Garmin · Water-Resistant Smart Rings & Bands
Garmin Forerunner 255S Smartwatch Band
Lower concern. Silicone band material is not linked to PFAS.
The Forerunner 255S band is made of silicone and/or elastomer, a material not associated with PFAS. Garmin has no PFAS statement on record for this product. No coating or water-repellent finish chemistry is stated.
The better-graded swap
RingConn
RingConn Gen 2 Air Ultra-Thin Smart Ring
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/or elastomer smartwatch band
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.
Lead
If the band contains colored pigmentation, heavy metal additives are theoretically possible in elastomer colorants, but no testing or recalls document this for Garmin wearables. Skin contact is low-dose and brief.
Source, ATSDR ↗Phthalates
Premium silicone formulations typically avoid phthalates, but low-cost elastomer blends may include them as plasticizers. Garmin's pricing tier suggests higher-grade silicone, but the company does not disclose phthalate absence. Skin migration risk is low because phthalates have poor dermal bioavailability.
Source, ATSDR ↗Bacterial/fungal biofilm from moisture trapping
Smartwatch bands are known to accumulate bacteria and yeast under the band where moisture is trapped; this is a hygiene issue rather than material toxicity but can cause localized skin irritation or infection if not cleaned regularly.
Elastomer degradation and leaching over time
Repeated heating, UV exposure, and sweat contact can cause silicone and elastomer to degrade and release oligomers or uncrosslinked polymers; long-term health significance is unclear but material cracking or stickiness signals replacement time.
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 undergo textile dyeing, finishing, or flame retardant treatment, so formaldehyde release and azo dye contamination are not applicable hazards for this product type.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Forerunner 255S band is silicone or fluoroelastomer (Garmin uses proprietary elastomer blends). Silicone is inherently stable at skin contact temperatures and does not off-gas volatile organic compounds the way synthetic fabrics or foam do. Elastomer bands are designed to resist sweat, moisture, and UV without requiring chemical fire retardants or antimicrobial finishes that are common in textile apparel.
The brand's record and disclosure
Garmin publishes minimal material safety data for wearable bands and does not prominently disclose testing for heavy metals, phthalates, or other additives. No voluntary certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, bluesign) are claimed for this product. However, no product recalls, contact dermatitis clusters, or documented leaching incidents are on record for Forerunner bands. Garmin's silence reflects industry norm for wearables rather than a red flag.
How it compares in its category
Silicone/elastomer smartwatch bands are linked to lower concern regarding textile processing chemicals like formaldehyde resins, azo dyes, and antimony. They outperform fabric or leather straps in durability and chemical stability. Compared to cheaper polymer bands, silicone is less prone to microcracking and leaching. This product sits at the mainstream-safe end of the smartwatch band spectrum.
If you buy it
Rinse the band with soap and water weekly to remove sweat and bacterial biofilm buildup, which can cause skin irritation independent of material toxicity. Avoid prolonged direct heat (>60C / 140F) and direct sunlight for extended storage, as elastomers can degrade and become sticky over time. Replace if the band cracks, peels, or becomes visibly degraded. Store in a cool, dry place when not in use.
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
- Garmin 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.