Garmin has just launched the Enduro 2, a premium multi-sports watch with battery life of up to 150 hours in GPS mode, multi-band GPS, and highly detailed maps with guidance for upcoming turns. However, one of its best features is something much simpler, and it's something that's not going to be coming to any of the company's other top-tier watches.
This has been a busy year for Garmin, with the launch of the Venu 2 Plus followed by the Instinct 2, Fenix 7, Forerunner 255, and Forerunner 955 – and there might be several more on the way, if a leaked list of devices from an authorized retailer is to be believed.
There's something for everyone, but they all have one thing in common: a silicone wristband supplied as standard. Their Quick Release mechanism means you can easily switch them out for a different strap purchased separately from Garmin's store. There are options in a range of materials, including silicone, metal, leather, and nylon, but there's one that you won't find for your Instinct, Fenix, or Forerunner: the UltraFit band featured on the Enduro.
The UltraFit band looks very simple – just a strip of woven nylon with a hook and loop fastening – but it's actually very well engineered and extremely comfortable to wear. Its reinforced end-caps prevent fraying and stop it accidentally slipping through the watch's spring bars, it can be adjusted from both ends, and it allows a much more precise fit than a band with a buckle. The hook and loop fastening is strong, and results in a low profile that's less prone to snagging on clothing, or knocking against the desk when you're working at a keyboard.
Garmin does make nylon bands for some of its QuickFit-equipped watches, but these use a buckle, making them heavier and less customizable than the UltraFit.
Browsing through the company's forums, I can see that I'm not the only one who wants all the best Garmin watches to have an optional woven hook-and-loop band, but so far there's no sign of one coming. The UltraFit band is available to buy separately, but only comes in a 26mm width and isn't QuickFit-compatible, and third-party bands seem to receive varied reviews.
It's a small thing, but feels like a real game-changer in everyday use. I've still got my fingers crossed for the rumored Garmin Venu Sq 2, but I'm hoping a range of simple hook-and-loop QuickFit bands is on the horizon too.
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