Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.
The 15 Best Watch Straps For a Cool and Casual Summer
Ditch the solid leather for something more breathable, durable and casual.
By
Andrew Connor
Worn & Wound
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, salt water 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 any watch into a heat-beating timekeeping companion.
NATO
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 strong hold 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.
Like a NATO, a perlon is made from nylon, but is formed from a braided patterning of the material as opposed to being cut form 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.
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.
Steel mesh straps were particularly popular back in the early days of wrist watches 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.
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 its best to reserve this for kind of strap for cooler nights out, rather than daytime activities.
The V10 used to be Dyson's top-tier stick vacuum, but it was eventually replaced by the slightly more powerful (and much more expensive) V11. This makes the V10 a great value, as it's usually $150 less than the V11. Thanks to this sale, it's even a better value than the V11 right now.
The CPO jacket is a classic silhouette that never goes out of style. Todd Snyder upgraded this one with premium a cotton-linen Herringbone that will break in and only get better over time.
All-Clad's big factory seconds sale is on, which means there's no better time to buy factory seconds from the superior cookware brand. Like this Copper Core 10-inch Fry Pan, which is a big-time upgrade for your kitchen that you can score for just a Benjamin.
Is anything left to be said about the Eames chair? This is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture to come out of the 20th century and is a must-have for any furniture aficionados (if you can afford it).
These are loaded with some of Nike's best features, including React outsoles for ultimate efficiency on the road and Flyknit uppers for a lightweight, sock-like feel.
Colorblocking is in and we love the color combo on this half-zip fleece. Plus you get pockets to keep your hands warm, which isn't a common feature on a fleece like this.
Using half bison fiber and half wool, the Bison Ultralight weighs less than a pound and offers extremely well insulation. It also sports a recycled ripstop shell with a PFC-free DWR coating and compactly folds into its own pocket. At half off, this is a steal. READ OUR DOWN JACKETS GUIDE
Four-way stretch, seamless construction, and extreme breathability make this our pick for the best premium workout shirt. It is simple, and simply good.
This collab between Outdoor Voices and Hoka One One pairs an award-winning running shoe with OV's sharp eye for design to make a shoe that looks as good as it feels.
Not only is this one of the most versatile packs around, it eschews some of the "ugly" features on a standard outdoor pack for a look that is actually super stylish. We welcome an outdoor pack that values both style and function.
Perfect for winter, these boots are made with fully waterproof leather and vulcanized rubber, keeping you dry whether you're sloshing through snow on the way to work, doing work in the yard, or going out for a hunt.
Everlane does basics extremely well — it's kind of Everlane's thing. The brand's 18-wale corduroy fabric shirt is a great option for the winter months and at half off you truly cannot beat it. READ OUR GUIDE TO CORDUROY SHIRTS
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 25 percent off, you do it.
The complete package, this sound bar connects via Bluetooth, has its own subwoofer and passive radiators, is wall-mountable, and can connect via HDMI, optical or AUX connections.
Carhartt is everywhere right now, with good reason. The brand's hardy garments are the epitome of workwear, this shirt jacket included. Flannel speaks for itself, but additional hand pockets and fleece lining round out this wardrobe staple.
This chronograph re-issue of Timex's original military-style watch has an aluminum 40mm case that provides strength without the weight. If you're looking for a daily knock around with chronograph features, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
If you're a student, there's never been a better time to get a Hulu subscription. The discount also doesn't expire — it lasts as long as you're enrolled as a student.
If you are working out a lot, you're going to need more than one mask. Under Armour has created one of the best sports-specific masks and right now if you buy two you get a great deal.
Todd Snyder's collaborations with Timex always hit. Paired with a vintage military-inspired band, this bullseye design is straight from the Timex archives.
Whether you want to move some of your most frequently used herbs indoors or don't have space outside for a garden, the AeroGarden Harvest is a perfect solution, with clearance for up to a foot of growth and room for 6 plants that grow five times faster than soil.
Adidas used sustainable Parley Primeblue material to make its Primeknit upper even better, then combined it with Boost midsoles to make the ultimate earth-conscious workout shoe.
The Jabra Elite Active 65t are sports-focused headphones (IP56) with great sound quality for listening to music and taking calls. Also compatible with Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant, this is one of our top picks for sports-focused earbuds.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
