Why I Replaced My Apple Watch Band (And What I Chose Instead)
I wear my Apple Watch a lot.
Workouts. Sleep. Chasing kids. Sitting at my desk. If it’s on my wrist 20+ hours a day, I want to feel good about what it’s made of.
So when I learned that some Apple Watch bands may contain PFAS, I decided it was time for a swap.
The moment that made me rethink my watch band
I came across a recent article from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that stopped me in my tracks. Their investigation found that several popular smartwatch and fitness tracker bands—including high-end brands—tested positive for PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”
Source: EWG, Hidden ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Popular High-End Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker Bands
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2024/12/hidden-forever-chemicals-popular-high-end-smartwatch-and-fitness-tracker
PFAS are often used to make materials more durable, sweat-resistant, and stain-resistant—exactly the features marketed in many silicone and fluoroelastomer watch bands.
The problem? Those same chemicals don’t break down… in the environment or in our bodies.
Why avoiding PFAS matters (especially for things you wear daily)
PFAS exposure has been linked to a growing list of health concerns, including:
Hormone disruption
Immune system suppression
Increased cholesterol
Fertility and developmental issues
Certain cancers
What really pushed me over the edge was this: PFAS can be absorbed through the skin. And a watch band isn’t a once-in-a-while exposure—it’s constant, warm, sweaty, and pressed against your body all day.
For me, this was one of those “low effort, high impact” swaps.
What I replaced my Apple Watch band with
I didn’t ditch the watch—just the band.
I replaced my silicone Apple Watch band with the Apple Nylon Sport Loop.
Here’s why I feel better about it:
Made from woven nylon, not fluoroelastomer
No PFAS-based coatings
Breathable and comfortable (especially during workouts)
Adjustable without pinching or trapping moisture
It’s not flashy. It is functional. And most importantly, it aligns better with my goal of reducing everyday toxic exposure.
Other PFAS-free Apple Watch band alternatives
If you’re looking for options beyond Apple’s nylon band, here are a few PFAS-free alternatives worth checking out:
Solace Bands
https://solacebands.com/
Solace makes bands using PFAS-free materials and is transparent about what they don’t include—something I always look for when swapping products.
When it comes to low-tox living, transparency matters.
This is exactly why Low Tox swaps matter
No one told us to worry about watch bands.
And that’s kind of the point.
PFAS exposure often comes from everyday items we never question—clothing, cookware, food packaging, and yes, wearables.
I’m not about perfection. I’m about awareness and progress. Replacing my Apple Watch band was an easy win that reduced my exposure to forever chemicals without disrupting my life.
That’s the heart of Low Tox Swap.
Final thoughts
If you wear something every single day, it’s worth asking what it’s made of.
Swapping my Apple Watch band didn’t take much effort—but it gave me peace of mind. And that’s a trade I’ll take every time.
If you’re curious about other easy, realistic swaps to reduce toxic exposure, that’s what Low Tox Swap is all about.
Small changes. Less stress. Better choices.
