The days of the Garmin watches with bands you couldn't remove are firmly a thing of the past. If you want to simply get a replacement band, or give your Garmin a smarter look, it's much easier to do that.
Whether that's the Garmin Fenix range, Vivoactive 4 or Venu 2 smartwatches, or running watches like the Forerunner 245 or 945, pretty much every Garmin watch has the ability to switch out straps.
That means you're able to pick up one of Garmin's other official band options when you want to switch up colors and looks. It does also mean you have the ability to swap in some more affordable watch bands outside of the ones Garmin has to offer as well.
Whether you're looking for something that offers something a bit different from the official options or a back up for your main one, we talk through the types of bands you can get, tell you how to remove them and then pick out some bands we think are worthing hovering over the purchase button for.
Types of Garmin watch bands
There are a number of different setups that Garmin uses with its watches and bands. Here's the breakdown:
Screw-in watch bands
These come with two screws at either end of the lug holding the strap in place. Removing these requires a screwdriver (often provided with the new bands) and allowing the bar to drop out. Make sure you keep the pins and screws. There’s a diagram here.
Your new band should come with pins of its own. Use those and keep the old ones attached to the other bands. Simply insert the new strap into the lug and use the provided tools to screw in the screws at either end.
Quick release bands
These bands, which ship with a number of Forerunner, Vivoactive, Vivomove and Approach golf watches, are easier to unclip. Simply pull back horizontally on the spring (usually through a lever poking out of the rear of the strap) and lift it out. Make sure you keep the pin.
No screwdrivers required here when it's time to replace the band. Pull back on the lever and hold it while you drop the strap into the lug. Release the spring and the band will lock in automatically. You’ll hear a satisfying click when it is in place.
QuickFit bands
The simplest of all. These bands come fitted with watches like the Fenix 7 and Epix. All you need to do is pull down on the plastic quick release lever and the band will pop right out.
Depending on which band you were originally using, you may need to drop the pin back in, minus the original strap. With the screw-in bands, simply replace the pin and affix by screwing it back into the lugs.
Removing and replacing a Garmin watch band
As mentioned already, Garmin has tried to keep it consistent in terms of how you can remove bands from its watches. Though it can slightly differ between models. We've outlined how to do it for a few of the most popular models below:
Garmin Fenix series and Epix
All of Garmin's latest outdoor watches use its QuickFit bands. To remove the band, slide down the latch on the band and you'll be able to pull it away from the case.
Forerunner 245/245 Music
To remove the quick-release bands on the 245 (both versions), you'll need to slide across the small pin on the small spring bar on the back of band when it's time to put on something new.
Vivoactive 4/4s
Like the 245, Garmin has used the same quick-release bands and pin mechanism on the latest Vivoactive watches. So simply slide across the bar to remove the Vivoactive band.
Garmin Venu series
While it was the first Garmin watch to host a full color AMOLED display, the Venu bands work in the same way as many of Garmin's quick-release bands. You'll need to look for the spring bar on the back of the band, which you can slide to release.
Forerunner 235
A running favorite, the 235 uses the screw-in watch bands, which means getting a screwdriver to remove the screws in the bands to remove the bar and fit in a new band.
Garmin replacement 20mm bands
- Vivoactive 3
- Venu series
- Forerunner 245/645
NotoCity silicone band
Price: $9.99 | Amazon
The Venu is Garmin's smartwatch that's designed to straddle sporty and stylish looks and this band definitely veers towards the former. The 18mm option comes in 10 different colors and is available in large and small sizes. If you don't have a Venu, it'll also work with the Vivomove Luxe and Style, Forerunner 645, 245 and Vivomove 3.
Penkey scrunchies band
Price: $11.99 | Amazon
Compatible with the Vivoactive 3 series and Forerunner 645, the band that looks like a scrunchy comes in small and large sizes and six different colors. It uses a quick-release mechanism to get it in place and is suitable for wrist sizes ranging from 149mm-234mm for the small and 160mm-270mm if you go large.
Intoval classic leather band
Price: $14.88 | Amazon
A strong option when you want to smarten things up, this 20mm leather band can be matched up with the Forerunner 245, 645 and Vivoactive 3 series watches. There's three color options up for grabs and a traditional watch buckle to keep it in place. It uses the quick-release mechanism and two spring bars are included to get it securely in place.
Ancool silicone band
Price: $7.99 | Amazon
This sporty two-tone 20mm band with a gold color clasp is a good fit for the Forerunner 245 and 645. It'll accommodate wrist sizes ranging from 170mm-215mm and uses the quick-release method to secure it to your watch. That means no tools needed to get this stylish band on your wrist.
Yooside woven nylon band
Price: $16.99 | Amazon
Woven nylon bands are very on trend, but they usually don't come cheap. This 20mm option comes in four different colors including this red version and is suitable to be partnered up with the Fenix 5S and 5S Plus watches. It's partnered up with a metal buckle and will fit wrist sizes ranging from 130mm-192mm. It's a quick fit-style band, so it won't take long to get it swapped in for your current band.
Garmin replacement 22mm bands
- Vivoactive 4
- Forerunner 935/945
- Fenix 5/6/6 Pro
- Instinct 2 series
- Marq
StrapsCo Canvas band
Price: $24.99 | StrapsCo
A comfortable canvas number which is perfect for the outdoors, there are a range of muted colors that manage to look so on brand, you'd think they came with the Fenix. Camo colors suit the tactical and outdoors stylings perfectly.
It merged canvas and leather making it both easy on the wrist and durable, and fits a number of Garmin watches, with a buckle clasp that ensures a good fit. It only comes in one size (235mm) which means it does suit larger wrists.
NotoCity silicone band
Price: $9.99 | Amazon
This silicone band will make a good replacement or back up for the one that comes with the Garmin Vivoactive 4. The 22mm band is available in 10 colors and can fit small (165mm-215mm) and large (185mm-235mm) wrist sizes. There's stainless steel buckle to keep it in place and the quick-release mechanism makes it nice and easy to fit onto your Garmin.
Junboer silicone band
Price: $8.99 | Amazon
Injecting a bit of fun to your Garmin, this colorful skull band can be paired up with the Fenix 5/5 Plus, Forerunner 935, Forerunner 945, Fenix 6/Fenix 6 Pro/Fenix 7 and Garmin Instinct. The 22mm option uses the Quick Fit method to connect it to your watch and there's even a leopard option if you really want to go wild with that look.
Isbake Band
Price: $11.99 | Amazon
This 22mm silicone band makes a good replacement or back-up for the Forerunner 945, Fenix 6/6 Pro/Fenix 7 and the Approach S60 watches. It's available in 8 different colors including this lime green number and it comes with the tools needed to take off your current band to swap in the brand new one.
Garmin replacement 26mm bands
- Fenix 3/5X/6X/7X
- Enduro
- Quatix
- Tactix
Fintie band
Price: $8.99 | Amazon
This 26mm band will wrap woven nylon on your wrist when paired up with a Fenix 5X/6X/7X or Fenix 3. It comes in black, blue and olive and comes with two screwdrivers to get it paired up to your watch case. It's suitable to fit on wrist sizes measuring in between 160mm-222mm.
NotoCity sport band
Price: $13.99 | Amazon
This band with contrasting colors comes in nine colors and is suitable for Fenix 7X, 6X, 6X Pro, 5X, 5X Plus, Fenix 3 and Fenix 3 HR. It'll fit wrist sizes measuring in at 190mm-224mm and a stainless steel buckle will make sure it stays secure on your wrist when you're getting it all sweaty or out adventuring.
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.