pair/unpair them every time
- Lags everywhere
Considering a Garmin 165 can be purchased for roughly half the price, what is the point of this Suunto?

[@user-rp4cg1kl6k]

suunto race or garmin 965 ?

[@middleofnowhere2608]

16:11 the watch stop it happened with many people.

[@nephosl5292]

It is so sad everyone just reviews watches without commenting on the appropriate Apps. Thats something i find terrible on garmin. Since the watches get more and more similar, the apps/software is what makes the difference.

[@youpigirl5731]

Les lacunes du logiciel et la lenteur de la montre me font fuir. Sans compter cette horrible couronne crantée qui renforce cette sensation d'épaisseur de la montre. Les autres (et rares) fonctionnalités ne m'interessent pas et encore moins le cardio, car, étant chez Coros, le cardio est très fantaisiste. Vous parlez beaucoup de Polar V3. Je vais m'y interesser (de loin), malgré que je n'aime pas le verre "bombé" et leur application très lente en ligne. Je vais donc surement rester sur Coros

[@RunnerRemRem]

Et pourquoi pas essayer une 965? Plus chere mais bien plus aboutie.

[@wheeljim627]

Lag résolu avec la dernière mise à jour !

[@gubievr]

While it’s beautiful, this is a simply failure and its lower price tries to cover the gaps against Garmin, Polar which get fundamentals right. Laggy display, slow wake, terrible HR sensor, unimpressive sleep tracking, no street or trail names on maps… whoever is a fan of chest straps, you should check how other brands get it right on your wrist. Also, who wants to wear strap to correctly monitor their daily HR, which contributes to recovery and sleep analysis. So super important to have it right in addition to activities where HR fails anyway.
Suunto somehow rushed it with an underpowered processing and sloppy laggy UI.