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Suunto is slowly carving a formidable area of interest on the planet of out of doors and multisport smartwatches. We are able to attest to that — final 12 months, we examined the running-focused Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Run. Whereas we had some minor quibbles with them, we had been typically impressed by their trendy design, superior workout-tracking options and lengthy battery life. This 12 months, we acquired our fingers on one thing even higher — the Suunto Vertical 2. This high-end journey smartwatch has eerily related specs and performance to the ultra-premium Garmin Fenix 8, however prices round $300 much less ($599 to $699, relying on the mannequin).
The Suunto Vertical 2 boasts a sturdy design, as much as 20 days’ battery life and a number of superior navigation instruments and workout-tracking options. It’s a robust cookie, constructed for individuals who ceaselessly enterprise off into the good outside and don’t wish to skimp on security and reliability. Plus, it appears unusually trendy for an journey watch.
Suunto Vertical 2 smartwatch assessment
Suunto Vertical 2: Design
- Heavy, rugged construct
- Fashionable and pretty comfy to put on
- 10ATM water resistance

Key specs
Show: 1.5-inch AMOLED – 466 x 466 (decision)
At all times-On: Sure
Dimensions (in): 1.9 x 1.9 x 0.5
Dimensions (mm): 48.6 x 48.6 x 13.5
Weight: 3.07 oz (87 g)
Colours: Black, All-black, Arctic Grey, Canyon, Pine Inexperienced and Sage
End: Chrome steel or titanium
GPS: Sure
Compass: Sure
Altimeter: Sure
Offline maps: Sure
Water resistance: 10ATM
NFC funds: N/A
Compatibility: iOS and Android
Storage: 32 GB inner storage
Proper off the bat, the Suunto Vertical 2 scores extremely for its customizability. This journey watch is obtainable in two choices, with a chrome steel end or a extra sturdy and heat-resistant titanium end, and it comes with a variety of detachable silicon straps in attractive earthy colours. Must you want to shake issues up much more, loads of different leather-based and nylon straps will be discovered at Amazon and different third-party retailers. There’s something for everybody right here.
Our testing unit got here in chrome steel and with a Pine Inexperienced strap. First impression upon unboxing? Having examined a number of clunky smartwatches up to now (we’re you, TicWatch Atlas), the Suunto Vertical 2 looks like a welcome change. It’s rugged within the full sense of the phrase, however on the identical time, it manages to remain exceptionally glossy and, dare we are saying, trendy. Whereas this smartwatch is designed primarily for outside explorations, it won’t look too misplaced in additional mundane circumstances.

That isn’t to say that the Suunto Vertical 2 is a good possibility for twenty-four/7 put on. Weighing a stable 3.07 oz (87 g), it’s nonetheless a formidable piece of equipment, and you may positively really feel its presence in your wrist. To place that into perspective, the Fenix 8 weighs “solely” about 2.82 oz or 80 g. We discovered it fairly cumbersome, too. Whereas we didn’t thoughts sporting it in mattress, some individuals might discover the sheer dimension of this smartwatch to be too disruptive for comfy sleep-tracking. Nevertheless, we acquired used to sporting the Suunto Vertical 2 fairly rapidly, as it’s really fairly comfy to put on, or at the least extra comfy than many different fashions that sat on our wrist earlier than.
The Suunto Vertical 2 additionally feels effectively constructed. This smartwatch didn’t maintain any scratches or wear-and-tear injury after two months of testing, nor was it ever fazed by being uncovered to freezing January temperatures and chilly water. Even occasional bumps from a metal barbell didn’t trigger us any points. Given how sturdy this smartwatch is, you may simply forgive its heaviness.
Lastly, the silicone strap. It deserves a particular point out right here — it’s pleasantly comfortable and versatile, has a lovely inexperienced shade to it, and has by no means triggered any pores and skin irritation.

Suunto Vertical 2: Show
- 1.5-inch AMOLED show
- Comparatively simple to learn and navigate
- Attentive to the contact, even in chilly temperatures
The Suunto Vertical 2 includes a huge, colourful 1.5-inch AMOLED show. There are upsides and drawbacks to this. AMOLED screens are vibrant and pixel-dense, however in addition they have a tendency to empty the battery a lot quicker than, for instance, the transflective MIP shows employed in lots of different journey watches. When one of these display screen is employed in a mannequin whose performance is rooted in lengthy battery life, it wants built-in dimming options that protect its power use — and the Suunto Vertical 2 is not any completely different. Whereas its AMOLED show is not at all tough to learn, it may possibly nonetheless really feel uncomfortably darkish and lacklustre at instances.
Look previous this, nevertheless, and you shouldn’t really feel dissatisfied. The touchscreen show within the Suunto Vertical 2 is responsive (however not almost as vulnerable to unintended swipes as was the case with the Suunto Race 2) and, in our expertise at the least, seemingly resistant to lags and different efficiency points brought on by publicity to chilly temperatures. The interface appears good, too. It’s loaded with stats and widgets, however nonetheless simple to learn and navigate — regardless that it might take annoyingly lengthy to scroll to the sports activities mode we needed.

Suunto Vertical 2: Options
- Superior navigation and mapping capabilities
- Over 115 sports activities modes
- No contactless funds, music storage or voice instructions
The Suunto Vertical 2 is a full-on health and journey watch, with its options centered round outside explorations and smashing exercise PBs. In contrast to the Fenix 8, for instance, it may possibly’t be used for extra “mundane” actions akin to paying on your groceries or storing your favourite tunes. It additionally doesn’t have a built-in microphone and voice recognition, nor can it reply a name out of your cell phone.
It isn’t a deal-breaker, although. The Suunto Vertical 2 has virtually all the pieces it’s possible you’ll want or need on a mountain climbing path or operating course, and its lack of superior sensible options doesn’t overshadow these spectacular capabilities.
To start out with, the Suunto Vertical 2 comes with a complete set of navigation instruments, from a built-in LED flashlight to detailed offline maps and dependable dual-band GPS that helps all main satellite tv for pc programs. Options like breadcrumb monitoring, route planning and “discover again” (a GPS navigation instrument that retraces your steps and guides you again to your place to begin — a lifesaver when you’ve got gone off-trail or the climate obscures your path) make this smartwatch a very good companion for off-grid adventures.

Its vary of workout-tracking instruments can be spectacular. The Suunto Vertical 2 comes with over 115 sport modes and an in-depth set of health stats for every of these actions, in addition to steady coronary heart charge monitoring, blood oxygen sensing, sleep high quality assessments and lots of extra helpful measurements.

As health buffs ourselves, we totally loved diving into our well being and health stats after every exercise. Train novices, nevertheless, might really feel a bit overwhelmed by the Suunto app. It doesn’t supply the identical degree of holistic wellness teaching or AI-powered pattern evaluation as a few of its rivals, and it might be data overload for these unfamiliar with complicated health phrases.


Suunto Vertical 2: Efficiency
- As much as 20 days of battery life in smartwatch mode
- Comparatively correct measurements
- Good app connectivity
In response to the model, the Suunto Vertical 2 can last as long as 20 days in smartwatch mode, 65 hours in Efficiency mode (default multi-band GPS mode, with extremely correct navigation), 75 hours in Endurance mode (all-systems single-band GPS, much less correct), 110 hours in Extremely mode (all-systems single-band GPS, disabled coronary heart charge measurements) and 250 hours in Tour mode (lowest GPS accuracy). Understandably, we couldn’t totally take a look at each certainly one of these modes and might’t say for certain, however these claims appear fairly correct. The battery life on the Suunto Vertical 2 is staggering, and we now have barely needed to cost this smartwatch in any respect.
Accuracy-wise, the Suunto Vertical 2 is an enormous step up from the Suunto Race 2 and a very stable performer for navigation, sleep and coronary heart charge measurements. Throughout one exercise, for instance, we wore it alongside a extra exact Polar H9 chest-strap coronary heart charge monitor. We discovered that each of those gadgets produced related measurements, particularly during times of relaxation and regular state cardio. True, the accuracy did tail off barely throughout high-intensity actions, however that’s one thing we now have noticed in almost each wearable we examined.

It’s also price noting that a few of its monitoring will be inconsistent at instances. For instance, the Suunto Vertical 2 seems to ceaselessly overcount steps and overestimate the energy burned. Nevertheless, these points are moderately minor and should not have a serious impression on the general consumer expertise.
Lastly, the app connectivity appears excellent. We had no points with connecting our Suunto Vertical 2 or syncing the information between the gadgets. Once more, that is not one thing we are able to confidently say about different smartwatches we examined earlier than.
Suunto Vertical 2: Consumer critiques
On the time of penning this assessment, Amazon‘s buyer critiques positioned the Suunto Vertical 2 at a stable 4.4 out of 5 stars. Consumers on the Suunto US web site, alternatively, rated it at a barely increased 4.78 stars. This smartwatch was typically praised for its rugged construct, intensive and correct navigation options, and a helpful built-in flashlight.
One pleased consumer mentioned: “I beforehand had the Suunto Peak Professional and this has been a really pleasurable improve. The display screen brightness and readability alone are implausible. I’ve put the watch via the paces with multi-sport and power coaching, in addition to on a latest 48-hour ski tour hut journey, on which perhaps 15% of the battery life was used from begin to end. Although larger than the Peak Professional, the burden and dimension are hardly noticeable. Coronary heart charge and GPS entry and navigation are effectively inside requirements.”
Nevertheless, the monitoring accuracy receives blended suggestions, and a few customers additionally complained about its complicated interface and fundamental sleep-tracking options.
Must you purchase the Suunto Vertical 2 smartwatch?

The Suunto Vertical 2 is a wonderful no-nonsense smartwatch for outside lovers and health professionals. It provides a mix of outdoor-focused options, dependable monitoring efficiency and rugged design, all at an approachable worth and with out dear subscriptions. Plus, it’s unusually trendy and customizable. This smartwatch might have skimped on sensible options and additional frills, but it surely does a superb job of the necessities.
✅ Purchase it if: You’re a eager explorer or outside health fanatic in search of a dependable journey watch, particularly for those who usually enterprise on multi-day mountain climbing or tenting journeys.
❌ Don’t purchase it if: You search a day-to-day smartwatch with contactless funds, music storage and an in depth app ecosystem, or don’t are inclined to spend a lot time within the nice outside.
Suunto Vertical 2: Associated merchandise
The Coros Vertix 2 is without doubt one of the best suited alternate options to the Suunto Vertical 2. Each of those smartwatches supply roughly the identical options at a really related worth, however the former comes with barely longer battery life and a extra easy interface.
Searching for one thing extra premium and don’t thoughts splashing the money? Then you may’t go flawed with the Garmin Fenix 8. The direct and most formidable competitor to the Suunto Vertical 2, this high-end smartwatch provides related ruggedness and monitoring options, but it surely additionally throws in a bunch of sensible options, a wealthy app ecosystem and the flexibility to make use of extra superior dive modes. It prices anyplace between $799 and $1,199 (relying on the mannequin), however it’s effectively well worth the cash if you’re not keen to chop any corners.
On a finances? Contemplate the Amazfit T-Rex 3 or its extra superior sibling, the T-Rex 3 Professional. Whereas this smartwatch doesn’t have as superior and complete mapping and fitness-tracking options, it provides wonderful battery life, sturdy design and good accuracy — and it prices “solely” $279.99.
Suunto Vertical 2: How we examined

We spent over two months attempting and testing the Suunto Vertical 2, assessing its design, options, monitoring efficiency, battery life, app connectivity and ease of use. We wore this smartwatch throughout the day, whereas sleeping, and when doing a variety of actions, from mountain climbing outside to indoor rowing and high-intensity power coaching. Then, we in contrast the sleep, steps and coronary heart charge measurements taken by the Suunto Vertical 2 with the information we obtained utilizing a Polar H9 chest-strap coronary heart charge monitor and our Whoop MG screenless health tracker. Lastly, we gave our verdict on its total performance and worth for cash.
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