How to Change Garmin Watch Strap: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

How to Change Garmin Strap: What You Need to Know Before Getting Started 

In the ever-evolving sector of wearable tech, comfort levels and personalisation are paramount. Garmin watch users these days have built themselves a reputation for being renowned for their commitment to sports specific fitness and functionality, and more and more are on the lookout for ways to enhance their wearable tech experience. 

📈 With millions of Garmin watch users worldwide, it’s really not a surprise at all that more and more are switching up their basic default watch bands for something that matches their lifestyle and sport to perfection. Whether it’s a more breathable material for CrossFit sessions or a watch strap that doesn’t rub on the wrist on long runs, comfort levels and performance matter.

Whether it's addressing an annoying watch strap rash that has come from extended wear or simply looking for a watch strap that reflects individual style, the motivations for Garmin users are diverse. The good news, though? Changing your Garmin watch strap is a straightforward process, opening the door to a myriad of customisation possibilities.

Can You Change Garmin Straps at Home? Yes — Here’s What You Need

Yes, you absolutely can, and we can help you out with the process; you don’t need a workbench or any fancy and specialist toolkit to do it. Most of the modern Garmin models are designed with more user convenience in mind than in some of the earlier models, making strap changes a quick and hassle-free process that takes under five minutes. So, if you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can you change Garmin straps without damaging the lugs?”, the answer is a very confident yes.

Garmin uses two different systems in its straps, called either the QuickFit or Quick Release, depending on the model. These mechanisms are designed for easy watch strap removal and secure attachment, with no fiddly, annoying screws. You’ll usually find that:

• QuickFit on higher-end models such as the Fenix, Epix, and MARQ series
  
  

• Quick Release on more of the lightweight models, such as the Forerunner, Venu, or Vivoactive range
  
  

🧰 What You’ll Need in Order to Change the Strap:

• Your Garmin watch itself
  
  

• Your new compatible watch strap (Either Quick Release or QuickFit)
  
  

• Optional Extra: Microfibre cloth to protect the watch face during the swap
  
  

• Optional Extra: A small flathead screwdriver (for older models only)

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🛠️ Ready to upgrade your Garmin strap? Explore our full range of Garmin Watch Straps — built for comfort, style and performance.

How to Change a Garmin Watch Strap (With or Without Tools)

If you’ve been searching everywhere for “how to change a Garmin watch strap” or “how to change Garmin strap at home”, and want a simple and easy-to-follow guide, you are in luck. Garmin’s interchangeable strap system is designed for regular fitness tech users, not just tech-savvy tinkerers or professional jewellers.

Below is a step-by-step breakdown tailored to each of the two main attachment systems that Garmin devices use: Quick Release and QuickFit.

🔄 For Quick Release Straps (Usually Forerunner, Venu, Vivoactive)

1. Place your device face down on a soft surface to avoid any scratching of the screen.

2. Find the small lever pin underneath the strap near where the lugs are.

3. Slide the lever inwards (toward the middle of the watch strap) using your fingernail or a small tool if needed.

4. Gently lift the strap away from the watch body once the pin has come out. 

5. In order to install the new strap, align the spring bar ends with the lug holes, then slide the lever to retract the pin and snap it into place.

✅ Listen out for a small click when it’s securely fastened, this means it is in there securely.

🔐 For QuickFit Straps (Usually the Fenix, Epix, Instinct, MARQ models)

1. Turn your watch over on top of a soft cloth.

2. Press down the locking tab on the underside of the watch strap. This releases the spring-loaded catch.

3. Remove the watch strap by lifting it away gently; there is no force required.

4. Align the new strap’s latch with the slot on the device’s body and press it in until it clicks into place.

✅ QuickFit straps usually feel more “industrial” and secure with a firmer lock, which makes them ideal for rugged outdoor sports.

🧠 Bonus Tech Tip:

Always make sure you check compatibility. A QuickFit strap won’t work on a Quick Release model and vice versa. If you are not sure? All of Fitstraps watch bands on our site are specifically labelled on site by model, so you can never get the wrong strap for your device. 

The Biggest Mistakes Users Make When Changing Their Garmin Watch Strap

Changing up your Garmin watch band might be very simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely full proof. Whether you’re upgrading for comfort levels , your style, or data tracking performance, there are a few common pitfalls we hear about that can cause unnecessary stress (or even worse, damage to your device itself).

Here’s what to make sure that you avoid when changing the strap over:

❌ 1. Try to Force on the Wrong Strap Type

One of the most frequent mistakes is trying to fit a QuickFit strap onto a Quick Release model (or vice versa). They are not interchangeable, therefore forcing on there can cause damage to the lug mechanism. Always make sure that you check your model’s compatibility before ordering a new strap.

❌ 2. Not Cleaning the Lugs or Pins First

If you’ve worn your Garmin through sweaty gym sessions, wet runs in the rain or muddy hikes in the countryside, there’s likely a residue around the lug connection points. Changing the watch strap without cleaning these areas first can lead to it feeling stiff, a poor fit, or future corrosion. A quick wipe with a soft cloth does the job but if you want the full info read our full blog article on Garmin Watch Strap cleaning here. 

❌ 3. Not Engaging the Spring Bar Properly

If your watch strap doesn’t "click" into place or feels to slightly loose, the spring bar may not be seated correctly in the watch strap. This can result in the watch strap popping off mid-run, which is not ideal half way through your 10K. Always make sure that you give the strap a gentle tug to check it’s fully locked in before using it. 

❌ 4. Skipping the Click Test

After installing a new watch strap, not checking that it's fully clicked into place can be a really costly oversight. Especially on the QuickFit models, a watch strap that feels “good enough” might actually be insecure and put your device at risk. Always give the watch strap a gentle tug, and listen for the slight “click” noise after you fit it. 

Make sure that you avoid these mistakes and the watch strap changing process becomes a quick and painless one for you and your smartwatch.

👀 Still rocking a Forerunner 35? We’ve got dedicated straps designed specifically for your model.

👉 Shop Garmin Forerunner 35 straps here

Choosing the Right Replacement: Style, Fit & Function

Now that you know how to change your Garmin strap correctly, the next logical step is choosing the right one that meets your needs and fits your lifestyle and sports perfectly. But not all replacement Garmin watch straps are made with the same levels of design detail or use the same quality of materials. So, if you're someone who demands the optimal levels of performance and durability, you should never have to compromise when it comes to your replacement strap. 

🏋️ Match Your Watch Strap to Your Lifestyle

If you’re in clocking 5K runs before breakfast or racking up some serious mileage on the bike each weekend, we would recommended to go for a sweat-resistant classic silicone watch strap. Lightweight, fully waterproof and flexible, premium grade silicone watch straps offer the highest levels of comfort for everyday training. Another bonus of them is that they’re easy to clean after a tough gym session.

If you prefer a more premium, casual look for workwear or more casual evenings out, a woven nylon or leather watch bands offer a more refined aesthetic, without compromising on comfort levels. They’re an ideal choice if you wear your Garmin watch all day and want it to blend with your workwear or evening attire. 

🎨 Make It A Personal Thing

Watch straps aren’t just there to be functional  they can be an extension of your own personal style. Many fashion conscious Garmin users choose to have small collections of different types of watch straps to swap based on their regular activities or the outfits they love to wear. Think along the lines of:

• High-contrast colours for visibility on dark runs at night
  
  

• Neutral tones that will blend in with workwear
  
  

• Rugged finishes that are perfect for hiking and ultra running
  
  

• Bold designs for the gym or chilled evenings out
  
  

When chosen well, a watch strap can reinvigorate your Garmin device and, make it feel like a brand new device altogether, without the price tag of purchasing another. 

From silicone to nylon, we’ve got styles that match every activity.

👉 Shop Garmin-compatible watch straps for all models and wrist sizes.

Fitstraps – The UK’s Go-To for Premium Garmin Replacement Straps

At Fitstraps, we believe that comfort levels, style and functionality should never be compromised on, especially when it comes to something you wear every single day. That’s why we’ve built one of the UK’s widest and most trusted collections of replacement Garmin watch bands, catering to every wrist size, all types of sports and personal style choices.

Whether you’re in need of a new QuickFit strap to bring your Fenix back to life or a Quick Release band for your Forerunner, at Fitstraps we’ve always got you well covered. Every single strap in our unbeatable range has been produced using premium quality materials, from ultra-soft silicone to breathable woven nylon fabric and is rigorously tested for optimal levels of durability and security.

🏷️ What Sets Fitstraps Apart?

• ✅ An unbeatable range of styles, colours, and materials
  
  

• ✅ Clear device specific compatibility for all Garmin models
  
  

• ✅ Options for smaller or larger wrists
  
  

• ✅ Amazing value prices without having to sacrifice on quality
  
  

• ✅ Rapid postage direct from our UK warehouse, so you’re never waiting long for your upgrade.
  
  

So if you’ve been wondering how to change your Garmin watch strap for a while or whether there’s a better option out there, there is. And it’s right here at Fitstraps.

🔗 Upgrade Your Garmin — One Strap at a Time

So, if you are ready to give your Garmin a new lease of life? Why not explore our full range of Garmin Watch Straps today, from rugged QuickFit designs to breathable lightweight sports  bands. Find the perfect fit, match your own style to perfection, and get back to training hard with comfort and confidence.