5 Best Apple Watch Ultra Watch Bands of 2024

time:2024-12-22 00:42:09 edit: Source:

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The 5 Best Apple Watch Ultra Bands We Tried This Year

Climbing, diving, or going to dinner—there's a band for that.

By Bryn Gelbart

We know it's cool to hate the easy option, but sometimes you just have to give it up to Apple. Like the first time we tried the Apple Vision Pro 0r the Apple Watch Ultra 2—which immediately looked like Apple's first real challenger in the rugged smartwatch market. The original Ultra was fine, but this is the one that has the ability to rival Garmin. After some time with it, we especially love the newer Golf Watch functions, but on top of that, it's a great running watch and can even go underwater. It's truly a do-it-all fitness gadget. It's one of the favorite gadgets around here.

Naturally, our next question here at Esquire was "What watch bands are going to improve on this great little piece of tech?" So, to answer this question for you, we got to testing. In fact, over the past year we've best testing new Apple Watch Ultra bands every chance we get. There aren't a ton of options (compared to the regular Apple Watch) but of the ones that are out there, we've tried a lot. These five are the best Apple Watch Ultra Bands out there.

  • Ocean Band

    Best Overall Apple Watch Ultra Band

    Apple Ocean Band

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  • Leather Apple Watch Ultra Band

    Best Smooth Leather Band

    SandMarc Leather Apple Watch Ultra Band

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  • Magnetic Band for Apple Watch Ultra

    Best Magnetic Apple Watch Band

    Lucrin Magnetic Band for Apple Watch Ultra

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Best Overall Apple Watch Ultra Band

Apple Ocean Band

Ocean Band$100 at Apple
Pros
  • ProJust a great do-it-all band
  • ProDurable rubber build
  • ProDoesn't look or feel cheap
  • ProComfortable to wear exercising
Cons
  • ConLess breathable than true sport bands

For everything water-focused or sweat-drenched, I'd go with the Ocean Band. It is specifically made for ocean activities—sailing, snorkeling, and the like—so it's obviously the best option for anyone on the water. But, I also think it's the frontrunner for the Watch Ultra 2's generalist band of the year. After months with the Ultra, it was still the one we liked the most overall at the end of our testing period.

Since it's made of rubber like a typical sport band, you don't have to worry about keeping it clean or keeping it safe. The titanium finish on the clasps classes up the joint a little bit, so it doesn't look or feel cheap whatsoever. The only fault I found is that it's not incredibly perforated, so it'll feel a bit more restrictive than your typical sport bands.

Materialselastomer, titanium finish
ColorsBlack, Navy, Ice Blue, Yellow, Orange, White
Best Smooth Leather Band

SandMarc Leather Apple Watch Ultra Band

Leather Apple Watch Ultra Band$70 at sandmarc.com
Pros
  • ProLeather is high quality
  • ProNice stainless steel accents
  • ProA handful of nice color options
  • ProAffordable for leather
Cons
  • ConQuite tech-y looking for a leather band

If you want a fancy leather band, the options are slim. (Mostly because Apple itself has removed leather from all its accessories.) In all my searching, all my touching watch bands, this was one of the best leather options I could find.

Here's the thing, it's an objectively nice band. The leather is decent quality, but the way the look comes together without any accents or distinguishing features gives it a tech look that I don't love. Without any stitching, the look is significantly more tech-y than the average leather watch band. Not necessarily a bad thing, but for a fashion band, it could be an issue.

MaterialsFull-Grain Leather, Stainless Steel Hardware
ColorsBrown, Black, Navy, Sand
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Best Magnetic Apple Watch Band

Lucrin Magnetic Band for Apple Watch Ultra

Magnetic Band for Apple Watch Ultra $249 at lucrin.com
Pros
  • ProNo fuss magnetic strap
  • ProStylish leather
  • ProOver a dozen colors to choose from
Cons
  • ConExpensive

If you want something that combines the luxury of leather with the convenience of magnetics, this is the Ultra band to get. It comes at a bit of a premium price, but leather goods maker Lucrin delivers with it's cal leather magnetic band.

It's seriously hard for me to go back to a band that requires fiddling with my fingers. Some of our favorite bands for our Apple Watch Series 10 are magnetic. None of them are as chic as this one. Plus, there's so many color options to choose from and they all look great.

MaterialsCalf leather
Colors15 options
Best Sport Band

Nomad Sport Band

Sport Band$60 at nomadgoods.com
Pros
  • ProBreathable durable rubber material
  • ProLightweight and secure
  • ProNice color options
  • ProEntirely waterproof
Cons
  • ConLook is a bit heavy duty, could be more sleek

When it comes to finding a breathable and durable sport band, we really like this option from Nomad. Weirdly, the true sport band is what the Watch Ultra 2 market lacks. And until Nike bucks up and makes a band to fit the big-boy 49mm face, Nomad is your best bet.

Across the board, this band is really good. The fluorocarbon rubber watch band doesn't get dirty or nasty, nor does it sustain any water damage. The aluminum closure pin is sturdy and lightweight. Plus, there are tons of color options to satisfy your own taste. I like it in an outdoorsy safety orange.

Materialsfluoroelastomer rubber
ColorsBlack, Naval Blue, Ultra Orange, Ash Green, Lunar Gray, Stone
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Best Outdoorsy Band

Apple Trail Loop

On SaleTrail Loop Now 19% Off$99$80 at Amazon
Pros
  • ProThe perfect all-purpose band
  • ProDurable titanium finish
  • ProEasy to keep clean
  • ProPlenty of accent color options
Cons
  • ConNot great for workouts, the nylon will feel a bit hot

For the last option, we turn once again to Apple. Listen, they make the watch. It only makes sense the bands would be the best. The watch bands that Apple comes out with almost always look the best and they tend to last. Since the Watch Ultra 2 is more of a specialized adventure watch, the bands follow suit.

The trail band is great for general outdoorsing—on the slopes, on the trail, or at the campsite. The nylon weave is lightweight, durable, and pretty easy to keep clean. For pretty much anything that's not under water or having you drenched in sweat, this is the band.

ColorsBlue/Gray, Black/Gray, Blue/Black, Green, Green/Gray, Orange/Beige, Yellow/Beige

What Size is My Apple Watch Ultra 2?

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Thankfully, this is an easy answer. There is only one size! Every Apple Watch Ultra is 49mm. Whenever you're looking for an Apple Watch Ultra band, all you have to is make sure the band is compatible with 49mm watches.