I’ve searched far and wide to bring you this definitive guide on the differences between NATO and Zulu straps.
If you’ve ever shopped for cloth watch straps, then you’ve probably come across both NATO and Zulu straps.
They’re by far the two most popular cloth strap styles, and at first glance, there seems to be almost no difference between them.
This has led watch enthusiasts (and even retailers) to use the two terms interchangeably.
However, a NATO strap is not exactly the same as a Zulu, and this mixup has created a lot of confusion.
For example, there are companies like Nato Strap Co. and ZULUDIVER that confusingly sell both strap styles despite having one specific type literally in their brand name.
Then there are retailers who sell one strap type and call it the other. This is often the case with the famous “007” strap featured in the film Goldfinger. While strap makers advertise these as NATOs, the original strap worn by Sean Connery was actually a Zulu.
So what are the differences between NATO and Zulu straps? And why does that even matter? Let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
Zulu vs. NATO Straps: Quick Overview
In reality, deciding if a strap is a Zulu or NATO stems from the fact that they are pretty similar. (By the way, wouldn’t “Zulu vs. NATO” — be a great band name)?
Both NATO and Zulu straps are pass-through straps, meaning the straps pass between the watch case and spring bars instead of sliding directly onto them.
Both NATO and Zulu straps are typically made from nylon and can have similar-looking hardware, but that’s where the major similarities end.
The biggest difference is that NATO straps feature a second layer of fabric and are generally thinner than Zulus.
However, that’s not the whole story. Here’s a deep dive into the specific differences between NATO and Zulu straps.
What Is a NATO Strap?
The name “NATO strap” is a bit of a misnomer — it’s not as directly tied to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
What we do know is that the NATO strap was originally introduced by the British Ministry of Defence in 1973. It was designed to be a more durable alternative to leather straps and to hold up in the rigors of military service.
For soldiers to get the newly issued strap, they had to fill out a form called the G1098, which was NATO’s stocking number for the item.
Consequently, these straps were usually referred to as either “G10 straps” or “NATO straps.” For one reason or another, the name “NATO strap” stuck.
Since they were designed for the military, NATO straps were all about functionality, which informed both the material and construction.
By most accounts, the original G10 straps were made of nylon, though there are some mentions of other materials being used early on. Either way, nylon quickly became the norm for NATO straps since it was hard-wearing yet flexible.
It was also important to have thinner pieces of nylon since two layers of fabric passed under the case. This lighter fabric, along with the slim keepers, also kept the watch as lightweight as possible.
To ensure that soldiers’ watches wouldn’t fall off their wrists, the NATO strap was designed to have an extra section of nylon that functioned as a safety net. This shorter second piece of nylon passed under the case and was secured to the main piece with a keeper.
On one level, this construction kept the case from shifting around undesirably. But it also meant that if one of the spring bars broke or popped out, the case would still be held in place by both the remaining bar and the strap itself.
Over the years, the NATO strap formula has remained largely unchanged: thin nylon, slim keepers, and the classic two-piece design.
The only element that’s significantly different today is the color. G10 straps originally only came in “Admiralty Grey,” but today’s NATO straps can be found in just about any color.
Here’s the NATO strap at a glance:
- Originally made for British soldiers
- Two layers of fabric
- Thinner nylon and hardware
- Tang buckle and slimmer keepers
Now, onto Zulu straps.
What Is a Zulu Strap?
While the history of the so-called NATO strap is fairly well-documented, there’s surprisingly little information about the origins of the Zulu strap.
Though its look and design are both similar to the NATO strap, the Zulu strap doesn’t seem to be connected to the military in any official capacity. It’s also unclear whether the Zulu preceded the NATO.
Even the name, which probably refers to the Zulu people of southern Africa, doesn’t seem to have much to do with the strap itself.
Since there’s no recorded history of how the Zulu strap came about, all we know for sure is how the straps are typically made.
Most “true” Zulu straps are made from a single piece of fabric, which means they don’t have the NATO’s failsafe layer. The fabric of a Zulu is also usually thicker than the nylon of a NATO.
Zulu straps also often have rounded buckles and keepers, contrasting with the tang buckle and rectangular keepers of a NATO.
That said, some Zulus do come with hardware that’s more reminiscent of a NATO, with the only difference being the strap construction (one layer vs. two).
Here’s a quick summary of Zulu straps:
- No direct military history, origins unclear
- One layer of fabric
- Thicker nylon and hardware
- Rounded buckle and larger keepers
Now we’ll get into which one you should choose.
NATO vs. Zulu: Why Does It Matter?
It might seem like the differences between NATO and Zulu straps are so inconsequential that they don’t really matter.
However, there are a couple of reasons why these small differences are actually important.
First, be being able to tell NATO and Zulu straps apart you can prevent ordering a Zulu when you actually wanted a NATO or vice versa.
This is especially important because there’s so much confusion in the marketplace.
Second, the actual construction makes a big difference. While both are pass-through straps, the NATO’s extra layer of nylon changes a lot. For one, it raises the watch off your wrist, giving it a more prominent presence.
Also, if you use the single-loop method of wearing a NATO, then you probably don’t need the second layer. At that point, you’re probably better off just going with a single-layer Zulu.
Furthermore, some watches look best on the more noticeable NATO strap while others work better with the slimmer profile of a Zulu.
In short, by understanding the key differences between NATO and Zulu straps, you can ensure that you choose the best strap for your needs.
Zulu vs. NATO FAQs
In the hopes of clearing things up even further, here are a few common questions about Zulu vs. NATO straps:
What Is the Advantage of a NATO Watch Strap?
The NATO strap’s extra loop of nylon keeps the watch from moving or falling off.
Who Invented Zulu Straps?
No one really knows! The history of the Zulu strap is shrouded in mystery.
How Do You Fit a NATO or Zulu Strap?
Most NATO and Zulu straps are made with longer pieces of nylon, which means that one size will fit most.
Conclusion
While it can be confusing to try and distinguish NATO straps and Zulu straps, the information in this guide is what we know for sure.
From now on, you’ll be able to tell NATO straps apart from Zulus, which should make your strap-shopping experience a whole lot easier.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
“Zulu time” is often military vernacular referencing GMT. Wonder if the Zulu strap has a military origin. Enjoyed your story.
How many times are people going to repeat the nonsense that that NATO strap’s second layer of fabric is there to retain the watch if one spring bar breaks? ANY one-piece pass through strap will do that, including Zulus.
What the second layer does is to eliminate any risk of the watch sliding off the strap and falling to the floor, when the watch is picked up by the buckle end of the strap.
How is a Zulu less “safe”? Any single pass band will retain a watch if one bar is compromised
One thing no one really mentions regarding the NATOs second strap is that it acts as insulation for the metal of the spring bars and lugs, a bit like a bund strap, as metal transfers heat better than the nylon to you skin. A potential benefit in cold or hot environments and also just being a bit more comfortable.
The nonsense about it being a “failsafe” for a spring bar breaking has been covered in other comments.
The second layer of fabric serves a different purpose than as a “failsafe”. As has been stated above: any pass-through style strap will retain the watch if a spring bar fails.
The second layer only exists to provide the 3rd ring on a traditional “nato” strap (that is, the ring at the bottom of the watch case).
That third ring acts as a positive “end stop” that prevents the watch from slipping around on the strap. This was done because the original NATO straps were quite narrow (16mm wide IIRC).
There was no size selection in those days: you asked for a strap, you got one size. If a watch had a wider lug width than the standard military strap, it was much more likely to slide around on the strap, possibly to the underside of the wrist.
The second layer of the “nato” strap, and it’s affixed metal loop, prevents this from happening.
It also has the added benefit of keeping the warch from being in direct contact with the skin. Many watches were not particularly water resistant in that time period, and sweat had a tendency of making its way into the case through capillary action: this is why “bund” style straps were developed, though I don’t know if that was specifically part of their calculus.
Zulu strap name origins are from pilots and or Aviators referencing GMT ( Zulu Time ) as pilots use Zulu time rather than standard time, hence the name of the strap. The ZULU strap is typically made from thicker, high-tensile nylon webbing, which gives it a more rugged and substantial feel. The hardware on a ZULU strap is also different, it usually features beefier stainless steel rings and a larger buckle, providing a more robust and secure fit, that is needed in certain situations. As for the time frame and origin of the strap, is unknown, but it was made more robust for military purposes.