Are you confused about which NATO straps will refresh your wristwatch game the best?
Then look no further!
Similar to our favorite high-quality rubber straps, NATO straps are a popular watch band option because of their versatility and durability.
And if you want to know which NATO straps are the best to choose from, we’ve got your back!
Today we will show you our top picks for the best NATO straps in the market, just like when we shared the most in-demand watch repair kits in the watch community.
Based on our review and personal experience, the best NATO watch strap is none other than the AlphaShark Luxury Seat Belt Nylon Watch Strap.
Their quality, impressive design, and durability are simply outstanding.
But if you want to know more, read our detailed reviews on the best watch straps below!
If you’re looking for NATO watch straps for Omega watches then check this related article.
The 3 Best NATO Watch Straps
| NATO Watch Strap | Type |
| AlphaShark Luxury Seat Belt Nylon Watch Strap | Best NATO Watch Strap Overall |
| BARTON Leather NATO Style Watch Strap | Best Thick NATO Watch Strap |
| Ritche Military Ballistic Nylon Strap | Best Nylon NATO Watch Strap |
#3. Ritche Military Ballistic Nylon Strap
Check Current Price | Best Nylon NATO Watch Strap
PROS:
- Made with high-quality materials
- Waterproof and can be easily washed
- Comes with an installation manual
CONS:
- Not suitable watches with a sensor
Our Experience With Ritche Military Ballistic Nylon Strap
Stylish, soft, and breathable — these are advantages you can get from the Ritche Military Ballistic Nylon Strap.
These watch straps inherit the military heritage of style and design of the famous watch bands used and popularized by the British military in the early 70s.
They are known for their durability and can even hold your watch even when one of the spring bars breaks.
It is made with tight weave traditional nylon webbing that gives a rugged yet elegant design. It is paired with stainless steel buckles and metal keepers with electroplated black hardware finishes.
These nylon watch straps are proven to be durable and waterproof. They can be easily washed, dried, and worn 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Ritche Military Ballistic Nylon Strap provides multiple width options (16mm, 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm) to fit different wrist sizes.
It is also available in a wide variety of colors to match the best watches in your watch collection.
Moreover, it is easy to install and comes with an instruction manual to help you effortlessly connect the straps to your watches.
#2. BARTON Leather NATO Style Watch Strap
Check Current Price | Best Thick NATO Watch Strap
PROS:
- Thick and durable
- Affordable price
- Features an easy swap function
CONS:
- Gets dirty easily
Our Experience With BARTON Leather NATO Style Watch Strap
One of the most affordable and best NATO straps on the market is the BARTON Leather NATO Style Watch Strap.
It uses meticulously picked top-grain leather with 316L stainless steel hardware as its buckle.
This premium leather watch strap features a clean and contemporary design to meet the highest fashion standard with exquisite stitching on the edge. Perfect for any type of timepiece, whether you use a dive watch or a tool watch.
It also showcases an easy swap function that allows you to change the strap in seconds without removing any spring bar connected to the watch’s lugs.
Thickness measures approximately 1.4mm, providing outstanding durability while still being able to squeeze between the spring bar and watch head of most high-quality timepieces.
This leather version of the NATO strap comes with 5 stylish color variations to match the wardrobe of modern men of today’s society.
#1. AlphaShark Luxury Seat Belt Nylon Watch Strap
Check Current Price | Best NATO Watch Strap Overall
PROS:
- Offers a wide variation of colors and designs
- Durable and comfortable to use
- Perfect for luxury watches
CONS:
- Slightly pricey
Our Experience With AlphaShark Luxury Seat Belt Nylon Watch Strap
When it comes to quality and design, for us, no one beats the AlphaShark Luxury Seat Belt Nylon Watch Strap.
This military-inspired single strap uses tough seatbelt nylon not only for its durability but also for a silky-smooth feel and comfort.
The waterproof fabric, bonded nylon thread, and extra-rugged hardware keep your strap always looking fresh and new. Moreover, it also has heat-sealed edges and heat-sealed adjustment holes to reduce fraying.
To conform to your personal style and fashion, they offer more than 25 colors and designs to choose from.
You can pair it with a modern or vintage watch to effortlessly boost your overall look and make a statement that suits any occasion.
We even paired it with a Rolex Submariner to showcase the versatility and compatibility of this particular strap with prestigious timepieces, and the result is really amazing!
What Is The Point Of A NATO Strap?
NATO watch straps, more commonly called NATO straps or G10 straps, are highly durable and versatile watch bands originally made for the British Ministry of Defence in the 1970s.
But it didn’t take long for NATO straps to gain popularity in the watch community as a cost-effective and stylish option to traditional leather or metal bracelets.
No other straps can offer the edge of being waterproof, easy to clean, and easily interchangeable, which allows wearers to switch straps to match different outfits or occasions even without using particular watch tools.
Today, NATO watch straps are still a popular watch band choice for military personnel and civilians.
Whether for field watches, dive watches, or tool watches, these watch bands will continue to attract casual watch wearers and even the most seasoned lifelong watch enthusiast in the world.
Which Watches Look Best On A NATO Strap?
#1. Pilot Watches
A tool watch, like a pilot watch, is one of the most common types of timepieces paired with NATO straps due to its advantages.
They are comfortable, lightweight, and durable, perfect for pilots who often spend long hours wearing their watches while in flight.
One example of this is the ORIS Big Crown ProPilot watch with an army green NATO strap.
Besides giving a rugged yet fresh look, it also enhances its practicality and durability, making them an ideal choice for pilots who require reliable timekeeping to do their jobs.
#2. Field Watches
Field watches have been the original partner of the true NATO strap since it was first introduced for military use in the 1970s. They have a minimalist design and prioritized legibility, durability, and functions over aesthetics.
And if you are looking for a field watch that offers these features, then try on the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical watch.
They may look uncomplicated and very straightforward, but this watch is one of the most durable and highly functional field watches in the market today.
#3. Chronograph Watches
Chronograph watches are known for their multiple sub-dials and timekeeping functions used in sports, particularly in professional car racing.
With their nature, a NATO strap unquestionably can enhance the sporty appeal of these watches.
And one of the best chronograph watches we have tried so far is the SEIKO Core Chronograph Quartz White Dial Men’s Watch SSB401P1. This watch fits the aesthetics and functionality that modern gents are looking for in a timepiece.
But the best part here is that the included NATO strap has a 22mm band width. It also has a gray-and-black, three-stripe variant, which is also known as the James Bond strap.
How To Change Your NATO Watch Strap?
Here is a quick and easy step-by-step guide on how to change NATO straps at home:
- Prepare necessary tools, such as the spring bar tool.
- Lay your watch on a soft surface to avoid getting scratched.
- Unleashed the longer section of the old NATO strap.
- Remove the spring bars by gently pushing them out from the watch lugs using your tools.
- Attach the new NATO strap between the lugs and place the spring bars back into the lug. Repeat this on the other side.
- Lastly, interlace the longer part of the strap in the shorter section.
You can watch the video below for more information and a visual guide on how to safely change a NATO strap on your own.
NATOs vs ZULUs: Comparison
Both NATO and ZULU watch straps are popular watch bands used by thousands of watch enthusiasts who want to give their watches a new and exciting look. But although they have similarities, they have unique differences.
A ZULU strap is crafted from a single long strap. On the other hand, NATO bands have an extra piece that is threaded through the lugs, creating an additional layer beneath the watch.
Another difference between them is the keepers they have. NATOs usually used flat rectangular keepers, while ZULUs utilized thick and rounded keepers.
NATO Watch Straps – FAQ
Yes, NATO straps are still highly popular among serious watch enthusiasts and even casual watch wearers for their designs and functionality.
Yes, as long as your watch has removable spring bars and a straight strap connection.
No, Rolex only makes metal and rubber straps.
NATO Watch Straps – Conclusion
And there you have it!
Those are our top picks amongst the best NATO straps available in the market today!
With this review, we hope you can now select the perfect NATO strap that will fit your preferred style and fashion!
Again, due to its design, quality, and functionality, we definitely recommend the AlphaShark Luxury Seat Belt Nylon Watch Strap as the best overall NATO strap on this list.
And for a short recap, here are 3 of the best NATO straps you must try:
- AlphaShark Luxury Seat Belt Nylon Watch Strap
- BARTON Leather NATO Style Watch Strap
- Ritche Military Ballistic Nylon Strap
And if you have questions, inquiries, or comments, feel free to leave a message below!
