With summer in full swing, it’s helpful to have a smartwatch that can withstand wherever the warmer months take you. It’s no secret that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 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 2 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. 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 2 is a 49mm watch, so bands fit for the larger Apple Watch Series 10, 45mm, also work with the Apple Watch Ultra 2.)
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, light weight, and price. It’s also included with your Apple Watch Ultra 2 purchase.
Read on to learn about our other Apple Watch Ultra recommendations.
Best Apple Watch Ultra straps of 2025
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I exclusively used to buy Apple Watch straps from third-party manufacturers, but I finally decided to give Apple’s Watch Ultra 2 strap a shot. After trying two of the three available options, the Trail Loop is by far my favorite band, and the one I keep returning to for daily use.
The Trail Loop band is lightweight, durable, and comfortable to wear. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is excellent for tracking your metrics 24/7, meaning the band must be extremely comfortable for constant wear to optimize data. This band stands out for its thin material and flexibility to adjust to your body’s daily changes.
Unfortunately, Apple’s official Trail Loop band is only available in three basic colors, and additional bands are expensive. There are some low-cost 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 and Ultra 2, 44mm/45mm/49mm | Colors: 3 | Band sizes: 130-180mm and 145-220mm wrist circumference
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With several different color options to compliment your Apple Watch Ultra, these customizable sport bands from Nomad are excellent for intense workouts and everyday wear. The band is 100% waterproof, meaning you can wear the band in rain, sleet, sweat, or swimming pools with no worries of damage. With a lightweight design that encourages ventilation, if your sport band gets wet, it’ll dry quickly.
We also recommend you 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 sell out quickly, so if you see a limited edition offering you better make your purchase quickly.
Also: Nomad just made the boldest Apple Watch accessory yet, and I expect it to sell out soon
While these bands are durable and made to last, they also close on your wrist using the pin and tuck in loop closure method. This can sometimes be a bit of a challenge to close securely, especially one-handed. If you take your watch on and off throughout the day, this band may annoy you at times.
Nomad Waterproof 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: 13 | Band sizes: 45mm/49mm or 40mm/41mm
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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 offers 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. 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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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
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.
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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I reviewed Nomad Rugged Straps in October 2022 and focused on their high-quality, flexible FKM fluoroelastomer rubber, which is antimicrobial and easily wiped down with soap and water. It won’t get damaged if it’s exposed to high temperatures, sunlight, oils, or chemicals because 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’s notches 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
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 looked brand new. Avid swimmers will benefit from a band this waterproof, and it’s comfortable enough for everyday wear as well. You can choose between silver or black hardware and ultra orange, black, or Atlantic blue.
Nomad now offers a Rugged Band with titanium hardware that is branded the Rocky Point Band. It is a limited-edition band available for $80 in four color options, including Sol, or yellow.
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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This waterproof band is available in a wide array of color choices and substantial embedding of rhinestones. It comes with an 18-month warranty and at the time of this writing, over 28,000 customers have rated it an average of 4.5 stars.
The secret to such high levels of satisfaction lies in the band’s sizing. To ensure a perfect fit, especially for smaller wrist sizes or in-between wrist sizes, the company includes a resizing tool with the strap, as well as an extra half link for those who fall in between. Don’t worry if you’ve never used a resizing tool before, there’s an easy-to-follow video on the product page. Some customers have even used the resizing tool to adjust the links of other watch straps.
Please note that this option is currently out of stock, but it should be available soon.
Lelong band features: Material: Stainless steel | Waterproof: No | Compatibility: Apple Watch Ultra, SE, Series 9 and all previous Apple Watches | Colors: 10 | Band sizes: 38mm/40mm/41mm or 42mm/44mm/45mm/49mm
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As sweat-wicking and lightweight as some of our favorite workout straps are, there are times when you want to dress up your Apple Watch Ultra, and a neon sports strap isn’t going to cut it for a black-tie event. For a quality band you can wear to work and out on the town, this Casetify Genuine Leather band is a top option. Made with authentic Italian and German leather, the straps are intentionally designed for prolonged wear.
Casetify is known for its vast assortment of phone cases and continues their approach with highly customizable watch bands. You can select from four different buckle color or nine leather band colors. This means you can personalize your watch strap for dinner parties, work conferences, and weekend outings. You can also have two characters put on the band for an additional $7 to make it truly personal.
Casetify Genuine Leather Band features: Material: Leather | Waterproof: No | Compatibility: All Apple Watch models | Colors: 9 | Band sizes: 38mm/40mm/41mm or 42mm/44mm/45mm/49mm
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The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best smartwatch available today, and its top-notch silver titanium material is durable and attractive. Titanium bands for this titanium watch, however, are expensive. Apple’s Silver Link Bracelet costs $349 and many others priced over $300. Withit offers an affordable titanium metal band, and the best link adjustment design I have ever seen on a watch. It lets you remove or add links in seconds with no tools required.
Review: One feature makes this the best Apple Watch titanium band available
The grade-2 titanium watch band material perfectly matches the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 and is even lighter than the stainless-steel option. The band isn’t exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra series and also works with 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm Apple Watch models. The band has a DLC protective coating, which causes it to look as new as the day 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 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 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 or black hardware |
Tri-glide buckle system |
|
Nomad Rugged Band |
$49 |
FKM fluoroelastomer rubber |
Series 1-8, SE, and Ultra |
Stainless steel lugs and buckle |
Fully waterproof |
|
Lelong band |
$17 |
Stainless steel |
All Apple Watch models |
Stainless steel links |
18-month warranty |
|
Casetify Genuine Leather Band |
$60 |
Leather |
All Apple Watch models |
Stylish band for dressing up |
|
|
Withit Titanium Band |
$145 |
Titanium |
Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 |
Titanium |
Lightweight titanium for dressing up and everyday wear |
The right Apple Watch Ultra strap depends on what you prioritize. If you want a screen protector, water resistance, antimicrobial properties, there’s a product for you.
|
Choose this Apple Watch Ultra strap… |
If you want... |
|
Apple Trail Loop |
The best band overall for sleeping, exercising, and living. It’s free with your Apple Watch Ultra purchase too. |
|
Nomad Waterproof Sport Band |
The best alternative rubber band that isn’t made by Apple. |
|
Nike Sport Band |
The best band for exercise. It’s lightweight, breathable, and wicks sweat and oils. |
|
Zulu Alpha Apple Strap |
The best band with remarkable craftsmanship. Each strap is handmade and made to order. |
|
Nomad Rugged Band |
An antimicrobial band with marine-grade hardware, perfect for swimming. It holds up well to strenuous exercise. |
|
Lelong band |
A dazzling band that you can easily adjust to the size of your wrist. It comes with an extra half link for those who are in between sizes. |
|
Casetify Genuine Leather Band |
The best lightweight leather band. |
|
Withit Titanium Band |
The best metal band with an innovative, no-tools required link adjustment design. |
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.
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 2 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 2 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.
To make a long story short, 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.
There are downsides to the watch though. For example, the Apple Watch Ultra doesn’t allow you to see your data on a desktop or the web. Even though you can export the data into another app, that’s an additional step that isn’t required for other GPS sports watches from companies like Garmin and Polar. The Apple Watch Ultra also loses battery more quickly than other GPS sports watches, like the Coros Vertix 2. For example, when I went through the Tough Mudder 15K, my Coros Vertix 2 lost 5% of its battery over two hours and 40 minutes, while the Watch Ultra lost 24% of its battery in the same time period.
Review: Apple Watch Ultra: Tougher than a Tough Mudder
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.
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?
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.
Alternative Apple Watch Ultra bands worth considering
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