Fenix 5s band too short - male runner with medium wrists

It is with disappointment that I discovered that the band of the f5s is too short.
I chose the f5s for its subtle size and more conservative / refined looks, but never expected the strap to be shorter than usual.

I know the f5s is aimed at female runners / smaller wrists, but what if you have women with big wrists?
Then it isn't fair to say that the watch is aimed at female runners?
And how about men wanting something more formal and less rugged, but with typical male wrists?

So I really hope Garmin will provide a 20mm quick fit band longer than the standard one.
I have in the meantime other good alternative replacements from third parties: leather, silicone and kevlar bands and they all look and feel great, but it will be great to be able to use the benefit of the quick fit bands.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

No, it is the one with turquoise band. I swapped with someone else.

Great call on that. It looks fantastic that way!

0 scotthunter2 over 8 years ago

It is with disappointment that I discovered that the band of the f5s is too short.
I chose the f5s for its subtle size and more conservative / refined looks, but never expected the strap to be shorter than usual.

I know the f5s is aimed at female runners / smaller wrists, but what if you have women with big wrists?
Then it isn't fair to say that the watch is aimed at female runners?
And how about men wanting something more formal and less rugged, but with typical male wrists?

So I really hope Garmin will provide a 20mm quick fit band longer than the standard one.
I have in the meantime other good alternative replacements from third parties: leather, silicone and kevlar bands and they all look and feel great, but it will be great to be able to use the benefit of the quick fit bands.

What's more annoying with the 5S, though, is how narrow the band is compared with previous models. During a run, it doesn't offer enough support for what is a relatively heavy watch for its size. Even with it strapped tight, the watch wanted to move around on my 6.5" wrist, making it difficult to glance at the read-out, which is why I sent it back. I think the length of the rigid part of the watch (from lug end to lug end) seems unnecessarily long, which means it doesn't fit very snug on a small wrist. You could almost fit a pencil through each corner. A serious design flaw. Perhaps the larger F5 will be more supportive? If they could re-design it with smaller lugs (get rid of the QuickFit band system) and make a longer, wider strap then it would be a perfect watch.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Me neither.
I'm inclined to think that sales for the f5s would be higher if there is another option for a larger band size.
It will be interesting to see where Garmin goes with this as I believe the interest in f5s from both sexes is huge.

Have you guys seen this?
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/552261/pn/010-12491-02#
Expensive but would do the job very well.

Now to decide which I can live with (5S or 5) on a 7" wrist! Does anyone sleep with these on (so they get the sleep tracking feature benefits)?

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

yep there is the "fix" they are now offering longer bands! its a 3 pack for $49.99 with white/black/yellow but only one side of the band so it works with your existing side of the strap that has the buckle. ships in 5-8 weeks.

0 HermoT over 8 years ago

Have you guys seen this?
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/552261/pn/010-12491-02#
Expensive but would do the job very well.

Now to decide which I can live with (5S or 5) on a 7" wrist! Does anyone sleep with these on (so they get the sleep tracking feature benefits)?

Thanks for letting me know!

I sleep with the 935 since it is much lighter and more snug and comfortable.

0 HermoT over 8 years ago

yep there is the "fix" they are now offering longer bands! its a 3 pack for $49.99 with white/black/yellow but only one side of the band so it works with your existing side of the strap that has the buckle. ships in 5-8 weeks.

That is pretty useless...so you have to fork out double the money if you want another color? Buy the short version just to get the buckle and then the "fix".

C'mon Garmin, this is a half baked and worthless fix.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Personally I do think Garmin should offer *free* longer side straps to anyone 5S owner who calls support and needs one.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Ruler in mm. you can easily convert to inches with Google.

Middle is the stock f5s band compared to custom leather strap on left, and stock 735xt band on right:

Hi there, can you tell me where you purchased your additional bands that were of a longer length? Ive gotten my husband a 5S for his Birthday, and Im certain it will end up being a bit too short for him as well, so I'm beginning to look into longer bands through other means.

Thanks in advance!

0 HermoT over 6 years ago

Hi there, can you tell me where you purchased your additional bands that were of a longer length? Ive gotten my husband a 5S for his Birthday, and Im certain it will end up being a bit too short for him as well, so I'm beginning to look into longer bands through other means.
Thanks in advance!

I got it from various places on the web and ebay. It can be any generic wristband that has the correct width. Just mail the shop to make sure that the 2mm pin will go through. The garmin pin is a bit thicker than regular pins.

A quick Google comes up with this site for example:
https://www.bartonwatchbands.com/collections/18mm-20mm-22mm-watch-bands-from-barton

You're free to search for other sites by type of band, width and length. ;)

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

My 5s fits perfectly, am a male and have no holes to spare.