Suunto Vertical 2: The Ultimate Rugged Smartwatch That’s Giving Garmin a Run for Its Money

One Minute Review

Suunto has seriously upped its game with the Vertical 2, and outdoor enthusiasts are about to get very excited. This isn’t just another fitness watch—it’s a beast built for the wilderness that’s ready to take on Garmin’s dominance in the adventure smartwatch arena.

Think of the Vertical 2 as the Race 2’s tougher, more capable sibling. Suunto has ditched the rotating digital crown in favor of three physical buttons that work brilliantly with gloves (trust me, I tested this extensively), added a built-in flashlight for those pre-dawn starts, and thrown in a suite of battery-saving modes that’ll keep you going for days off-grid.

With a claimed 250 hours of battery life in its most efficient GPS mode, offline mapping capabilities, and a whopping 115 sport profiles, this watch is designed to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it. The question isn’t whether you need this watch—it’s whether you’re ready for the adventure it’ll drag you into.

Specifications

Price and Availability

Suunto offers the Vertical 2 in two flavors: a robust Stainless Steel version and a premium Titanium edition. The Stainless Steel model comes in at £529 / $599 / AU$999, which is actually the same price as the Titanium Race 2 but with more features. The Titanium version jumps to £629 / $699 / AU$1,099, putting it in direct competition with Garmin’s Fenix 8 AMOLED.

Value score: 4/5

Design

Let’s be honest—the Suunto Vertical 2 isn’t trying to be subtle. This is a statement piece that screams “I’m ready for adventure.” The watch feels like it’s been carved from a solid block of metal (because, well, it basically has), with the Stainless Steel version weighing in at a substantial 86g.

The rubber strap with its multitude of holes isn’t just for show—it’s designed for maximum airflow and quick drainage if you’re taking this baby into water. At 13.6mm thick and sitting proud on your wrist, this isn’t a watch you’ll forget you’re wearing.

Suunto has made a smart move by ditching the rotating digital crown of the Race 2 for three physical buttons. This is genius for anyone who’s ever tried to operate a touchscreen with cold, wet fingers or while wearing gloves. The buttons are satisfyingly clicky and responsive, even in the worst conditions.

Design Score: 5/5

Features

Where the Vertical 2 really shines is in its feature set. With 115 sport modes, this watch can track pretty much anything you throw at it. The upgraded optical heart rate sensor is impressively accurate, and the dual-band GPS ensures you’ll never get lost (unless you want to).

The built-in flashlight is a game-changer for early morning starts or late-night navigation. But the real star of the show is the battery management system. With modes that can extend battery life up to 250 hours in GPS mode, this watch is built for serious adventures.

The offline mapping capabilities are excellent, though the initial setup requires Wi-Fi and the watch to be on its charger—a minor inconvenience for such a powerful feature. Once downloaded, the maps are crystal clear and incredibly detailed.

However, the smartwatch functionality isn’t quite on par with Apple, Samsung, or even Garmin. There’s no tap-to-pay, and you can’t store music offline—you’re limited to controlling what’s playing on your phone. For pure outdoor adventure, this isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s worth noting.

Features Score: 4/5

Performance

I’ve been testing the Suunto Vertical 2 for months across a variety of conditions, and it’s been nothing short of impressive. The AMOLED display is bright, crisp, and easily readable even in direct sunlight or pouring rain. The touchscreen can get confused when wet, but that’s where those physical buttons come in handy.

GPS accuracy is excellent, even in challenging terrain. The heart rate sensor is surprisingly accurate for wrist-based measurements, though it does struggle with exercises that involve a lot of wrist movement or grip strength.

Battery life is where this watch truly excels. While I didn’t test the full 250-hour claim, I consistently got around 10 days of use with regular GPS tracking, gym sessions, and everyday smartwatch functions. The magnetic USB-C charger is a welcome improvement over the previous model.

Performance score: 4/5

Should I Buy?

Buy it if…

• You’re serious about outdoor adventures and need a watch that can keep up
• You want a watch with exceptional battery life for multi-day trips
• You need reliable GPS and offline mapping capabilities
• You prefer physical buttons over touchscreens for outdoor use
• You want a rugged, durable watch that can handle extreme conditions

Don’t buy it if…

• You’re looking for a smartwatch with extensive app support and features
• You want tap-to-pay functionality
• You prefer a lightweight, discreet watch for everyday wear
• You need offline music storage
• You’re on a tight budget

Also Consider

• Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED: The Vertical 2’s main competitor, offering similar features with a more established ecosystem
• Apple Watch Ultra: If you want the best smartwatch features with solid outdoor capabilities
• Coros Vertix 2: Another rugged option with exceptional battery life
• Suunto Race 2: If you want similar features in a more compact, urban-friendly design

How I Tested

I put the Suunto Vertical 2 through its paces in real-world conditions. This meant trail running in muddy British winter conditions, gravel biking through torrential rain, hiking in freezing temperatures, and even wearing it during cold water surfing sessions.

I tested the GPS accuracy in challenging terrain, the display visibility in various lighting conditions, battery life under different usage scenarios, and the overall durability of the watch. I also compared the heart rate accuracy against a chest strap monitor during different types of exercise.

The watch became my constant companion for months, accompanying me on adventures ranging from casual weekend hikes to more serious multi-day excursions.

First reviewed: February 2026

Tags: #SuuntoVertical2 #OutdoorAdventure #Smartwatch #GPSWatch #TrailRunning #Hiking #GarminCompetitor #RuggedWatch #BatteryLife #OfflineMapping #AdventureWatch #FitnessTracker #OutdoorGear #TechReview #SmartwatchReview

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