Abanen Hook and Loop Quick Dry 26mm Woven Nylon Ultralight Sport Watch Band for Fenix 8 51mm / epix Pro 51mm / Instinct 2X / Enduro/Instinct 3 50mm / Fenix 7X/6X/5X

These straps are comfortable and soft to the touch, much better than the original strap the watch came with. I now sleep comfortably with my watch on. Oh, it's also very easy to install. Can't comment on durability as I only bought the straps about a week ago.

I’ve had three Abanen neoprene (one piece, velcro on each end) bands for a couple of years. When I got them, they were the best (of these types—without buckles or metal I could find for my Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar. Excellent bands. Only problem is the velcro ends wore out rather quickly, as did the actual ends (both ends) of the band, where the velcro was attached. These nylon bands, though—I’m hoping they far exceed the neoprene version—seem to have more secure velcro, and I appreciate the little plastic end to prevent wear/fraying. My biggest reason for purchasing these over the neoprene version is that they (neoprene) stay wet for a long time, while these nylon bands are supposed to be quick dry. The band is a little itchy on the inside (where one end of the band is looped through and lays against the wrist), but it’s otherwise very comfortable. I’m hoping it’s durable and lasts a long time. I’ve seen similar bands on Amazon for a bit cheaper, which is why I gave only 4 stars for value for the money. AMENDED: After wearing this band now for a little while, I’m upgrading my review (yes, the 4 stars for value), to a five. FIVE stars all the way around. And the initial itching from the tag end of the band inside the watch? No longer an issue. I really, REALLY like and appreciate this band. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for—since I started with my Garmin Fenix 3 years ago!

After trying multiple different bands for my Fenix 6 and now Fenix 8 watch, this is by far the best, most comfortable band I've tried. It is super breathable, dries very fast, extremely pliable, and non-stretch. It is exactly what I needed for a snug and secure fit while swimming to get an accurate heart rate reading without having to resort to using a chest strap. I particularly like the metal tab at the end, that is wide enough to prevent the band from slipping off the watch even if the outside hook-and-loop attachment came loose (which never has, at least not so far).

These are comfy! Super soft and just stretchy enough. Only gripe is it is a little too thick to take off and put back on easily if swapping bands. But feels very secure. It dries pretty quickly. Love to use as my sleep band. Hopefully it hold up as good as the Garmin one.

Great strap! Not the most comfortable - there's space for improvement but very well made overall. Have been wearing it 24/7 for several months in pool, ocean, everywhere - no issues. Holds well, doesn't tend to unstrap. Can absolutely recommend for it's price. Personally I haven't experienced any issues with ease of cleaning

I generally don't leave reviews, but this is a great little product. My only complaint is that it is a little tough to setup in that you need the proper tools to remove the existing band and the strap is difficult to pull through. Beyond that, I don't see why Garmin doesn't sell the watch with a band like this. It is 100x more comfortable than the rubber band it came with. I can see myself wearing my watch daily, rather than only during activities, with this.

I love this watch band so much more than the original one that came with my watch. Getting the adjustment right with the old one was such a hassle! This thing is so simple! Install on my Instinct 2X was super simple and it fits amazing. The quality of the materials seems really good as well. Seems like it’s going to last a while. Velcro is super strong. I’ve been swimming with it and it dries super quick. My only small complaint is that it is a little difficult to slide off my wrist when I want to take my watch off. It takes some shimmying but it’s not too bad. Overall I am very pleased with this watch band for the money!

The bands are great quality, but I could not weave the band under the pins as shown in the video, even with the assistance of tools -- maybe you could if you use sufficient force that risks bending the pins, but I was not going to risk it. Starting with the Fenix 7 series, I just learned that Garmin designed the pins to be non-removable to drive sales of bands with their proprietary locking mechanism, under the guise that it is to ensure the security of the watch band (no doubt they could make a pin that was both secure and removable). The old style removable pins were plenty secure in my experience. The "non-removable" pins can be removed with difficulty -- see online videos how to do it.