Inspire 2 Wristband coating starts to deteriorate almost immediately

[Fynriel]

I'd be shocked if there's no one else that can attest to this happening. I'm on my second Inspire 2 now and just like the last one a black coating slowly begins to fade around the corners of the wristband. It looks amazing when you first put it on but as the weeks go by it starts to look like there is a weird contour around the edges of the band that grows larger and larger.

[Odyssey13]

Hi @Fynriel  you getting any detergent or harsh cleansers on the band? Is it possible to share a picture?

[Fynriel]

No definitely not. I'm just wearing it normally. And the fact that it happens exactly the same way and at the exact same pace as it did with last one is very telling IMO that it's not some unique instance of me doing something I shouldn't have.

The first two pictures of the Fitbit around my wrist are my brand new second Inspire 2. Here the decay is already beginning. You can see a slim outline forming on the edge of the band (that wasn't yet there a week ago).

The next pictures of the Fitbit I am holding are of my old one. Here you can see that the "paint" or whatever you wanna call it has come off quite a ways.

[Odyssey13]

It's not rubbing against anything while you work? Those pictures will help. I've asked a moderator to stop by to get with you about this issue.

[Fynriel]

No not really. I wear it 24/7 of course but that's what it's for right? It doesn't come into contact with anything unusual, just other clothes fabric, bed sheets, etc. Obviously sweat, water, etc. But again, that's what it's for. 

And if I were to try to get this coating to come off on purpose, I wouldn't know how. It doesn't just come off when I rub it or scratch it. It just deteriorates over time. And it starts from the outside. It's not random or all over the place. It works its way from the edges inward.

Thanks for your help!

[Odyssey13]

I wear my Alta HR unless showering. It does seem odd for you to have this happen twice.

[Fynriel]

I also had an Alta HR prior to this and never had any problems either.

I also take my Inspire 2 off when showering. I'm not even sure if I need to but it's muscle memory. 

[SilviaFitbit]

@Odyssey13 Thanks for your assistance and input in the thread. 

@Fynriel Hi there. Thanks for the pictures attached and the details shared. In this case, It's recommended to file a claim in this page.

Have a nice day. 

[Fynriel]

Well what I really want is to find out what causes this and whether I'm the only one this has happened to. Because I've already received a replacement from Amazon. That's not the issue. And if I wanted to I could return/replace this second one as well. No problem. But I have no reason right now to assume that a third one wouldn't have this issue. I'm kinda assuming this is just a thing that happens with these. But I don't understand why and why no one else is reporting this.

[Pobstar]

Just an FYI - I received my Fitbit purchased from Amazon last Wed.  All has been fine until this afternoon when I went to show it to a friend while it was on my wrist and we noticed the start of some peeling in one corner of the wristband and along one side.  I only wear it through the day and remove it from my wrist when I am washing my hands.  I called Fitbit CS this afternoon to ask if I should return it to Amazon or just get a replacement band from Fitbit.  The CS rep said he would be emailing me a claim form to use after we hung up.  That was over two hours ago.  If it is not in my inbox by tomorrow morning, the device will be returned to Amazon and I will find another way to track my activity.  Sad because I do like the device itself but no explanation appears to be forthcoming about why the peeling is happening.

[Fynriel]

Yes, it’s really weird. I’ve had two Inspire 2s and one Inspire HR. The peeling always happens. I can’t see how it could be a reaction to any particular substance, like soap. Because the peeling is perfectly even around the outer edges of the entire band. You’d think it would be in random spots but on three bands the pattern was exactly the same. It starts in the corners and then moves along the edges (even the edges of the holes) and moves slowly inwards until nothing is left. It’s so bizzare. 

[Odyssey13]

Hi @Pobstar  the fastest way to deal with a return is always to go where it was purchased. Amazon might be faster for you than Fitbit. As for giving Fitbit a set number of hours to get a claim form emailed - there's no way of telling what their process is for getting that form sent out. Why not get with Amazon and they can do an exchange for you.

[Pobstar]

I already got the return info from Amazon.  I'm just waiting to see if I misunderstood the rep who said he would be sending the claim form so I figured I would wait until tomorrow.  I don't want to replace the device if the peeling is a regular occurrence.  Maybe the band appearance does not matter to others but it does to me!  Thanks for your input!

[Divinbriand]

I have a Charge 4 and it's happening to this band which isn't surprising to me because it's happened to 2 bands that I had in my previous Charge 3.  The most annoying thing is that when the coating wears off the band feels very rubbery and catches on shirt sleeves and other things.  I'm shocked that others haven't seen this issue. 

-Brian

[sarahk_c]

The same thing has happened with my white luxe band. The nice matte finish stated wearing off only a few months after purchasing it. It only wears off around the edges and along the top of the band, but the underside that sits against my skin is still in good condition / hasn't worn off at all. 

[Pobstar]

Well I’ve had mine a couple years and the peeling is down to just an inch or so under the band flap when it is secured to my wrist. My band underneath is fine. I never heard from the company so I just let it go since the watch had been working fine. Good luck with yours!