The new Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 are now up for pre-order and will soon begin shipping. While the connectors are the same as last year’s models, if you’re looking to refresh your band wardrobe Apple has a series of new colors now live for its Alpine, Trail, and Ocean designs, as well as the Sport models. And we have also put together a list of some of our favorite third-party straps to elevate your Apple Watch experience – even if you aren’t buying a new watch this year, a fresh new band does wonders to reinvigorate the look and feel of the model you already have if you ask me. Down below you’ll find some models we have tested and wear ourselves with even more on the way soon.
Best Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 bands
New 2025 Apple models
While I’m normally a huge fan of the Hermès Apple Watch band collabs, the official new blue Faubourg model is seriously nice. That said, you won’t catch me spending that sort of cash on an Apple Watch anyway, and the new Alpine models have always been a particular favorite of mine. The new all-black model is seriously nice, and that Terra Cotta orange treatment might have my name on it.
Whichever catches your eye, I still maintain that Apple does make some of the best bands for its wearables and the new collection has arrived. We are looking at all of the same models as last year, just with some new color treatments across the board.
- 2025 Alpine Loop $99
- 2025 Ocean Band $99
- 2025 Trail Loop $99
- 2025 Sport Band $49
- 2025 Sport Loop $49
- And even more…
Spigen Athlex Trail Loop-style
One surprisingly good band that launched recently actually comes from Spigen and you can pick it up for just $22 in four different colors. The Spigen Athlex Apple Watch Band, as I detailed in my hands-on review, is much nicer than the price suggest. If you’re looking for an ultra-comfortable alternative to Apple’s Trail Loop, the Spigen Athlex is a great option – I wear mine all the time and it is one of the comfortable options in my collection.
- Spigen Athlex Apple Watch Band $22 (Reg. $25+)
Burton Goods leather bands
There are a ton of leather Apple Watch bands out there, some better than others. But the Burton Goods models still find a way to stand out by delivering a real artisan look and feel – many of the leather bands out there just look like they were made on a factory assembly line whether they are made of proper leather materials or not, but Burton Goods bands look like handmade American leather craft and are all the better for it. Brands like Nomad make really nice leather bands too, don’t get me wrong, and they deserve a place in our 2025 collection as well, but there’s nothing quite like a proper handmade strap and Burton Goods makes some of the best.
Be sure to use code BG20 at checkout to knock 20% off the price tags.
- Heritage Leather Strap $48 (Reg. $60+)
- Ultra Leather Band $64 (Reg. $90)
- Vintage Leather Cuff $88 (Reg. $120)
- The Pilot Leather Strap $72 (Reg. $90)
- The Titanium Leather Band $71 (Reg. $90)
- And even more…
Nomad Watch Bands
Frankly, Nomad makes some of the best Apple Watch bands in all the categories – sport, leather, and the metal bracelet-style. I have personally come away impressed with everything I have tested from the brand and I’m almost certain you will too.
For the sake of our picks this year, we are going to focus in on some of its newer releases, models we have tested out, and my personal favorites I wear all the time – the new Tempo sport models, the Rocky Point rugged sport models with titanium hardware, and the hybrid leather variants (leather on the outside with a rubber interior). Having said that, I recommend browsing through all of them, it’s seriously hard to go wrong here.
UAG
UAG has long made some of our favorite Apple Watch bands, and this year it has introduced some new colors to its Pathfinder, Monarch, and Active models. It ultra-rugged hook & loop fastener closure models are real highlights for me, delivering that sporty everyday military vibe that works great on a hike or out in the wilderness as much as they do in jeans and a t-shirt running errands. UAG bands deliver some serious build quality with proper metal connectors and detailing – you get what you pay for and you’re getting an extremely high-quality band here.
NASA Apple Watch Bands
I absolutely adore the look of these NASA bands. Officially licensed with a rugged nylon vibe and hits of suede leather detail work. I seriously love the detailing on these bands that just takes them up a notch from the millions of others that deliver a similar vibe – they also only cost $25 Prime shipped.
SANDMARC Titanium
Much like the leather category, there are a ton of great titanium and metal bracelet-style Apple Watch bands out there, but SANDMARC is still my favorite. I love the dual button, invisible-style clasp, and these things look even more expensive than they are – they look and feel like something that could come on a Rolex or a high-end Titanium dive watch from a heritage Swiss watch brand. If you’re into this kind of thing and are looking to invest in a proper metal band, SANDMARC makes some of the best hands-down – I wear mine all the time.
Use code gadgetnewsonline at checkout to knock 10% off your order.
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