Is this the best Apple Watch band yet? I’ve tested hundreds, and this one checks all the boxes

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Nomad Stratos Band is available in a total of six color combinations.
• It is a fantastic mix of classy looks and sporty comfort.
• It’s priced at $179, but the quality justifies the price for me.

Nomad’s new Apple Watch band combines the durability of titanium with the flexibility of a sport band. The Nomad Stratos Band is built for the adventure-ready crowd who wants a classy look. It features the same titanium as the more expensive Nomad Titanium Band<!–>, alongside an added flair of a sporty look with FKM inserts.

Also: The 10 features that made me switch to the Apple Watch full-time

I went hands-on with the Nomad Stratos Band–> on my Apple Watch Series 11, and within a few hours of use, these are easily my new favorite bands for the Apple wearable.

How Nomad Stratos Band differs from the rest

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I love sport bands for their comfortable fit, but find myself gravitating back to metal bands for their look. Over the years, I have tried multiple other straps, bracelets, and bands for my Apple Watch SE, Series 8, Series 10, and now Series 11. I wasn’t actively looking for a new band, but I didn’t know I needed the Nomad Stratos Band until I used it.

Nomad’s new Apple Watch band features a combination of grade 4 titanium for the links and FKM rubber between them for added flexibility. The presence of fluoroelastomer rubber also gives it an eye-catching, sporty look.

The Nomad Stratos Band for Apple Watch comes in two metal color options: Silver and Carbide Titanium (black). On these, you get three FKM colors: Black, Volt, and Orange, so there are a total of six color combinations to choose from.

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I got my hands on the Volt in Silver and Orange on Carbide Titanium. These metal colors are slightly different from Apple Watch’s Black and Silver options, but the difference isn’t always visible.

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The Nomad Stratos Band is a delightful combination of elegance and style. 

Ideally, sport bands are a bit bulky, while metal bands are too dressy for workouts. Nomad paired the best of both worlds to make the Stratos Band – it has the lightweight design and durability of a metal band alongside the comfort and colors of a sport band. I love this design, and as a bonus, it also fits me well. In fact, it is one of the most comfortable bands I’ve ever used. 

Also: The Apple Watch Series 11 is one feature away from making me ditch my Oura Ring

Depending on your wrist size, you will need to adjust the number of links for a snug fit. Nomad bundles a link removal kit, which is easy to use. However, I recommend watching this official video to better understand the resizing process.

There’s a magnetic clasp that allows the band to split into two parts, making it easy to charge the Apple Watch. In my few hours of using the Carbide Titanium variant, the clasp has felt secure and easy to use. I’ll go on a run to test it further, but so far, so good.

The new Nomad metal band<!–> is $179 and available for preorder on the official website. Although it is designed for the Apple Watch Ultra, it will work with all Apple Watch Series 1-11 and SE lineups. 

The Stratos Band might not be the most affordable Apple Watch strap but it is definitely the most comfortable metal band I’ve worn yet. And by far the best combination of classy design and sporty look.