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Jun 05, 2023

11 Best Apple Watch Ultra Bands in 2023: Tested by Gear Experts

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us? From fine leather to titanium, these bands will take your Ultra to the next

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

From fine leather to titanium, these bands will take your Ultra to the next level.

JUST LIKE buying a regular Apple Watch band, an Apple Watch Ultra band helps further customize and allow for multiple different ways to wear your favorite fitness smartwatch. The caveat to buying an Apple Watch band for the Ultra model though, is not all Apple Watch bands will fit on the rugged sport watch. In terms of band compatibility, Apple Watch bands in large-width models like 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm, are the only sizes that will fit on the Apple Watch Ultra. Then there's the standard Apple Watch Ultra band size, the 49mm, which is how big the Trail Loop, Ocean Band, and Alpine Band are (the three band models you get to choose from when first purchasing your Apple Watch Ultra).

It's no secret the editors and writers at Men's Health are watch junkies, and over the past year, many of our members have taken up the Apple Watch Ultra as their go-to smartwatch. Our Apple Watch Ultra fandom has led to a bevy of band models we like to swap out on a day-to-day basis; and while it's hard to pin down a band we absolutely love over the rest of them, we recommend the Nike Sport Band 45mm model as the best Apple Watch Ultra band every guy should add to their collection.

Read more: Apple Watch Ultra Review

While we do name the a best overall Apple Watch Ultra band in this roundup, the truth is your favorite band comes down to preference. The Nike Sport Band 45mm provides the best value and use as a band you can buy outside of what you get with your Apple Watch Ultra. Remember that when you buy an Apple Watch Ultra, you get to choose from the Trail Loop, Ocean Band, or Alpine Band as the band you get with your purchase. All three of these bands are definitely worth buying, but they are also each $99 when bought separately. When testing the best Apple Watch Ultra bands, we found a number of leather and metal band models worth highlighting, as well as several rugged bands that are well under $60 and worthy of adding to a collection.

What we're saying here is this: every Apple Watch Ultra user is going to have a band they personally enjoy using. To reflect this notion, we've curated the best Apple Watch Ultra bands of all types of materials and designs so you can find the one that best suits the purpose of the band you're looking to buy. Whether it's for sport or everyday use, the bands below have excellent utility and a premium level of style. Ready to see the list?

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Made from a high-grade stretchy synthetic rubber and designed with perforations, the Nike Sport Band is the perfect band for general workouts and cardio activity. The material doesn't absorb sweat, so you never have to worry about it smelling, and the perforations actually add a level of breathability so you don't feel like you're trapping heat on your wrist anytime you decide to do a HIIT workout or go for a long run.

Although this band comes in a 45mm width, it still looks great on the Apple Watch Ultra. When testing, we noticed the 45mm bands are still big enough to fit the Ultra's case size, so even though it's not the Ultra's standard 49mm size, the width of the band still looks good with the watch. What makes the Nike watch band even better is it comes with Nike's own special wallpapers that can be downloaded to your watch.

No matter which of the three Apple Watch Ultra bands you choose with your purchase, you can't go wrong buying an additional Nike Sport Band to wear any time you work out or anticipate a long day spent outside in the heat.

Read more: Best Running Earbuds

Nomad Goods has an awesome array of Apple Watch Ultra bands to choose from. From its leather and metal band models to its rugged and sport band models, the brand makes sure not to go overboard on price while still delivering a unique band design that's comfortable and bound to last.

Our favorite band from Nomad Goods right now is the Sport Band, as its design is made to wear for the toughest workouts or as an everyday watch. The band is 100% waterproof, made from a flexible rubber that doesn't dig into your wrist. Ventilation holes are cut into the band for breathability, and a custom aluminum closure pin is added for a locked-in feel. The Sport Band is offered in many different colors, with Limited Edition color drops happening on the regular too.

Read more: Best Outdoor Watches

One of the three choices you get with an Apple Watch Ultra purchase, the Alpine Loop is an outdoor-ready band made with two textile layers and a cool titanium G-hook to secure the band in place. The best argument for choosing this band is it has zero stitching—so you won't have any weird itching or rubbing that other stitched band designs can give.

Read more: Best Digital Watches

The most trail-ready Apple Watch Ultra band is, of course, the Trail Loop. It's made from woven nylon that's breathable and tough as nails, making it perfect for everything from hiking to mountain biking. It's easy to strap on, and the velcro stays secure even when the band gets sweaty or wet. We also noticed the band dries out quickly too when wet, which is a plus. Lastly, the trail loop is breathable and soft, so you won't get any discomfort while wearing mid-activity.

Read more: Best Hiking Boots

When the Ultra was first announced, the Ocean Band was the star of the show in terms of band selections. This unique and stylish band is made with a high-performance elastomer and cut with tubular holes that let the watch band stretch over the wrist for the perfect fit. As the name suggests, the Ocean Band is totally suited for aquatic activity, and it highlights the Apple Watch Ultra's phenomenal 200-meter water resistance that makes it suitable for diving. If you're into water sports, or you like to spend time fishing or on a boat, then the Ocean band is a wicked cool band to keep with your Ultra whenever you want to throw it on.

There are a few good metal watch bands out there for the Ultra, but the best one we've found in terms of looking sleek but still accentuating the watch's rugged design notes is the Titanium Watch Band from Sandmarc. It's made with grade 2 titanium that's strong and lightweight, making it a solid choice for formal wear and for outdoor adventuring.

The band itself only weighs two ounces, so you won't have to worry about your wrist getting tired, and a nice touch we noticed Sandmarc added is a film to the titanium to help prevent scratching.

Read more: Best Stainless Steel Watches

The Leather Link from Apple is a work-ready band that's comfortable yet refined. It works by snapping on over itself and attaching via magnets. The design ensures a locked-in fit without any burden of scratchy stitching or skin-prodding clasps. Some might prefer the brown leather version of this band, but really we found there were other brown leather Ultra bands on the market.

The best investment is to go with the Midnight band (all-black), that way you can wear it more with your business casual attire.

Read more: Best Backpacks

German accessory brand Bandwerk prides itself on quality construction for a solid price point. We found the brand shines brightest on its leather Apple Watch band offerings, as Bandwerk only chooses to source high-quality leather from Italy and the US. This Berlin leather band in tan is an everyday favorite of ours, especially when it comes to wearing our Apple Watch Ultra on the weekends during leisure time.

You can select this leather model in seven different colors, and what's cool is you can even upgrade your band to include an adjustable butterfly clasp.

A rugged Apple Watch Ultra case and screen protector combo for under $30? Count us in. This strong TPU plastic band is scratch-resistant and tough as heck, battling drops and dings like the best of them; and the screen protector is made with a 9H-rated plastic that can resist some of the gnarliest scratches from rocks and other hard objects.

When testing, we found this watch band was great at keeping water out from in-between the screen and watch face. The plastic cutouts for the Ultra's buttons to go into were also smooth and easy to use. Another fun thing about this band: you can scan a QR code inside the box to get a special watch face to pair with the band.

Read more: Best Workout Headphones

The DuraPro is an all-fabric band that's simple and easy for active wear. The velcro attachment combined with the metal clasp ensures the watch stays locked in place, and the fabric material of the band itself doesn't rub or cause any discomfort.

While Spigen doesn't note exactly what the fabric is made from, it's likely made mostly of nylon. We found the watch band performed well at staying in place when it got wet during a workout, and afterward, we noticed it dried quicker than expected. If you're looking for a simple band you can beat up and wear down, this under $25 option is an ideal choice. Set your expensive bands aside and use this when you anticipate heavy wear and tear.

UAG makes a strong nylon-woven watch strap for the Apple Watch Ultra. It features a hook and loop fastener, with strong velcro and metal hardware to ensure your Ultra stays in place. The strap design has a more rugged style than the barebones fabric straps you can buy for cheaper, and the added stitching reinforcements of the UAG provide better durability.

Simply put, this is an elevated nylon band you can wear for outdoor sport or for everyday wear and not have to worry the slightest bit about it breaking a part or not staying snug on your wrist. It's available in four cool colors.

Does the Apple Watch Ultra use a different band?

The Apple Watch Ultra comes with a 49mm width band to match its 49mm case size. No other Apple Watch will take the 49mm band; however, if you have an old Apple Watch band you can attach it to your Apple Watch Ultra as long as it's a 42mm, 44mm, or 45mm width. Apple Watch bands less than 42mm will not attach to an Apple Watch Ultra.

What is the best swim band for the Apple Watch Ultra?

As touched on above, the Ocean Band is the best Apple Watch Ultra band for swimming and other aquatic activities. The Ocean Band's tubular design and strong metal clasps are designed to make sure your Apple Watch Ultra stays secure on your wrist as your swim. The Ocean Band is so good that it even performs well as a band for diving.

Are Apple bands better than third-party bands?

The Apple Watch Ultra bands made by Apple are pretty amazing (think Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, Ocean Band, etc), however, there are several third-party bands made by brands that are worth buying. We recommend staying away from any cheap Ultra bands from third-party brands though, because you're likely to find something of not very good quality or comfort. Plus, you just made such a nice purchase to acquire an Apple Watch Ultra. Why slap on a cheap band that will water down its iconic rugged look?

If you are unsure of what third-party bands to go with, stick to any of the ones we mention above—Nomad Goods, Sandmarc, Bandwerk, Urban Armor Gear, Spigen, and more.

Over the years we've reviewed endless amounts of Apple Watch accessories. The Men's Health editors and writers, including our Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, thoroughly researched and tested a wide variety of Apple Watch Ultra bands since the watch's release last fall—many of the bands have become a part of our everyday rotation. The list ahead represents all of the best Apple Watch Ultra bands for all types of uses in 2023.

John Thompson is the Gear and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he covers fashion, grooming, gear, and technology. He was previously the Style & Gear Editor at BroBible.com, and a commerce writer for TheManual.com. His interests include shopping for rare vintage clothes and following his favorite baseball team, the Kansas City Royals.

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