Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 5 best Apple Watch bands for outdoorsmen

We love these Apple Watch bands for the outdoors

By
Someone wearing an Apple Watch Ultra 2, showing the Modular Ultra watch face.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

If you spend most of your time outdoors, everyday Apple Watch bands might not make the cut. While suitable for everyday use, normal Apple Watch bands may have several limitations for an outdoorsman engaged in demanding activities.

For these reasons, you should opt for Apple Watch bands that are specially designed to withstand the rigors of the outdoors with features like enhanced durability, water resistance, comfort, secure fit, and any additional functionalities tailored to outdoor and sport-specific needs.

Recommended Videos

We can’t rule out style, either! This list compiles our top five Apple Watch bands on the market that are not only tried and true, but look slick, too. Here are our top picks for Apple Watch bands.

Infinity Loop Tactical Apple Watch
Infinity Loop

Infinity Loops Tactical Apple Watch Band

The “Tacticool” from Infinity Loops is designed for durability and practicality, especially for outdoor activities. Made of tightly woven Cordura nylon, this Apple Watch band will be robust enough for your adventures. The band comes in a variety of colors, including black, army green, Air Force blue, gray, and orange. The band is adjustable, ensuring a secure fit for most wrist sizes, and it’s compatible with all Apple Watch models. Retailing for $59.98, this tactical Apple Watch band is perfect for the active outdoorsman. Reviewers say that this watch band is light, sturdy, and comfortable to wear.

Related: 
Upgrade your daily routine with the best smartwatches for men

Primus Rugged Silicone Band from Astra Straps

Astra Straps Primus Rugged Silicone Band + Case

The Primus Rugged Silicone Apple Watch Band + Case from Astra Straps is another great option that retails for $79.99. The band comes with a case to protect your Apple Watch, and it’s compatible with various models and sizes from Series 1 to 9, SE, and SE2. The product is available in multiple colors, including black, dark blue, and army green. This combination of a rugged strap and a shock-resistant case makes it suitable for outdoor and active use, ensuring the watch is safeguarded against impacts and scratches. Reviewers say that it’s easy to install and clean and that it’s comfortable during even the toughest of workouts.

Pinnacle Nylon Rugged Loop Outdoor Band
Pinnacle Luxuries

Pinnacle Nylong Rugged Loop Outdoor Band

The Rugged Loop Outdoor Band by Pinnacle Luxuries is a nylon band that retails for $114.95. It’s compatible with a range of Apple Watch models, including the Ultra 49mm and Series 8, and comes in three different band lengths for a perfect fit. The strap is made from a durable nylon material, promising longevity and resistance to wear and tear, making it suitable for outdoor activities. It comes in various colors, such as green, starlight, orange, and black.

Anhem Tech Stainless Steel Apple Watch band

Stainless Steel Apple Watch Band

If you’re looking for a stainless steel version, check out the Stainless Steel watch band from Anhem Tech. This baby retails for $79.99 and comes in eight different colors, from silver to gold. Since it’s compatible with most Apple Watch models, you won’t have any problems while out on the trail. It’s got a classic, fold-over buckle for a comfortable fit and arrives eco-friendly in recycled and reusable packaging.  It’s a classy and high-quality alternative to Amazon options.

ROBUST Vintage Apple Watch band
ROBUST

Vintage Military Leather Strap

While leather might seem like an iffy material to work with for an outdoorsy watchband, think again. The Vintage Military Leather Apple Watch Strap from ROBUST is a great example of a tough band with a rustic aesthetic. With premium waxed stitching and a vintage-style buckle, this full-grain cowhide strap will develop a beautiful patina over time. Retailing for $109.90, this option is great for your Apple Watch Ultra or Ultra 2. Customers love the vintage design, but shipping might take a while.

A person holding up an Apple Watch.

Which one should you choose?

Each of these tactical Apple Watch bands has something great to offer for any outdoorsman. So which one should you trust with your precious Apple Watch?

If you’re into hiking and camping and often find yourself deep in the heart of nature, the Infinity Loops Tactical Band or the ROBUST Vintage Military Strap would be fantastic options. Adventurers who like to make a splash should choose a water-resistant option like the Silicon Primus Astra Strap and protective case.  If you need something extra durable, try out the Pinnacle nylon band or the Stainless Steel band from Anhem.

Whichever Apple Watch band you choose, make sure that it’s compatible with your model. Your band should not allow your Apple Watch to slide up and down your arm, and it should suit the kinds of activities that you enjoy. Don’t forget to take a peek at your wardrobe and make sure that it will go with your signature style. Once you’ve chosen the best Apple Watch band for you, get out there and have some great adventures!

Sarah Joseph
Sarah Joseph
Contributor
With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, Sarah is always thrilled to share nature with others through…
Topics

Editors’ Recommendations

Toyota and Howler Brothers just dropped the ultimate outdoor style collection
Land Cruiser teams up with Howler Bros for limited edition apparel collection
Howler Bros x Toyota collaboration

Howler Brothers, an Austin, TX-based outdoor apparel brand, just teamed up with the Land Cruiser team at Toyota to create a limited-edition collection featuring the beloved vehicle. Known for their unconventional designs, this seems like a perfect partnership, and I'm not the only one who thinks so.

"This collaboration with Toyota Land Cruiser is a natural fit," said Chase Heard, CEO of Howler Brothers. "Both of our brands are rooted in shared love for exploration and craftsmanship. We've combined Howler's signature style with Land Cruiser's legendary legacy to create a collection built for the jungle roads ahead."

Read more
Urban Jürgensen revival captures watch world attention with modern approach
Danish legacy reborn: Urban jürgensen's 250-year heritage meets contemporary luxury under new ownership
Urban Jürgensen revival

Urban Jürgensen became 2025’s most discussed watch revival. A 250-year-old Danish horological legacy was transformed into a contemporary luxury brand through family ownership and the technical leadership of renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. The brand’s Los Angeles launch event was the year’s most talked-about watch presentation.
Founded in Copenhagen in 1773, Urban Jürgensen produced over 700 timepieces in the early 1800s and developed technical innovations such as ultra-precise marine chronometers. Despite several ownership changes and near disappearance over two centuries, passionate collectors preserved the brand’s reputation among watch experts.
“The biggest, most respected collectors own Urban Jürgensen watches—this brand, this name, is simply the highest level,” said watch writer Thomas Brechtel, highlighting the devoted following among serious enthusiasts, even though the brand remains little known to the general public.
The Rosenfield family acquired Urban Jürgensen in 2021, bringing a collector’s passion to the brand’s stewardship. Co-CEO Alex Rosenfield’s father had collected Urban Jürgensen pieces since the 1990s, which led to an unexpected opportunity to acquire the company when it needed investment to restart.
Kari Voutilainen, widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed independent watchmakers, leads technical development, while his 25-year-old daughter Venla serves as COO. This partnership brings authentic watchmaking credibility while modernizing the brand’s communication to appeal to younger audiences.
The launch collection includes three models showcasing Voutilainen’s craftsmanship: the UJ-1 250th Anniversary Tourbillon limited to 75 pieces (CHF 368,000), the UJ-2 three-hand watch (CHF 105,000), and the UJ-3 perpetual calendar with moonphase (CHF 168,000). Each features clean Scandinavian dial aesthetics, fine guilloché, and hand-applied numerals.
“The image contrasts modern, playful marketing with serious, traditional watchmaking—but it works because it is grounded in artisanal quality,” observed JX Su, founder of SJX Watches.
Rosenfield’s approach emphasizes accessibility rather than exclusivity, targeting a diverse audience including women and younger collectors, not just established enthusiasts. Ellen von Unwerth’s “Time Well-Spent” campaign, featuring people aged 19 to 82, reflects this inclusive vision.
This revival shows how historic watch brands can succeed today by combining genuine craftsmanship with contemporary communication strategies.

Read more
Noah and Timex release lighthouse watch following sun and moon success
Long island heritage: Noah's timex lighthouse watch honors golden ellipse legacy
Noah x timex collab

Noah continues its watch partnership with Timex through the Lighthouse Watch, following last summer’s sold-out Sun & Moon Watch. That earlier collaboration became one of 2024’s most popular affordable timepieces. This new $228 release draws inspiration from Long Island history and pays homage to an iconic watch design.
The Lighthouse Watch reflects Noah designer Brendon Babenzien’s connection to his Long Island roots, specifically the Fire Island Lighthouse near his childhood home. Babenzien explains that the lighthouse was always in the background of his life, making it a meaningful motif for this watch.
Design-wise, the watch is a clear nod to the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse, with a softly rounded, gold-plated stainless steel case measuring 31 x 35mm. This silhouette, paired with a croco-pattern leather strap, evokes the elegant, curvy shapes of the 1970s while remaining accessible thanks to Timex’s manufacturing. The minimalist white dial features a charcoal illustration of a lighthouse at six o’clock, serving as the centerpiece of the design. Gold-tone baton hands and subtle Noah NY and Timex branding at three and six o’clock complete the look, while the absence of hour markers keeps the focus on the artwork.
This collaboration stands out from typical fashion watch releases by integrating a personal, artistic touch that fits seamlessly with Noah’s aesthetic—mirroring the brand’s graphic tees and tailored pieces. The watch is powered by a reliable quartz movement, protected by a mineral glass crystal, and offers 30 meters of water resistance for everyday use. The 18mm lug width and compact size make it suitable for a range of wrist sizes, though the elliptical case may appeal most to those open to alternatives to round watches.
Pre-orders run from June 5–12, with delivery expected in November 2025. The $228 price point positions the Lighthouse Watch between entry-level fashion watches and basic Swiss options, reflecting Noah’s accessible luxury ethos and appealing to both streetwear fans and those who prefer preppy style.
Notably, this is the first Noah watch Babenzien plans to wear himself, despite not being a watch collector—a testament to the design’s broad appeal for those seeking a unique, easy-to-wear piece rather than a collector’s item. The collaboration demonstrates how fashion brands can create meaningful, affordable watches through authentic partnerships and storytelling, attracting both core customers and watch enthusiasts looking for alternatives to luxury icons.

Read more