UltraFit Nylon Strap vs Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men: which is safer?
TomTom Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Garmin
UltraFit Nylon Strap
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleAzo dyes (synthetic colorants)
PossibleMicrofiber shedding or degradation
PossibleAllergic contact dermatitis from dyes or finishes
Our pick
TomTom
Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossiblePolymer case and band degradation
PossibleBacterial or mold growth in seals and band
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Azo dyes (synthetic colorants), Microfiber shedding or degradation and Allergic contact dermatitis from dyes or finishes on the Garmin and not on the TomTom.
- We flag Polymer case and band degradation and Bacterial or mold growth in seals and band on the TomTom and not on the Garmin.
- The Garmin is Nylon textile strap where the TomTom is On watch case and band, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
- We are less certain about the TomTom grade, at 35% confidence against 72%, because it discloses less.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More waterproof fitness trackers & cases: see the full ranking