For athletes who spend a lot of time in the water, it can be difficult to find a sports watch or fitness tracker that can survive special conditions like exposure to corrosive elements and strong impacts. For this reason, many people turn to Fitbit.

However, depending on your frequent activities, the Fitbit may not actually be the best fitness tracking companion for you. Despite its ability to withstand a lot more than a regular watch, it's still at the mercy of the elements, especially because it's not completely waterproof. Here's what you should know about using Fitbits for tracking water activities.

Is Your Fitbit Waterproof?

When it comes to Fitbit devices, there's not a single model which is completely waterproof. Unfortunately, not only is true waterproofing expensive, but it can also affect the features that make Fitbit devices easy to use.

The most that device owners can expect from even the most expensive models are water resistance and Fitbit's water lock feature.

Thankfully, water resistance is good enough for most users when making sure your Fitbit survives a sweaty workout, daily showers, washing dishes, and even a dip in the pool. In fact, most Fitbit devices are rated to go as deep as 50 meters, according to Fitbit Support. That means they can take a few minutes underwater with no problems if all conditions are optimal.

However, this doesn't mean that Fitbit devices are designed to handle all kinds of liquid or that their ability to resist water will last forever. Because it's not really waterproof, your Fitbit is still at risk of some general issues that come with water damage.

Why Water Resistance Is Not Enough

While true waterproofing might be excessive for most casual users, it can be a tricky topic for people who actually use their Fitbit devices during water sports. Here's why water resistance isn't always enough for everyone.

Methods of Testing

While it's true that Fitbit devices are designed to go up to 50 m depth, it's important to understand that these tests were under simulated pressure. What this means is that Fitbit selects which devices to put under testing with controlled variables, which may not accurately reflect its real resistance.

In addition, Fitbit doesn't individually test its devices for water resistance before they're sold in stores. So, it's always possible that you can get a model off the shelf that may not be built at the highest standard.

Exposure to Corrosive Liquids

During daily use, Fitbit devices are exposed to more than just water; even for casual Fitbit users, it's not a stretch to imagine the devices regularly coming into contact with shampoo, hand soap, and other potentially corrosive liquids. In fact, this risk increases when you are in a profession that puts you in proximity to things like oils and acids.

Woman washing hands

Aside from this, many people who do water sports are often in places with salt water, which is known to corrode metals. Even doing sports in lake water also puts your Fitbit in contact with a variety of minerals and organisms which could affect its functionality.

Impact Resistance

For those who just watch water sports from a distance, the common assumption is that landing on water is much less forceful than landing on solid ground. However, this isn't always the case, because water can feel like solid concrete with enough force.

So, if you're into sports like kite surfing that involve jumping up in the sky, you can potentially still break your display from the impact of a bad fall. In addition, water sports that use wooden obstacle courses for tricks, like wakeboarding, can definitely hurt and damage your display as much as falling on land if you do it wrong.

Natural Wear and Tear

Other factors should also be considered when understanding your Fitbit's ability to resist water, such as your lifestyle and how old your Fitbit is. In general, most Fitbit models are expected to work optimally for several years. However, this could be significantly shorter depending on what you use it for. For best results, check out some simple tips for making your Fitbit last longer.

How to Keep Your Fitbit Safe From Water Damage

Even if you're not wearing your Fitbit during extreme water sports, all Fitbit devices can benefit from extra care after water exposure while showering, swimming, or washing dishes. Here are some Fitbit care tips.

Fitbit while fishing

Invest in the Right Fitbit Band

If you spend more time in the water than on dry land, don't bother getting a Fitbit strap that won't be able to hold up when wet. While Fitbit offers dozens of options for Fitbit bands from elegant leather straps to classic metal, you should definitely stick to silicone while doing water sports.

Although you can also wear weave straps made for Fitbit while in the water, the maintenance isn't as straightforward as just wiping them off. With woven straps, you should take them off and wash them after every use to prevent bacteria build-up, which could cause issues for sensitive skin.

Dry Your Fitbit Before Charging

After exposing your Fitbit to a lot of water, you should make it a habit to dry it first. In addition, it's recommended to completely wipe down and dry your Fitbit with a microfiber cloth, especially before attempting to charge it.

Alternatively, Fitbit's Wear and Care page also recommends avoiding cleaning it with anything metal and using a soap-free cleanser like Cetaphil on the band, especially after salt water exposure.

Remove Your Fitbit

Removing your Fitbit before going into the water is the most straightforward thing you could possibly do to protect it from unnecessary water damage. If you're not desperate to track every minute of fitness and health data, it makes sense to just leave your Fitbit on the boat or onshore until you're done with your water activities.

Keep Your Fitbit Working Well, Even When Wet

While the Fitbit isn't necessarily fragile, water sports offer a vastly different experience from land sports. If you can help it, it's always better to invest in devices that are specifically optimized for use in the water.

Should you be committed to tracking every single activity, including those in the water, your Fitbit will likely be able to withstand some exposure. However, you might not be able to count on your Fitbit lasting as long as it would have if you'd kept it dry at all times.