Zulu Alpha strap specs: Material: Tubular bonded polyester webbing | Thickness: 1.2mm | Width: 22mm | Steel or black hardware | Tri-glide buckle system | Higher abrasion resistance than nylon 

This rugged watch strap was handmade in the UK with the purpose of maintaining comfort in challenging environments. People from all walks of life, from first responders to those who love the outdoors, trust this company. 

The Zulu Alpha Apple Strap features tubular bonded polyester webbing, which withstands abrasions better than nylon does. The material also dries more quickly, so you can wear your watch with less downtime or more comfortably if it gets wet while on your wrist. Metal connectors, which you can choose in steel or black, are sewn into the straps for a perfect fit.

Also: My search for the ultimate Apple Watch Ultra strap is over

Kingsley-Hughes tried this band and liked the strong stitching, the tri-glide buckle that fastens with ease, and the overall comfort. He wrote: “This is a strap that will no doubt outlast the Apple Watch Ultra itself.”

The strap is made to order and handmade, taking around 1.5 hours to complete and passing through three hands before it ships out. This means that these straps aren’t mass-produced or gathering dust on a shelf before they reach your door. Instead, they’re carefully crafted with high-quality materials and checked — and employees are paid the national living wage, not just the minimum wage, for their work. 

Trail Loop specs: Material: Woven nylon | Band size: S/M or M/L | Compatibility: 44mm, 45mm, 49mm | Colors: Yellow/beige, blue/gray, black/gray | Pull tab | No clasps or buckles

When you choose your Apple Watch Ultra, you can choose between the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band that Apple offers. Each of these is optimized for specific purposes: Runners usually go with the Trail Loop, hikers with the Alpine Loop, and swimmers with the Ocean Band. Which band is the best overall? That would have to be the Trail Loop.

The Trail Loop is light, thin, and comfortable. Even when you’re not exercising, you’ll want to wear this band. It fits perfectly on your wrist for everyday activities, balancing out the weight of the Ultra with a lightness unmatched by the Alpine Loop and Ocean Band. It’s soft to the touch and easy to take on or off because of its lack of clasps or buckles. The high level of adjustability makes it perfect for every wrist size, especially those that usually fall between holes on a standard band. 

Also: New Apple Watch Ultra bands work with other Apple Watch models, too

The Alpine Loop has a titanium G-hook that secures the band in place, but it can be difficult to easily take off, especially if you’re taking your watch off multiple times a day. The Ocean Band is highly waterproof, but it’s not as breathable as the Trail Loop and it stands out in everyday wear. If you’re not an avid hiker or swimmer, the Trail Loop is your best bet.

amBand watch band specs: Material: TPU | Band fits 5.71-inch to 8.74-inch wrists | Compatibility: Only 49mm | Colors: Black, black/gold, army green | 316L stainless steel | #1 Amazon Best Seller

The Trail Loop was created for runners, with its elastic feel and adjustability. However, it does come with a $100 price tag that may not be comfortable to wear. The amBand is an Amazon best-selling strap that rings in at about a fourth of the price of the Trail Loop, and it offers all-around protection.

The band has precise cutouts that fit perfectly around the Ultra and protect it with brushed metal. The raised bezel and 9H screen protector mean that the screen can resist scratches from the hardest pencil. The 316L stainless steel buckle will never chip or rust and it fits 5.71-inch to 8.74-inch wrists. 

If you scan the QR code that comes with the band, you can get an exclusive watch face that goes with the band for free.

Nomad Rugged band specs: Material: FKM fluoroelastomer rubber | Ribbed design | Fully waterproof | Colors: Black, ultra orange | Stainless steel lugs and buckle | Compatible with the Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8, 7, 6, SE, and all previous versions of Apple Watch 

ZDNET’s Matthew Miller reviewed the Nomad Rugged Strap in October, highlighting its high-quality, flexible FKM fluoroelastomer rubber. FKM rubber is antimicrobial and easily wiped down with soap and water. It won’t get damaged if you expose it to high temperatures, sunlight, oils, or chemicals. The buckle and lugs of the band are made of marine-grade 316 stainless steel. The material is pre-curved out of the box so it sits perfectly on your wrist, and the band has notches that allow sweat to run free without getting trapped between your wrist and the band. 

Also: Nomad Apple Watch Ultra bands: Waterproof bands as rugged as the watch

Miller wore the strap while running, swimming, biking, and fly fishing, and at the end of all of that activity, he noted that the Nomad Rugged Strap “looks brand new.” Avid swimmers will benefit from a band as waterproof as this one, and it’s comfortable for everyday wear as well. You can choose between silver or black hardware and ultra orange or black for the band color.

Lelong band specs: Material: Stainless steel | Band fits 5.5-inch to 8.1-inch wrists | Compatibility: 42mm, 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm | Colors: Rose gold, silver, starlight, colorful, black, silver rose gold, red, gold, purple, blue, vintage | Embedded with rhinestones | 18-month warranty

This band is not only pleasant to look at, with its wide array of color choices and substantial embedding of rhinestones, but it is also waterproof and comes with an 18-month warranty. Over 27,000 customers have rated it an average of 4.4 stars, with 73% giving it five stars and 91% giving it three stars or above. 

The secret to such high levels of satisfaction lies in the band’s sizing. In order to ensure a perfect fit, especially for smaller wrist sizes or in-between wrist sizes, the company includes a resizing tool with the strap, as well as an extra 1/2 link for those who fall in between. Don’t worry if you’ve never used a resizing tool before — there’s an easy-to-follow video on the product page that you can follow and there’s an instruction manual included with your purchase. Some customers have even used the resizing tool to adjust the links of other watch straps!

This watch strap is a reliable one to wear for special occasions, and you’re sure to have a perfect fit.