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The strap on the Apple Watch is easy to change, and the choice of alternatives is huge, so browsing for the best Apple Watch bands is not a bad idea. Apple makes its own Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2 straps, but the official straps it sells are very, very expensive. As beautiful as they are, there’s no need to be limited to Apple’s range of replacement bands, regardless of how much you have to spend.
Like putting your phone inside a case, changing the strap on your watch is the quickest way to give it an entirely new look, and it’s easy to build up a collection that goes with different outfits, or for when you’re doing certain activities. Below, we’ve put together a list of our favorite straps and bands for Apple’s signature timepiece.
Nomad Sport Strap ($50)
To accompany its Rugged Strap, Nomad has introduced the Sport Strap, a silicone band with built-in lugs that extend all the way across the Watch’s body, a strong stud-and-hole fixing, and a design similar to that of Nike’s recent Apple Watch straps. Nomad’s offering is made of soft, LSR silicone, which comes in a two-tone color scheme, in either black and grey, or black and green. It’s hypoallergenic and resists sweat nicely, and stays cool underneath thanks to a channel for airflow. It’s well-suited for fitness aficionados, and is quite a large, statement-making strap. It costs $50, but, unfortunately, it’s only available for the 42mm Watch.
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Burkley 3-in-1 Double Tour/Cuff/Band ($130)
If you’ve lusted after a Double Tour strap for your Apple Watch, but don’t want to splash out on a Hermès iconic model, then take a look at Burkley’s version. The Double Tour strap is actually part of a three-piece set, which comes with a standard leather band and a cuff-style strap. It’s possible to mix and match the set to make a Double Tour Cuff strap, too, so it offers plenty of versatility. Burkley’s genuine leather is soft, but does take a while to break in, meaning the Double Tour gets more comfortable over time. It’s $130 for the set, which is a good value for three leather straps. It’s currently available in several colors and for both the 38mm and 42mm Apple Watch.
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Burkley Holo Strap ($100)
Burkley’s Holo Strap is perfect for those weekends in your sports car, with the top down, headed toward the coast. Or, at the very least, those times when you’re imagining that you’re doing that. The strap’s classic styling makes it a beauty, while the soft, padded leather renders it both lightweight and comfortable. We love the little design touches, too, such as Burkley logo, which is stamped directly on the strap loop. It also comes in one of several colors, and is available for the 38mm and 42mm Apple Watch.
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Native Union Active Strap ($100)
A clever mix of style and function, the Native Union Active Strap has water-resistant leather on the outside and a fluroelastomer grip on the inside. This hypo-allergenic material’s pattern also keeps sweat from building up underneath the band during exercise, while the classy leather ensures the watch is suitable for everyday wear. It’s very comfortable and extremely lightweight, too. We love the hint of yellow that peeps through, which gives the subdued color scheme some punch.
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Southern Straps Nato Strap ($25)
A more textured nylon strap than the Nyloon example below, the Southern Straps band also has stitching running down each section, giving it a different look. It feels very hard-wearing, and has been double bonded and heat sealed to make sure it doesn’t just fall apart under tough conditions. We love the khaki and red version seen here, which comes with a choice of colors for the Apple Watch connectors, and in either 38mm or 42mm sizes. Let down slightly by the strap loop, which sometimes pinched wrist hairs.
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Nyloon Watch Band ($39)
Nyloon’s nylon watch band feels like it’ll last a while and withstand some rough treatment, which is just what you need from this popular style. We’ve been wearing the Napier design, which comes in navy blue and red, and found it comfortable and stylish. The shiny hardware is attractive, and the Apple Watch adapter pieces have spring-loaded bars, so you can swap out the strap for another 20mm or 22m version of your own choice.
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Nomad Leather Strap ($60)
Nomad’s classic leather strap received a makeover recently, losing the stitching for a sleeker, flatter look. We particularly love Nomad’s straps due to the custom designed Watch adapters, which change the look of the Watch’s face considerably. Both the adapters and the buckle have a matt finish and also come in black, ready to match your Watch model. It’s still quite a masculine design, but less so than the previous strap. The Horween leather is wonderfully supple out of the box and needs only a few hours to bed in.
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Kate Spade Leather Apple Watch Strap ($70)
This multicolor strap adds a bit of fun to 38mm Apple Watch cases. The pastel stripes and stainless steel buckles can be easily dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
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Pad & Quill Field Strap ($100)
Pad & Quill’s Field Strap is an interesting take on the fabric Watch strap, combining very hard wearing Cordura fabric with classy and comfortable leather, along with nickel hardware. The leather is stitched to the fabric on the underside, making the strap very easy to wear. Leather is also incorporated into other areas to give the band some visual excitement. The black and gray color combo is our pick, as it’s versatile enough to match most outfits and situations. Next to Nomad’s silicone strap, this is one of the most comfortable Apple Watch straps we’ve worn recently.
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The Strap Smith Baseball Glove Strap ($230)
Handcrafted from vintage baseball gloves, this band is perfect for the sports enthusiast. This band is not only stylish, but durable as well. If you’re more of a football fan, the Strap Smith also makes a custom football band.
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Incipio Premium Leather Band ($38+)
Made from leather with stainless steel metalwork, Incipio’s Watch strap is more subtle than many other leather options, with a slimmer, sleeker profile. Made for the 38mm and 42mm watches, the strap comes in a choice of two shades of brown, or a darker black color. Incipio’s smartphones cases are great, and this strap has a classic design that’s sure to appeal to anyone who doesn’t want too much flash on their wrist.
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Pad & Quill Lowry Leather Cuff ($130)
Renowned for its high quality, great looking leather Apple accessories, Pad & Quill makes three different straps for the Apple Watch, but we’ve singled out the Lowry Leather Cuff. Made from full grain leather in black, chestnut, or tan colors, with hand finished stitching and nickel buckles, the look is rugged yet classy. Suede on the underside of the strap makes it comfortable to wear. The one problem? It’s only for the 42mm Apple Watch.
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Luxeora Element Band 42 Onyx ($80)
The Element Band 42 Onyx is an incredible two-toned leather band that fits 42mm Apple Watch cases. This band features a highly polished stainless steel buckle with matching lugs. The white needle stitching creates a beautiful contrast.
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