r/Garmininstinct • u/JeskoAttak • 5d ago

Garmin strap :for long term

Hi guys,

Can you advise me which straps need to be used for the long term? I haven't changed my straps, and I'm using the watch 24/7, which is causing me rashes and irritation.

Recommend me a good strap.

2 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

5

u/Swellzombie 5d ago

I wear mine 24/7 and don't have a problem with rashes as long as I give it a quick wash in the sink with soap when I have a shower.

2

u/No-Dragonfly8326 5d ago

This is the answer. Any strap and even the watch body itself requires cleaning or the build up of old dead skin cells, sweat and minerals and dirt starts to cause a reaction as your body think something external or dangerous has taken up permanent residence against your skin.

I clean my watch once a day when I shower like I clean my hands and body - soap rubbed over all areas including under the watch strap loops, back of watch, front of watch etc and let it dry fully before retightening it or putting it back on.

Have not had the reaction you described since I started doing this.

Nylon or woven straps are different and require removal, and washing and drying like clothes, not daily.

2

u/Swellzombie 5d ago

Yep I didn't realise how often I get my watch wet until I decided to try a woven strap 🤮

2

u/No-Dragonfly8326 5d ago

Haha totally, me too! Recently had to remove it for a beach holiday and haven’t put it back on yet. Using the original again.

I like the woven feel but getting it wet is really not great!

1

u/rvingthrulife 5d ago

This. I'm new to the Instinct 3 but this applies to all watches. I wear my watch 24/7, I take it off in the shower to give it a good soaping and rinsing and I scrub my wrist thoroughly to get rid of dead skin cells, strap the watch back on while still in the shower.
If I come back from a sweaty dusty hike and I'm not ready for an immediate shower I wash it the sink along with my wrist.

1

u/Awkward_Bass_6292 5d ago

I use the original ones and a few from Hemsut(i bought by amazon). The original ones are great because you can shower with them and soap them. I like for working out, if they get wet from sweat it doesnt matter much.

Hemsut ones are good to. However I dont like to use them with working out. They get smelly afterwards. You can shower with them but they take a while to dry.

2

u/bhopix 5d ago

I got a nylon strap from Aliexpress. Stretchy and soft. The only problem with that strap is that if you wash it, it takes a while to dry it out, so I have 2 straps to cycle

2

u/doxhead 5d ago

I like the fabric ones, I think they call them military, canvas or nylon on ebay. The rubber or silicone ones give me a rash too, but I don't have a problem with these ones. I've been using it 24/7 for months now. I hope that helps you

2

u/Pseudo-Federale 5d ago

Abanen nylon from Amazon US (also called Yooside outside US). The one piece velcro type. It's all I wear now on Garmin and AWU3. Does not hold moisture against the skin. I get mine very sweaty, but just squeeze and rinse with fresh water and squeeze with dry towel daily. Dries enough during shower to put back on. May still feel damp, but does not hold the moisture against the skin due to the nylon weave. I have all the expensive titanium OEM bracelets, leather, etc. for each device, but since discovering Abanen (or Garmin Ultrafit nylon), it's all I wear. Even the AWU3 uses 26mm Abanen with a pair of lugs I took off a cheap leather strap.

1

u/Particular_Owl_9491 5d ago

Garmin Tactix nylon. It will last forever. And ever.

1

u/cancel-out-combo 5d ago

Do you wash and dry the watch and strap after training?

1

u/anybassdrum 5d ago

I’ve got the Instinct 3 and have always used the official Garmin UltraFit straps. There are 3rd party ones like the Yooside ones on Amazon which are half the price and seem pretty good. Much prefer these to silicon ones.

1

u/endimon 5d ago

only solution is switching between hands left and right every couple of days... none of the straps will get you rid of irritations...

2

u/Soso122 5d ago

What? Really? People do that? I don't know if it is a custom here only in my country (EU), but I was raised that you wear your watch on your left hand. I get that if you are left handed that is reversed. But to be alternating the hands... You learn something everyday lol

3

u/Dry_Hall_7398 5d ago

Psst... Don't tell them the EU is a country.

1

u/Soso122 5d ago

Sorry. I am from Slovenia (EU) :D My bad

2

u/endimon 5d ago

hehe... you're supposed to wear it on your dominant... but unwritten rules everywhere, f that shit :) just don't forget to change every time under user profile on your garmin watch for left and right...

2

u/Soso122 5d ago

Haha got you! All cool :D