Over the weekend I picked up my first nylon, NATO-style strap for the Apple Watch. Next month’s iPhone 5se/iPad Air 3 event is expected to include refreshed Apple Watch bands including new Sport colors, a space black Milanese Loop, and potentially even nylon bands in this style that we’ve reported have been in testing. As I mentioned on a recent 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast episode, one of my watches prior to the Apple Watch used a nylon strap, so I wanted to see what Apple’s expected new bands might feel like ahead of time. Check out my hands-on experience and key takeaways below:
For starters, the specific band that I tested is from a company called Clockwork Synergy — cool name but their packaging doesn’t do their products justice — which I only picked up because it was in stock locally, but there are plenty of alternatives on Amazon and elsewhere. If I had more patience and didn’t want to hastily satisfy my curiosity, I probably would have opted for a black option on Amazon for the same price where you can find more colorful versions as well.
For a relatively inexpensive Apple Watch band ($30 compared to $50 Sport bands), I was actually impressed with the overall build quality of the specific band I tested.
The shiny lugs match the stainless steel Apple Watch just fine (although you can tell they’re cheaper), but might contrast with the matte Apple Watch Sport aluminum and wouldn’t match other colors.
The three rings on the strap are a bit darker, however, and would look great matched with an Apple Watch Sport. You can find replacement Apple Watch lugs online if color-matching the connector is a concern.
The nylon material is a bit different if you’ve been wearing any of Apple’s own straps. The buckle style is similar to some of Apple’s leather bands, but the strap can handle getting caught in the rain without issue. It’s much lighter than metal bands and doesn’t pull hairs (in my experience), but it feels less premium and can potentially be scratchy.
Depending on how Apple prices its own nylon straps, these could potentially be great alternative Apple Watch Sport bands. I’m happy enough with the Sport bands that I’ve got three colors already, but some may find them too rubbery for comfort or prefer something more rugged-looking.
NATO-style nylon straps, I think, would make great near-entry level Apple Watch options, so hopefully gives aluminum Apple Watch buyers more options with these. Apple could still go mid- to high-end with nylon straps, too, as my stainless steel Apple Watch feels plenty nice with this material band. It’s easily something Apple could offer in various designs and colors.
Given that there’s a bit more metal involved with the three-ring style, I’d be surprised to see Apple price these at or below Apple Watch Sports ($349-$399) and Sport bands ($49). Just thinking out loud, Apple could introduce a new tier of aluminum Apple Watches at $399-$449 and bands at $99 — currently Apple Watch bands start at $49, jump to $149, then to $449 — or Apple could do something completely different.
Personally, I’m still happy that it’s so simple to change Apple Watch bands with a click and slide and no tools required. I’ve stuck with three Sport bands (black, white, and red) and the leather Classic Buckle so far. I’m happy enough with this nylon strap, too, that I’ll keep it in the rotation as well. The weather’s starting to warm up, at least where I live, and there’s something summer-y about the feel. I’m curious to see what Apple’s attention to detail will bring to the nylon Apple Watch strap world too.
Check out my full-hands-on gallery below:
It’s not certain that we’ll see Apple introduce this style band next month although they’ve been in testing, but you can pick up your own third-party nylon Apple Watch strap today.
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OMG Apple found a way to make the cheap looking watch even cheaper. Congratulations Apple you outdone yourself.
Apple didn’t make this strap. Try taking a reading course.
It looks pretty good to me. Also, my stainless steel Apple Watch replaced a $500 Citizen. Apple’s looks a lot better, gets more attention and does significantly more.
Maybe if you had a fucking job, you’d be able to afford one because it seems your mom won’t buy you one.
If you have some spare time away from being dumber than a bag of rocks, I suggest you read the article first.
Good review! I’ve been looking for this style for quite a while. Thanks!
I can see these being really popular. I’ve worn a watch with a NATO band on and off for years and can attest that they are very comfortable, lightweight, and quality straps hold up against nearly any weather conditions. It should be noted though, that for it to be a true NATO strap, it would have to run through the back of the crown, which would obviously block the primary sensors.
Agreed on the true NATO band, but the purpose of that band is to retain the watch if one of the spring bars becomes dislodged. Looking at the design of the Watch lugs, I don’t think there’s much danger of one of those coming loose in a two-part strap style.
I’m waiting for mine to be delivered, it’s black with PVD hardware to go with my Space Gray Sport.
Looks interesting. Though for me it’s hard to get better than the Sport bands. Most comfortable watch band I’ve ever worn. I wear the white one all the time and it’s still as white as the day I bought it. No discoloring at all.
I hope Apple do introduce nylon bands of their own. Personally I think I’d prefer them over the silicon rubber ones…and at not too much of a price premium hopefully.
Cheers for the review Zac, looks great for outdoors use 👌
Yes, this is purely semantics, buuuuuut…
That’s not a NATO style band. NATO/ZULU bands are a single piece threaded through both spring pins, not two pieces (one attached to each spring pin). The whole being threaded through both pins thing is an important design feature, as it allows the watch to stay attached to the wrist even if one spring pin breaks.
NATO style clasp, maybe. But this isn’t a NATO band.
Unless “style” is being used as a qualifier to eliminate Apple’s need to make a proper watch band. Personally, I think they should produce a proper NATO/ZULU band, to please the tacticool folks.
Part of the issue with your comment is that a ‘proper’ nato style band would block all the techno-magic happening on the underside of the watch like heart-rate and proximity monitoring. I can see why they choose with this (and the new Apple banded version) to go with two separate straps.
I’ve got an olive-colored nylon band from a company called Monowear (they make leather and metal bands as well). I’ve had it for several months now and really like the look. Get compliments on it all the time. They’ve got several colors and you can choose the color of the metal lugs to match whichever color Apple Watch you have. Definitely recommend checking them out.
http://www.monoweardesign.com
Phew, that’s one ugly band. To me, it doesn’t match the Apple Watch at all.
I bought this band a while ago and loved the look. But tiny screw came out and the apple watch fell off my wrist. Lucky I noticed it and it fell on carpet.
I called the vendor and they were nice and sent me new lug with screw and tiny screwdriver. But it again came loose and almost lost watch again!
Threw the band away immediately. Hope they redesigned the way those screws hold the lug onto the band.