The 10 Best Apple Watch Bands for Men in 2023

By Andrew Peloquin  |  Updated March 8, 2023

The 10 Best Apple Watch Bands for Men in 2023
Courtesy of Nomad

The Apple Watch is the ultimate smart watch on the market—the foremost fitness tracker, calorie counter, email checker, phone answerer, and web surfer, all from the comfort of your wrist.

But though the watch itself is cutting-edge and ultra-high-tech, the band is just…well, not.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

  • Style your watch your way: Apple Watches come with plain (boring) silicone bands right out of the box, but you’ve got an impressive range of style upgrades to choose from: metal bands, leather bands, wooden bands, patterned bands, textured bands.
  • Match your lifestyle: You wouldn’t wear a luxury steel watch to a sweaty gym workout any more than you’d wear a nylon-banded watch to a cocktail party. With so many watch bands to choose from, you can easily style the watch to match your lifestyle and daily activities.

Watch bands are meant to be an enhancement to their watch, an addition to style, functionality, versatility, and durability.

Look at the base Apple Watch band, and it looks a bit on the plain, simple, even boring side.

That’s why we’ve collected a list of the top 10 Apple Watch bands for guys who want to step things up.

The bands below range from rugged to athletic to a more classic style, with everything in between. Browse the list to find the band that will suit you and your Apple Watch to perfection.



Nomad Rugged Band


$59
 

This Rugged Band by Nomad is reminiscent of those tough, ultra-sporty watch bands that made the Casio G-Shock such a best-seller back in the day. It’s rugged, thick enough that it will feel sturdy, and built from a durable FKM fluoroelastomer rubber that is soft on your skin but still able to withstand years of daily hardcore use. The ribbed design maintains durability while also allowing for excellent breathability so your wrist stays cool even when running in the heat. It’s also fully waterproof and sports-friendly, featuring injection-molded stainless steel hardware that keeps it securely clasped around your wrist through literally any activity.






Harber London Modern Leather Apple Watch Strap


$83
 

This Harber London watch band steers in the direction of classy and stylish rather than tough-as-nails. Don’t get me wrong: the full grain cowhide leather is more than sturdy enough to last you a long time. However, the watch is designed to be a sleek, simple addition to your outfit, with just a hint of that hand-made elegance that proves how carefully it was built (by expert Spanish leather craftsmen). The custom-made stainless steel buckles add durability and a hint of contrast to the leather so your watch will “pop” anytime you pair it with a business or formal outfit.






Native Union Curve Strap


$40
 

Keep it simple and sleek with this Native Union watch band. Designed for versatility and durability both, this band is made from a water-resistant silicone that can handle the rigors of kayaking, sailing, swimming, boating, hiking, and climbing. The striped design is subtle but adds a touch of elegance that makes it perfect for wearing around the office or to any party, and the inner ridge details ensure your skin is able to breathe and cool/dry off in any environment. You’ll find it never chafes or rubs your skin, no matter what intense activity you get up to.






UAG Active Watch Strap


$60
 

For truly active men, this UAG watch band will be your best friend—and the best protector against wear and tear. It’s built using an ultra-high-strength nylon weave that is specifically crafted to withstand the rigors of outdoor activity—climbing, hiking, spelunking, whitewater rafting, and so much more. The addition of custom-designed stainless steel hardware maximizes durability, preventing the watch from breaking even under direct strain/tension. And thanks to the Velcro hook and loop closure, you’ve got total adjustability to fit it exactly to your wrist—whether directly on your skin, around a wrist brace, or even when wearing gloves.






Nomad Titanium Band


$299
 

If you’re the kind of guy who prefers the sleek, shiny metallic look for your watch bands, this Nomad Titanium Band is a premium choice. It’s made using metal-link bracelets forged from Grade 2 Titanium finished with an advanced Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating that ensures it is the most durable metal band around, resistant to scratches, water damage, corrosion, rust, and wear. The band even comes with its own tool that lets you adjust the length to fit your wrist just right. Everything about it screams refinement and elegance, making it the perfect business and formal accessory to your smartwatch.






Savior Survival Gear Paracord Watch Band


$29
 

When out in the middle of nowhere, you’ll be glad you have this watch band. It goes the route of “perfect for any survival situation” by embracing the rough and rugged nature of the outdoors, utilizing an ultra-tough 550 nylon paracord that can be turned into a fishing line, snare line, tent line, even climbing rope. The fit is fully adjustable and the paracord is surprisingly comfortable, designed to reduce chafing while on your wrist while still being durable enough to handle any emergency/survival situation. And, thanks to the unique twisting-locking action of the pin lock, once it’s secured in place, you’ll never have to worry about it falling off.






Pitaka Carbon Fiber Watch Band


$89
 

For those (like me) who are prone to breaking their watches/watch bands, it’s time for a durability upgrade! This Pitaka watch band is made using super-strong fine-weave 1K carbon fiber, which gives it both a unique look and maximum resistance to damage, wear, scratches, sunlight, and impact. The minimalist style complements your casual and business outfits, pairing beautifully with other carbon fiber accessories (like a phone or tablet case). Despite its durability, it’s incredibly lightweight and one of the most comfortable watch bands you’ll ever wear.






CarterJett Black Tire Tread Band


$30
 

Athletes, sit up and take note: this is the Apple Watch band for you! It’s designed specifically for sports in mind, featuring a unique design that integrates “evaporative channels” into the underside so sweat can just roll off your skin and evaporate even while you’re running, jumping, and playing. The silicone is tough and resistant to damage but still wonderfully soft on your skin, with a flexibility unparalleled by any other watch band on our list. Best of all, it’s both very well priced (one of the most affordable options around) and backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee and reliable, attentive customer service.






Tefeca Fortitude Series Adjustable Band


$20
 

For those who prefer the military-style watch band, you’ll love the Tefeca Fortitude series. They’re made using the type of premium nylon straps found on pretty much every military pack and MOLLE system, but feature the stylish addition of leather patches to add some class to the look. The unibody metal adaptors are designed to be “unbreakable”, so your watch will be protected from impact and wear while you’ve got the band secured around your wrist. Thanks to the Velcro hook-and-loop closure system, you can always tailor the fit to suit your specific wrist size just right. For the price, you won’t find many better options.






Bellroy Watch Strap


$49
 

Bellroy is famous for its quality leather goods, so of course their Apple Watch band is going to end up on this list of the top options for you. It’s made using premium eco-tanned leather that is capable of withstanding years of use (though not prolonged exposure to water!), and will grow more beautiful and unique as it develops a patina over time. The polymer underside keeps it flexible and offers more durability, even preventing the build-up of sweat. It’s backed by a 3-year warranty that proves just how much Bellroy believes in the quality and elegance of their products.





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