The Apple Watch Series 7[1] is arguably the best smartwatch available today. After years of Apple Watch releases it is clear that people enjoy changing bands to match their mood, style, and activity. Tankfully Apple keeps using the same attachment design so you can build up a vast collection of watch bands.
Apple Sport bands are $49 and offer a minimalist design with a solid soft fluoroelastomer material. A small round pin secures the band on your wrist. Nomad's new Sport Band[2] is priced at $59.95 and also uses a fluoroelastomer material. The Nomad Sport Band material is a bit thicker, has openings cut in the band for ventilation, and has concave sections in the band to support the flow of air and sweat so the Nomad option is better for those who work out with their Apple Watch.
- High quality materials
- Secure pin and tuck system
- Ample ventilation openings
- Mature color options
- Tough to install/remove
A pin and tuck system is used on the Nomad Sport Band, similar to Apple, but with a larger oblong aluminum pin that requires more force to release so you can rest assured it will stay in place on your wrist. The open sections also work to secure the band with the tuck portion fitting into a ventilation opening.
Also: Best smartwatches 2022: Apple Watch and other top picks[3]
The FKM rubber used by Nomad is a high-performance fluoroelastomer that is antimicrobial and can be easily sanitized with soap and water. The band slides into the Apple Watch lug openings, but hasn't slid in as easily as Apple's Sport band. Nomad states that the band resists a 5-20 kgf lateral slide-out force when installed in the Apple Watch so this side force factor may be the