ZDNET experts have compiled the best picks for bands, and we’ve tested a few. ZDNET contributor Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, who has gone hands-on with the Ultra, was less than impressed with the default orange band that comes with it. Even with a good wash, the international orange band that Apple includes accumulates grime. Third-party options can be lacking though. Kingsley-Hughes wrote, “There are a lot of third-party straps out there – and an awful lot of clones of Apple’s own bands – and most of them are, to put it kindly, pretty awful. I’ve gone through a couple of dozen for testing and none of them have come close to the quality or performance of the bands offered by Apple. But that’s all changed.” Also: This is the Apple Watch Ultra’s worst feature Below is the top pick for the Apple Watch Ultra strap, as well as additional high-quality best picks. I’ve included the best Apple band for the Apple Watch Ultra, the best Apple Watch Ultra band for running, the best Apple Watch Ultra band for swimming, and the best Apple Watch Ultra band for small wrists. In the alternatives, you’ll find the best luxury band, the best band for working out, and the best band for larger wrists. This rugged watch strap was handmade in the UK with the purpose of maintaining comfort in challenging environments. People from all walks of life, from first responders to those who love the outdoors, trust this company. The Zulu Alpha Apple Strap features tubular bonded polyester webbing, which withstands abrasions better than nylon does. The material also dries more quickly, so you can wear your watch with less downtime or more comfortably if it gets wet while on your wrist. Metal connectors, which you can choose in steel or black, are sewn into the straps for a perfect fit. Also: My search for the ultimate Apple Watch Ultra strap is over Kingsley-Hughes tried this band and liked the strong stitching, the tri-glide buckle that fastens with ease, and the overall comfort. He wrote: “This is a strap that will no doubt outlast the Apple Watch Ultra itself.” The strap is made to order and handmade, taking around 1.5 hours to complete and passing through three hands before it ships out. This means that these straps aren’t mass-produced or gathering dust on a shelf before they reach your door. Instead, they’re carefully crafted with high-quality materials and checked – and employees are paid the national living wage, not just the minimum wage, for their work. When you choose your Apple Watch Ultra, you can choose between the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band that Apple offers. Each of these is optimized for specific purposes: Runners usually go with the Trail Loop, hikers with the Alpine Loop, and swimmers with the Ocean Band. Which band is the best overall? That would have to be the Trail Loop. The Trail Loop is light, thin, and comfortable. Even when you’re not exercising, you’ll want to wear this band. It fits perfectly on your wrist for everyday activities, balancing out the weight of the Ultra with a lightness unmatched by the Alpine Loop and Ocean Band. It’s soft to the touch and easy to take on or off because of its lack of clasps or buckles. The high level of adjustability makes it perfect for every wrist size, especially those that usually fall between holes on a standard band. Also: New Apple Watch Ultra bands work with other Apple Watch models, too The Alpine Loop has a titanium G-hook that secures the band in place, but it can be difficult to easily take off, especially if you’re taking your watch off multiple times a day. The Ocean Band is highly waterproof, but it’s not as breathable as the Trail Loop and it stands out in everyday wear. If you’re not an avid hiker or swimmer, the Trail Loop is your best bet. The band has precise cutouts that fit perfectly around the Ultra and protect it with brushed metal. The raised bezel and 9H screen protector mean that the screen can resist scratches from the hardest pencil. The 316L stainless steel buckle will never chip or rust and it fits 5.71-inch to 8.74-inch wrists. If you scan the QR code that comes with the band, you can get an exclusive watch face that goes with the band for free. ZDNET’s Matthew Miller reviewed the Nomad Rugged Strap in October, highlighting its high-quality, flexible FKM fluoroelastomer rubber. FKM rubber is antimicrobial and easily wiped down with soap and water. It won’t get damaged if you expose it to high temperatures, sunlight, oils, or chemicals. The buckle and lugs of the band are made of marine-grade 316 stainless steel. The material is pre-curved out of the box so it sits perfectly on your wrist, and the band has notches that allow sweat to run free without getting trapped between your wrist and the band. Also: Nomad Apple Watch Ultra bands: Waterproof bands as rugged as the watch Miller wore the strap while running, swimming, biking, and fly fishing, and at the end of all of that activity, he noted that the Nomad Rugged Strap “looks brand new.” Avid swimmers will benefit from a band as waterproof as this one, and it’s comfortable for everyday wear as well. You can choose between silver or black hardware and ultra orange or black for the band color. This band is not only pleasant to look at, with its wide array of color choices and substantial embedding of rhinestones, but it is also waterproof and comes with an 18-month warranty. Over 27,000 customers have rated it an average of 4.4 stars, with 73% giving it five stars and 91% giving it three stars or above. The secret to such high levels of satisfaction lies in the band’s sizing. In order to ensure a perfect fit, especially for smaller wrist sizes or in-between wrist sizes, the company includes a resizing tool with the strap, as well as an extra 1/2 link for those who fall in between. Don’t worry if you’ve never used a resizing tool before – there’s an easy-to-follow video on the product page that you can follow and there’s an instruction manual included with your purchase. Some customers have even used the resizing tool to adjust the links of other watch straps! This watch strap is a reliable one to wear for special occasions, and you’re sure to have a perfect fit. Affordability mattered, too. The straps on this list, aside from the luxury band highlighted in the alternatives below, are under $100 and pack in a lot of value. They come in all sorts of materials, from antimicrobial rubber to stainless steel. You can go to a formal event with the rhinestone-studded Lelong band or go swimming with the Nomad Rugged band. You can adjust your Trail Loop fit on the go or breathe easily knowing that your watch face is protected with the amBand watch band. Each band has a unique use case. There are downsides to the watch though. Miller pointed out that the Apple Watch Ultra doesn’t allow you to see your data on a desktop or the web. Even though you can export the data into another app, that’s an additional step that isn’t required for other GPS sports watches from companies like Garmin and Polar. The Apple Watch Ultra also loses battery more quickly than other GPS sports watches, like the Coros Vertix 2. For example, when Miller went through the Tough Mudder 15K, his Coros Vertix 2 lost 5% of its battery over 2 hours and 40 minutes, while the Watch Ultra lost 24% of its battery in the same time period. Review: Apple Watch Ultra: Tougher than a Tough Mudder The other straps on this list are also suitable for a variety of purposes. The Nomad Rugged Band, for example, is an antimicrobial band that holds up well to strenuous exercise. The three bands that Apple offers are also strong choices. The Ocean Loop is waterproof and built to last, perfect for swimmers. The Alpine Loop secures in place snugly so that it won’t get caught on long hikes. The Trail Loop is lightweight, breathable, and perfect for daily use.
