HTC's $99 Deluxe Audio Strap for the Vive Deteriorates during Normal Use

We may be seeing a new version of the HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap sooner than we thought: the accessory, which was designed to improve the headset’s ergonomics and audio, features black foam that appears to deteriorate when it gets wet: a number of owners have taken to social media to complain about "crap" rubbing off on their heads. HTC says they are investigating, but it seems pretty obvious that they just need to go with better-quality foam next time.

When I tested the accessory last month, I didn't use it to point of sweating while wearing it, and didn't I expose it directly to water, but enough users have posted demonstrations of the issue that it's impossible to ignore. When I asked HTC about the reports, a spokesperson responded saying, "We are aware of the report regarding the foam on the Deluxe Audio Headstrap. We are investigating, and when we have more information will let you know." Normally, something like this might not be a huge issue with non-wearable devices. But because the HTC Vive is a wearable device in close contact with the skin that many hardcore VR users sweat into for hours, a $100 headset accessory that may leave black residue on your head when things get sweaty is definitely a problem.

It seems like profit margin than item quality, $99 for a melting strap?

My 3 month old $400 headphones did this just putting them on:

I didn't hear about the deluxe head strap's release until after it was sold out. I was initially disappointed. Not so much now. I guess I'll let them work this bug out before I pull the trigger now.

Thanks to the public beta testers for catching this!

Does seem like an odd issue. The standard foam faceplate on the headset doesn't have this issue, not sure why they aren't using the same foam for the deluxe headset. Guess like others not so upset about having to wait to pick this one up, though the sooner this gets sorted out and the supply issues fixed the better. Seems like this is a VAST improvement over the standard strap, this issue with the foam notwithstanding.