Wear Radar

Garmin Forerunner 965vsSuunto Race

Garmin Forerunner 965
Buy/Wait:superseded

This model is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 970.

Best for: Competitive runners, triathletes, and ultramarathon runners who want full maps, running dynamics, and premium build.

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Suunto Race
Buy/Wait:good

Early in release cycle

Best for: Competitive road and trail runners who want Suunto's precise multi-band GPS tracking and a vivid AMOLED display in a lighter, thinner package. A strong alternative to Garmin for athletes who prefer Suunto's clean interface and ecosystem.

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Garmin Forerunner 965Suunto Race
TierSports GPSSports GPS
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
Battery23 days16 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
Health sensorshr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, training readiness, running dynamicshr, spo2, hrv, training load
ReleasedMar 1, 2023Aug 27, 2025
Cycle length806 days848 days
Cycle advicesupersededgood
Deals adviceclearanceneutral
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Why buy each?

Garmin Forerunner 965

Full color topographic maps

Turn-by-turn navigation on full TopoActive maps — essential for trail running and mountain racing.

Running dynamics metrics

Cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and running power.

23-day battery and 31h GPS

Enough for week-long trail ultras without a charge.

Suunto Race

Significantly improved heart rate accuracy

The redesigned optical HR sensor on Race 2 delivers far more reliable readings during high-intensity sessions — a notable weak point of the original Race that has been addressed.

Dual-frequency GPS at 55h

Dual-frequency L1+L5 multi-constellation GPS for sub-meter precision in urban areas and dense forests, with 55 continuous GPS hours on a single charge.

1.5" AMOLED, thinner and lighter

The display grows to 1.5" at 2000 nits while the case slims to 12.5mm and drops to 76g — more readable in sunlight and easier to wear day-to-day than its predecessor.