Men's Estate 22mm Brown Leather and Silicone Watch Strap vs Forerunner Watch Bands: which is safer?
Fossil Men's Estate 22mm Brown Leather and Silicone Watch Strap is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Fossil
Men's Estate 22mm Brown Leather and Silicone Watch Strap
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleHeavy metals and formaldehyde in leather tanning and finishing
PossibleAllergic contact dermatitis from leather or dyes
PossibleChromium (VI) in tanned leather
Garmin
Forerunner Watch Bands
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleMetal connector corrosion (nickel, lead)
PossibleAdhesive or filler toxicity
ReportedMicrobial growth and skin irritation
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More waterproof smartwatch bands: see the full ranking