A good watch is an easy, trustworthy way to accentuate your style without going too over the top and looking like you’re trying too hard. But a good-looking watch is about more than just the watch face, and it’s often the watch strap that can make or break a look. Whether you want to replace your old and battered existing strap or want to enhance your style by graduating to something more professional, the best watch straps help you do this without investing in a brand new timepiece. Take your pick from nylon, silicone, leather, and metal to find the right watch strap to suit your watch and your style.
The Best Watch Strap For Men
1Ritche NATO Watch Strap For Men
Our second pick in our search for the finest watch bands in the land is the Ritche NATO Strap, and this strap is both soft and breathable perfect for those hot and sweaty days (and could have come in useful during the last weeks of July). It comes in 8 possible colors that allow you to mix and match with different outfits, but the nylon material means it’s perhaps not ideal for the boardroom.
That’s okay, though, because you don’t want to spend all your time cooped up indoors, so this outdoor-style watch band is an excellent choice for the trail, running, or climbing. It’s waterproof, dirt-resistant, and durable, and the included watch tool kit make it easy to install so you don’t waste any time when the day ahead looks perfect for adventure. For more amazing products for active men, check out our guide to the best sports watches.
Soft and breathable
18 – 24mm
8 available colors
Waterproof
Watch tool kit included
- BrandRitche
- ModelB0778LQ6JB
- Weight0.8 Ounces
2Rechere Mesh Stainless Steel Watch Strap For Men
If you’re looking for a great watch strap that also ensures great value, the Rechere Mesh Stainless Steel Bracelet offers both style and affordability for anyone who wants to enhance their style. It’s available from 18mm to 24mm, and while there isn’t the color variety of other options, we’re sure you won’t mind.
The stainless steel style is sleek and sophisticated and the band is nicely finished, which smooth edges to ensure comfort and easy all day wear. Unlike other mesh bands, this one doesn’t catch hairs, either, so you won’t fall victim to any sudden stings that will have people wondering if you’ve been bitten by invisible mosquitoes or shocked by wayward currents. At just over $10, it’s an easy, hassle-free solution to give your everyday watch a facelift, and you can pair it with a suit or use it to class up something closer to casual wear. If you are looking for an affordable but high-quality watch, check out our guide to the best Wenger watches and pick your favorite.
Interlock silver clasp
18 – 24mm
Sleek and stylish
Nicely finished
Smooth edges
- BrandRechere
- Modelaz-b604sr22
- Weight1.6 Ounces
3Barton Quick Release Top Grain Leather Watch Strap
The Barton Quick Release Top Grain Leather Watch Strap comes with a variety of 7 possible colors that’s further accented by multiple stitching options to help you find the right combination to suit your style. It comes in multiple sizes ranging from 16mm to 24mm, and in an interesting twist, it’s also compatible with smartwatch sizes.
The band itself is soft and comfortable, perfect for all day, everyday wear, while the stainless steel buckle is sturdy and reliable. On the inside of the strap, the treated underside prevent slipping and keeps the watch in place throughout the day. It’s one of the more expensive options on our list, but if you’re looking for long-lasting quality leather to improve your current watches style, the money will be well worth it, and the compliments you get will (pretty much) mean it pays for itself. Our guide to the best watch rolls features some amazing watch accessories, so take a moment to check them out.
7 available colors
Multiple stitching color options
16 – 24mm
Compatible with smartwatches
Ultra soft and comfortable
- BrandBarton
- Model4331769776
- Weight1.6 Ounces
4Shinola 24mm Stainless Steel Bracelet
The Shinola 24mm Stainless Steel Bracelet is our premium choice for the best watch bands in this world and likely any other parallel dimensions. This excellent watch strap should be the envy of all other watch straps around, and it wouldn’t be too outlandish to suggest they should aspire to be just like this one.
The smooth butterfly clasp is easy to use and doesn’t jam like cheaper options, while the brushed and polished steel keeps its sheen throughout daily wear, although you may want to save it for special occasions. It’s also durable, while the weight feels so natural it will as if you’ve worn it all your life. Of course, being a premium pick, it’s not cheap, so anyone looking for a simple replacement strap will likely move swiftly onto the final pick. But for properly passionate horologists, this strap may just feel like the strap you always knew you wanted but were never sure when, if ever, you’d come across it. Our guide to the best Nixon watches features some amazing timepieces you may like, so be sure to check them out.
Smooth butterfly clasp
Brushed and polished steel
Durable
Well-weighted
Watch strap replacement tool included
- BrandShinola
- Model10012210-SDT-000604011
5Barton Silicone Quick Release Strap
Our final pick of the best watch straps is the Barton Silicone Quick Release Strap which makes for an excellent activity strap and allows you to mix and match with your outfit to find the perfect fit.
You can choose from 13 possible colors ranging from modest and professional to brighter, more vivid options to make your attire pop. Just like our last Barton pick, you can attach it to smartwatches, and the texture back prevents any slipping and keeps it in place regardless of what you’re doing. It’s available in sizes ranging from 16mm to 24mm, ensuring anyone who wants it can find a strap to fit them. For everyday wear, durability, and comfort, this watch strap is an excellent, low-cost choice for the modern man. Be sure to also check out our guide to the best waterproof watches and find the perfect one for yourself.
13 available colors
16 – 24mm
Suitable for smartwatches
Improved airflow
Textured back
- BrandBarton
- Model5566217417
- Weight0.8 Ounces
Watch Strap For Men Buying Guide
How We Chose Our Selection Of Watch Straps For Men
Making big decisions like the best watch straps is never easy, so it’s a good job we’ve figured out a tried and tested method to determine which products will adhere to not only our high standards, but yours as well.
Reviews - Reviews from customers are our number one resource for working out how excellent (and not-so-excellent, sometimes) a product is. These reviews allow us to understand how reliable, durable, and high quality any product is, which is not something you can get from a quick browse of the product page.
Price - Regardless if you’re a passionate horologist or just a guy looking for a new watch strap, we’ve got you covered. We want to appeal to all our readers, regardless of needs or budget, so we looked for a range of costs that still maintained the quality you expect to ensure nobody gets left out.
Features To Look For In Watch Straps For Men
Before the clock strikes midnight, check out these key features to think about before you decide which watch strap is the best one for you.
Length - The length of your strap depends on the thickness of your wrist and how you like to wear your watch. Do you want it tight to prevent slipping? Do you prefer a little breathing room between strap and wrist?
Also consider the width, as a wide watch band may not look as wide with longer straps, but it may also look off when paired with the wrong watch face.
Clasp - Your clasp or buckle is often down to whatever you prefer. A buckle is easier to manage, but a clasp helps the watch stay on your wrist even if not secured. Buckles are more common with leather, silicone, and nylon straps, whereas you’ll find clasps are more frequent in metal straps.
Durability - The durability will depend on what you use it for. An everyday strap may survive longer than sport watch bands, which are likely to take more of a battering due to the intense activity. Metal is obviously more robust than other options, but you don’t want to wear that when hitting the trails.
Types Of Watch Straps
Metal - The metal watch band you buy will most likely be stainless steel, although higher-end watches could be gold, silver, or even titanium. The metal matches perfectly with the watch face (which is also usually metal) to keep a consistent style throughout. Metal straps are versatile and durable, and while they may be more common with the professional world, you will also find them used by divers, although cheaper metals will rust.
Nylon - You’ll get more breathability and lightweightness with a nylon watch strap which makes them perfect for outdoorsmen. These straps dry faster than other options and are also washable, which is essential if you’re spending a week camouflaged in the bush.
Leather - Leather watch bands are a classic option and suit many occasions. They are perfect for work environments, but also look good when paired with more casual clothes. Stylish and vintage, they are arguably the most versatile material.
Silicone - Silicone watch bands are found most frequently in sports watches because they are waterproof, lightweight, and much cheaper to mass-produce. They are easy to wash, but we wouldn’t recommend throwing them in the washing machine. However, they are not as durable as other options and may split easily.
