Rubber watch straps are cool, durable, rugged and practical. Here are the market’s best rubber watch straps to shop for right now.
If you’re a comprehensive watch collector or work for long periods outdoors, you’ll need a rubber watch strap. In fact, your work watch is probably sitting on one right now. But the best rubber watch straps are more than just a durable, practical watch feature. They also look stylish and can be really fun to experiment with. A bold and colorful rubber band can instantly transform your favorite sports watch. And they’re not just for casual wear, either!
Allow me to show you just how versatile a rubber strap can be. They come in a wide range of styles, some even a bit dressy. The rubber watch straps we’re rounding up here represent a vast scope of styles, colors, textures, and clasps. But before we do that, let’s look at the many advantages these types of straps bring to watch wearing and collecting.
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Why You Should Get a Rubber Watch Strap
Why choose rubber bands over fabric, metal, or leather straps, you ask? Well, first, rubber straps are a go-to for athletic wearables. Unlike a metal bracelet, you won’t scratch or damage a cheap band if you bang it against a hard surface. And in many cases, there’s usually no stitching to come undone like there is with a textile or leather strap. Rubber is also naturally waterproof, making it easy to clean and maintain.
Some rubber straps are more comfortable than others. It depends on the band’s quality and where you shop online for watch straps. But can any rubber band be as uncomfortable as a new leather strap? Probably not. Breaking leather in is the part of watch-collecting I least prefer. It’s uncomfortable and a nuisance. That said, wearing an incorrectly sized metal bracelet is just as darn uncomfortable!
You probably think rubber straps aren’t nearly as versatile as leather bands or stainless steel bracelets. That’s a fair point. But that is gradually changing. Rubber bands now come in more colors and styles than ever before. Let me show you some great options.
The Best Aftermarket Rubber Strap Companies
You may be happy to spend a lot of money on your ultimate grail watch. But do you necessarily want to pay hundreds of dollars for a branded replacement strap? If you don’t, these companies produce some excellent aftermarket rubber straps. These cheaper alternatives look just as premium and will save you the expense of going down the manufacturer route.
1. Rubber B
Rubber B offers one of the most comprehensive rubber strap collections on the market. Its bands are compatible with Omega, Patek Philippe, Breitling, Zenith, and IWC watches, among others. The straps you see here within this range are genuine Swiss products. All these straps also bear the “Swiss Made” lettering embossing on their surface! It’s a nice feature if you consider yourself a bit of a Swiss watch purist.
The designs are flexible and comfortable and perfect for those searching for a specific watch or clasp band. RubberB appeals to athletes, divers, and outdoor enthusiasts with its distinctively luxurious range of strap options for high-end brands.
2. Everest
Most high-end luxury watch bands, bracelets, and straps are top quality; that’s a given. But the great thing about buying from Everest is that you can play around with many different styles. You don’t have to bleed your bank dry, either! Everest has some great reviews. Even Gear Patrol rates it! The website is super easy to use as well. Select the watch model you own (or the nearest one) as if shopping for a watch. Everest then provides you with a whole host of strap configurations for your watch.
Whether you own a Rolex, Tudor, or Panerai, you have plenty of options to play around with. And while they might not be the cheapest, they’re excellent quality. There’s also a selection of watch boxes to choose from!
3. WatchGecko
For something a little more affordable, look to companies like WatchGecko. The company stocks straps in every style and material possible. You can choose between dive watch straps, sail cloth straps, and tropical designs from the dive section alone. You’re looking at prices around the $60 figure for a no-fuss rubber band from this stockist. These are great everyday affordables for those shopping on a budget.
The Best Rubber Watch Strap Options To Buy Right Now
If you want a rubber strap but don’t want to spend time shopping around, you’re in luck. We’ve consolidated a list of recommendations here at the Slender Wrist. They cover a range of prices, colors, and styles. Here they are, in no particular order.
1. Synchron Tropic Watch Strap
The Tropic Strap from Synchron demonstrates the versatility of the rubber band. Like all rubber straps, it may need to break in a little. But Tropic-style straps like this look like dressier leather straps, making them remarkably adaptable. This design features a regular buckle system and has a beautiful and sturdy build.
Its surface features a complex tapestry that bounces light off its unique pattern. Take a closer look; you can see that it resembles an alligator-effect leather band. If you want to level up a sports watch or attain a simple, dress-down watch, this is how to do it.
2. ZULUDIVER 400 (MKII) Italian Rubber Divers
The ZULUDIVER MKII Diver Strap over at WatchGecko creates a unique style by combining several styles. It has the simple silhouette of a standard rubber dive strap but flaunts a Tropic-style weaving texture. This finish injects a touch of class into the wrist, especially the brushing on the stainless steel buckle. You also get a total of six micro-adjustment lengths to play around with.
3. Alpine Silicone Strap
The Alpine Silicone Strap is a bang-for-buck rubber strap with a sporty, rally-esque style. It even has perforations throughout its center section, reminiscent of TAG Heuer leather bands. I mentioned that part of the fun of wearing rubber straps is exploring the colorways. There are plenty of options in that department. They include burgundy, a sporty hunter-orange accented option, and a grey option for the classic monochrome watch.
4. Barton Tropical Rubber Strap
The Tropical Strap by Barton Bands leans hard into the sporty look. This is especially the case when compared to textured, pointy-ended tropic straps, which are dressier. It has that “squishy” look you get from hardcore divers but full perforations for micro-adjustments. At the same time, these functional holes also make the strap more breathable for sports. You can even pair this strap with a field watch and a diver. A bolder option could be the army green shade for a field watch, maybe?
5. Isofrane 1968 Rubber Watch Strap
Isofrane’s 1968 straps are accurate reinterpretations of the classic dive straps of the ‘60s. Isofranes were the first to be comfortable and robust, providing non-distracting wear. This strap is great because, though it has the exact look of those older straps, it features modern materials. This hypoallergenic silicone-free rubber strap handles high temperatures better than a silicone strap, essentially making it an effective all-year-rounder.
6. ZULUDIVER 286 Italian Rubber Strap
The ZULUDIVER 286 Italian Rubber Strap is a design-forward option. Most uniquely, there’s a “no-decompression limit” chart marked on it, which divers can use. This is a quirky design that will undoubtedly appeal to dive-watch fans. On the top side, however, it looks classic, understated and unassuming. The printed scale gives it an air of legitimacy and doubles as a helpful feature. It has poofy gills towards the center ends, giving it a brawny and sporty look. Meanwhile, the perforations provide adjustability and breathability.
7. Archer Watch Straps Silicone Band
Archer Watch Straps products are a great find. These bands are perfect as an entry-level option thanks to their simple, affordable designs and monotone colors. Even better, their strap sizes boast a wide range, casting a wide, unisex net of wrist sizes. The smallest is 16mm, and the biggest is 24mm, so this is your go-to brand if you’re looking for straps for small wrists. Like many band options, lint and fluff can stick to the surface of the strap, so regular cleaning is necessary.
How To Clean Watch Rubber Straps
Whether you own one or multiple rubber watch straps, you must keep them clean. The good news is that learning how to clean watch rubber straps is straightforward. It takes little time and doesn’t cost any money. Simply remove the strap and immerse it in a warm, mildly soapy solution. Then, use a brush with fine, soft bristles to clean any dirt or debris on the silicone or rubber band.
Another affordable and easy DIY hack is to create a vinegar and baking soda solution. This solution is better for more stubborn marks. You can apply it in a paste-like form to the band’s surface. After treating the strap with the solution, you can rinse it with clean, running water. Always remember to dry your band thoroughly afterward.
FAQs:
Here are some FAQs you may find helpful when deciding which rubber strap option to choose.
Are Rubber Watch Straps Any Good?
If you regularly use your watch for exercise, sports, or exploration, rubber straps are the perfect option. They have designs that withstand daily wear and tear, are quick-drying, and can often resist chemicals. They’re also flexible and can mold to the shape of your wrist, making them super comfortable.
Which Is Better: a Rubber or Silicone Watch Strap?
Rubber bands are better than silicone if you’re looking for a durable strap that won’t require much cleaning or maintenance. However, silicone straps are cheaper, more chemical, and more temperature-resistant than rubber straps.
What Is the Best Rubber for Watch Straps?
Vulcanized rubber is extra strong, retains its shape, is resistant to many chemicals, and is naturally hypoallergenic. Synthetic rubber-like FKM, however, is also a popular option. It’s resistant to heat, oil, chemicals, and oxidation.
Why Are Rubber Watch Straps Expensive?
A brand must use an expensive injection molding process to manufacture a rubber strap, which reflects the product’s price. Options like FKM (made from fluoroelastomer) may be more expensive, but they promise superior quality.
The Takeaway
You may want to change your watch strap to rubber for many reasons. Maybe your leather band looks tired, or your metal bracelet adds considerable weight to your wrist. Furthermore, if your job has changed or you’re taking up a new rigorous hobby, you’ll need one for practical reasons.
But rubber straps are popular for more than just their utilitarian qualities. As you’ll know, many tropical versions can be downright stylish. Still, when it comes to hard-wearing sports watches, you need to know you’re choosing the right product. These best rubber watch straps will certainly stand the test of time and are worth every penny.
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