The Oura ring, as with other wearables, does not come cheap. It’s only fair to guess its utility. I wouldn’t want my money down the drain because I forgot to take off my Oura Ring while doing the dishes or taking a shower. It blends so seamlessly in my day that I forget I have it on at times.
So, is it waterproof? Is it really “always wearable,” as Oura claims? As someone who’s been wearing the Oura Ring for years, I’ve got your answers.
Is the Oura Ring Waterproof? The Claims
Oura claims the ring to be water-resistant up to a depth of 100 meters (~330 feet). This means we can wear it while showering, swimming, or snorkeling without the fear of damaging the device. But also not keeping it submerged in water for over 12 hrs, therefore, no scuba diving.
Oura, however, recommends not exposing your device to extreme temperatures (below 0°C / 32°F or above 35°C / 95°F) for a longer period of time. Despite the operating temperature having a bandwidth of -10°C–52°C / 14°F–125°F, exposure to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time may damage your device’s battery.
From Shower to the Sink: My Daily Oura Experience
For those who know me, know I am a huge germaphobe. Which means washing my hands multiple times a day. And I’m happy to report, my Oura Ring is still working like a charm.
I shower with it on, I do the dishes, skincare, everything. Even the sanitizer I use multiple times a day didn’t tarnish it. Let me tell you when Oura says “Always Wearable”, they’re not joking.
I will have to be honest with you, I take mine off after showers and dishes because I hate the feeling of water under the ring. So, a quick dry, and it’s back on.
Although Oura doesn’t specify anything about using it in saltwater or not, I had it on my vacation to Laguna Beach, LA, last year and wore it while swimming in the ocean, and it did not budge. See, “Always Wearable”.
Considering the germaphobe comment, it’s safe to assume I am not into gardening or other messy projects. That said, if I were, I wouldn’t wear it while taking on such tasks. I also like to take all accessories off while baking, so any kneading of the bread would require me to put the Oura Ring aside. Not that it would affect it but I don’t want anything to get stuck in the sensors and affect the working. Just to be safe, you know.
I Wore my Oura Ring in the Sauna: Here’s What Happened
I love a good workout just as much as the next girl. Add a sauna on top, post a great HIIT session, count me in. I was a bit skeptical walking into my gym’s sauna room with my Oura ring the first time, and kept looking at it again and again. Then they played Beyonce, and I lost track of time. But hey, IT WORKED!
Since that day, I have worn my Oura ring in hot tubs, saunas, and cold showers. My sauna sessions aren’t generally too long, but keeping the temperatures suggested by Oura in mind, be wary of the time you’re exposing your ring.
As someone who jumps at the opportunity to try new fitness trends, I do wanna try cryotherapy. I don’t know when I’ll be able to talk myself into it but I do know that I wouldn’t risk wearing my Oura ring when I do. Or maybe I will. I’ll keep you posted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrap Up
While not waterproof, the Oura Ring is highly water-resistant. You can wear it in depths up to 100 meters, which means it’s completely safe to use while washing your hands, showering, doing the dishes, swimming, and snorkeling. With the same level of resistance as the Apple Watch Ultra, the Oura Ring renders it to be a great substitute.
