Fitbit · Water-Resistant Smart Rings & Bands
WITHit Fitbit Charge 5 & 6 3-pack Bands
Lower concern. Silicone bands carry minimal PFAS risk without water-repellent coating treatment.
Fitbit Charge 5 and 6 bands are silicone elastomers with lower PFAS concern than Teflon-family coating coatings. No brand PFAS disclosure or third-party testing exists.
The better-graded swap
Smart Ring 3 Silver / 9#19.1mm / Standard with 1 Charging Case
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Silicone and elastomer watch bands
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Coating degradation and leachables from band surface
Silicone itself does not degrade into toxic monomers at skin temperature, but surface degradation from UV or mechanical wear may expose underlying material layers or connector components. Itching or irritation after months of use may indicate microcracking; replacement is the appropriate response.
Microbial growth and odor from moisture retention
Silicone bands trap sweat in connector grooves and around the clasp if not rinsed regularly. While not a direct chemical hazard, bacterial overgrowth can cause skin irritation or odor; maintenance mitigates this substantially.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Silicone bands do not use fabric dyes or formaldehyde-based cross-linkers in their manufacturing. No reports of dye transfer or off-gassing from WITHit or Fitbit silicone bands exist.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester
These bands are pure silicone elastomer, not polyester blends. Antimony catalysts are not used in silicone polymerization at consumer product scales.
Allergens or skin sensitizers in additives
Fitbit does not disclose specific silicone additives or plasticizers. No published allergic reactions to WITHit bands have been documented. Individuals with very sensitive skin should test a single band before committing to a 3-pack.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
WITHit Fitbit bands are silicone elastomer, a synthetic rubber polymer chosen for wearables because it resists sweat, water, and UV without requiring water-repellent coatings that introduce PFAS. Silicone is chemically stable at skin contact temperatures and does not leach estrogenic compounds like some plastics do. The material's main degradation path is mechanical wear and UV breakdown over months to years, which causes surface cracking rather than toxic release.
The brand's record and disclosure
Fitbit has not published detailed material safety datasheets or PFAS stance statements specific to band composition. No recalls or safety warnings have been issued for WITHit or Fitbit-branded bands for chemical hazards. The brand does not list third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or Bluesign) for these accessories, which limits independent verification of manufacturing controls.
How it compares in its category
Silicone watch bands are the industry standard for fitness trackers and have a lower concern profile than fabric straps (which may contain formaldehyde dyes or antimony) or leather (which uses heavy metal tanning agents). Most competitors including Apple, Garmin, and Samsung use identical silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers with equivalent risk profiles. Three-pack bundles offer cost savings and reduce replacement frequency.
If you buy it
Rinse bands weekly in cool water with mild soap to prevent sweat salt buildup and mold growth in the connector grooves; this extends lifespan and reduces odor. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or extreme heat (>60°C/140°F) to slow UV-induced cracking. Replace bands if visible cracks appear or connector tabs loosen, as degraded material may irritate skin. Store unused bands in a cool, dry place away from oils or solvents.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Fitbit has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More water-resistant smart rings & bands grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.