Suunto · Water-Resistant Smart Rings & Bands
Suunto Women's Race2 Silicone Watch Strap
Silicone strap has lower concern for PFAS based on material type.
The strap material as recorded is silicone elastomer, not a material linked to PFAS. Suunto has no PFAS statement on record for this product.
The better-graded swap
Amazfit
Amazfit Helio Smart Ring Health Tracker
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 elastomer
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Silicone oligomer or siloxane leaching
Uncrosslinked silicone oligomers can migrate from silicone elastomer into skin contact over extended wear, though no known health threshold exists for incidental skin exposure. Risk is theoretical and not established as harmful at typical wearable contact levels; high-quality sports elastomers use fully cured formulations to minimize this.
Bacterial growth or biofilm accumulation
Silicone surfaces can harbor bacteria if not rinsed regularly, though this is a hygiene issue rather than a chemical hazard. Standard soap-and-water cleaning prevents this; the material itself does not promote pathogenic growth more than other wearables.
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 elastomer does not require formaldehyde-releasing resins as a manufacturing input. No recalls or reports of formaldehyde emission from Suunto silicone straps are on record.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Silicone is typically colored with inorganic pigments or synthetic dyes during polymer mixing, not applied as surface finishes. No established reports of azo dye use or heavy metal pigment contamination in Suunto sports watch straps.
Source, FDA ↗Flame retardants
Silicone elastomer in wearables does not typically require flame retardant additives or antimony catalysts. No public disclosure or recall history suggests these are present in this product.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This strap is silicone elastomer, a synthetic rubber polymer chain that does not contain the problematic chemical classes found in many textiles (azo dyes, formaldehyde resins, antimony). Silicone is chemically stable at skin temperature and does not leach into sweat under normal wear. The material is inherently inert compared to fabric or leather alternatives, which reduces exposure to dyes, tanning agents, or flame retardant coatings.
The brand's record and disclosure
Suunto (owned by Amer Sports) does not publicly disclose detailed material safety data or third-party certifications for watch straps. The company has made no known recalls of silicone straps for chemical contamination. No established brand controversies exist regarding silicone elastomer safety in wearables, though Suunto's broader PFAS stance remains undisclosed on apparel.
How it compares in its category
Silicone straps present lower concern than fabric watch bands (which may contain formaldehyde resins or azo dyes), leather straps (tanning chemicals), or rubber alternatives (may contain antimony or undisclosed additives). Sport watch straps in silicone typically avoid the finish treatments and dye processes that create hazard exposure in woven or knit apparel, making this a lower-risk material choice for the category.
If you buy it
Rinse the strap periodically with soap and water to remove sweat salts and dirt; silicone resists degradation from water and common cleaners. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or extreme heat above 60°C (140°F), as this can alter surface texture over decades, though no toxicity risk emerges. Replace if visible cracks or peeling occur, though silicone rarely decomposes into harmful particles during normal wear. Check the buckle/attachment hardware for corrosion if used in saltwater environments.
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
- Suunto 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.