Fitbits have A LOT of issues when it comes to their straps. Either they would completely fall off the tracker, the buckle would break, or it’d simply irritate your skin. These are the problems users have experienced when dealing with strap issues.
Fitbit straps often break, especially if it shows signs of quality defects. The poor quality of the straps is one of Fitbit’s downsides, and without warranty protection, you may resort to fixing it yourself or buying third-party straps.
Read on to ensure you know what causes these straps to break easily, and take some precautionary steps by following my tips to maintain your Fitbit straps.
How Long Should A Fitbit Band Last?
Fitbit bands would typically last 1-2 years. After that, it will show wear and tear, which means you need to replace it sooner or later. The life expectancy also depends on the type of band your Fitbit has. Nylon, leather, stainless steel, and silicone are some materials used in Fitbit bands.
Fitbit bands are pretty much known for breaking faster than their life expectancy. Some issues would include the plastic nubs of the bands breaking, and, in some cases, the entire band would have issues like coming off completely, bad glue, and buckle problems.
Here are the different types of straps Fitbit has to offer with their trackers:
· Leather
Leather straps can last hundreds of wears, but every wearing reduces its life expectancy, and it will stretch out the band and wear it down faster.
· Silicone
Rubber can be a practical choice for the strap when it comes to Fitbit, it’s a bit elastic, easy to clean, and because of its flexibility, it won’t break easily.
· Nylon
The nylon bands are the best among the other types of bands because they are woven. As a result, they aren’t fragile like stainless steel but won’t show visible wear and tear compared to leather.
· Stainless Steel
Stainless steel can be a great choice if you want that classy semi-formal look on your Fitbit. Damages to this type of band are not visible until it suffers accidental damages, you might see scratches from here and there, but it’ll withstand long-term use if maintained correctly.
How Long Would Each Band Last?
Each band is made with different materials, thus having different life expectancies. Therefore, I prepared a table for you to read and use as a guide, along with some notes on avoiding using this specific type of band.
| Type of Fitbit Band | How Long It’ll Last |
| Leather | Around 1-2 years, depending on band maintenance and occasions used. NOTE: Leather bands are fragile when water is splashed on their finish because they’ll lose their supply quality and turn brittle. |
| Silicone | Around 2-3 years, it survives slightly longer than leather because it’s easier to maintain and more elastic and flexible. NOTE: The nubs could wear out or fall off; ensure you’re careful when locking them before wearing them. |
| Nylon | Around 3-4 years, it’s way more durable since it’s woven. Third-party bands are washable, too, which brings more convenience to you, the user. NOTE: It gets dirtier quickly since dead skin can stick to nylon much quicker, so I suggest using/buying a darker color of nylon band. |
| Stainless Steel | Around 2-3 years, stainless steel is incredibly durable but fragile in certain conditions. You can easily damage its finish when dropped at a height. NOTE: Avoid having it in contact with water because if even the band/strap is stainless, the pins that keep them together aren’t, especially those provided by 3rd party retailers. |
Tips to Maintain Your Fitbit Bands
A Fitbit with a broken band is useless because you have no way to wear it or even use it as effectively. Without the band, it’s just a small box of metal. So here are some tips I can give you based on my experience of wearing Fitbits.
- Fasten Your Band Properly
It would be best if you fastened your Fitbit with the right tightness so that it won’t damage the buckle/nubs in your band. To know more about where you should wear a Fitbit, read my complete guide to where you can wear a Fitbit.
When exercising, move it higher on your wrist with around two finger widths around your wrist bone because the heart rate sensors work best when they maintain consistent contact with your skin. After an exercise, you may loosen it up according to your liking.
- Clean Your Band Regularly
This tip should be your hygienic habit since dead skin and dirt will eventually accumulate and stick to your band. For leather and nylon band users, your band will be smelly if you don’t keep it clean.
You can use wipes to clean your leather bands, while you can clean your nylon bands with running water and mild soap such as Cetaphil to ensure it’s clean. Then, dry it off at room temperature, not directly exposed to sunlight.
- Keep Your Band Waray From Liquids
Fitbit bands are nowhere near waterproof; they are water-resistant, but that doesn’t mean that the bands will maintain their original quality. For instance, leather can be brittle once it comes into contact with liquids, leading you to replace it soon.
- Take It Off From Time To Time
Not all bands are meant to be worn all the time because they can cause rashes when worn 24/7 without taking them off. Bands made of steel, nylon, and leather should be taken off from time to time to avoid irritation and reduce the band’s quality.
These tips are based on my experience, so follow them and avoid mistakes. And speaking of breaking a Fitbit, make sure to read my article does Fitbit break? To know more about Fitbit’s durability issues.
Can a Fitbit Strap Be Replaced?
The strap/band is connected to the tracker with quick-release pins, screws, clips, or buttons. To replace a strap, remove it and detach the broken Fitbit band. Once removed, install the new band and attach it by pushing its metal clip into the device’s band clasping buttons.
Fitbit has a lot of issues with its bands because, according to some users, the stock band that comes with it breaks off easily. If it breaks while your warranty period is still eligible, then you’re in luck and have to contact Fitbit support for replacements/repair.
If you have a broken Fitbit strap that’s out of warranty, you need to buy straps from Fitbit’s store or buy cheaper third-party straps from Amazon. You can also try to repair it independently, depending on your strap’s damage.
Other than using super glue to keep your strap attached to the tracker, there are a few ways to replace it. Please read my article on fixing a broken Fitbit band to learn how to repair and replace a broken strap.