Band quality/durability?

[Salpal23]

Might be too early but I figured I'd get this out there:

I used a Flex for about 2 years and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, I had many issues with my bands breaking and chose to stop using it until fitbit came up with a better band. The flex style just didn't hold up well for someone like me who works with their hands all day and sometimes puts them through a lot.

For those with the Blaze, how durable does the band feel so far? I'm especially interested in how sturdy it is where the band connects to the holder. Does it feel like something that might pose issues down the road if it gets banged up occasionally?

[Kmransom123]

So far I am not seeing or noticing anything that would give me concerns with the band.  I upgraded from a Charge, and that band separated from the device, and I had difficulties placing it on due to the prong type strap.  The Blaze has a traditional watch type band - which is much easier for me to put on, and it doesn't get caught on anything and accidentally pop/fall off.

[Ozzie65]

Hi @Salpal23 - I just started wearing a Blaze, but I do know what you mean about the Flex. I love my Flex, but I've had issues with the bands. From what I can see, the band that came with the Blaze is very sturdy. The connectors between the and the watch frame are non-traditional, so at this point, the jury is out, but first impression is very positive!

[Rich_Laue]

It feels as durable as my Charge HR wick has held up done over the 14 months I've had it.

[Salpal23]

Thanks for all of the input.

I ended up giving in to the inevitable and I ordered a Blaze for myself from Amazon. Figured that with amazons return policy and fitbits warranty, I should be pretty safe. 

I might take some measures on my end to help protect it too. Maybe a screen protector. Was also considering a cloth wrist band to cover the entire unit whenever I'm doing something that might put it at risk. Anyone ever do something similar?

[ratcityrain]

So far I feel this is the best band Fitbit has come out with and I have almost every model Fitbit released.

I haven't had mine long enough to know, but I do know that on my Charge I broke the first band and Fitbit gave me a new Charge so I think this one will last longer.  

Plus I like the idea that it can be changed

[DerrickS]

@Salpal23 The Blaze's screen is made of scratch resistant Gorilla Glass 3, just like the Surge.

It never hurts to take the extra step, but I've been playing pickup basketball with my Blaze without any sort of extra protection and haven't worried about it.

[Salpal23]

Good to know about the gorrilla glass. Thanks!

Thinking about buying something like this THIS  just for protection when I feel like it needs it.

I do a lot of truck loading/unloading throughout and, at times, my hands will be wedged between boxes or under boxes, etc. I think thats a big reason why my Flex had such a hard time holding up.

[HighDesertGirl]

In my experience, all silicone bands for the blaze break at the case band connection. I have purchased various bands over the past 3 years and 3-6 months is the life span. It is the hard plastic used to house the “rod” that holds it to the watch case, overtime it dries out and cracks. It is the nature of of hard plastic as the oils are leaves out it becomes brittle. I suppose if you were conscientious and avoided submersion in water, it would last like longer.

[Rich_Laue]

From my experience all silicone bands will break, they are simply to soft and why Fitbit does not make bands out of Silicone. Their hands are made out of material that most sports watch bands are made of. 

Yes wearing to tight, tugging, dirt, especially oils and sunlight will deteriorate the band.