My search for the ultimate Apple Watch band is over – this one checks all the boxes

Comply with ZDNET: Add us as a most popular supply on Google.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Nomad Stratos Band is obtainable in a complete of six coloration combos.
• It’s a implausible mixture of stylish seems to be and sporty consolation.
• It is priced at $179, however the high quality justifies the value for me.

Nomad’s new Apple Watch band combines the sturdiness of titanium with the pliability of a sport band. The Nomad Stratos Band is constructed for the adventure-ready crowd who desires an aesthetic look. It options the identical titanium because the costlier Nomad Titanium Band, alongside an added aptitude of a sporty look with FKM inserts.

Additionally: The ten options that made me swap to the Apple Watch full-time

I went hands-on with the Nomad Stratos Band on my Apple Watch Sequence 11, and inside a number of hours of use, these are simply my new favourite bands for the Apple wearable.

How Nomad Stratos Band differs from the remainder

I like sport bands for his or her comfy match, however discover myself gravitating again to metallic bands for his or her look. Through the years, I’ve tried a number of different straps, bracelets, and bands for my Apple Watch SE, Sequence 8, Sequence 10, and now Sequence 11. I wasn’t actively in search of a brand new band, however I did not know I wanted the Nomad Stratos Band till I used it.

Nomad’s new Apple Watch band encompasses a mixture of grade 4 titanium for the hyperlinks and FKM rubber between them for added flexibility. The presence of fluoroelastomer rubber additionally offers it an attention-grabbing, sporty look.

The Nomad Stratos Band for Apple Watch is available in two metallic coloration choices: Silver and Carbide Titanium (black). On these, you get three FKM colours: Black, Volt, and Orange, so there are a complete of six coloration combos to select from.

Additionally: The very best good rings of 2025: I examined and located an apparent winner

I obtained my arms on the Volt in Silver and Orange on Carbide Titanium. These metallic colours are barely totally different from Apple Watch’s Black and Silver choices, however the distinction is not at all times seen.

The Nomad Stratos Band is a pleasant mixture of class and magnificence. 

Ideally, sport bands are a bit cumbersome, whereas metallic bands are too dressy for exercises. Nomad paired the very best of each worlds to make the Stratos Band — it has the light-weight design and sturdiness of a metallic band alongside the consolation and colours of a sport band. I like this design, and as a bonus, it additionally matches me nicely. Actually, it is among the most comfy bands I’ve ever used. 

Additionally: The Apple Watch Sequence 11 is one characteristic away from making me ditch my Oura Ring

Relying in your wrist measurement, you’ll need to regulate the variety of hyperlinks for a cosy match. Nomad bundles a hyperlink removing equipment, which is simple to make use of. Nonetheless, I like to recommend watching this official video to higher perceive the resizing course of.

There is a magnetic clasp that enables the band to separate into two components, making it simple to cost the Apple Watch. In my few hours of utilizing the Carbide Titanium variant, the clasp has felt safe and simple to make use of. I am going to go on a run to check it additional, however thus far, so good.

The brand new Nomad metallic band is $179 and accessible for preorder on the official web site. Though it’s designed for the Apple Watch Extremely, it can work with all Apple Watch Sequence 1-11 and SE lineups. 

The Stratos Band may not be essentially the most inexpensive Apple Watch strap however it’s undoubtedly essentially the most comfy metallic band I’ve worn but. And by far the very best mixture of stylish design and sporty look.