How to choose a Suunto watch band
Suunto uses standard quick-release spring bars, so the only thing you need to get right is the lug width. There are three across the range.
20mm, 22mm or 24mm?
20mm covers the Suunto 3 and 3 Fitness. 22mm covers the 5 Peak, 9 Peak, 9 Peak Pro, Race, Race S, Race 2, Run, Vertical, Vertical 2, Ocean, Core 2 and the Elementum range. 24mm covers the Suunto 7, Suunto 9, 9 Baro, D5 and the Spartan Sport models. Note that the number in the name is not the size: the Suunto 9 takes 24mm while the 9 Peak takes 22mm.
Silicone or nylon for the outdoors
Silicone sheds water and rinses clean, which suits swimming, rain and mud. Nylon and alpine-style loops are lighter, far more breathable on long days, and stay flexible in the cold, where silicone stiffens noticeably. Leather and metal suit everyday wear rather than expedition use.
Suunto band questions
How do I change a Suunto band?
Turn the watch over and slide the small lever on the spring bar toward the centre of the band. Lift that end away, then fit the new band by seating one side of the pin first and letting it spring into the opposite lug hole. No tool is needed for quick-release bands.
Will a generic band fit my Suunto?
Yes, as long as the width matches. Because Suunto uses standard spring bars rather than a proprietary fitting, bands are interchangeable with Garmin, COROS and other watches of the same lug width.
Which band works best in cold weather?
Nylon. It stays flexible below freezing and can be adjusted with gloves on, where a stiff silicone band and a pin buckle are awkward with cold fingers.








