Suunto Blog

Find the coordinates. Start the race.  For 90 years Suunto has been creating tools for people who explore the world beyond the ordinary. To celebrate this milestone, we are inviting adventurers everywhere to take part in a global challenge. 
 Throughout the anniversary year our elite athletes will hide special Suunto chests in environments that represent their natural playground – from alpine mountains and northern wilderness to deep forests, open water, and vibrant city landscapes.  When a chest is hidden, the coordinates are released to the world. From that moment the race begins.  Anyone can join the challenge. 

The mission is simple: reach the location first. The first person to physically arrive at the chest wins the prize inside, while the next explorers to reach the location will receive runners‑up rewards. Every challenge will take place somewhere different. 
Some locations may be remote. Some might be closer than you think. But every one of them will invite you to step outside, explore new terrain and follow the coordinates to adventure. The Suunto 90 Challenge is our way of celebrating nine decades of exploration – by inspiring people around the world to get outside and discover what adventure means to them.   Sign up for coordinates How the challenge works: 1. Sign up below: Subscribe to Suunto newsletter to be the first to hear when new coordinates are released. 2. Get the coordinates: When a Suunto athlete drops a chest somewhere in the world, we will release the coordinates in our newsletter and @suunto Instagram – and the race begins! 3. Start the race: From that moment anyone can attempt to reach the location. Plan your route, prepare your gear and start moving. 4. Find the chest: The first explorer to reach the chest wins the prize inside. The next explorers will receive runners-up rewards.  

Lace up your running shoes, hop on your bike, or put the climbing skins on your skis. It’s time to head outdoors – and climb. From February 23 to March 1, we challenge you to get out there and collect vertical meters. Climb for yourself, for your country, and for the outdoor community. See how far you can go and help us reach our shared goal in support of Protect Our Winters Europe. To join, simply track your activities with your Suunto. Every vertical meter gained through muscle-powered activities during the week counts toward your total elevation. In addition to pushing your own limits, we’re climbing together. Join the Vertical Week Strava Challenge and help the community reach ten million vertical meters. For every 1,000 vertical meters climbed, Suunto will donate €1 to Protect Our Winters Europe – a non-profit dedicated to protecting the places and experiences we love from climate change. So get out there and do something good for your body and the planet. Every meter counts. 10 million vertical meters with Suunto & POW This year the stakes are even higher, so join the 10 million vertical meters with Suunto & POW Vertical Week Challenge on Strava and help reach the elevation goal and support POW Europe! Your job is easy, for every 1000 vertical meters you collect, Suunto donates 1€ to Protect our Winters Europe (capped at 10 million vertical meters). Our friends at Protect Our Winters (POW) are working to protect the places and experiences we love from the impacts of climate change. All you need to do is sign up and collect vertical meters by using your muscles to get you higher. After you’ve climbed 150 vertical meters, you will receive a 15% discount voucher for Suunto.com as well as the chance to win the rare Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium Limited Edition watch. Join the Challenge on Strava If you are not using Strava yet, sign up at strava.com and connect your Suunto account with Strava: Go to your Suunto app profile and connect to Strava under ‘Partner Services’. See full terms and conditions for all details. Join Protect Our Winters Winters are becoming more unpredictable, and glaciers are disappearing at an alarming pace. Our friends at Protect Our Winters (POW) are working to protect the places and experiences we love from the impacts of climate change. Join one of POW’s local chapters or support their work across Europe. Learn more and get involved at protectourwinters.eu Nobody needs to be perfect – but we can all take steps to do better than yesterday. Learn more about Suunto’s sustainability work and commitments here.

Exploring the outdoors is rewarding, but even experienced adventurers can get disoriented. Here’s expert advice from Lowland Rescue Search Dogs Sussex to help you stay safe. Venturing into the outdoors comes with a responsibility to yourself and your loved ones. By preparing thoroughly, equipping yourself with the right tools, and following expert advice, you can minimize risks and fully enjoy your time in nature. As the saying goes, it’s far better to be in a cozy pub wishing you were on the mountain than to be on the mountain wishing you were in the pub. With the following tips in mind, you can explore with confidence and care, knowing that you’ve done everything possible to stay safe. Adventure responsibly and cherish every moment in the wild – the world is waiting to be discovered! Timeless advice from experts Lowland Rescue Search Dogs Sussex, a volunteer charity specializing in search and rescue missions, emphasizes that preparation is key to staying safe. Their teams, which include highly trained search dogs, are frequently called upon to locate individuals who have wandered off course. While these canine heroes are incredibly skilled, their handlers often remind us that the best rescue is the one that isn’t needed. Their advice below aligns with a broader mission to educate outdoor enthusiasts on safety. From mastering navigation skills to understanding weather patterns, taking proactive measures can help prevent accidents and ensure your adventures remain enjoyable. See the Sussex Search Dogs in action. Suunto has long been a trusted companion for adventurers. Since the very beginning back in 1936 we have designed tools to help you stay on course, no matter where your journey takes you. In collaboration with organizations like Lowland Rescue Search Dogs Sussex, we want to emphasizes the importance of preparation and awareness in the outdoors. While the tools are indispensable, the knowledge you carry with you is just as crucial. Combining technology with foundational outdoor skills ensures you’re ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way. The importance of preparation Getting lost isn’t just inconvenient – it can be dangerous. Whether you’re hiking through woodland trails, navigating rolling hills, or exploring in the moountains, preparation is your best defense. By taking a few simple steps before heading out, you can significantly reduce the risk of losing your way. Check the weather: Always review the forecast before your trip. Weather can change quickly, even in lowland areas, so be ready for sudden shifts. Learn navigation basics: Even if you rely on modern GPS devices, having a solid understanding of map reading and compass use is invaluable. These skills can be life-saving when technology fails. Pack smart: Bring essential items such as appropriate clothing, a first aid kit, food, water, a whistle, and a flashlight. These basics can make a huge difference in an emergency. Share your plans: Always inform someone you trust about your intended route and expected return time. This simple step ensures someone will know to raise the alarm if needed. Also share the planed route with the group. This way you all have the same route available in your Suunto GPS watches. What to do if you get lost Even with the best preparation, unforeseen situations can happen. As a backup, you can use your Suunto to navigate back to your starting point or to follow the path you have taken so far. Also, if you have mobile connection, you can use Suunto app on your phone to plan a route starting in your current location and sync it to your watch.  If none of that helps and you simply have no idea where you are and where to go, here’s what you should do: Stay calm and stay put: Panic only makes matters worse. Remaining in one place increases your chances of being found. Use your phone: If you have a mobile signal, call for help immediately. Provide rescuers with as much information as possible, including landmarks, sounds, or your last known location. Make yourself visible: Use bright clothing or gear to create signals that rescuers can spot from a distance. If you have a whistle, blow it regularly to attract attention. Seek shelter: Protect yourself from the elements by finding or creating shelter. This is especially critical in cold, wet, or windy conditions. Conserve energy: Avoid unnecessary movement, stay hydrated, and keep warm while you wait for help.

The 171-km race around the Mont Blanc massif is the most prestigious trail ultra in the world. With the new SuuntoPlus sports app, you can test the challenge wherever you are! The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) is one of the most prestigious and challenging trail running races globally. Its origins are rooted in the desire to create a race that encapsulates the grandeur and difficulty of running through the mountainous terrain surrounding Mont Blanc. The first race was held in 2003. This year, runners will line up for the start at Place du Triangle de l'Amitié in the heart of Chamonix on August 30. It can be hard to grasp how long the race actually is. To give you a feeling of the challenge, we have created the Virtual UTMB SuuntoPlus sports app that tracks your cumulative progress towards completing the legendary route. Whether you are looking for a fun way to motivate yourself or aiming to one day run the race yourself, this sports app is for you! The Virtual UTMB sports app shows your progress towards running the distance of the 171 km Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc: the top row shows your total distance and progress towards the goal, below you see your current activity distance and duration. Here’s how it works: Go to the SuuntoPlus Store in the Suunto app and sync the Virtual UTMB sports app on your watch. Before starting your next run, go to ‘exercise settings’ and select the Virtual UTMB sports app in the SuuntoPlus section. Start your activity. The Virtual UTMB sports app will be added as an extra screen. You will be notified as your reach the distance to various aid stations on the course. The next time you use the same sport mode, the Virtual UTMB sports app will be there by default and keep adding distance towards your cumulative total of 171 km – the distance of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. Suunto is the official technical partner of the UTMB World Series. Learn about the races at utmb.world.

The route altitude profile in the Suunto app and as part of route navigation in Suunto watches has taken a major step forward. With the release of Suunto Race S, we brought the new Climb Guidance also to Suunto Race, Suunto Vertical, Suunto Ocean and Suunto 9 Peak Pro GPS watches (software version 2.35.34 or later). It will help you both in the route planning phase and out on the trails. Use it to optimize your pacing, make your race-winning moves, or simply enhance your outdoor experience. Learn the climbs while planning The elevation profile grows in real-time as you plan your route. Color codes on the elevation profile match the colors on the map.   When planning a route in the Suunto app, the route is split into sections – climbs, uphills, downhills, descents, and flats. These sections are visualized with color coding both on the map and in the altitude profile below. A climb is marked in red, uphill in orange, downhill in lime, and descent in green. Flats are marked in blue. The section categories consider the length and steepness of the ascent (or descent). In the categorization, climbs are harder than uphills and descents are bigger than downhills. The elevation profile of your route keeps growing in real-time as you plan your route. Already in the planning phase, you can scrub the altitude profile and see where each point is on the map. This is a useful way to get to know the route you are planning to navigate.   Get alerts and zoom in on the details during activity   Overview of the elevation profile (left) and a zoomed in climb section (right).   The Climb Guidance sections are synced to your watch along with the route you planned. When you start navigating the route, by default you will see the route on one screen and an overview of the elevation profile on the next. You can zoom in on the elevation profile using the digital crown on the Suunto Race and Race S watches. On the Suunto Vertical and Suunto 9 Peak Pro, press the upper button to zoom in and long press it to zoom out. (Tip: Similarly, you can zoom in and out on the map view. The zoom-out level was updated to 20km in this latest software update.) When you zoom in from the elevation profile overview, you will see the current section in more detail. You will, for example, see the ascent covered and ascent remaining on that section along with your position on the elevation profile.   A notification 100 meters before the start of a new section (left) and a full-screen notification with details as the section starts (right).   When you are approaching a climb, a notification is given to you 100 meters in advance. As the section starts, you will get a full-screen notification with section details (vertical, distance, gradient). You will get a similar notification before a descent. Notifications are not triggered for uphill, downhill or flat sections of the route. Climbs are categorized on a scale of 1–4 and HC (hors categorie) based on their difficulty. The section notifications can be turned off in the exercise settings. Before starting an activity, go down to exercise settings and select ‘Climb Guidance’. You can then toggle the notifications off and on. You can also select whether you want to see the gradients in percentages or degrees. By default, the gradient is shown in percentages. The climb notification and grade settings are persistent per activity type; they are automatically remembered the next time you start the same activity.