The Best Apple Watch Ultra Bands Of 2025: Expert Tested

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With summertime successful afloat swing, it's adjuvant to person a smartwatch that tin withstand wherever nan warmer months return you. It's nary concealed that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is simply a top-tier smartwatch with a rugged design, ample display, and ample artillery life, but nan correct strap is cardinal to comfort, style, and versatility. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 shares size and dimensions pinch nan original Apple Watch Ultra, and comes pinch 1 of nan 3 premium Apple bands, each tailored to circumstantial activities. Beyond Apple's options, location are plentifulness of awesome third-party bands for workouts, swimming, work, aliases general wear.

I tested respective options and consulted ZDNET reviews and unit members' recommendations to create this guideline to nan champion Apple Watch Ultra straps you tin buy. (Note that nan Apple Watch Ultra 2 is simply a 49mm watch, truthful bands fresh for nan larger Apple Watch Series 10, 45mm, besides activity pinch nan Apple Watch Ultra 2.)

Also: The champion Apple Watches

What is nan champion Apple Watch Ultra strap correct now?

After years of usage successful various activities and regular life, my prime for nan champion Apple Watch Ultra set wide is Apple's ain Trail Loop strap. Despite testing galore different bands, I kept returning to nan Trail Loop acknowledgment to its ultimate level of comfort, customizable and elastic fit, ray weight, and price. It's besides included pinch your Apple Watch Ultra 2 purchase.

Read connected to study astir our different Apple Watch Ultra recommendations.

Best Apple Watch Ultra straps of 2025

I exclusively utilized to bargain Apple Watch straps from third-party manufacturers, but I yet decided to springiness Apple's Watch Ultra 2 strap a shot. After trying 2 of nan 3 disposable options, nan Trail Loop is by acold my favourite band, and nan 1 I support returning to for regular use.

The Trail Loop set is lightweight, durable, and comfortable to wear. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is fantabulous for search your metrics 24/7, meaning nan set must beryllium highly comfortable for changeless deterioration to optimize data. This set stands retired for its bladed worldly and elasticity to set to your body's regular changes.

Unfortunately, Apple's charismatic Trail Loop set is only disposable successful 3 basal colors, and further bands are expensive. There are immoderate low-cost options connected Amazon, but I person yet to find 1 that matches nan value and comfortableness of Apple's charismatic band.

Apple Trail Loop features: Material: Nylon weave pinch titanium ends| Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2, 44mm/45mm/49mm | Colors: 3 | Band sizes: 130-180mm and 145-220mm wrist circumference

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With respective different colour options to compliment your Apple Watch Ultra, these customizable athletics bands from Nomad are fantabulous for aggravated workouts and mundane wear. The set is 100% waterproof, meaning you tin deterioration nan set successful rain, sleet, sweat, aliases swimming pools pinch nary worries of damage. With a lightweight creation that encourages ventilation, if your athletics set gets wet, it'll barren quickly.

We besides urge you support an oculus connected nan Nomad website, because nan institution regularly offers constricted version models pinch cool colors and styles including nan 1 pictured supra connected an Apple Watch Series 9. These waste retired quickly, truthful if you spot a constricted version offering you amended make your acquisition quickly.

Also: Nomad conscionable made nan boldest Apple Watch accessory yet, and I expect it to waste retired soon

While these bands are durable and made to last, they besides adjacent connected your wrist utilizing nan pin and tuck successful loop closure method. This tin sometimes beryllium a spot of a situation to adjacent securely, particularly one-handed. If you return your watch connected and disconnected passim nan day, this set whitethorn annoy you astatine times.

Nomad Waterproof Sport Band features: Material: Fluoroelastomer rubber | Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8, 7, 6, SE, and each erstwhile versions of Apple Watch | Colors: 13 | Band sizes: 45mm/49mm aliases 40mm/41mm

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With nan Nike Sport Band, you're getting a bona fide Apple-branded sports set suited for each sorts of terrain. Wear it while search your advancement for marathon training, lounging astatine a summertime cookout, aliases during your regular activities astir nan house.

The set offers six colors pinch creator flecks. For added breathability, Apple besides included compression-molded perforations -- fundamentally mini holes crossed nan set -- to support it durable, lightweight, strong, and soft. The only rumor ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner pointed retired successful his testing is that nan holes tin cod particulate and dirt, taking immoderate clip to clean.

Nike Sport Band features: Material: Aluminum | Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch models 38mm, 40mm, 41mm | Colors: 6 | Band sizes: fresh S/M (130-180mm) and M/L (150-200mm)

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This rugged watch strap was handmade successful nan UK pinch nan circumstantial intent of maintaining comfortableness successful challenging environments. The Zulu Alpha Apple Strap features tubular bonded polyester webbing, which withstands abrasions amended than nylon. The worldly besides dries quickly, truthful you tin deterioration your watch continuously and comfortably if it gets bedewed while connected your wrist. Metal connectors, which are customizable successful alloy aliases black, are sewn into nan straps for a cleanable fit.

Also: My hunt for nan eventual Apple Watch Ultra strap is over

ZDNET contributor Adrian Kingsley-Hughes tested this set and appreciated nan beardown stitching, nan tri-glide buckle that easy fastens, and nan wide comfort. As he wrote successful his review, "This is simply a strap that will nary uncertainty outlast nan Apple Watch Ultra itself."

The strap is made to bid and handmade, taking astir 1.5 hours to complete and passing done 3 sets of hands earlier it ships out, truthful these straps aren't mass-produced aliases gathering particulate connected a support earlier they scope your door. Instead, they're cautiously crafted pinch high-quality materials to prolong each of your rugged adventures.

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I reviewed Nomad Rugged Straps successful October 2022 and focused connected their high-quality, elastic FKM fluoroelastomer rubber, which is antimicrobial and easy wiped down pinch soap and water. It won't get damaged if it's exposed to precocious temperatures, sunlight, oils, aliases chemicals because nan buckle and lugs of nan set are made of marine-grade 316 stainless steel. The worldly is pre-curved retired of nan container truthful it sits perfectly connected your wrist, and nan band's notches let sweat to tally free without getting trapped betwixt your wrist and nan band.

Also: Nomad Apple Watch Ultra bands: Waterproof bands arsenic rugged arsenic nan watch

I wore nan Rugged Band while I was running, swimming, biking, and alert fishing, and astatine nan extremity of each of that activity, nan Nomad Rugged Strap still looked marque new. Avid swimmers will use from a set this waterproof, and it's comfortable capable for mundane deterioration arsenic well. You tin take betwixt metallic aliases achromatic hardware and ultra orange, black, aliases Atlantic blue.

Nomad now offers a Rugged Band pinch titanium hardware that is branded nan Rocky Point Band. It is simply a limited-edition set disposable for $80 successful 4 colour options, including Sol, aliases yellow.

Nomad Rugged set features: Material: FKM fluoroelastomer rubber | Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8, 7, 6, SE, and each erstwhile versions of Apple Watch | Colors: 3 | Band sizes: 45 mm / 49 mm aliases 40 mm / 41 mm

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This waterproof set is disposable successful a wide array of colour choices and important embedding of rhinestones. It comes pinch an 18-month warranty and astatine nan clip of this writing, complete 28,000 customers person rated it an mean of 4.5 stars.

The concealed to specified precocious levels of restitution lies successful nan band's sizing. To guarantee a cleanable fit, particularly for smaller wrist sizes aliases in-between wrist sizes, nan institution includes a resizing instrumentality pinch nan strap, arsenic good arsenic an other half nexus for those who autumn successful between. Don't interest if you've ne'er utilized a resizing instrumentality before, there's an easy-to-follow video connected nan merchandise page. Some customers person moreover utilized nan resizing instrumentality to set nan links of different watch straps.

Please statement that this action is presently retired of stock, but it should beryllium disposable soon.

Lelong set features: Material: Stainless alloy | Waterproof: No | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra, SE, Series 9 and each erstwhile Apple Watches | Colors: 10 | Band sizes: 38mm/40mm/41mm aliases 42mm/44mm/45mm/49mm

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As sweat-wicking and lightweight arsenic immoderate of our favourite workout straps are, location are times erstwhile you want to dress up your Apple Watch Ultra, and a neon sports strap isn't going to trim it for a black-tie event. For a value set you tin deterioration to activity and retired connected nan town, this Casetify Genuine Leather set is simply a apical option. Made pinch authentic Italian and German leather, nan straps are intentionally designed for prolonged wear.

Casetify is known for its immense assortment of telephone cases and continues their attack pinch highly customizable watch bands. You tin prime from 4 different buckle colour aliases 9 leather set colors. This means you tin personalize your watch strap for meal parties, activity conferences, and play outings. You tin besides person 2 characters put connected nan set for an further $7 to make it genuinely personal.

Casetify Genuine Leather Band features: Material: Leather | Waterproof: No | Compatibility: All Apple Watch models | Colors: 9 | Band sizes: 38mm/40mm/41mm aliases 42mm/44mm/45mm/49mm

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The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the champion smartwatch disposable today, and its top-notch metallic titanium worldly is durable and attractive. Titanium bands for this titanium watch, however, are expensive. Apple's Silver Link Bracelet costs $349 and galore others priced complete $300. Withit offers an affordable titanium metallic band, and nan champion nexus accommodation creation I person ever seen connected a watch. It lets you region aliases adhd links successful seconds pinch nary devices required.

Review: One characteristic makes this nan champion Apple Watch titanium set available

The grade-2 titanium watch set worldly perfectly matches nan Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 and is moreover lighter than nan stainless-steel option. The set isn't exclusive to nan Apple Watch Ultra bid and besides useful pinch 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm Apple Watch models. The set has a DLC protective coating, which causes it to look arsenic caller arsenic nan time it arrived for testing.

Withit Titanium Band features: Material:Titanium Grade 2 | Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra 2 & Ultra, 42/45/49mm Apple Watch models | Colors: 1

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We wished that nan champion Apple Watch Ultra strap is nan Apple Trail Loop strap for its worldly prime and its wide quality. Here are nan remainder of our apical picks.

Apple Watch Ultra strap	Price	Material	Compatibility	Hardware	Key feature
Apple Trail Loop	$98	Nylon weave	Ultra and Ultra 2	Titanium	Fully waterproof
Nomad Waterproof Sport Band	$49	FKM Rubber	Series 1-8, SE, and Ultra	Rubber	Fully waterproof
Nike Sport Band	$49	Aluminum	38mm, 40mm, 41mm	Aluminum	Lightweight for workouts
Zulu Alpha Apple Strap	$97	Tubular bonded polyester webbing	All Apple Watch models	Steel aliases achromatic hardware	Tri-glide buckle system
Nomad Rugged Band	$49	FKM fluoroelastomer rubber	Series 1-8, SE, and Ultra	Stainless alloy lugs and buckle	Fully waterproof
Lelong band	$17	Stainless steel	All Apple Watch models	Stainless alloy links	18-month warranty
Casetify Genuine Leather Band	$60	Leather	All Apple Watch models		Stylish set for dressing up
Withit Titanium Band	$145	Titanium	Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2	Titanium	Lightweight titanium for dressing up and mundane wear

The correct Apple Watch Ultra strap depends connected what you prioritize. If you want a surface protector, h2o resistance, antimicrobial properties, there's a merchandise for you.

Choose this Apple Watch Ultra strap...	If you want...
Apple Trail Loop	The champion set wide for sleeping, exercising, and living. It's free pinch your Apple Watch Ultra acquisition too.
Nomad Waterproof Sport Band	The champion replacement rubber set that isn't made by Apple.
Nike Sport Band	The champion set for exercise. It's lightweight, breathable, and wicks sweat and oils.
Zulu Alpha Apple Strap	The champion set pinch singular craftsmanship. Each strap is handmade and made to order.
Nomad Rugged Band	An antimicrobial set pinch marine-grade hardware, cleanable for swimming. It holds up good to strenuous exercise.
Lelong band	A dazzling set that you tin easy set to nan size of your wrist. It comes pinch an other half link for those who are successful betwixt sizes.
Casetify Genuine Leather Band	The champion lightweight leather band.
Withit Titanium Band	The champion metallic set pinch an innovative, no-tools required nexus accommodation design.

Everyone has their ain priorities and uses for their smartwatch, and nan factors that I usage erstwhile buying a set whitethorn beryllium different than yours. However, present are respective factors to consider, based connected our years of acquisition testing wearables:

Materials: Apple Watch Ultra straps are mostly made of silicone/rubber, fabric, leather, aliases metallic truthful first see which worldly you want your set made of. Your worldly action will apt besides align pinch your activities since you do not want to deterioration a leather set if you scheme to aquatics aliases tally pinch your Apple Watch.
Sleep aliases not to sleep: If you scheme to usage your Apple Watch Ultra for slumber search and deterioration it to furniture each night, past you are going to want to acquisition an particularly comfortable band. The Watch Ultra is nan largest Apple Watch, truthful uncovering a set that is ray and comfortable is cardinal to wearing specified a ample watch to sleep. A metallic set is apt not nan champion action for sleeping pinch your watch. The caller Vitals functionality successful WatchOS only useful if you slumber pinch your Apple Watch mounted connected your wrist truthful to understand your wide wellness and wellness it is simply a bully thought to slumber pinch your watch on.
Heart complaint monitoring: The Apple Watch Ultra has been proven to person 1 of nan astir meticulous wrist-mounted optical bosom complaint monitors disposable today, truthful if you usage your watch to way your bosom rate, past you must find a strap that supports a due show fit. If nan set is excessively loose aliases raises nan watch supra your wrist past it's not optimized for bosom complaint tracking. You tin besides usage an outer bosom complaint show pinch your Apple Watch Ultra, and if you for illustration that option, past nan snugness of nan set is not arsenic important.
Price: Apple offers a big of watch bands itself, but successful almost each cases nan Apple branded straps are much costly than 3rd statement straps. Apple's bands are each of precocious quality, but you tin prevention tons of money by looking astatine different makers for your watch band.
Color and style: I don't cognize galore group who person a azygous watch set that they ever wear, and pinch nan easy removal creation you whitethorn want to see aggregate bands for your Watch Ultra. It's awesome to person a set for moving retired and sleeping, and different for going retired connected nan municipality aliases typical occasions.

At ZDNET, we prioritize hands-on testing of Apple Watches and their straps, wearing them complete nan people of days aliases weeks during our regular lives. That intends that others connected our unit and I person worn these bands while working, exercising, sleeping, and doing each different regular activities. Here are immoderate of nan cardinal elements we measure pinch nan watch bands:

Comfort: I deterioration my smartwatches for much than 18 hours a time and often for 24 hours a time truthful nan first point I trial is nan fit, finish, and comfortableness of nan watch strap. One awesome logic that I picked Apple's ain Trail Loop is nan highly comfortable creation and ray weight that makes wearing it a sheer joy.
Durability: Given that I deterioration my Apple Watch Ultra 2 to way each of my activities, it has to beryllium capable to withstand my excessive sweat and h2o from nan rainfall and pool. I request nan watch strap to past for astatine slightest a twelvemonth aliases 2 nether these conditions and acknowledgment to Apple's continued lug creation I really tin deterioration bands for years to trial retired nan durability.
Security: A watch set has to beryllium trusted to support nan $800 Apple Watch Ultra 2 connected my wrist successful each situations. I had a Garmin watch alert disconnected my wrist and vanish down nan stream while alert sportfishing past twelvemonth aft I slipped connected a stone and I request a set to beryllium much reliable than that. The clasp system must grip assemblage weight workout flexure and unexpected impacts that whitethorn hap successful immoderate situations.
Ability to alteration out: Apple's descent successful strategy is superb and allows a personification to quickly and easy alteration watch straps. However, I purchased immoderate inexpensive bands connected Amazon successful nan past and they did not descent successful and retired of nan lug strategy very well. Thus, I trial nan expertise of nan set to align decently and beryllium replaced seamlessly.

To make a agelong communicative short, yes it is. I put nan watch done nan Tough Mudder 15K, which has complete 30 obstacles connected onshore and successful water, and nan watch held up well. The show didn't moreover person a scratch connected it. The Apple Watch Ultra is worthy it if you cognize you're going to put it done taxing environments, for illustration grueling outdoor workouts aliases 15Ks, and you want to usage it for illustration a regular smartwatch. If you want some of those things, this is nan watch for you.

There are downsides to nan watch though. For example, nan Apple Watch Ultra doesn't let you to spot your information connected a desktop aliases nan web. Even though you tin export nan information into different app, that's an further measurement that isn't required for different GPS sports watches from companies for illustration Garmin and Polar. The Apple Watch Ultra besides loses artillery much quickly than different GPS sports watches, for illustration nan Coros Vertix 2. For example, erstwhile I went done nan Tough Mudder 15K, my Coros Vertix 2 mislaid 5% of its artillery complete 2 hours and 40 minutes, while nan Watch Ultra mislaid 24% of its artillery successful nan aforesaid clip period.

Review: Apple Watch Ultra: Tougher than a Tough Mudder

The champion strap that we urge for nan Apple Watch Ultra is Apple's ain Trail Loop for its durability, comfort, and versatility. Since nan set is waterproof, you tin workout pinch it outdoors aliases sweat up a large wind successful it and not person to interest astir h2o damage. It's casual capable to deterioration astir nan location aliases for workout but is neutral capable to deterioration for dressier events.

There are a fewer differences betwixt nan Apple Watch Ultra and nan Apple Watch Ultra 2. Namely, there's a overmuch brighter screen, a newer processor, greater storage, and recycled titanium pinch nan Apple Watch Ultra 2. The size, artillery life, and sensors are nan nonstop same. Their prices are besides nan same.

Also: Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: Is it clip to upgrade?

It's a bully thought to cheque nan manufacturer's specifications erstwhile it comes to this question. For Apple loops, bands for 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm cases are mostly compatible pinch 1 another. Other manufacturers whitethorn person different parameters erstwhile it comes to this. But generally, no, you cannot put immoderate set connected nan Apple Watch Ultra if you want nan set to fresh well.