Suunto Race 3S First Review: Hands-On from the UK's GPS Experts

Today is launch day for the Suunto Race 3S, and we have all three colours on the shelf and ready to send. We've had the watch for a few days already, so this isn't just a spec sheet. It's what we've seen out of the box, on the wrist and on the map screen.

The Race 3S is the successor to the Race S, Suunto's slimmer, more compact outdoor GPS watch. It looks very similar on the wrist, but quite a lot has changed inside. We'll take you through it, show you the differences and tell you who we think it suits.

Watch Our Unboxing

Andy takes the Race 3S out of the box, fits the strap and compares it side by side with the Race S. If you just want to see what's in the box and how the two watches differ, start here.

What's in the Box

• The Suunto Race 3S watch with a soft 22 mm silicone strap
• A magnetic charging cable, the same stronger-magnet cable used by the Race 2 and Vertical 2
• A getting started guide and product safety guide

The strap is a quick-release 22 mm fit, the same size as the other Suunto watches we stock, so your existing straps will still fit. Pop the pin in, feel it click and you're done.

Suunto Race 3S vs Race S: What's Changed?

Both watches share dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5), 5 ATM water resistance, free offline maps and the same two-button and scroll wheel layout.

A brighter, tougher screen

We never had a problem reading the Race S, indoors or out, but the jump from 600 to 2,000 nits is noticeable. Text and maps look more vibrant, and it will help on bright days when you're checking the map on a ridge. Sapphire glass is also much harder to scratch than Gorilla Glass, which is good news if you're brushing past rocks and fence posts.

A bigger battery for longer days

The battery has grown from 260 mAh to 380 mAh, which adds a few grams but gives you a lot more time out. Suunto quotes up to 38 hours in dual-band GPS mode against 30 hours on the Race S, and up to 12 days in everyday smartwatch use against 9 days. For challenge walks, long trail days and ultras, that extra headroom is welcome.

Storage and offline music

With 64 GB you can keep the whole of the UK on the watch, add Ireland and the Channel Islands, and still have plenty of space left. It also means this is the first Suunto we've had that lets you load your own music.

It works by copying MP3 files over a USB cable from a computer, or from an Android phone. It doesn't connect to streaming services such as Spotify, Deezer or Amazon Music. Andy has tried it with a pair of Suunto headphones and it works well, but remember that playing music will reduce your battery life.

A new heart rate sensor and a faster processor

The sensor on the back has been upgraded, and so has the processor. In our first few days the screens have been moving without any lag, and blood oxygen readings seem to arrive much faster than on other watches we've used. We'll be testing heart rate accuracy against a chest strap in the coming weeks, so watch this space.

Living With It: Screens, Maps and Navigation

In our second video, Andy has the watch set up and paired with the Suunto app. He walks through the widgets and the logbook, then shows how the maps and route navigation work.

Comfort and everyday use

Andy came to the Race 3S from a steel Race 2, which weighs 76 g. Moving to a 56 g watch has made a real difference. It's slim, light and comfortable all day and night, which matters if you also use it for sleep tracking. You get the usual daily data too: steps, calories, heart rate, HRV, recovery, sunrise and sunset times, weather, a barometer and altimeter, compass, and a tide widget if you live near the coast.

Maps that are quick and clear

The maps are still the highlight. They move quickly as you zoom with the scroll wheel and drag around with the touchscreen. The newer map version adds street names and points of interest, just like the Race 2 and Vertical 2. They are small on the screen, but they are there when you zoom in.

From the map settings you can mark a point of interest, load a route, navigate on a bearing, measure distance with the ruler and check your position. If you set the watch to show a British National Grid reference, you'll get your grid reference on screen too.

Following a route

Send a GPX route to the watch from the Suunto app and following it is simple. You choose the route, start your activity and the map shows a clear line to follow. The line changes colour as you progress, arrows show the direction, and the bottom of the screen tells you when you're off route and when you're back on course.

• Data screens: make your own, with as many fields as you like. Andy keeps his simple, with large numbers he can read without glasses.
• Pause time: if you stop at a checkpoint, the watch keeps your total time running and shows how long you rested for.
• Mid-activity settings: you can lock the buttons, change brightness, switch route, change battery mode or turn on the screen torch without ending your activity.
• Elevation plot: see your ascent and descent, and zoom into the climb you're on.
• Shortcuts: the buttons and scroll wheel can be set to open notifications, light up the screen or jump straight to the map.

There is no built-in LED torch on the Race 3S as there is on the Vertical 2, but holding the top button lights the screen at full brightness and works well enough to find something on the ground.

What We Still Need to Test

This is a first look, not the final word. Over the coming weeks we'll be comparing GPS tracks on longer activities, checking heart rate accuracy against a chest strap, and testing the music player and Suunto app in more depth. We'll add new videos and update this page as we go.

Who Is the Suunto Race 3S For?

• Choose the Race 3S if you want a lighter watch with a bigger battery, a very bright sapphire screen, 64 GB of storage and offline music. It suits long trail days, challenge walks, ultras and anyone who navigates with maps on their wrist.
• The Race S is still a good watch and we still stock it. If you're happy with a 30 hour dual-band battery and a 600 nit screen, it remains a very capable compact outdoor watch.

Not sure which is right for you? Give us a call. That's what we're here for.

Colours and Price

The Suunto Race 3S Titanium comes in three finishes, all at the same price of £435 and all in stock now:

• Titanium Black: the one we unboxed, with a matte grey titanium finish and a black two-tone silicone strap.
• Titanium Feather: a pale cream body with a light grey strap and silver bezel.
• Titanium Orchid: a purple and off-white strap with a silver bezel.

Choose your colour on the Suunto Race 3S Titanium page.

Why Buy Your Suunto from GPS Training?

You can buy a GPS watch from many places. What you get with us is the knowledge to use it.

• 12 months' free access to our online GPS training resource, with videos covering the watch from first setup to route planning. The Race S videos apply to the Race 3S, and we'll add new ones for the music player and any new features.
• Free ongoing support by phone and email from people who use these watches every week.
• Trade-in estimate for your old GPS unit or watch when you buy from us.
• Fast dispatch, as the watches are in stock and ready to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our first impressions are very good, and there is more to come as we put the Race 3S through its paces.