@@alfonso2501 I know - they can be at the top end - but not at all when looking at the 265/965/instinct 2x for what they can do that so many others can't - the 965 alone has 1.4" amoled w 14 day battery life, full maps, spotify downloadable playlists, and more metrics than any other company - and then I just use $10 amazon bands to dress it up when I want! Total deal for value
Great round up. I usually prefer the official bands, but when it comes to nylon you have to go third party as Garmin charges 299.99 which is outrageous
I like the tactical one but with most of these bands they are only one size options L or XL, all the time. Band makers need to throw in some xs, s, m, l, and xl bands give use buyers with small wrist options. Love the content very informative.
I have a quatix 3 and a fenix 3 hr. Also a lots of silicone quick fit bands. I buy them on amazon and ebay. The best is a yellow, was very cheap from china. After wearing for years, it's better quality than the 50€ original. This chinese company produces industrial grade silicone tubes and made a series of garmin bands for fun. Unfortunately all sold out very fast and they don't wanna produce them again. 😢 Some aftermarket bands are really good.
Tip of you like a wider band the 26 nylon bands if they dont have a gard end will fit on the 22m watches. I do that with my 47 epix and it looks so much better
Hemsut band latch spring is too loose. Many people on amazon wrote that it comes off and they almost lost their watch. It looks good but I stopped using it because of loose latch.
Such good timing! Ordered an Instinct 2x last night, thinking about strap alternatives. My main concern was the quality of the quickfit clasp mechanisms on the 3rd party straps, looks like they're not all made equally but now I know better what to look for. Cheers!
Yes tough call! I really loved the smart watch experience of the Apple Watch Ultra, but I would never keep it because it's so limited in the functional usefulness for wellness and training
@@fitgearhunter is the only way to chose a workout after the 1st time to choose from favorites? When I hit the stop/start button only strength comes up, I want to be able to pick from the whole list. What am I doing wrong?
@@ep6606 hey! Just have to add them all as favorites. Every time you choose one from further below it will ask you if you want to add to favorites as well. Is it not?
@@fitgearhunter yeah, thanks for getting back. I just chose a handful of workouts that I like to do and saved as favorites. A much bigger issue I have is that I drove a commercial trash truck for a living, the accelerometer in the watch thinks I’m doing a workout because of all the bouncing around. After 10-11 hours of driving I end the day with around 30,000 steps! I got a message yesterday telling me I should rest because of all my activity and my body battery dropped into the single digits. Major disappointment, not sure what I’m going to do with it.
Both the same for CrossFit/HIIT, but the 265 has a more brilliant amoled screen but lacks mapping of 955. I would go for 265, personally, because I find that I don't really ever use the mapping
Sorry for delay! And great question - I think a number of the same manufacturers might make alternates for the quickfit style 20 mm watch bands. But this review is really focused on quick fit, which is different from the traditional pin fingernail release quick release type bands. What watch are you looking for a band for?
I can't speak for everyone but I've used probably 25 different styles of bands and the only one I ever had issue with was a definitively rigid extra thick leather band about eight years ago. Otherwise no issues whatsoever, for me at least!
Very useful review. Don’t understand why Garmin is overpricing its accessories after it already charged ultra premium for its watch.
I know, although it does seem to be industry wide - everyone seems to, although Garmin is the most expensive. Thanks for commenting!
IMO most German products are overpriced
@@alfonso2501 I know - they can be at the top end - but not at all when looking at the 265/965/instinct 2x for what they can do that so many others can't - the 965 alone has 1.4" amoled w 14 day battery life, full maps, spotify downloadable playlists, and more metrics than any other company - and then I just use $10 amazon bands to dress it up when I want! Total deal for value
@@alfonso2501garman 😂😂
Corporate greed has no bounds.
Thank you very much! For not only the incredibly helpful review but also the well-structured chapters and links. Well done!
Thanks for your help. I purchased your recommendation: Ancool Easy Fit Nylon
I agree. The Abanen is the best and most comfortable.
Yes their hook & loop is the one I go back to in most cases. Thanks!
Great round up. I usually prefer the official bands, but when it comes to nylon you have to go third party as Garmin charges 299.99 which is outrageous
Completely outrageous! Totally agree. And thank you!
I like the tactical one but with most of these bands they are only one size options L or XL, all the time. Band makers need to throw in some xs, s, m, l, and xl bands give use buyers with small wrist options. Love the content very informative.
I know! I was surprised the tactical from Hemsut was so big for a medium!
@@fitgearhunter yeah that's crazy I'm hoping mine will fit when it comes I ordered a small.🤞🤞
Thank you! now we have many model come with S size@@fitgearhunter
@@hemsutwatchbands great! Thanks for commenting!
which band is best for the gym?
I have a quatix 3 and a fenix 3 hr. Also a lots of silicone quick fit bands. I buy them on amazon and ebay. The best is a yellow, was very cheap from china. After wearing for years, it's better quality than the 50€ original. This chinese company produces industrial grade silicone tubes and made a series of garmin bands for fun. Unfortunately all sold out very fast and they don't wanna produce them again. 😢 Some aftermarket bands are really good.
Tip of you like a wider band the 26 nylon bands if they dont have a gard end will fit on the 22m watches. I do that with my 47 epix and it looks so much better
Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Can you share a link of specifically what 26mm band works? What does gard end mean??
@@JB-hq9yj yes he's talking about the LDFAS one. A friend of mine did it and it slides through fine
@@JB-hq9yj here!
amzn.to/3No1f9Z
@@fitgearhunter you’re the best thank you. Wow this peaks my interest as a wider band is always more comfortable for weighty watches like the Fenix 7
Hemsut band latch spring is too loose. Many people on amazon wrote that it comes off and they almost lost their watch. It looks good but I stopped using it because of loose latch.
how about extra length i cant find any with quick fix
Such good timing! Ordered an Instinct 2x last night, thinking about strap alternatives. My main concern was the quality of the quickfit clasp mechanisms on the 3rd party straps, looks like they're not all made equally but now I know better what to look for. Cheers!
Glad it helped! As far as the clasps go I feel like NotoCity and Ancool have the best and most similar to Garmin's
Any longer watch bands?
Great Round Up, Do you have any recommendations for Titanium stainless Bands
This is so helpful. Thank you!
Tremendous research. Thx
I just got a fenix 7x pro....really liking it so far. Not sure if I'm keeping my AW Ultra or.
Yes tough call! I really loved the smart watch experience of the Apple Watch Ultra, but I would never keep it because it's so limited in the functional usefulness for wellness and training
Same here, I will most likely sell it or trade it towards a new iphone.
@@fitgearhunter is the only way to chose a workout after the 1st time to choose from favorites? When I hit the stop/start button only strength comes up, I want to be able to pick from the whole list. What am I doing wrong?
@@ep6606 hey! Just have to add them all as favorites. Every time you choose one from further below it will ask you if you want to add to favorites as well. Is it not?
@@fitgearhunter yeah, thanks for getting back. I just chose a handful of workouts that I like to do and saved as favorites. A much bigger issue I have is that I drove a commercial trash truck for a living, the accelerometer in the watch thinks I’m doing a workout because of all the bouncing around. After 10-11 hours of driving I end the day with around 30,000 steps! I got a message yesterday telling me I should rest because of all my activity and my body battery dropped into the single digits. Major disappointment, not sure what I’m going to do with it.
Do these work for Epix pro 51 mm
Witch one is better for crossfit and hiit training? 265 or 955 regular/non solar?
Both the same for CrossFit/HIIT, but the 265 has a more brilliant amoled screen but lacks mapping of 955. I would go for 265, personally, because I find that I don't really ever use the mapping
Thank you for this!
Sure thing!
which ones would fit the EPIX PRO 47mm sapphire ? or some on the amazon site.....thx I am in CANADA
Hey! Any that are 22mm!
@@fitgearhunter thx a bunch...cheers
@@GOLFADDICT65 no problem!
Very useful. Thank you!!! 🎉🎉😊
Glad it helped!
great video! what is your wrist size? thanks!
Sure, and thank you! It is 176mm
@@fitgearhunter do you use a 47mm or a 51mm on a daily basis?
@@am2umbrele 51mm for sure - just can't escape the need for more screen size
Anything for 20mm?
Sorry for delay! And great question - I think a number of the same manufacturers might make alternates for the quickfit style 20 mm watch bands. But this review is really focused on quick fit, which is different from the traditional pin fingernail release quick release type bands. What watch are you looking for a band for?
@@fitgearhunter coros pace 2.
Anything for 18mm? Its like the 265s doesnt exist
That is true - there aren't as many 18mm ones unfortunately:/. I know you've probably done this but search "Garmin 18mm quick release band"
Has anyone ever had issues with Amazon bands? I get nervous when I hold a $1200 bezel with a $20 band.
I can't speak for everyone but I've used probably 25 different styles of bands and the only one I ever had issue with was a definitively rigid extra thick leather band about eight years ago. Otherwise no issues whatsoever, for me at least!
silicone iritates my wrist , want to go with leather