My Favorite Apple Watch Bands (And Which Ones to Avoid)

Apple watches are clever little gadgets, but they don’t always match the mood. There have been many dressier parties and events where I left mine at home because, as much as I wanted to check my notifications discreetly, it didn’t match my outfit. I also had my share of missteps and let the neon orange sport band clash with my neutral ensemble.

Fortunately, Apple Watch bands are a simple and relatively affordable way to improve the look of your wearable. Beyond aesthetics, different styles also impact performance and functionality. For example, I personally don’t want a heavy stainless steel or high-quality leather strap to weigh me down during a sweaty workout, just like I wouldn’t wear a flimsy silicone strap to a dinner date.

At WIRED, we’ve been testing groups since the very beginning first Apple Watch launched in 2015. After years of wearing and trading, I’ve rounded up the best bands for every occasion. Be sure to check Best Apple Watch accessories, Best Apple WatchAnd Best smartwatches for more recommendations.

Best Band to Wear Everyday

The Nike Sport Loop has been my everyday band since 2020. I bought another one in 2023 because I wanted to change colors, and I figured after three years I’d have to buy a brand new one, but it’s held up remarkably well. Made from a blend of recycled polyester, spandex and nylon, it’s breathable and lightweight. The double-layer nylon weave is designed with dense loops that help prevent moisture from getting trapped against your skin. As long as you hand wash it regularly to rid it of sweat and dirt, it remains odor-free.

The hook-and-loop closure and pull tab allow for easy one-handed adjustment. It’s Velcro, so be careful it can snag on softer fabrics. Still, for a band designed for sports, it’s discreet enough to wear almost anywhere. I wouldn’t wear it to a formal event, but for the office or casual social events it’s perfect.

Best Titanium Apple Watch Band

Nomad originally designed the Stratos Band for the Apple Watch Ultra, but it fits the SE and Series 1 through 11 just as well. It’s easy to adjust, refined enough for the office, and backed by grade 4 titanium hardware with a scratch-resistant DLC coating. FKM rubber links (PFA-free and antimicrobial, according to Nomad) add flexibility, durability and water resistance. The clasp is made with corrosion-resistant N52 magnets, making it effortless to snap into place, and it’s designed with a manual release button, so you don’t have to worry about it accidentally falling off. It’s technically suitable for workouts and outdoor use, but it’s a thick bracelet that I personally prefer for casual everyday wear.

The hardware is available in natural or black finishes, which is good if you particularly want to match your setup. FKM rubber comes in four different colorways, including a limited-edition icy blue that glows in the dark. The glowing effect is short-lived (around 10-20 minutes) and based on online reviews, it’s more of a novelty than a standout feature.

Best Silicone Apple Watch Band

Moft’s Snap Duo watch strap is made from non-toxic, food-grade silicone, but you wouldn’t know it at a glance. The grained finish imitates leather, giving it a more elegant appearance without stiffness or maintenance. Plus, unlike leather, it is remarkably soft, waterproof and resistant to direct attack, making it just as suitable for workouts and water sports as it is for the office.

The design is particularly interesting. Each bracelet features two colors and with a bi-directional connector you can flip and swap sides to create four different looks. Changing is easy and the magnetic link is even easier to put in place. Keep in mind that there is no manual release mechanism, so it may not feel sturdy on its own. Moft includes a removable buckle as an added precaution, and while it takes a little work to attach, it’s worth using for a more secure fit.

Best leather Apple Watch band

WIRED Editor Adrienne So says the Moher Green, inspired by the Irish Cliffs of Moher, is the most beautiful band she has ever worn. The color is rich, but Konsu NYC also offers seven other equally vibrant colors. The top and bottom layers are made from 100% premium calfskin, and the middle layer is a thin, proprietary fiber that the company claims is 15 times stronger than steel. The hardware is laser-etched, machine-polished, and PVD-coated 316 grade stainless steel, making it scratch and corrosion resistant. You can also customize the adapter and buckle finishes to be silver, gold, or black.

Best designer Apple Watch band

Is the Hermés Apple Watch worth $350? It entirely depends on what you were going to spend the money on. If it’s gas or groceries, don’t buy this watch band. I purchased the Hermés strap last year after the orange Alpine Loop on my Ultra became too smoky to continue a third year of honorable service. The Hermés bracelet is an equally loud orange, but no one ever asks for that; it’s relatively low-key when it comes to luxury goods. Installation is a breeze and the color almost matches that of the titanium case, with a slight added silver sheen.

It fits my watch on my wrist, as do bracelets that cost a tenth of the price, but hey, a Birkin bag can only hold your phone plus a TJ Maxx purse. The fluoroelastomer is soft but sturdy against the skin and washes better than the Alpine Loop. I particularly like the branded quick-release clasp (deployant clasp), which makes it easy to put on or take off with a quick press on the sides. It runs large and I wouldn’t recommend it for people with small wrists, as I’m a tall man and use the third of the seven notches. After a year of daily wear, there is a bit of darkening around the clasp from dragging my wrists around my desk, but it’s the part of the bracelet that least people see. —Martin Cordonnier

Honorable mentions

Apple Milanese Titanium Bracelet for $199: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 came in a black finish, matching that special black titanium Milanese loop. The standout feature is the parachute-style buckle, which Apple says was historically used for diving and other underwater activities. (I seem to remember that most water activities use ratchet fasteners and threaded cam buckles for straps, but I’ll let that slide.) The buckle is very smooth and satisfying to clip on and off when you’re on a phone call or in a meeting. The titanium doesn’t irritate my skin and the bracelet is smooth and easy to adjust. It is carbon neutral and transforms your sporty watch into a beautiful watch. up more dressed. —Adrienne So

Apple Trail Loop for $99: Apple offers several varieties of bands for different activities: the Alpine Loop ($99) for outdoor adventures, the Ocean Band ($99) for water sports, and the Trail Loop for endurance races and hikes.

Nomad Tempo Group for $59: If you must have a fluoroelastomer band, Tempo bands are PFAS free. It’s just a little too big for my 150mm wrist, and Nomad hedges its bets on sizing by making each strap backwards compatible with two sizes; for example, the smallest size is compatible with watch sizes 41 and 42 mm. This doesn’t really work if you have an older, smaller sized watch, but it fits my 46mm Series 10 well. —Adrienne So

Wrangler Ranch Rider Calf Hair Headband for $35: I was ready to hate this entire Western-themed collection, which is a collaboration between Wrangler and accessories company WithIt. It includes seven bands of all different materials, from one turquoise and silver bracelet to one jean strip. But I was unexpectedly charmed by the Rodeo Ready, which is made from calf hair (which I assume has been bleached and dyed, since no cow has spots that small). It can be sized to fit all Apple Watch models, from older 38mm versions to the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It’s snug and tacky, in a good way, especially if you’re wearing a bunch of silver bracelets and beads and petting a horse. —Adrienne So

Zzdzz Silicone Magnetic Bracelet for $18: My Instagram feed is bombarded with ads for easy to put on adjustable silicone bracelets, so I picked this one up cheap on Amazon. The colors are bright and it is indeed very comfortable and easy to put on and adjust. However, the downside is that it falls off very easily and I cannot vouch for the quality. sustainability. Also, the little loop that holds the strap down is not attached to the strap at any point, so I’m constantly losing it. Either way, it’s less than $20. —Adrienne So

Avoid These Apple Watch Bands

Apple Solo Loop for $49: Apple really sells its precisely sized Solo Loops, which form a single loop around your wrist. But they are expensive and, as an active person, I can’t seem to size them correctly. They are always too tight when I work out and too loose when I don’t. I prefer an adjustable bracelet. —Adrienne So

Hopo Resin Strip for $13: My mother has this beautiful Machete Apple Watch Tortoiseshell Resin Strap ($80)so I thought I’d do it one better and order the cheap one on Amazon. This is a no-no: the included pin remover is too short, so I can’t remove the links to reduce the group size. I’ll just buy the Machete group next time. —Adrienne So

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