Oura released its smart rings with one promise: to fit into your life without force and help you track activity, sleep, and recovery in a smart way. And it works so well that you’d think it’s a 100% perfect piece ever built in the wearable niche.
But it is Oura Ring waterproof?
Unfortunately, Oura Ring is NOT waterproof. It’s water-resistant with a rating of 10 ATM. That’s twice the rating of most fitness trackers, and you can very well use it in the shower, hot tubs, and swimming pool.
While you don’t have to take Oura Ring off to touch water, there are things you have to keep in mind moving forward.
So let’s dig further.
Is the Oura Ring Truly Waterproof?
The Oura Ring Gen 3 retains a simple design similar to that of the first and second generation. Only it’s lighter and more comfortable than the first and second gen releases.
One thing about the Oura Ring is you don’t have to take it off your finger when you want to enter a swimming pool or shower, but that doesn’t mean it’s truly waterproof.
This smart ring has a water resistance rating of 100 meters, which means you can swim with it to the deepest end of Deep Dive Dubai.
But there’s a catch.
As with every wearable device that features a 5 to 10 ATM, Oura Ring can’t survive in water for an extended period.
That brings me to my next point.
How Long Can Oura Ring Stay in Water?
If the Oura Ring is water-resistant up to 10 ATM, how long exactly can it stay in water?
First, the Oura Ring features a titanium build, making it a highly durable smart ring in the wearable tech.
When exposed to water, the material forms an airtight oxide layer that prevents oxidation. As such, you can use the Oura Ring without worrying about corrosion and rust.
Although titanium doesn’t corrode easily, it’s not waterproof. It’s water resistant, and its ability to bar water wears down over time with more exposure to water.
Ideally, you shouldn’t keep the ring submerged for more than 12 hours. Also, make it your habit to dry the device after coming from the shower or swimming pool so that its resistance to water doesn’t wear out faster.
One thing the brand makes clear upfront is that you shouldn’t wear Oura Ring when going for high velocity water activities such as scuba diving. And that makes sense because they didn’t design the ring for underwater sports.
Oura Ring and Swim Tracking
While Oura Gen 3 is a water-resistant smart ring, it’s not a fitness tracker for swimming. So if you wish to monitor swim activities, from swim distance to swim strokes, look past this device.
For clarity, let’s take a step back and understand why Oura is in business in the first place.
Since its inception, Oura has focused on sleep tracking, recovery, and activity tracking. And they’ve tremendously improved on these fronts over time.
My Oura Gen 3 review goes deeper into what the smart ring is, what it can do, and how well it performs. So be sure to check that out if you haven’t already.
Can You Wear Oura Ring in the Sauna?
You can wear the Oura Ring in the sauna without worrying about hardware and performance degradation because it can stand up to the heat generated therein.
Let me explain why:
An average hot tub is set to run at a standard temperature of 37.78°C, and infrared saunas operate at a temperature range between 38°C to 65°C.
Oura states that its Gen 3 smart ring can withstand temperatures of up to 53.89°C, which is to say that it’s safe to wear the device even in a sauna.
3 Things to Avoid in the Shower While Wearing the Oura Ring
If you must wear an Oura Ring to the shower because it’s water-resistant, try to avoid the following:
1. Soap
Soaps are only best for clothes, dishes, and human body, not a wearable device such as the Oura smart ring.
If you think about it, soap is adhesive in form, so it can easily interfere with the ring’s sensors and cause them to malfunction.
You should wrap the ring with plastic paper to prevent contact with soapy water or remove it from your finger and put it back on after taking a shower or doing dishes.
2. Shampoos and Conditioners
Avoid shampoos and conditioners because they can interfere with the sensors and cause the Oura Ring to give inaccurate health and fitness metrics.
The unlikely yet worst-case scenario is that shampoos and conditioners can damage the sensors. Your smart ring becomes useless if this happens.
So if you’re going to use shampoos or conditioners for cleaning, leave the ring on the table and put it back on afterwards.
3. Shaving Cream
Remove the ring from your finger before you use shaving creams.
The creams contain soap element and, as thick as they are, they tend to leave behind layers of scum that can block the sensors and cause the ring to register inaccurate results.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I Wash My Hands With the Oura Ring?
You don’t have to take off Oura Ring to wash your hands because the device is water-resistant. You can even throw a huge chunk of dish or hand soap water to it without a problem.
An alternative way to clean your hand is to use hand sanitizers. These, too, don’t pose any threat to the smart ring.
2. Can Oura Ring Get Wet?
Oura can get wet, but be mindful of how long you leave the ring in water.
Don’t let it stay submerged for more than 12 hours, and keep off high water velocity sports such as scuba dividing.
While it’s hard to avoid the use of detergents, soaps, and shampoo, at least rinse the ring with pure water and dry to keep it in good condition.
3. Can You Wear Oura Ring in Salt Water?
You can wear and use the ring in salty water without an issue. If you intend to swim in the ocean, just remember not to say under water for longer than the recommended time.
Final Thoughts
Oura designs the best smart rings. And every model they’ve released since founding is water-resistant by design.
Yet as much as the device can withstand water pressure of up to 100 meters, which is twice the resistance you get from many of the competing models, Oura will not track your swim workouts.
The bottom line should be clear:
You don’t have to take the ring off when getting into water bodies. But it doesn’t fall into the category of wearable devices that can track swimming.
