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Remember when Apple Watch debuted back in 2015 and people were wondering if it would even last? Here we are a decade later running down all the best Apple Watch bands, so it’s safe to say the wearable was indeed a smash hit. Case sizes can vary from one series to the next so pay attention to measurements and equip yourself accordingly. As you’ll soon discover, you have tons of options in terms of material, style, and size. Here are the best Apple Watch bands for running, lifestyle, and sport.
Apple Watch Band Comparison
| Product: | Material: | Activity: | Price: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Apple Watch Band Sport | Aluminium, Recycled fluoroelastomer | Sport, Running | AUD$69 |
| Astra Straps NATO | Woven nylon | Outdoors, Travel | AUD$69.99 |
| Casetify Stainless Steel 3-Link Band | Stainless Steel | Everyday | AUD$146.99 |
| Nomad Sport Band | FKM fluoroelastomer rubber | Sport, Running | AUD$100.00 |
| Spigen Lite Fit | Durable fabric | Everyday | AUD$39.99 |
| Fossil Stainless Steel Band | Stainless Steel | Everyday | AUD$60.00 |
| Zulu Alpha Strap | Polyester | Outdoor, Adventure | AUD$140.00 |
| Kades Stainless Steel Link Bracelet | Stainless Steel | Everyday | AUD$60 |
| Arrow & Board Porter Band | Full-grain leather | Everyday | AUD$130 |
| OzStraps Milanese Loop Band | Stainless steel | Everyday | AUD$39.99 |
| Twelve South ActionBand | Lycra blend | Sports, Workout | AUD$16.00 |
Best Apple Watch Bands at a Glance
- For running: Nomad Sport Band
- For sport: Nike Apple Watch Band Sport
- For leather: Arrow & Board Porter Apple Watch Band
- For stainless steel: Casetify Stainless Steel 3-Link Band
- For NATO strap: Astra Straps NATO Strap for Apple Watch
1. Nike Apple Watch Band Sport
| Brand: | Nike |
| Material: | Aluminium, Recycled fluoroelastomer |
| Activity: | Sport, Running |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | Yes |
| Price: | AUD$69 |
| Pros: | Highly breathable, lightweight and sweat-resistant. |
| Cons: | Very sports-focused and doesn’t suit classy events. |
Nike is all about endurance and versatility, and its collection of dedicated Apple Watch straps abides. The most popular iterations feature a randomised flake pattern and feel quite smooth to the touch, with compression-moulded perforations for enhanced breathability. Best of all, each one is forged from an ultra-durable and partially recycled material, with Nike revealing that at least 30 per cent of the strap’s construction comes from recycled fluoroelastomer, while each flake contains at least 66 per cent recycled fluoroelastomer.
For reference, fluoroelastomer is a material crafted from fluorinated synthetic polymers, which have been specifically designed to combat harsh environments. According to Nike, the inner workings of this strap can battle aggressive chemical and temperature applications, which makes it perfect for outdoor adventures and hiking. Additionally, the aluminium pin-and-tuck closure adds a little bit of security while also bolstering the matte finish. Choose between various colours and sizes and give this thing your worst.
2. Astra Straps NATO Strap for Apple Watch
| Brand: | Astra Straps |
| Material: | Woven nylon |
| Activity: | Outdoors, Travel |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | No |
| Price: | AUD$69.99 |
| Pros: | It is a very stylish, breathable material that fits snugly. Extremely durable design. |
| Cons: | It’s pricier than most Apple Watch straps and has limited colour options. |
Astra Straps has built its business on third-party smartwatch bands, but your mileage may vary from one model to the next—that said, you can never go wrong with trusty nylon. Enter the brand’s NATO Strap for Apple Watch, which puts the lightweight material to expert use. Those familiar with NATO straps will note this unique Apple Watch alternative bears all the hallmarks of the classic field watch aesthetic, right down to the rugged metal buckles.
First designed by the British Ministry of Defense in 1973, traditional NATO straps are characterised by their singular nylon construction. Lightweight, waterproof, and extremely straightforward to use, these straps have become the benchmark for rugged, military-inspired timepieces, and Astra Straps’ iteration for the Apple Watch makes it feel like every bit of a fitting tribute.
This band comes in the classic 20mm size favoured by the British Special Forces and is crafted from a soft and breathable but ultra-sturdy material that stays the course during outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, running, and more. The strap comes in various colours and sizes and is compatible with just about every Apple Watch, all the way up to the recent Series 10 and through to the Ultra models.
3. Casetify Stainless Steel 3-Link Band
| Brand: | Casetify |
| Material: | Stainless Steel |
| Activity: | Everyday |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | No |
| Price: | AUD$146.99 |
| Pros: | Great stainless steel option that elevates your Apple Watch aesthetic. Easy to attach. |
| Cons: | Pricier than most Apple Watch straps. |
If you want to combine a classic dress watch aesthetic with the perks of a modern smartwatch, Casetify’s metal band is right up your alley. The ultra-premium Apple Watch band is crafted with high-grade 316L stainless steel, which is a low-carbon version of the classic material that improves relative corrosion resistance. Extremely durable, the timepiece is both water and sweat-resistant, giving you a bit more flexibility to work with during the day.
Where the Casetify release really stands out, however, is in its aesthetic. While other stainless steel Apple Watch bands can appear cheap and plastic-looking, this release employs the same detailing and brushed finish that you’d see on a high-end timepiece. It imparts timeless style through traditional stainless steel architecture, complete with easy link adjustment and a lightweight design. The price tag is comparatively high, but one might take that as a sign of quality. Let’s call it one of the best Apple Watch bands for those with deep pockets.
4. Nomad Sport Band
| Brand: | Nomad |
| Material: | FKM fluoroelastomer rubber |
| Activity: | Sport, Running |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | Yes |
| Price: | AUD$100.00 |
| Pros: | Simple option that is ideal for active users. Lots of colour and size options. Extremely comfortable design. |
| Cons: | Expensive for a rubber strap. |
When it comes to the best Apple Watch bands for running and sport, it’s hard to beat Nomad. The American company has spent more than a decade honing its craft in the Apple accessories space, dropping a series of intricately designed, highly durable and immensely versatile phone cases, charging gear and wallets. With the Sport Band, Nomad has perfected the rubber strap design, crafting an Apple Watch band that can tackle almost anything you throw at it.
Built with rugged performance in mind, the brand’s 100 per cent waterproof FKM fluoroelastomer rubber band features interior ventilation channels to deliver all-day ergonomics no matter the activity. This thing is ready for all the action you can throw its way, and it’s perfect for endurance running or triathlons. The strap is also fitted with a pin-and-tuck closure mechanism that sees an aluminium pin latch through the band while a tail end tucks neatly against your wrist. As with most of the best Apple Watch bands, it comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate current series models and previous ones alike.
5. Spigen Lite Fit
| Brand: | Spigen |
| Material: | Durable fabric |
| Activity: | Everyday |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | No |
| Price: | AUD$39.99 |
| Pros: | It has a great price and design, is Super versatile and is very comfortable. |
| Cons: | Limited colour options. |
Spigen’s Lite Fit is widely considered an affordable alternative to Apple’s own Sport Loop band. Thanks to stretchy nylon and TPU construction, it offers lasting comfort and flexibility along with easy buckle adjustment to accommodate a full spectrum of wrist sizes. It’s one of the best Apple Watch bands for people who enjoy active, unfettered lifestyles and want products that can keep pace.
Will you rock this thing to a nice dinner or semi-formal event? Definitely not. But for everyday situations, it delivers seamless wearability at a terrific price. This one is compatible with Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm) Ultra (49mm) or Series 9/8/7 (45mm) or SE2/6/SE/5/4 (44mm) or 3/2/1 (42mm), however, if you are using Apple Watch 42mm Series 10/41/40/38mm models, you are out of luck.
6. Fossil Black Stainless Steel Band for Apple Watch
| Brand: | Fossil |
| Material: | Stainless Steel |
| Activity: | Everyday |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | No |
| Price: | AUD$60.00 |
| Pros: | Classy design, Interchangeable fitting. |
| Cons: | Limited colour options, QC can be varied. |
The jury is still out on Fossil’s Apple Watch band in stainless steel. Some customers complain about poor construction quality and fitting issues, while others don’t seem to have problems with the adjustable strap at all. So why does it make an appearance on our list of the best Apple Watch bands? Because we can’t resist the luxurious look of black stainless steel when it’s fixed to a modern smartwatch, resulting in a sleek style. Perhaps we’re being a bit superficial, but sometimes the perception is more important than the reality, especially when that perception blends brilliantly with your nighttime ensemble.
7. Zulu Alpha Apple Watch Strap
| Brand: | Zulu Alpha Straps |
| Material: | Polyester |
| Activity: | Outdoor, Adventure |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | No |
| Price: | AUD$140.00 |
| Pros: | Classic NATO design, highly durable. |
| Cons: | Limited compatibility with older Apple Watch models. |
Don’t settle for just any old smartwatch strap when you can score one of these bad boys instead. Each one is handmade to order in the UK from ultra-tough polyester using British webbing. Not just abrasion-resistant and quick to dry, it features a signature tri-glide buckle system for effortless adjustability. This strap is built to endure all kinds of adventures with consistent comfort to match. If you just threw down a bunch of cash for a new Series 10, you might as well throw down a little more as this is easily one of the best Apple Watch straps on the market. Choose between a wide variety of colours and either a black or stainless steel buckle.
8. Kades Stainless Steel Link Bracelet
| Brand: | Kades |
| Material: | Stainless Steel |
| Activity: | Everyday |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | No |
| Price: | AUD$60 |
| Pros: | Premium design, ergonomic construction. |
| Cons: | The stainless steel can look a little cheap. |
This link bracelet from Kades is like a life hack for your wrist. Whereas Apple’s stainless steel strap can cost upward of US$340, this one will only run you around AUD$60. There are surely some differences in quality but the band nevertheless offers the general look and feel of its more expensive counterparts. A small removal tool is included with every purchase so that you can adjust accordingly and land on the perfect fit. Offered in different colourways and sizes, it’s compatible with Apple Watch Series 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, SE, and 6 only.
9. Arrow & Board Porter Apple Watch Band
| Brand: | Arrow & Board |
| Material: | Full-grain leather |
| Activity: | Everyday |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | No |
| Price: | AUD$130 |
| Pros: | Great leather construction, highly versatile and terrific full-grain material |
| Cons: | Expensive for an Apple Watch strap. |
An Apple Watch strap after our very own hearts, the Porter is adorned in full-grain leather on both sides and sewn with a polyester thread. Construction goes down in León, Mexico—aka the leather capital of the world—from a single piece of the smooth and supple material. Behold the strap’s signature stitching, all-day comfort, polished lustre, and evolving patina, making it perfect for casual and dressy occasions alike. The price might set you back a little, but what you get in return is one of the coolest Apple Watch bands that money can buy.
10. OzStraps Milanese Loop Apple Watch Band
| Brand: | OzStraps |
| Material: | Stainless steel |
| Activity: | Everyday |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | No |
| Price: | AUD$39.99 |
| Pros: | Terrific stainless steel mesh design, ultra-felxible. |
| Cons: | Basic construction, very similar to Apple’s own product. |
We love the look and feel of a steel mesh strap and this one comes in at a terrific price (making it yet another affordable alternative to Apple’s in-house version). Suitable for a variety of events and occasions, it’s also compatible with every Apple Watch from Series 0 all the way up to 10, including SE and Ultra models. Thanks to a magnetic enclosure with an additional ring enclosure, a secure and comfortable fit is more or less guaranteed. Strap up and go, baby.
11. Twelve South ActionBand
| Brand: | Twelve South |
| Material: | Lycra blend |
| Activity: | Sports, Workout |
| Apple Authorised Retailer: | No |
| Price: | AUD$16.00 |
| Pros: | Unique design that is extremely comfortable during workouts. |
| Cons: | Design is not for everyone, only real application is through sports and fitness. |
Let’s close out our list with one of the best Apple Watch bands for gym regulars and fitness freaks. It comes to us from Twelve South and takes the form of a stretchy sweatband—ahem, ActionBand—with a protective compartment for your Apple smartwatch. Stay comfortable and track your biometrics at the same time across workouts of every intensity level. The band is machine-washable and compatible with Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 only (excluding Ultra models).
Why Trust Our List
To arrive at this list of straps, the Man of Many team utilised both personal experience and user reviewers, considering all major elements of each Apple Watch band. The products on this list were assessed based on their flexibility, reliability, price, and construction before being cross-checked against user reviews on the official retailer website, Google reviews, and Amazon distributors.
As a publication centred on the latest in products, culture, and style, impartiality is at the core of what we do. Over the past 10 years, we’ve built extensive experience reviewing tech and watches, with specific attention paid to our comprehensive buyer’s guides. We regularly compile lists based on products that we’ve tested in-house and used extensively first-hand.
While there are a few exceptions to this rule, generally due to scarcity and availability, we made note of the cultural significance surrounding each product should we not have been able to review it personally. For more information on our independence, testing, and review guidelines, you can read our full editorial policies here.
Things to Consider for Apple Watch Bands
When it comes to purchasing a band for your Apple Watch, there are a number of things to consider. Styl and comfort should remain paramount, alongside price and value, but for everything else, we’ve pulled together this handy guide.
Which Series of Apple Watch You Have
| Model | Release Date | Case Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch (1st Gen) | April 24, 2015 | 38mm, 42mm |
| Series 1 | September 16, 2016 | 38mm, 42mm |
| Series 2 | September 16, 2016 | 38mm, 42mm |
| Series 3 | September 22, 2017 | 38mm, 42mm |
| Series 4 | September 21, 2018 | 40mm, 44mm |
| Series 5 | September 20, 2019 | 40mm, 44mm |
| SE (1st Gen) | September 18, 2020 | 40mm, 44mm |
| Series 6 | September 18, 2020 | 40mm, 44mm |
| Series 7 | October 15, 2021 | 41mm, 45mm |
| Series 8 | September 16, 2022 | 41mm, 45mm |
| SE (2nd Gen) | September 16, 2022 | 40mm, 44mm |
| Ultra | September 23, 2022 | 49mm |
| Series 9 | September 22, 2023 | 41mm, 45mm |
| Ultra 2 | September 22, 2023 | 49mm |
| Series 10 | September 20, 2024 | 42mm, 46mm |
Third-Party Providers vs Apple Registered Brands
Apple loves to keep everything in-house and they often go the extra mile in terms of quality to retain customer loyalty. But that extra mile often comes with an extra dollar sign or two. Meanwhile, there are a slew of third-party brands that deliver similar tiers of quality at a fraction of the price.
Activity Level
Some people wear their Apple Watch for business, others for health tracking and adventure, and others for events. Then there are those who wear it for some combination of the above. The type of strap you wear should suit the occasion and you might consider keeping multiple straps in your arsenal for that very reason.
Material
As mentioned above, different activities call for different materials. Leather and stainless steel, for instance, are perfect for indoor events and casual wear but not so much for outdoor adventures. By contrast, something like nylon will endure fitness regimens and all kinds of outdoor activities but seem out of place at a formal event.
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