How to choose the right strap for your Suunto watch
Suunto watches cover one of the widest ranges of use cases in the wearable world - from multisport GPS watches and dive computers to outdoor instruments and heritage models. As a result, Suunto strap compatibility is significantly more complex than most other watch brands.
Unlike brands that standardise around one or two attachment systems, Suunto has used multiple proprietary mechanisms, standard lug widths, screw-fixed straps, integrated cases, and watch-specific designs across different generations and product families. It is therefore not surprising that our customers often wonder: “Does this strap fit my Suunto?”
This guide is designed to help you understand how Suunto straps actually work, which watches share compatibility, and when compatibility does not apply at all because the strap is uniquely designed for a specific model or family.
Our goal is to help you make an informed decision before buying, and when you are ready to order - head over to our collection of Suunto straps and accessories, and find something that fits both your lifestyle and your Suunto.
A crucial starting point: Not all Suunto Watches use “standard” straps
Most smartwatch manufacturers use industry standard attachments and sizes on their straps, known most commonly as “quick-release”. This means that the straps are compatible with multiple models within the brand, or even that a strap that fits a Garmin might also fit a Samsung. While Suunto does use quick-release straps on some models as well, it is a little more complicated than that.
Before looking at sizes or materials, it’s important to understand one core principle:
Many Suunto watches do not use standard watch straps at all.
For these models:
- Lug width is irrelevant
- Third-party compatibility rests on designs
- Straps are designed specifically for the case shape and attachment system
Only once you know which category your watch belongs to does it make sense to think about sizes, material or interchangeability.
Broadly, Suunto watches fall into three strap system categories:
- Proprietary, model-specific straps
- Suunto-specific attachment systems shared within a family
- Standard lug watches (with or without quick release)
To keep it as simple as possible, we’ll go through every major Suunto series with that framework in mind.
Suunto 9 series
Models: Suunto 9, 9 Baro, 9 Peak, 9 Peak Pro
The Suunto 9 family is a good example of how name similarity does not equal strap compatibility.
Suunto 9 / Suunto 9 Baro
- Use standard 24 mm lugs
- Originally shipped with non-quick-release straps
- Later became compatible with 24 mm quick-release straps, even though the watch itself didn’t originally include them
In practical terms:
- Strap width matters (24 mm)
- Attachment mechanism matters less, as long as it fits standard spring bars
Suunto 9 Peak / 9 Peak Pro
- Use 22 mm lugs
- Feature a much slimmer case design
- Straps are not interchangeable with Suunto 9 / 9 Baro
This is a common point of confusion: Despite the shared “Suunto 9” name, 9 Peak straps and 9 Baro straps are not compatible. This is also an instance where Suunto does, in fact, use industry standard sizes and attachments.
→ See all of our Suunto 9 straps, for every model in the series.
Suunto 7
The Suunto 7 sits closer to the smartwatch category.
- Uses standard 24 mm lugs
- Fully compatible with standard 24 mm straps
- Attachment is conventional spring bar–based (quick-release)
This makes the Suunto 7 one of the least restrictive Suunto models when it comes to strap choice.
→ See all of our Suunto 7 straps, and find something perfect for you.
Suunto 5, Suunto 5 Peak, and Suunto 3
Suunto 5 / Suunto 5 Peak
- Use 22 mm standard lugs
- Strap compatibility is therefore straightforward within the series
Suunto 3 (Fitness)
- Uses 20 mm standard lugs
- Designed as a lighter, everyday fitness watch
- Strap ecosystem is simpler and more conventional
These models fall firmly into the quick-release category, where width matters and attachment style follows normal watch conventions.
Suunto Spartan series
Models: Spartan Trainer, Spartan Sport, Spartan Sport Wrist HR, Spartan Ultra
This series where Suunto’s internal complexity really starts to show. As you can tell from the passage above, the numbered Suunto watches (9, 7, 5, 3) rely on regular quick-release straps. When it comes to the Spartan series, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Do all Suunto Spartan models use the same straps?
No — and this is a common source of mistakes.
Spartan Trainer
- Uses 20 mm standard lugs
- Smaller case, lighter build
Spartan Sport / Sport Wrist HR
- Use 24 mm lugs
Spartan Ultra
- Uses 24 mm lugs, but with a thicker, heavier case
Even within the same “Spartan” family:
- Strap width differs
- Strap length and curvature can differ
- Not all Spartan straps fit all Spartan watches properly
→ See all of our Suunto Spartan straps, and pick based on which model you have.
Suunto Race, Suunto Vertical, and Suunto Ocean
These newer performance models introduce a more refined but still Suunto-specific approach.
- Use standard lug widths (22 mm)
- Designed to support quick-release straps
- Case shape and thickness still matter for fit and comfort
While these watches move Suunto closer to standardisation, not all straps that technically fit will feel correct, especially with thicker adventure-focused cases like the Vertical.
Suunto Ambit series
Models: Ambit, Ambit2, Ambit3 Run / Sport / Peak
The Ambit line uses one of Suunto’s most recognisable proprietary systems.
- Straps are model-specific
- Attachment uses screws rather than spring bars
- Lug width is not a meaningful measurement for compatibility
Ambit straps are generally interchangeable within the Ambit family, but not outside it. This means that a common mistake is thinking that buying any Suunto Ambit compatible strap means that it will fit your watch. You need to know exactly which Ambit you have to ensure you get a compatible product.
→ See all of our Suunto Ambit straps, and pick based on which model you have. We keep them all neatly separated by model within the series, so there will be no mistakes.
Suunto Traverse series
Models: Traverse, Traverse Alpha
- Uses a proprietary screw-attached strap system
- Straps are shaped specifically to the case
- Not compatible with standard lug straps
Despite visual similarities to Ambit models, Traverse straps are not universally interchangeable with Ambit straps.
Suunto Core series
Models: Core, Core All Black, Core Alpha, Core Ultimate Black
The Suunto Core uses one of Suunto’s most distinctive systems and therefore needs an entirely separate explanation.
What is the Suunto Core attachment called?
While Suunto does not market a branded name for it, the Core uses a case-integrated strap interface with custom moulded strap ends and screws.
Key points:
- Straps are entirely Core-specific
- Lug width does not apply
- Third-party compatibility relies on the straps being especially designed for said model. There are unfortunately no “universally” compatible straps within the Core series.
Suunto X-Lander, Essential, and Kailash
These watches sit closer to Suunto’s outdoor instrument heritage.
- Use custom case-integrated straps
- Often secured with screws
- Designed as part of the watch’s overall structure
In these cases:
- The strap is not an accessory - it’s part of the watch design
- Compatibility across models is minimal, even within the same style category
Suunto Quest
- Uses a modular strap and pod system
- Strap is designed to hold the electronics module
- Not compatible with standard straps
The Quest is a good example of a watch where strap and device are inseparable by design.
Suunto Dive watches
Models: D4, D5, D6
The Suunto Dive watches also follow their own slightly confusing internal logic, and it breaks down accordingly:
- D4 and D6 use proprietary straps especially designed for each model, and therefore do not offer any compatibility.
- D5, on the other hand, uses a standard 24mm quick-release strap.
→ Quick note: Within the D4 and D6 series, there exist three different models (Zulu, Novo, and Dive), and a strap for these are compatible within the series, although not outside of it.
When compatibility does not matter
For many Suunto models, asking: “Is this strap 22 mm or 24 mm?” is the wrong question. This is only a relevant question as long as the Suunto watch you have uses a quick-release system, at which point it becomes crucial.
But if the watch uses:
- A proprietary screw-in system
- A case-integrated strap
- A model-specific moulded interface
Then:
- Width does not define compatibility
- Only straps designed for that model or family will fit correctly
Understanding which category your watch belongs to is the most important step in choosing the right strap.
Our final thoughts
Suunto’s strength - designing watches purpose-built for specific activities - is also what makes their strap ecosystem complex.
There is no single Suunto strap standard. There is no universal compatibility chart that applies across all models.
Choosing the right Suunto strap means:
- Knowing your exact model
- Understanding whether your watch uses a standard or proprietary attachment
- Recognising when strap width is meaningful — and when it isn’t
Once those questions are answered, the rest of the decision process becomes much clearer.
