Is your Garmin watch band looking a bit dated? Perhaps you’d prefer a different colour or style? No problem! Our easy-to-use Garmin Watch Strap Guide will help you find the perfect replacement.
Garmin watches have undergone a massive transformation over recent years. At first, they gave us a simple way to keep track of our fitness and activity. Today, they’ve become a powerful lifestyle tool, working with us to lead healthy, happy lives by helping us understand more about our own habits.
It’s not surprising, therefore, that many of us are wearing our Garmin watches more and more. The only downside to that, of course, is that the more we use them, the more wear and tear we’re putting on the bands. But that’s not a major problem. Especially as we can change them up easily.
How? By buying replacement Garmin watch straps.
What is a Garmin watch strap?
A Garmin watch strap is a band designed to attach your Garmin fitness tracking device securely to your wrist. Boiling it down to the basics, there are two main types of Garmin watch strap:
- A strap that comes in two parts, like a regular watch strap with a buckle side and a tail side
- A continuous loop strap that has a pre-made gap in the band for the Garmin device to fit into
Throughout this guide, our aim is to tell you everything you need to know about Garmin watch straps. But for now, let’s start from the very beginning, and ask the most important question: can Garmin watch straps be replaced?
The answer is ‘yes’, and it’s a simpler process than you may think…
How to replace a Garmin watch strap
As you may know, Garmin has launched a huge number of devices. There are lots of models, which come under a variety of product ranges like Forerunner, Vivo, and Fenix. The process for replacing the bands is slightly different depending on what you’re working with. But it’s always simple!
Continuous loop
For models using the continuous loop strap (e.g. Vivofit 1):
- Twist the band slightly to pop the device out of the band
- Hold the device with the arrow pointing upwards, aligned with the arrow inside the strap
- Stretch the band to fit the device into the gap in the new strap
Quickfit
For models using the QuickFit mechanism* (e.g. Fenix 5):
- Slide over the QuickFit latch on one side of the strap
- Pull the strap away from the device
- Hold the new strap in place against the device & press into place
- Make sure that the latch closes over the pin to ensure it remains securely fastened
- Repeat with the other side of the strap
Traditional lugs
For models using traditional watch lugs (e.g. Forerunner 945):
- Remove the pins attaching the strap to the device using the provided screwdrivers
- Take off the old strap
- Align the new strap with the device
- Use the screwdrivers to reinsert the pins
*You can also replace traditional pin-style straps with QuickFit bands which may be easier.
You can do this as often – or as rarely – as you’d like. You may prefer just to use a single Garmin watch strap for all occasions, but need a new band if your current one is looking a little worse for wear. Or you might want to pick up a selection of different colours and styles that you can change regularly, depending on your outfit and mood. Whatever it is, changing a Garmin watch strap is very simple.
What to look for in a Garmin watch strap
If you’ve done a little looking around already, you’ll have probably noticed that there are loads of Garmin watch straps available to buy. So many that you might be wondering where to start.
Don’t worry. We’re here to keep things simple and straightforward.
Here are 3 things to think about when choosing a new Garmin watch strap:
1. Model
To ensure good compatibility and a secure fit, it’s important to select a new watch strap that matches your Garmin model. For example, if you’ve got a Vivosmart device, look for a matching Vivosmart watch strap. Similarly, if you’ve got a Forerunner 35, browse Forerunner 35 watch straps. As Garmin’s devices are so diverse, watch straps are made for specific models, rather than being brand-universal.
2. Material
The truth is that you can find Garmin watch straps in all sorts of different materials, including nylon, leather, and more. But for these devices in particular, you should ideally be looking for silicone. Garmin devices were made for the great outdoors and intense activity, so it’s important to select a watch strap that’s water-resistant, sweat-friendly, comfortable, and easy to clean, like silicone.
3. Style & colour
The great thing about Garmin watches is that they’re not just fitness trackers and lifestyle partners; they’re great fashion accessories, too. With the right band, they can work with practically any outfit, from casual sportswear to business attire and formal clothing. So take your time thinking about the overall aesthetic, and choose from a wide range of colours and styles that show off your personality.
Selecting the right size
You’re in luck when it comes to picking a new Garmin watch strap. While standard watches – and even other types of fitness wearables – require you to know how to measure a watch strap and select the right size, you generally won’t need to worry too much about that with a Garmin watch band.
Instead, all you need to do is ensure that you’re buying a strap that’s designed for your specific model. It couldn’t be easier. If you have a Vivoactive 3, and select a 20mm Vivoactive 3 band, you’ll have complete confidence that the strap has been designed and developed to best fit your model.
The only time you'll need to think about sizing is if the strap you’re interested in offers different lengths. Most Garmin watch straps come in what’s known as ‘unisex sizing’, designed to comfortably fit many differently sized wrists. However, there are some that give you the choice of ‘small’ and ‘large’. With the average-sized wrist, there should be enough flexibility in the bands that both options will suffice. But if you have very slim wrists – or wrists that are larger – select the best size for you.
Garmin watch strap FAQS
Want to know more? Here are some questions we’re often asked about Garmin watch straps:
Do all Garmin straps fit all models?
Unfortunately, no, and that’s because each Garmin device is different. So if you have a Fenix 3, you probably won’t get a good, secure fit trying to attach it to a Forerunner 25 strap. In a way, this is good, as it means you’re not likely to make a mistake in ordering a new strap. Simply order the right strap to match the model you have, and you can be sure the replacement band will be 100% compatible.
Can I use an Apple Watch strap on a Garmin?
Garmin, Apple, and other fitness watches all use different attachment mechanisms and differently sized straps. This means that there’s very little – if any – crossover between brands. So if you’ve just purchased a new Garmin after previously wearing an Apple watch, you’ll want to make sure you have a Garmin band ready. Your old Apple strap is unlikely to fit well with your new Garmin watch.
How long will a Garmin watch strap last?
This depends on a few factors, such as the quality of the strap, the material, how often you wear it, and how well you maintain it. If you opt for high-quality silicone – which is durable and very easy to clean using mild soap and warm water – you should find that your strap can last for years. Over time, it will start to show a bit of wear, but you can replace it whenever you need to.
Where can I buy a new Garmin watch strap?
Garmin supplies official Garmin-branded replacement straps for their devices, but that’s not your only option. You can also opt for more budget-friendly Garmin compatible straps that aren’t made by Garmin themselves, but are still designed for a perfect fit with specific Garmin watch models. Here at Watch Strap Style, we offer compatible straps for Fenix, Forerunner, and Vivo ranges, and more.
Why buy Garmin-compatible straps?
Garmin-compatible straps are often more budget-friendly than official branded bands, and you might find you have more choice in terms of colour and style, too. And that’s not all. Garmin have now discontinued straps for some older models, like the Vivofit 1 and Vivofit 2, so you won’t find them in the official store. You will, however, find compatible options right here at Watch Strap Style.
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.