Now that the cold of the fall and winter months is upon us, it’s time to possibly switch your Apple Watch band out from a lighter summer band to one that is more fitting for the season. It’s no secret that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a top-tier smartwatch with a rugged design, large display, and ample battery life, but the right strap is key to comfort, style, and versatility. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 shares size and dimensions with the original Apple Watch Ultra, and comes with one of the three premium Apple bands, each tailored to specific activities. Apple also offers a metal loop option for $100 additional fee. Beyond Apple’s options, there are plenty of great third-party bands for workouts, swimming, work, or formal wear.
I tested several options and consulted ZDNET reviews and staff members’ recommendations to create this guide to the best Apple Watch Ultra straps you can buy. (Note that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a 49mm watch, so bands fit for the larger Apple Watch Series 11, 45mm, also work with the Apple Watch Ultra 3.)
Also: The best Apple Watches
What is the best Apple Watch Ultra strap right now?
After years of use in various activities and daily life, my pick for the best Apple Watch Ultra band overall is Apple’s own Trail Loop strap. Despite testing many different bands, I kept returning to the Trail Loop thanks to its supreme level of comfort, customizable and flexible fit, lightweight design, and price. It’s also included with your Apple Watch Ultra 3 purchase.
Read on to learn about our other Apple Watch Ultra recommendations.
Best Apple Watch Ultra straps of 2025
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Why we like it: With past Apple Watch purchases, I always moved on to straps from other manufacturers, but Apple’s Watch Ultra 3 options are compelling. After trying two of the four available options, the Trail Loop is the band I keep returning to for daily use. Apple sent along its small/medium Trail Loop in Black/Charcoal, but it wasn’t large enough for my wrist, so I purchased a medium/large one in Green/Neon, and it’s perfect.
With the latest two generations of Apple Watch, the company offers the watch in both titanium and black finishes, so thankfully, the Trail Loop is also available with the metal hardware matching the watch body color.
Who it’s for: The Trail Loop band is lightweight, durable, and comfortable to wear, making it my pick for the best Apple Watch Ultra band for most people. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is excellent for tracking your metrics 24/7, meaning the band must be extremely comfortable for constant wear to optimize data collection. This band stands out for its thin material and flexibility to adjust to your body’s daily changes.
Also: I compared the Apple Watch Ultra 3 to Garmin’s inReach satellite connectivity – here’s the winner
Who should look elsewhere: Unfortunately, Apple’s official Trail Loop band is only available in four basic colors, and it’s priced at a rather high $99. If you don’t like fabric bands secured with Velcro, then you need to look at other options. There are some low-cost fabric band options on Amazon, but I have yet to find one that matches the quality and comfort of Apple’s official band.
Apple Trail Loop features: Material: Nylon weave with titanium ends| Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3, 44mm/45mm/49mm | Colors: 4 | Band sizes: 130-180mm and 145-220mm wrist circumference
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Why we like it: I love the professional look and styling of a good metal watch band, but they are not designed for an active lifestyle where you wear your Apple Watch to track workouts and sleep. Nomad’s new Stratos hybrid band combines Grade 4 titanium with colorful FKM links between the titanium, so you can wear this metal band 24/7.
The build quality, colorful FKM options, and seamless magnetic clasp make this one of my new favorite bands for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Who it’s for: The Nomad Stratos watch band is perfect for those who want an elegant metal watch band that they can wear all day and night while also tracking their health and wellness metrics. It looks great in the office or out on a run. The Nomad Stratos is also available for a reasonable $179, that is far less expensive than most titanium Apple Watch bands.
Also: I’ve worn my Apple Watch Ultra for 2 years – here’s what it looks like now
Who should look elsewhere: Some people don’t like metal bands, so if that is the case, then this band is not for you. You also have to use the included tool to adjust the band to fit your wrist, so if you aren’t comfortable managing links, then a silicone or fabric band may be best for you.
Lastly, the magnetic clasp is quick and easy to secure the band to your wrist, but it may not be able to withstand active workouts with lots of arm movements. You also need to adjust the band to maintain a constant connection of the back to your wrist for continued accurate heart rate tracking.
Nomad Stratos features: Material: Titanium and FKM Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3, 44mm/45mm/49mm | Colors: Two for metal links and three for FKM interior | Band size: 130-200mm wrist circumference
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Why we like it: With several different colors to accompany your Apple Watch Ultra, these sport bands from Nomad are customizable and made for intense workouts as well as everyday wear. The band is 100% waterproof, so you can wear it while exercising in rain, sleet, or snow, with no worries of damage. With a lightweight design that encourages ventilation, if your sport band gets wet, it won’t stay wet for long or cling to oil.
Keep an eye on the Nomad website, because the company regularly offers Limited Edition models with cool colors and styles (including the one pictured above on an Apple Watch Series 9). These historically sell out quickly, so if you see a Limited Edition offering, you should make your purchase quickly. The company sometimes brings back popular Limited Edition models, too.
Who it’s for: If you like Apple’s Sport Band, but want a band that is more affordable and has various color options, then you should consider a Nomad Sport Band. The FKM material is more substantial than what Apple offers, and the available color options are fantastic.
Also: Nomad just made the boldest Apple Watch accessory yet, and I expect it to sell out soon
Who should look elsewhere: While the bands are durable and made to last, they also close on your wrist using the pin and tuck-in loop closure method, which can sometimes be a bit of a challenge to close securely. If you take your watch on and off throughout the day, this band may annoy you at times.
Nomad Sport Band features: Material: Fluoroelastomer rubber | Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8, 7, 6, SE, and all previous versions of Apple Watch | Colors: 9 | Band sizes: 45mm/49mm or 40mm/41mm
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Why we like it: With the Nike Sport Band, you’re getting a bona fide Apple-branded sports band suited for all sorts of terrain. Wear it while tracking your progress for marathon training, lounging at a summer cookout, or during your daily activities around the house.
The band comes in six colors with artistic flecks. For added breathability, Apple also included compression-molded perforations — essentially small holes across the band — to keep it durable, lightweight, strong, and soft.
Who it’s for: Fans of Nike products may enjoy having the brand as part of their Apple Watch kit. The sports band looks great and is good for active Apple Watch wearers.
Who should look elsewhere: The only issue ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner pointed out in his testing is that the holes can collect dust and dirt, taking some time to clean.
Nike Sport Band features: Material: Aluminum | Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch models 38mm, 40mm, 41mm | Colors: 6 | Band sizes: fit S/M (130-180mm) and M/L (150-200mm)
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Why we like it: This rugged watch strap was handmade in the UK with the specific purpose of maintaining comfort in challenging environments. The Zulu Alpha Apple Strap features tubular bonded polyester webbing, which withstands abrasions better than nylon. The material also dries quickly, so you can wear your watch continuously and comfortably if it gets wet while on your wrist. Metal connectors, which are customizable 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
Who it’s for: ZDNET contributor Adrian Kingsley-Hughes tested this band and appreciated the strong stitching, the tri-glide buckle that easily fastens, and the overall comfort. As he wrote in his review, “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 sets of hands before it ships out, so 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 to sustain all of your rugged adventures.
Who should look elsewhere: If you need a strap today, this is not the product for you since it takes time to build the strap for your specifications.
Zulu Alpha strap features: Material: Tubular bonded polyester webbing | Thickness: 1.2mm | Width: 22mm | Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: All Apple Watches | Colors: 14 | Band sizes: 38mm / 40mm / 41mm or 42mm / 44mm / 45mm / 49mm
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Why we like it: I reviewed the Nomad Rugged Strap in October 2022, 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
Who it’s for: I wore the Rugged Band while I was running, swimming, biking, and fly fishing, and at the end of all of that activity, the Nomad Rugged Strap still 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, black, or Atlantic blue for the band color.
Nomad now offers a Rugged Band with titanium hardware that is branded the Rocky Point Band. It is available for $79 in six colors, including a limited edition Carbon Black color option.
Who should look elsewhere: The band is a bit thick and chunky, so it can power through any challenge, but it may not be comfortable for you to track your sleep. If you are looking for a lightweight band, look through other options in this list.
Nomad Rugged band features: Material: FKM fluoroelastomer rubber | Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8, 7, 6, SE, and all previous versions of Apple Watch | Colors: 3 | Band sizes: 45 mm / 49 mm or 40 mm / 41 mm
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Why we like it: The Apple Watch Ultra 3’s silver titanium body material is durable and attractive. Titanium bands for this titanium watch, however, are expensive. Apple’s Silver Link Bracelet is $349, and others are priced over $300. Withit not only offers an affordable titanium metal band option, but also has the best link adjustment design I have ever seen on a watch that lets you remove or add links in seconds with no tools required.
Simply find the links with arrows, pull the top link directly out and away from the band, rotate the link 90 degrees, and then slide out the link adjacent to it.
Review: One feature makes this the best Apple Watch titanium band available
Who it’s for: The grade 2 titanium watch band material perfectly matches the Apple Watch Ultra, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3 titanium color models and is lighter than the stainless steel option. Withit also now offers black titanium, in addition to the natural titanium, in order to support the black models of the Ultra 2 and Ultra 3.
If you are looking for an affordable, elegant, and easy to adjust metal band, then the Withit model is a perfect option.
Who should look elsewhere: If you don’t want a metal band, then obviously this is not the model for you. It is one of the best metal watch bands I have ever tested and includes everything you need to adjust the band to fit your wrist.
Withit Titanium Band features: Material: Titanium Grade 2 | Waterproof: Yes | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra 3, 2 & Ultra, 42/45/49mm Apple Watch models | Colors: 2
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We determined that the best Apple Watch Ultra strap is the Apple Trail Loop strap for its material choice and its overall quality. Here are the rest of our top picks.
Apple Watch Ultra strapPriceMaterialCompatibilityHardwareKey featureApple Trail Loop$99Nylon weaveUltra, Ultra 2, Ultra 3TitaniumFully waterproofNomad Stratos Band$179Titanium and FKM RubberSeries 1-8, SE, and UltraTitaniumMetal and FKM for active wearNomad Sport Band$60FKM RubberSeries 1-8, SE, and UltraRubberFully waterproofNike Sport Band$49Aluminum38mm, 40mm, 41mmAluminumLightweight for workoutsZulu Alpha Apple Strap$86Tubular bonded polyester webbingAll Apple Watch modelsSteel or black hardwareTri-glide buckle systemNomad Rugged Band$60FKM fluoroelastomer rubberSeries 1-8, SE, and UltraStainless steel lugs and buckleFully waterproofWithit Titanium Band$145TitaniumApple Watch Ultra, Ultra 2 and Ultra 3TitaniumSimple band adjustment method
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The right Apple Watch Ultra strap depends on what you prioritize. If you want a screen protector, water resistance, and antimicrobial properties, there’s a product for you.
Choose this Apple Watch Ultra strap…If you want…Apple Trail LoopThe best band overall for sleeping, exercising, and living. It’s free with your Apple Watch Ultra purchase too.Nomad Stratos BandThe perfect mix of titanium and FKM for a metal band look with the durability and comfort of a rubber band for comfortable 24/7 wear.Nomad Sport BandThe best alternative rubber band that isn’t made by Apple.Nike Sport BandThe best band for exercise. It’s lightweight, breathable, and wicks sweat and oils.Zulu Alpha Apple StrapThe best band with remarkable craftsmanship. Each strap is handmade and made to order.Nomad Rugged BandAn antimicrobial band with marine-grade hardware, perfect for swimming. It holds up well to strenuous exercise.Withit Titanium BandThe best metal band with an innovative, no-tools-required link adjustment design.
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Everyone has their own priorities and uses for their smartwatch, and the factors that I use when buying a band may be different than yours. However, here are several factors to consider, based on our years of experience testing wearables:
Materials: Apple Watch Ultra straps are generally made of silicone/rubber, fabric, leather, or metal so first consider which material you want your band made of. Your material selection will likely also align with your activities since you do not want to wear a leather band if you plan to swim or run with your Apple Watch.
Sleep or not to sleep: If you plan to use your Apple Watch Ultra for sleep tracking and wear it to bed each night, then you are going to want to purchase an especially comfortable band. The Watch Ultra is the largest Apple Watch, so finding a band that is light and comfortable is key to wearing such a large watch to sleep. A metal band is likely not the best option for sleeping with your watch. The new Vitals functionality in WatchOS only works if you sleep with your Apple Watch mounted on your wrist so to understand your overall health and wellness it is a good idea to sleep with your watch on.
Heart rate monitoring: The Apple Watch Ultra has been proven to have one of the most accurate wrist-mounted optical heart rate monitors available today, so if you use your watch to track your heart rate, then you must find a strap that supports a proper monitor fit. If the band is too loose or raises the watch above your wrist then it’s not optimized for heart rate tracking. You can also use an external heart rate monitor with your Apple Watch Ultra, and if you prefer that option, then the snugness of the band is not as important.
Price: Apple offers a host of watch bands itself, but in almost all cases the Apple branded straps are more expensive than third party straps. Apple’s bands are all of high quality, but you can save lots of money by looking at other makers for your watch band.
Color and style: I don’t know many people who have a single watch band that they always wear, and with the easy removal design you may want to consider multiple bands for your Watch Ultra. It’s great to have a band for working out and sleeping, and another for going out on the town or special occasions.
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At ZDNET, we prioritize hands-on testing of Apple Watches and their straps, wearing them over the course of days or weeks during our daily lives. That means that others on our staff and I have worn these bands while working, exercising, sleeping, and doing all other daily activities. Here are some of the key elements we evaluate with the watch bands:
Comfort: I wear my smartwatches for more than 18 hours a day and often for 24 hours a day so the first thing I test is the fit, finish, and comfort of the watch strap. One major reason that I picked Apple’s own Trail Loop is the extremely comfortable design and light weight that makes wearing it a sheer joy.
Durability: Given that I wear my Apple Watch Ultra 3 to track all of my activities, it has to be able to withstand my excessive sweat and water from the rain and pool. I need the watch strap to last for at least a year or two under these conditions and thanks to Apple’s continued lug design I actually can wear bands for years to test out the durability.
Security: A watch band has to be trusted to keep the $800 Apple Watch Ultra 3 on my wrist in all situations. I had a Garmin watch fly off my wrist and disappear down the river while fly fishing last year after I slipped on a rock and I need a band to be more reliable than that. The clasp mechanism must handle body weight workout flexure and unexpected impacts that may happen in some situations.
Ability to change out: Apple’s slide in system is brilliant and allows a user to quickly and easily change watch straps. However, I purchased some inexpensive bands on Amazon in the past and they did not slide in and out of the lug system very well. Thus, I test the ability of the band to align properly and be replaced seamlessly.
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Latest news on Apple Watch Ultra bands
Nomad just released the Stratos Band that combines titanium and FKM rubber. After just a day of testing, it is likely to become my new daily watch band since it offers the elegance of titanium with the comfort of FKM, and I no longer have to switch bands regularly to meet my workout needs and business needs.
As the holiday season arrives, look to companies to release new Apple Watch Ultra bands that make great gifts for family and friends.
Yes, it is. I put the watch through the Tough Mudder 15K, which has over 30 obstacles on land and in water, and the watch held up well. The display didn’t even have a scratch on it. The Apple Watch Ultra is worth it if you know you’re going to put it through taxing environments, like grueling outdoor workouts or 15Ks, and you want to use it like a regular smartwatch. If you want both of those things, this is the watch for you.
Also: I compared the Apple Watch Ultra 3 to Garmin’s inReach satellite connectivity – here’s the winner
I just recently tested the new satellite connectivity functions on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and confirmed that I will no longer go trail running, hiking, camping, and fly fishing outside of cellular coverage without the Apple Watch Ultra 3. I was able to send text messages and my location to family with no subscription fees and through a satellite connection with ease.
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The best strap that we recommend for the Apple Watch Ultra is Apple’s own Trail Loop for its durability, comfort, and versatility. Since the band is waterproof, you can exercise with it outdoors or sweat up a storm in it and not have to worry about water damage. It’s casual enough to wear around the house or for exercise but is neutral enough to wear for dressier events.
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There are a few differences between the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 3. Namely, the addition of 5G and satellite connectivity, which are essential for those who use the communications features of their Apple Watch or want to connect with family, friends, and emergency services while off the grid. Their prices are also the same.
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There are a few differences between the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Namely, there’s a much brighter screen, a newer processor, greater storage, and recycled titanium with the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The size, battery life, and sensors are the exact same. Their prices are also the same.
Also: Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: Is it time to upgrade?
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It’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s specifications when it comes to this question. For Apple loops, bands for 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm cases are generally compatible with one another. Other manufacturers may have different parameters when it comes to this. But generally, no, you cannot put any band on the Apple Watch Ultra if you want the band to fit well.
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Latest updates
October 2025: Since our last update, Apple launched the Watch Ultra 3. In this update, we tested and added the Nomad Stratos Band as our pick for the best Apple Watch Ultra metal band for an active lifestyle. We also removed two picks from the list that we hadn’t tested: the Lelong band and the Casetify Genuine Leather Band.
Alternative Apple Watch Ultra bands worth considering
Smartwatches Reviewed & Compared
