Are NATO Straps Waterproof? An In-Depth Guide

Introduction

NATO watch straps have been popular for a good number of years, and have developed a lot since their initial design.

With its origin in the military, the NATO strap has remained popular for its simple yet functional features that offer flexibility, practicality and style to the wearer. It is for this reason that they are used today by people who spend a lot of time outdoors, or who do other activities like diving, and who appreciate the need for such features.

With this in mind, how exactly do NATO watch straps perform underwater? Are they waterproof at all?

In this article, here at The Thrifty Gentleman, we are going to look at these questions, and talk you through the benefits of using a NATO strap during high intensity water activities such as diving. So read on to find out more.

What are NATO Straps?

As we have just discussed, NATO watch straps originated in the military, and were designed to be lightweight, practical, durable and cost-effective- all qualities that those in the military needed in a watch.

The straps come in one piece, and are quick to change when needed. They are also typically made from nylon which contributes to their durability both on land and in water.

Tudor Dive Watch with Blue and White NATO watch strap

Their unique design sees the two straps of nylon (or sometimes leather) attached around the watch face, meaning they are extremely secure. These features make the watch comfortable but also practical to wear outdoors, with the tightly woven nylon material playing a key role in underwater durability as it dries fast, and is resistant to water too.

As well as NATO straps having nylon strap durability, they are cheap, practical and also stylish making these watch straps all the more appealing to those who enjoy spending time outdoors, and also for those who don’t!

Are NATO Straps Waterproof?

This leads us to the big question: are NATO watch straps actually waterproof?

Yes. Classic nylon NATO watch straps are highly resistant to water, to a certain depth, such as a waterproof dive strap should be, and the nylon material that they are made out of lends itself well to being water resistant and quick drying. However, NATO straps are sometimes made from different materials, such as leather or fabric. In these cases the material will stop them from being resistant to water.

Nylon is the most common type of material that NATO straps are made of, and this was historically mostly due to its waterproof, quick-drying and durable composition that makes it ideal for getting wet in the outdoor weather, or for withstanding day to day conditions including getting hot and sweaty.

The composition of nylon as a material helps to naturally repel water through its tightly woven strands of fabric that stop it from leaking through and damaging the watch face itself. This means that you can wear it for swimming, or for any activities involving water, knowing that it is a lot more water resistant than any other watch strap type.

Every watch case is different, however, and will have different levels of water resistance. Where some watches are designed to be water resistant and for going deep down into the water, such as dive watches with waterproof dive straps, some are not designed to be submerged for long periods of time, irrespective of the type of strap.

If the NATO strap is not properly cared for, also, exposure to water, especially salt water, can cause it to wear, which is another factor to bear in mind when wearing a NATO watch strap in water, but more on this next.

Can You Swim With a NATO Strap?

After hearing that NATO straps are highly water resistant, but not necessarily fully waterproof, you might be wondering if it is safe to swim wearing one. NATO straps, in particular those that are nylon straps, are durable in water and safe to swim with, or to undertake any other type of water activity in, including snorkeling and diving.

Scuba Diver

Much like other waterproof dive straps, NATO straps, sometimes alternatively referred to as G10 watch straps, are made for durability and therefore remain comfortable and fitting even when they get wet. This means that they won't disrupt any kind of water activities by becoming uncomfortable once in the water.

Despite the nylon strap durability, it is recommended that the straps are rinsed thoroughly after being in chlorinated or salt water, as these can impact how long the strap lasts and sometimes cause the fabric of the nylon to discolour or fade too.

With simple maintenance, something that we will discuss later in this blog post, a NATO strap is the perfect watch strap for water activities!

Are NATO Straps Good for Dive Watches?

NATO straps have seemingly become a good strap to choose from by many divers, mostly due to its functional features and comfort when worn under the water.

Its first functional feature that makes it great for diving is that it only has one piece that attaches the watch face to the wearer's wrist but connected to the watch lugs at two points. This means that if one of the spring bars on the watch broke whilst you were in the depths of the ocean, your watch would still stay attached to your wrist.

Time telling is incredibly important during a dive, so knowing you have a reliable watch before you head under is important.

These straps are also often longer than traditional waterproof dive straps, meaning that they can be worn over a wetsuit and other pieces of diving equipment with ease and comfort, another important thing to consider when taking part in a dive.

Other popular dive watch strap materials away from NATO straps for divers include rubber, stainless steel and leather, and these compete with nylon straps for their practicality and durability under the water.

Rubber is similar to nylon in that it is strong, waterproof whilst still being soft and supple to wear on your wrist, even when they get wet. The rubber material is very durable and lasts a long time when properly maintained, and fits nice and snugly on the wrist, making it ideal for wearing in the water and on land.

Stainless steel bracelets, although they are sometimes worn with dive watches, are more of a stylish option and are not necessarily the best for diving.

The same can be said for leather straps, that are comfortable to wear, look fashionable, but don’t give you the same water resistant properties as nylon or rubber. They are definitely not as highly waterproof as NATO straps, but are often preferred by those wanting a more formal look to their dive watch.

Nylon Strap Durability for Divers

As we have already discussed, NATO straps are some of the best and most popular types of watch straps used by divers for their durability in the water and rough conditions, as well as their cheap and simple look.

They do hold up well under the water, whether you are a frequent diver or just someone who swims every now and then, mostly due to the tightly woven nature of the nylon and its ability to resist the water that touches it.

IWC Watch with Canvas NATO Watch Strap in Army Green from The Thrifty Gentleman

However, because NATO straps for divers are made of woven nylon, they should still be properly maintained all the same to make them last longer when used in the water frequently during activities such as diving. The nylon strap durability is high, but there are still things you can do to make them last, especially if you have been diving in salt or chlorinated water.

After exposure to water, you can use a gentle soap to soak the strap in to remove the chlorine or salt water from the fabric. This will rinse it of anything that might damage the fabric, or cause it to fade as you wear it under the water.

Leaving your strap to air dry is the best way to dry them off, meaning you are not putting a damp strap back onto the watch after cleaning it.

Due to them being inexpensive to purchase, wearing the straps on a rotation basis when you dive will also prolong their durability and resilience in aquatic conditions.

Conclusion

In our article we have taken a deep dive into the world of NATO watch straps, particularly where they originated from, their unique style and how and why they are so popular for those who partake in outdoor or underwater activities such as hiking and diving.

Man holding hand out over water whilst wearing watch with NATO Strap

Their unique design and use of specific materials such as tightly woven nylon make them highly resistant to water, so they can be worn without worry during any aquatic activities, with the added reassurance of them being durable and safely secured around the wrist.

NATO straps are also cheap to buy and still look stylish, so they can be worn not only during outdoor or underwater activities but also day to day, and with proper upkeep and maintenance will last a very long time even when exposed to water often.

Chances are if you have reached this point, you will have bought into nylon NATO watch straps as one of the best options for your water based activities.

If so, why not check out The Thrifty Gentleman’s impressive collection of NATO straps, that are specifically tailored for diving and those who enjoy being in and out of the water. You are guaranteed to find one you love, so take a look today!

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