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

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ZDNET Highlights

• The Nomad Stratos Band is available in a total of six color combinations.
• It is a great blend of classy looks and sporty comfort.
• It costs $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 that wants a classy look. It has the same titanium which is more expensive nomad titanium bandWith added flair for a sporty look with FKM inserts.

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i got involved with it Nomad Stratos Band On my Apple Watch Series 11, and within a few hours of use, these are easily my new favorite bands for an Apple wearable.

How is the Nomad Stratos Band different from the rest?

I like sport bands because of the comfortable fit, but I gravitate towards metal bands for their looks. Over the years, I’ve tried many 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 bands feature 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 attractive, sporty look.

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

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I got the Volt in Silver and Orange on Carbide Titanium. These metallic colors are slightly different from the black and silver options of the Apple Watch, but the difference isn’t always visible.

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

Ideally, sport bands are a little heavy, while metal bands are very attractive for workouts. Nomad combined the best of both worlds to create the Stratos band – it has the comfort and colors of a sport band along with the lightweight design and durability of a metal band. I love this design, and as a bonus, it fits me perfectly too. In fact, it is one of the most comfortable bands I have ever used.

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

It has a magnetic clasp that allows the band to be divided into two parts, making it easier to charge the Apple Watch. In my few hours of using the Carbide Titanium variant, the clasp felt secure and easy to use. I’ll rush to test it further, but so far, so good.

New nomad metal band It’s $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 the SE lineup.

The Stratos Band might not be the most affordable Apple Watch strap, but it’s certainly the most comfortable metal band I’ve ever worn. And the best combination of classy design and sporty look ever.