GPS Training podcast – number 113

GPS Training Interview with Dan Southam – Suunto Marketing Manager - Special mid-month podcast. In the 113th episode of the GPS Training Podcast, John interviews Dan Southam, the UK Marketing Manager for Suunto, a Finnish outdoor brand with a rich heritage dating back to 1936. Dan outlines Suunto’s journey from inventing the liquid-filled compass to developing advanced GPS watches designed specifically for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Suunto’s core mission is to inspire people to get outside and explore mountainous terrains and trails safely, providing reliable technology tailored for activities like trail running, hiking, bikepacking, skiing, and snowboarding. Dan highlights Suunto’s distinct approach in focusing on specialist outdoor sports watches rather than broad-spectrum smartwatches. Their products emphasise navigation, safety, and durability with features such as free worldwide mapping, heat mapping, altimeter, barometer, compass, storm warnings, and ‘return to home’ navigation. The discussion compares Suunto’s offerings—particularly the Race, Race S, and Vertical models, explaining their suitability for different user needs, with the Race S emerging as the best-seller due to its compact size, sleek design, and affordability. The podcast also explores Suunto’s bone conduction headphones, which allow users to listen to audio while staying aware of their surroundings, a perfect fit for outdoor activities. Dan shares insights into Suunto’s recent partnership with the UTMB World Series, a prestigious ultra-trail running event, which bolsters brand visibility within the trail running community. Dan emphasises Suunto’s commitment to affordability, longevity, and user experience, contrasting it against competitors who often push frequent upgrades. Suunto delivers regular software updates and supports older models to keep customers satisfied over many years. Key technological innovations like Climb Guidance and ZoneSense offer advanced training and race-day advantages, enhancing user performance and safety. The episode concludes with Dan encouraging listeners, including beginners, to embrace Suunto products for both outdoor adventure and everyday fitness tracking, underscoring how the devices can improve safety, motivation, and self-awareness. Dan also highlights the small but dedicated UK team and the company’s flexibility in supporting retailers and customers. Finally, he teases upcoming product refreshes and innovations while reaffirming Suunto’s passion for the outdoors and commitment to quality. Highlights - Suunto’s heritage dates back to 1936, originating with the invention of the liquid-filled compass. - Suunto focuses exclusively on adventure and outdoor sports watches, not general smartwatches. - Free worldwide GPS mapping and navigation are core features distinguishing Suunto watches. - The Race S is Suunto’s best-selling GPS watch, praised for its compact size, style, and affordability. - Suunto’s bone conduction headphones allow users to listen while remaining aware of their environment. - Suunto is a key sponsor of the UTMB World Series, the premier ultra-trail running event globally. - Suunto emphasises product longevity, offering extended software support and durable hardware. Key Insights - **Heritage as a Competitive Advantage:** Suunto’s long history and engineering roots in navigation technology provide credibility and expertise that set it apart from competitors. Unlike brands that diversify broadly, Suunto’s legacy allows it to specialise deeply in outdoor navigation and safety, which is critical for its target audience of adventurers and athletes. - **Specialisation Over Generalisation:** By positioning their watches as “sports watches” rather than “smartwatches,