The Coros Vertix 2 was a good watch, but the Coros Vertix 2S makes it great with a handful of small but meaningful changes. The overall design is very similar, with a circular resin case, titanium bezel, and memory-in-pixel display topped with tough sapphire crystal, but you'll immediately notice some differences. The new watch comes in three colorways: Earth (blue), Moon (gray), and Space (black), each of which has an attractive themed watch face preinstalled.
You can easily switch to someone more conventional in the Coros app, but I found it a pleasant change from the data-focused faces favored by most watchmakers. I tested the Moon version, and the face even features animated clouds over Earth an a tiny comet that sometimes shoots across the sky. The watch has a textured quick-release silicone band very similar to that of the Vertix 2, but also comes with a breathable nylon strap that fastens with Velcro.
Nylon is lighter than silicone and many athletes find it less likely to cause skin irritation by trapping sweat against the skin, so having both included in the package was a welcome surprise. It also accepts the same quick-fit bands as the Vertix 2 if you feel like a different look. Speaking of packaging, Coros has also updated the reusable case supplied with the Vertix 2S.
While the Vertix 2 came with a large plastic case, the Vertix 2S comes in a smaller box made from molded pulp. It's still durable, and resealable thanks to a small dot of Velcro, but it'll be much eas.