With the launch of Suunto at Valley and Peak, we’re thrilled to take a closer look at the brand’s history and the innovative technologies that make Suunto products stand out in the most extreme conditions. From scaling towering 8,000m peaks to navigating the harshest polar expeditions, Suunto has proven time and again that its gear is built to withstand the toughest environments. Whether you're pushing your limits on an outdoor adventure or simply tracking your local park run, Suunto’s precision, durability, and performance make it the trusted choice for explorers and athletes alike. Join us as we dive into what makes Suunto more than just a brand.
HISTORY
Over 80 years ago, Tuomas Vohlonen, a Finnish adventurer, founded Suunto with the goal of improving the tools used for exploring the wild. In 1936, while trekking through deep snow in the endless Arctic darkness, he grew frustrated with the existing compasses, which didn’t offer the reliability he needed. Driven by necessity, he invented a liquid-filled compass with a more stable and accurate needle—revolutionising navigation in extreme environments. The image below shows the original needle chamber of Suunto M-311 on the left with its filling hole visible.
Vohlonen’s innovative spirit didn’t just lead to a better compass, it made sure that he was never lost again.
Suunto is a Finnish company that designs and produces sports watches, dive computers, compasses, and precision instruments. Based in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto employs over 300 people worldwide, with its products available in more than 100 countries. Despite its global reach, the company maintains a close connection to its roots, with its headquarters located next to the factory where many stages of production are still carried out by hand.
The company's name, Suunto, is derived from the Finnish word suunta, which translates to "direction" or "path". In the context of navigation, it also refers to "bearing" or "heading".
Vohlonen was granted a patent for his innovative design, and just a year later, the wrist-mounted Sunnto M-311 went into mass production. Although it wasn't the first portable liquid-filled compass, Vohlonen's design was remarkable for its compact size and lightweight build, making it easy to wear on the wrist. And from there, the rest is history.
SUUNTO GPS WATCHES
Suunto watches are known for their durability, precision, and versatility, making them a top choice for athletes, outdoor adventurers, and explorers alike. Designed to withstand the toughest conditions, Suunto watches offer a range of features including GPS navigation, heart rate monitoring, altimeters, barometers, and long battery life. Suunto's commitment to quality and innovation ensures that their timepieces are not just functional but reliable companions for all kinds of outdoor pursuits. With their rugged build and cutting-edge technology, Suunto watches enable you to track your performance, navigate unfamiliar terrain, and push your limits.
SUUNTO VERTICAL SOLAR
The Suunto Vertical Solar is the ideal adventure watch for outdoor enthusiasts, offering intuitive maps with key features like contour lines, water bodies, paths, and landmarks—available in offline mode for uninterrupted navigation. Equipped with an altimeter, barometer, and compass, it helps you maintain spatial awareness in challenging environments, with a storm alarm and weather forecasts to keep you safe.
Beyond outdoor exploration, the Suunto Vertical supports a variety of sports like running, cycling, swimming, and cross-country skiing. Get personalised feedback on your training load, progress, and recovery based on heart rate variability (HRV), and track your efforts with the Suunto app or tools like TrainingPeaks.
With solar charging for extended battery life, this powerhouse multi-sport watch is built to keep you going, no matter the adventure.
SUUNTO RACE
The Suunto Race is built to help you prepare for any race or challenge, providing the perfect balance of training and recovery throughout your journey. Its vivid 1.43” touchscreen ensures easy readability, even in fast-paced situations and direct sunlight. The digital crown offers effortless navigation, allowing you to browse through features with ease.
Designed to military standards, the Suunto Race is tough enough to withstand the harshest conditions. Despite its bright AMOLED display, it delivers exceptional battery life. Choose Performance mode for up to 40 hours of training or switch to Tour mode for extended GPS tracking with up to 5 days of battery life.
Curious if you’re training effectively? Suunto Race provides personalised feedback on your training load, progress, and recovery, based on heart rate variability (HRV). Suunto Coach AI guides your workouts, offering the motivation you need to keep moving forward.
Track your progress in the Training Zone on the Suunto app, or use coaching tools like TrainingPeaks for even more insights.
SUUNTO RACE S
Take your performance to the next level with Suunto Race S, the compact performance watch designed to balance training and recovery while providing free offline maps for navigation. With the same shape, digital crown, and AMOLED display as the original Suunto Race, it delivers a crystal-clear, high-definition touchscreen that’s easy to read, even in fast-paced situations and bright sunlight.
Suunto Race S combines sleek, modern design with a smaller, more comfortable fit, offering a stylish and functional option for any athlete. Its lighter weight ensures maximum comfort whether you’re racing, training, or wearing it every day.
Train with maximum accuracy for up to 30 hours, or extend your GPS tracking with Tour mode for up to 5 days. Suunto Race S provides personalised feedback on your training load, progress, and recovery, all based on heart rate variability (HRV).
Suunto Coach AI keeps an eye on your workouts, offering expert advice to keep you motivated. You can also track your training data alongside your menstrual cycle using the Suunto App for a more holistic approach to fitness.
SUUNTO COMPASSES
Suunto compasses are trusted for their precision, durability, and reliability, making them the go-to choice for adventurers, hikers, navigators, and even polar expeditions. Designed with precision in mind, these compasses provide clear, easy-to-read directions in even the most challenging environments. Whether you're navigating dense forests, scaling mountains, braving polar regions, or exploring new terrain, Suunto compasses are built to perform under the toughest conditions. Featuring liquid-filled designs for smoother and more stable needle movement, they guarantee reliable readings, while their rugged construction ensures they stand up to wear and tear.
SUUNTO A-10 NH COMPASS
The Suunto A-10 baseplate compass is a fantastic choice for those who want a fast, simple, and accurate tool for navigation. It’s easy to learn and perfect for those getting the hang of map and compass navigation. The A-10’s design makes it ideal for calculating distances too, thanks to the metric and imperial scales printed in red, which really stand out on topographic maps.
These scales allow for quick, clear readings when plotting your course. As for the Earth’s uneven magnetic field, the A-10 has two variants to deal with this: one version with a needle balanced for the northern hemisphere, and another for the southern hemisphere, ensuring precision wherever you are. Whether you're a beginner or just need a reliable, straightforward compass for everyday adventures, the A-10 is a solid option.
SUUNTO A-30 NH
The Suunto A-30 is a reliable baseplate compass, perfect for those venturing into extreme conditions. Its compact design and rugged construction make it a solid companion for outdoor enthusiasts, whether you're hiking in the mountains or navigating through dense forests. The adjustable declination scale allows for easy fine-tuning of your bearing based on magnetic variation, ensuring accurate navigation wherever you go.
Suunto compasses are equipped with two balancing systems to account for variations in the Earth's magnetic field. One system features a two-zone design, with needles specifically balanced for the northern or southern hemisphere, ideal for those who mostly navigate in one region. The other system is globally balanced, allowing a single needle to work accurately anywhere on Earth.
This is achieved through an innovative construction that lets the needle and magnet tilt independently, offering pinpoint precision for trekkers who explore different regions or need a compass that works worldwide. Selecting the right balancing system based on your travel plans can make a huge difference in ensuring reliable and accurate navigation.
SUUNTO MCB NH MIRROR COMPASS
A floating, ergonomic multi-purpose mirror compass that combines precision with practicality
The MCB NH Mirror compass is renowned for its durability and precision, both crucial when navigating off the beaten path. The mirror design enables accurate bearing sighting, while the clear base plate simplifies map work. Compact and lightweight, it’s the ideal choice for trekkers who need a reliable tool without adding unnecessary bulk to their gear. Whether you're exploring remote trails or just need a dependable navigation aid, this mirror compass offers both practicality and performance in one sleek package.
SUUNTO BONE-CONDUCTING HEADPHONES: MUSIC WITH AWARENESS
Bone conduction headphones are revolutionising the way we experience audio, offering a unique twist on traditional listening methods. Instead of relying on speakers that sit in or over your ears, these headphones use vibrations to transmit sound directly through the bones in your skull, specifically your jaw and cheekbones. This means they sit comfortably outside the ear, leaving your ears open to hear what's happening around you.
How do they work? When you play music or take a call, the headphones convert the audio signal into vibrations. These vibrations are picked up by the bones in your head, which then transmit them to your inner ear, where they’re processed and interpreted by your brain as sound. This bypasses the outer and middle ear entirely, which is how you’re able to hear audio while still being aware of your environment.
The biggest advantage of bone conduction technology is its ability to let you listen to music, podcasts, or calls while keeping your ears free. This makes them especially useful for runners, cyclists, or anyone who wants to enjoy audio without blocking out ambient noise like traffic or conversations. Plus, they can be a great option for people with certain types of hearing loss, as they bypass the parts of the ear that may be affected.
With the added benefit of being lightweight and comfortable for long periods of use, bone conduction headphones are rapidly gaining popularity for both outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a safer, more open-ear listening experience.
SUUNTO SONIC
Suunto Sonic features a lightweight, comfortable design, paired with a newly designed sound transducer that provides higher sensitivity, enhanced bass, and reduced noise leakage for an even better listening experience.
Built to handle everything from scorching heat to freezing cold, and with an IP55 rating, Suunto Sonic can take the sweat, rain, and rough conditions while you stay immersed in your music.
Enjoy up to 10 hours of battery life with a single charge, and get fully charged in just 60 minutes. Running low before a workout? A quick 5-minute charge gives you 3 extra hours of audio.
Connect your Suunto Sonic via Bluetooth to the Suunto app for the ultimate experience. Easily adjust sound modes or switch off dual device connection with just a tap on the screen.
SUUNTO WING
With LED lights, up to 10 hours of battery life, and an extra 20 hours from the external power bank, Suunto Wing bone conduction sports headphones are the perfect blend of both.
Suunto Wing features red LED lights on both sides, making you more visible in low-light conditions, whether you’re on the trails or roads. You can adjust the light modes or turn them on and off via the Suunto app.
For those busy moments, Suunto Wing includes Head Movement Control. Simply shake or nod your head to skip to the next song or answer a call – no need to press any buttons.
Built to withstand everything from intense heat to freezing cold, dust, sweat, and even post-adventure showers, Suunto Wing is designed to keep you rocking through all conditions.
