Garmin Vivoactive 5 Bands: Sizing, Fit and How to Choose the Right Strap
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 takes 20mm quick-release bands, which means you can swap the strap at home in under a minute with no tools. Every band in our Garmin Vivoactive 5 bands collection is made to that exact spec, so anything you pick will click straight onto your watch. If you're replacing a worn strap or just want a fresh look, this guide covers sizing, materials, fitting, and the accessories worth grabbing at the same time.
What Size Band Does the Garmin Vivoactive 5 Use?
The Vivoactive 5 uses a 20mm band with standard quick-release spring bars. The 42.2mm case keeps the watch light on the wrist, and the 20mm lug width sits in the sweet spot between slim and sporty. Because Garmin went with a standard quick-release system rather than a proprietary connector, changing bands is genuinely easy — a small pin on the underside of the spring bar slides across, the band pops off, and the new one clicks in.
Our Garmin Vivoactive 5 Replacement Strap (20mm) comes with the quick-release pins pre-fitted, so there's nothing extra to buy and no fiddly spring bar tool required.
Do Vivoactive 4 or 4S Bands Fit the Vivoactive 5?
No — and this catches a lot of people out when upgrading. The Vivoactive 4 (45mm case) uses 22mm bands and the Vivoactive 4S uses 18mm bands, so straps from either watch won't fit the Vivoactive 5. If you've moved up from a Vivoactive 4, your old bands unfortunately stay behind with the old watch. You'll find the right fit for those models in our Vivoactive 4 and Vivoactive 4S collections.
The good news runs the other way too. Because the Vivoactive 5 uses a standard 20mm fitting, its bands are interchangeable with other 20mm quick-release Garmin watches, including the Vivoactive 3, Venu Sq and Sq 2, Venu 2 Plus, and Forerunner 165, 245 and 55. If your household has a couple of Garmin wrists in it, one set of 20mm bands can serve several watches. Browse the full 20mm watch bands range if you want to mix and match.
Which Vivoactive 5 Band Should You Choose?
It comes down to how you wear the watch. A gym-and-shower daily driver has different needs to a watch that goes from the office to dinner. Here's how our two band styles compare:
| Band | Material | Best For | Closure | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Replacement Strap | Soft silicone | Workouts, swimming, everyday wear | Pin buckle with keeper | See product page |
| Sports Loop Strap | Woven nylon | All-day comfort, sleep tracking, sensitive skin | Adjustable hook-and-loop | See product page |
Go silicone if your watch gets wet regularly. Silicone shrugs off sweat, pool water and soap, and wipes clean in seconds. The traditional buckle also holds a precise fit during high-movement sessions like running or HIIT.
Go the sports loop if comfort is the priority. The woven nylon is lighter and more breathable than silicone, and the infinitely adjustable closure means no digging buckle when you wear the watch overnight for sleep and body battery tracking. It's also a popular pick for anyone who finds silicone irritating over long days.
Both styles come in a range of colours, so plenty of owners keep one of each — silicone for training, nylon for everything else.
How Do You Change a Garmin Vivoactive 5 Band?
No tools needed. The whole job takes about a minute:
- Flip the watch over and find the small sliding pin on the underside of the band, near where it meets the case.
- Slide the pin inward along the spring bar. One end of the band will release from the lug.
- Remove the band and repeat on the other side.
- Fit the new band by inserting one end of the spring bar into the lug hole, sliding the quick-release pin in, aligning the other end, and letting the pin snap out.
- Give it a gentle tug to confirm both spring bars are seated before wearing.
Make sure the band with the buckle sits on the top lug (the 12 o'clock side) so it fastens the right way around on your wrist.
Accessories Worth Adding While You're Here
A new band is the perfect time to sort out the rest of your setup:
- Protect the screen. The Vivoactive 5's AMOLED display is the best thing about the watch — keep it pristine with the Slimfit Protective Case & Screen Protector, which wraps the case edges without blocking the buttons or sensors.
- Sort your charging. If your original cable is fraying or lives permanently in a gym bag, the Charger & Data Cable Replacement and Charger Dock Cable are USB-C, so they plug into the same chargers as your phone and laptop. For the bedside table, the Refuel Watch Charger Stand holds the watch upright while it tops up.
- Wear it off the wrist. Nurses, midwives and healthcare workers who can't wear a wristwatch on shift can clip the Vivoactive 5 to a uniform with the Nurse Fob Clip (20mm) and keep step and heart-rate tracking running all day.
Why Buy Your Vivoactive 5 Band From Mobile Mob?
We're an Australian-owned business and everything ships from our Melbourne warehouse, with same-day dispatch on orders placed before our daily cut-off. That means no waiting weeks for an overseas parcel and no guessing games with tracking. If a colour doesn't suit once it's on your wrist, our 30-day change of mind guarantee has you covered — swap it or send it back, no drama. And because we're local, support comes from the same team that packs your order.
Our bands are built as a premium replacement for your Vivoactive 5: correct 20mm sizing, quick-release pins included, and materials chosen to handle Australian summers, chlorinated pools and everything between. Explore the full Garmin Vivoactive 5 collection or browse the wider Garmin watch bands range if you've got more than one Garmin in the family.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 Band FAQs
What band size fits the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
The Vivoactive 5 fits 20mm bands with standard quick-release spring bars. All bands in our Vivoactive 5 collection are made to this spec and include the pins.
Are Vivoactive 4 bands compatible with the Vivoactive 5?
No. The Vivoactive 4 uses 22mm bands and the Vivoactive 4S uses 18mm bands, so neither fits the Vivoactive 5's 20mm lugs. You'll need bands made specifically for the 20mm fitting.
Can I wear my Vivoactive 5 band in the pool?
Yes — the watch itself is rated to 5 ATM, and a silicone band is the ideal partner for swimming. Rinse it in fresh water after chlorine or salt water to keep it in top condition. Nylon sports loops handle water fine too, but take a little longer to dry.
Do I need tools to change the band?
No. The quick-release pin system lets you swap bands by hand in about a minute. Slide the pin, release the band, and click the new one into place.
Will Vivoactive 5 bands fit other Garmin watches?
Yes. Any Garmin watch that takes 20mm quick-release bands can share straps with the Vivoactive 5, including the Vivoactive 3, Venu Sq, Venu Sq 2, Venu 2 Plus, and Forerunner 165, 245 and 55.
How long does shipping take within Australia?
Orders are dispatched same-day from Melbourne when placed before our daily cut-off. Delivery times depend on your location and the postage option chosen at checkout — see our shipping page for current estimates.