How to Choose Wedding Rings for an Active Lifestyle

The wedding bands that you and your partner exchange reflect your relationship, individual personalities, and lifestyle. While it’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of precious stones and different metals, you also need to think about the conditions these bands will encounter. If you have an active lifestyle, you could wear out, break, or lose your wedding bands. Many rings weren’t meant for weekends spent kayaking on the water or hiking through the mountains.

Fortunately, there are plenty of active wedding bands that can reflect your love and withstand your favorite activities. Use this guide to choose active wedding bands and care for them correctly.

What Makes an Active Wedding Band?

While carefully crafted rings are designed to be durable, they will still experience natural wear and tear throughout your life. Your rings can get caught on clothes or in your gear if you are working on a sailboat or climbing a rockface. They might chip, scratch, or lose some of their stones if your hand hits something unexpectedly — like catching yourself during a fall.

As you consider the different materials and symbols that you want to incorporate into your wedding bands, also consider factors like durability and safety. You want to feel comfortable wearing these rings each day and know that they will likely outlast you because they were designed for your lifestyle.

A married couple warms up before going on a jog together.

Choosing the Best Ring Material and Design

Although wedding bands for active couples might seem to have more limited design options, there are still many ways to customize them. There are multiple ways to personalize your rings and add symbolism based on who you are as a couple. For example, you can opt for an engraving inside the ring that reflects who you are. You can add both of your birthstones to the wedding band to signify two people becoming one. Here are a few things to consider as you design your rings.

Made of Sturdy Metal

Over the past few decades, wedding bands switched from being made of a few different metals to offering dozens of metal options with different colors and levels of durability. If you have an active lifestyle, you might want to choose a durable metal, rather than a precious metal. A few hard metal wedding band options include:

Tungsten is one of the most durable materials you can choose. It is harder than titanium and highly scratch-resistant. If you are worried about your active lifestyle, start with this metal option.

Low-Profile Design

Once you are confident about your metal choice, you can move forward with your design plans. A low-profile design refers to a ring that is less likely to get caught on something or protrude far from your hand. For example, it should be free of prongs that hold your stones in place and the stones themselves don’t need to be elevated from your hand. You can still choose the stones you love, but they can be built into the ring to make it easier to wear.

You can also consider inlays that are currently popular in wedding bands in lieu of stones. They add a pop of color without changing the feel of how the ring is worn. Beveled sides are also on trend, which adds unique angles and textures to your ring.

This is why it is so important to research wedding bands to learn about your options. You can choose a ring that is low profile while still making a statement.

Engraving and Insets

Wedding bands might be small, but there is still plenty of space for inset stones or engraving. Talk to your partner about the types of things you want to engrave. Important dates are often popular, so you can engrave your wedding date or the day you first met on the ring. If you are marrying a person who already has kids, you might engrave their initials into the wedding band to symbolize that you are committed to the entire family.

While engraving adds a personal touch and allows you to keep a low-profile ring, it can also be difficult to keep the ring clean. Dirt and grime can get into the letters and make them look worn. There are alternative designs, including rings for women and rings for men, that you can choose instead. Consider choosing a color that has a special meaning in your life or other design elements that connect you with your partner and their family.

Sizing and Comfort

The final thing to consider is the sizing of your ring. Some rings cannot be resized — like tungsten — because the metals are so hard and durable. While you want a ring that is comfortable and can accommodate potential swelling in your hand, you also don’t want your wedding band loosening and falling off.

Make sure the band feels comfortable on your skin and strikes a balance between comfort and security. You might want to try out multiple sizes to make sure you find a good fit.

Wedding Band Care for Active Couples

While the initial design of a ring is the most important part, proper care is also essential for ensuring the longevity of the rings and your safety while wearing them. Even if you choose a ring for an active lifestyle, certain elements require more maintenance than others. Engraving is a great example of this. It is a safe design option but can be difficult to keep clean.

Here are a few things to consider as you plan for the long-term use of your rings.

Cleaning and Protection

Learn about the long-term care of your rings when you first start wearing them so you can make sure they last for several years. Here are a few best practices for keeping your rings looking their best:

  • Be careful with hand lotion and perfume. These cosmetics contain dyes and chemicals that can discolor or wear away your ring.
  • Invest in dedicated ring dishes. Place your rings in safe places at night and when you use the bathroom. This way they don’t come into contact with soap or accidentally fall down the drain.
  • Take your ring to be professionally cleaned. At least once a year, seek out ring cleaning services. This will remove stains, dirt, and bacteria from this precious piece.

You can also get into the habit of cleaning your ring yourself so it sparkles ahead of important events.

Wearing Backup Rings

When shopping for wedding bands, some couples also buy backup rings that they wear when they are participating in active outings. For example, no one wants to lose their wedding band on the beach or while fishing in the ocean — they are nearly impossible to find in these cases — so couples will wear alternative rings so their main bands aren’t lost while they are on the water.

Here are a few common materials used for backup rings:

These rings aren’t expensive but they can still be beautiful. For another top tip, exchange these backup rings at the altar when you are getting married. Some couples use fake wedding rings for this event so there isn’t an emergency if the groomsman or child ringbearer forgets them. Instead, the couples hold on to their real bands and slip them on before the reception.

Resizing and Replacements

Human bodies change as they get older, which means your hands might not look the same in 10 or 20 years compared to how they look now. If your ring is no longer comfortable, you may need to get it resized or replace it. Not all metals can be resized. For example, tungsten cannot be adjusted because it is so durable. This means you might need to replace your ring if it no longer fits.

There are multiple indicators that you need to adjust your wedding band. It is too tight if you cannot remove it comfortably or if you feel pressure on your finger throughout the day. It is too loose if your ring is constantly sliding, spinning, or snagging on things.

The right ring can symbolize your marriage while withstanding your favorite hobbies and activities as a couple. Spend some time carefully selecting the metals and designs you want to reflect your commitment to each other. This can help you enjoy your rings for decades to come.