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The 15 Best Watch Straps For a Cool and Casual Summer

Ditch the solid leather for something more breathable, durable and casual.

summer watch straps m2w gear patrol lead full Gear Patrol
Andrew Connor

By Andrew Connor

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Everything is just a bit more casual come summertime, both for the sake of style and comfort. We don our shorts, our hats, our sunglasses. A watch fits into the mix as well and should keep the same relaxed look and comfort. And for that, you’ll want to find the right strap.

Nylon and rubber are the obvious choices here — they’re lightweight, soft, breathable and can be washed free of any sand, saltwater and sweat. Leather and metal bands are also acceptable, but opt for something perforated or mesh for enhanced airflow. With that utility comes a dose of effortless, casual cool. Any of these 15 straps will transform your watch into a heat-beating, timekeeping companion.

How We Tested

collage of watches strapsGear Patrol Staff

Naturally, we braved summer temperatures and hot sun, wearing watch straps of every one of these varieties. In some cases we took them in the sea (with the appropriate watch, of course) or on grueling mountain treks, and in other cases we just wore them to al fresco dining in the city. Yes, we even washed them.

NATO

worn and wound adpt strapsWind Up Watch

The NATO has its roots in the military and is characterized by a nylon construction that slides through a watch’s spring bars, with a smaller secondary strap looping around the back to create a stronghold on the timepiece. As such, the NATO is a durable option, and the nylon construction is easy to clean. They’re also one of the cheapest strap options out there and look good on virtually any kind of tool or sports watch.

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Perlon

crown and buckle linen melange perlonCrown & Buckle

Like a NATO, a perlon is made from nylon but is formed from a braided patterning of the material as opposed to being cut from one dense strip. This, obviously, opens the strap up a bit and aids in airflow, but it also has a less tactical look that’s more suited for dressier pieces. Perlons come as both one-piece and two-piece straps, but we have a preference for the latter because it slips through the back of the watch like a NATO, making swaps quick and easy.

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Rubber

tropic dive watch strapSynchron Watches Store

Rubber straps are most associated with dive watches and come in a variety of different styles. “Tropical” straps have a weave pattern and perforations, while other styles have larger holes in them like the iconic ISOfrane strap. Not all rubber straps are created equally: you’ll pay a higher premium for vulcanized and natural rubber, but the price is usually worth it for something that’ll ultimately be more durable and more comfortable.

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Steel Mesh

staib 2792 milanese mesh watch braceletHolben’s Fine Watch Bands

Steel mesh straps were particularly popular back in the early days of wristwatches and appeared to have resurgences during the 1930s and ’40s and again in the ’60s and ’70s. There are two main varieties: “Milanese,” which is characterized by a tighter, finer metal weave and “Shark Mesh” which is chunkier and looser. The former is ideal for slimmer, dressier pieces and the latter is most at home on a dive watch.

Perforated Leather

b and r le mans racing strapB&R Bands

But the leather “rally strap” is a style of strap plucked from the racing heyday of the mid-20th century and is characterized by its many holes and perforations. They add a little bit of ventilation, though since sweat can still do damage to the underside of your leather it’s best to reserve this kind of strap for cooler nights out, rather than daytime activities.

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Reasons to Have a Summer Watch Strap

Do you really need a watch strap specifically for summer? Come that hot sunshine and, yeah, you really might want one. A watch band not meant for hot weather or sweating can quickly become pretty uncomfortable, and the wrong materials won’t do well with the moisture.

What to Look for in a Summer Watch Strap

Lightweight: We, as humans, have an instinct to reduce weight in anyway possible in the summer. Even a little bit of weight becomes a burden, and heavy bracelets and the like will quickly get tiresome. Fabric straps are often the lightest.

Breathable: For some of the same reasons as above, you want airflow. Many watch straps build this in with the likes of perforations, and these also tend to lend a sporty look that also fits the style of the season well.

Washable: If you sweat in your watch strap it’s great to be able to wash off the potential smell, stains and bacteria. You can throw the likes of NATO straps in the laundry or rinse mesh metal bracelets under the tap. Leather is really what you want to avoid.

Colorful: This is optional, of course. But summer is your chance to have some strap fun. Brighter colors often seem more appropriate in the hot months, and short sleeves help a watch and its strap become a more prominent part of your wardrobe.

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