Wahoo TICKR FIT armband review: Great for riders who don't like chest straps

The Wahoo Tickr Fit armband was released in 2018 and is interesting because it isn't a chest strap. Not the most hair-raising reason to stand out, perhaps, but for those who don’t get on with a chest strap heart rate sensor, the Tickr Fit is a gamechanger. In terms of the market as a whole the majority of the best heart rate monitors are worn on the chest, but they can be uncomfortable, particularly when worn with a sports bra. 

I am, indeed, one of those people who has never particularly enjoyed a chest strap and thus the Tickr Fit caught my attention. The Tickr Fit can be worn anywhere on the arm but for greatest accuracy, Wahoo says it works best on the upper forearm, just below the elbow on either the inside or outside of the arm.

It costs £64.99 and comes in two strap lengths: small 10" x 1" (260mm x 25.4mm) and large 15" x 1" (375mm x 25.4mm). Once I got over feeling a bit like I was having my blood pressure taken, this heart rate monitor has become a firm favourite.

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Design and specifications

The Tickr Fit measures heart rate through an optical heart rate technology which means it measures the changes in blood volume. This is different from the standard chest strap, which typically use ECG technology - electrical sensors record the electrical signals in the heart, looking at the rate and rhythm. This is similar to the Whoop 4.0, which we also reviewed recently, and is also worn on the arm, though usually on the wrist. 

Wahoo says the Tickr Fit is waterproof to IPX7 specifications, which means its waterproof up to five feet, and can be washed by hand. As with most, the heart rate sensor connects to smartphones via the Wahoo app, to GPS watches and bike computers, and in my experience this connection was seamless. 

I used the heart rate armband with a Wahoo Kickr Move indoor trainer and once paired the transfer of HR data was rapid. It was a similar story with my Garmin Instinct 2S watch with the sensor sending HR readings almost instantly. 

What I particularly like about the Tickr Fit is that it verifies connectivity through various LED lights which offer a helpful indication of what the monitor is up to. In the past I've found myself waiting around wondering what the HR monitor is doing, but with these LED lights everything was much clearer. 

The Blue LED blinks when the armband is awake and searching, a faster blink means its connecting followed by a solid blue light and then it flashes red for powering off. The reality is that connection is so fast I hardly saw much of this intricate flashing display, except for the blue and the red colours. 

It's a similar story with charging, as the monitor flashes green and orange depending on what's happening. However, this might not work for all, as compared to a chest strap which switches on and off on its own, the Tickr Fit requires the user to remember to turn it on and off.

Performance

I found the Wahoo Tickr Fit's optical heart rate technology to be just as accurate as heart rate sensors using ECG.  I compared the Tickr Fit with the Polar H10 chest strap which uses ECG measuring and both were sending the same readings. 

I enjoyed getting such accurate readings that I found myself wearing the armband on hikes and runs, instead of using my smart watch heart rate reader. 

This is where the armband really excels compared to a chest strap because it is much more comfortable. The Tickr Fit doesn't rub, doesn't compete with space with my sports bra and isn't fiddly to get on, which makes it good for cycling, running, hiking, and whatever else takes your fancy. 

After trying both size bands, I settled on wearing the small band which slips easily onto my arm and thanks to the fabric stays in place, regardless of sweat. 

There is one major difference from a chest strap is that the Tickr Fit is clearly visible when wearing a short sleeve jersey. While some might not this, for me it isn't a problem at all.  

Battery

The battery on the Wahoo Tickr Fit lasts for at least 30 hours and is rechargeable. The battery charger is included, but it is a standard USB port, and so may hamstring those of you who've swapped to USB-C in a wholesale way. 

Obviously, this comes with its own set of debates, as it adds 'another thing to charge' into the foray, amongst the copious tech products us cyclists seem to have, lights, bike computer to name a few. 

But in reality, I don't think this is a strong criticism. Nowadays, we are typically used to charging various devices, and you can get multi cable plugs which allow you to charge 5 devices at once. Plus, it means you don't need to replace a battery so environmentally it is also a better option. 

Verdict

The Wahoo Tickr Fit armband is an accurate heart rate monitor which offers something different from a chest strap. Is there a case for switching?

For me, yes. The armband is easy to get on, doesn't threaten to rub against my sports bra, and zero chance of uncomfortable chaffing. 

I would go as far as to say the Tickr Fit armband is a breath of fresh air.