Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Wing 2 — Smartwatches and Headphones done just right — Australian Review

Smartwatches and headphones might seem like very different categories, but in practice they’re two pieces of the same puzzle: how we move, train, and stay connected without being weighed down. Suunto knows this well, and with the Race 2 smartwatch and Wing 2 bone-conduction headphones, they’re making a pitch to own both your wrist and your ears. One is built to track your performance and guide you through training or long days outdoors; the other is designed to pump music and podcasts straight to your skull while keeping your ears open to the world around you.

We’ve been putting them through their paces together – long runs, gym sessions, and the odd lazy stroll – to see whether they complement each other as neatly as Suunto intends. On paper, the Race 2 promises the sort of GPS accuracy and training metrics that serious athletes crave, while the Wing 2 brings a lightweight, safety-first alternative to traditional earbuds. But how do they stack up when used side by side, and do they make sense as a package? Let’s dive in.

Design and Comfort

The Suunto Race 2 is very much a Suunto watch: bold, rugged, and clearly designed with endurance athletes in mind. It’s not a dainty fashion piece, but it sits surprisingly well on the wrist given its size. The AMOLED display is sharp, bright, and easy to read in direct sunlight — a big step up from older Suunto screens. The weight is balanced enough that it doesn’t feel like you’re lugging around a dive computer, even during long runs.

The Wing 2 headphones take a different approach — they’re all about staying light and unobtrusive. The bone-conduction design loops over the ears and leaves your ear canals free, which feels a little odd at first but quickly makes sense when you realise you can still hear traffic, conversations, or the crunch of gravel underfoot. They’re snug without pinching, and once you get going, you mostly forget they’re there.

Performance in Use

Out in the real world, the Race 2 proves itself quickly. GPS locks are fast and reliable, heart rate tracking feels accurate (even against a chest strap), and the watch spits out enough training metrics to keep both data nerds and casual runners happy. Navigation is a highlight — the mapping features are clear and intuitive, so you’re not fumbling through menus mid-stride.

Pair that with the Wing 2, and you’ve got a combo that makes a lot of sense. Bone conduction won’t ever deliver the deep bass of in-ears, but Suunto’s tuning is solid for podcasts, audiobooks, and midrange-heavy music. The real win is awareness: you can still hear that cyclist zooming up behind you or the marshal calling directions during a race. For anyone training in busy environments, that’s worth the trade-off.

Battery Life

Battery is often the dealbreaker for wearables, and the Race 2 puts in a solid showing. With daily use (GPS workouts a few times a week, heart rate monitoring, and notifications), you’re comfortably looking at a week or two between charges. Dial up the training load and continuous GPS, and it’s still competitive with the best sports watches out there. Fast charging helps too — a quick top-up before a run is usually enough to get you through.

The Wing 2 headphones are more modest but fit their purpose: around 8–10 hours of playback, which is enough for most training days or even an ultramarathon if you’re pacing carefully. They also have a small charging case that effectively doubles total listening time, so you won’t be caught short mid-week.

App & Ecosystem

Suunto’s app ties the two products together. Syncing workouts from the Race 2 is straightforward, with rich analytics and route planning built in. You can also connect to third-party platforms like Strava or Komoot if you want to go deeper. The Wing 2 headphones don’t require much setup, but they can be tweaked in the app for EQ preferences and firmware updates, which is handy.

Suunto isn’t trying to build a walled garden like Apple or Garmin; instead, the ecosystem feels more like a set of practical tools. You can pick and choose what you need, and the integration with external services means you’re not locked into Suunto’s world if you already have a training history elsewhere.

Verdict

Taken on their own, the Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Wing 2 are strong entries in their categories — a rugged, data-rich watch for serious athletes, and a pair of lightweight headphones that keep you safe and aware while training. But the real charm is how well they complement each other: one takes care of the tracking, pacing, and navigation; the other gives you entertainment and motivation without isolating you from your environment.

There are trade-offs, of course. The Race 2 isn’t as polished in smartwatch features as an Apple Watch, and the Wing 2 won’t satisfy bass junkies. But if your priorities are performance, durability, and outdoor readiness, they make a convincing pair. Together, they feel like Suunto is carving out a lane of its own — not trying to copy the big players, but focusing on athletes who want gear that works seamlessly in the real world.

If you’re ready to commit, the Suunto Race 2 goes for AUD $899.95 on Suunto Australia.The Suunto Wing 2 bone-conduction headphones are priced at AUD $299.95 from Suunto Australia.