Choosing An Apple Watch Sport Band
An Apple Watch sport band is the strap most people live in: soft silicone that doesn't mind sweat, rain or a swim, fastened with a pin that tucks back under itself so nothing flaps about. Every strap in this collection is our own Silicone Sport Watch Strap, so the choice comes down to three things: feel, size and colour.
Materials and feel
These are silicone Apple Watch bands, not leather or fabric, which is why they're the go-to athletic bands for the gym, running and swimming. Silicone stays flexible in the cold, doesn't hold sweat the way nylon or leather can, and rinses clean under the tap. It is slightly grippier than metal or braided straps, so it stays put on a run. If you want something lighter and more breathable for long days, look at our nylon sports straps for Apple Watch instead.
Which size do I need?
Apple Watch straps come in two size groups, and the case size is printed on the back of your watch.
- Smaller group: 38mm, 40mm and 41mm cases, plus the 42mm case of Series 10, 11 and 12.
- Larger group: 42mm (Series 1 to 3), 44mm, 45mm, 46mm and 49mm cases.
So a sport band for a 45mm Series 7, 8 or 9 is the same size as one for a 44mm SE or a 46mm Series 10. Choose your size group on the product page. If you don't know which Apple Watch you have, our guide to identifying your Apple Watch model shows you where to look.
Colours
The range runs from plain black to bright two-tone combinations, where the inside and the perforated holes of the strap are a different colour from the outside. If you're after a grey sport band, there are several to choose from: black and grey, grey and white, grey and yellow, and grey with a rainbow underside. The two-tone straps are an easy way to add colour without it shouting, because the second colour only shows at the edges, the tuck and around the holes.
Sport Strap, Sport Loop Or Braided?
- Silicone sport strap (this page): pin-and-tuck fastening, waterproof, easiest to clean. Best for the gym, swimming and hot days.
- Nylon sport loop Apple Watch band: a soft woven strap with a hook-and-loop fastening, lighter and more breathable, but it takes longer to dry after a swim.
- Braided stretch strap: no fastening at all, it slides over your hand. Comfortable for everyday wear, but it should be hand washed and isn't the one for the pool.
Plenty of customers keep a sport band for training and a leather or braided strap for the rest of the week. Swapping takes seconds, and our multi-buy discount makes a second strap cheaper.
Apple Watch Sports Strap FAQs
Is this the same as Apple's own Sport Band?
No. These are our own silicone sport straps, sized for every Apple Watch case. They are not made by Apple or endorsed by Apple, but they cost a fraction of the price. See our note on straps for Apple Watches for the details.
What is the best Apple Watch strap for sports?
For most sports, a silicone sport band is the best Apple Watch strap: it is waterproof, sweat-resistant and holds the watch firmly on a run or in the gym. For long hikes or hot days, a nylon sport loop is cooler on the skin.
Can I swim with an Apple Watch sports strap?
Yes. Silicone is waterproof, so it is fine in the pool and the sea. Rinse it in fresh water afterwards. Our guide to Apple Watch straps for swimming compares the options in more detail.
How do I clean a silicone Apple Watch band?
Take it off the watch, wash it with warm water and a drop of mild soap, rinse and dry it with a soft cloth. Avoid alcohol wipes and strong cleaners on light colours. There are more tips in our guide to cleaning Apple Watch bands.
Are these rubber or silicone?
Silicone. People often call any soft strap an Apple Watch rubber strap or a rubber Apple Watch band, but silicone is softer and lighter than the rubber used on traditional dive straps.
Will a sport band fit my Series 5 or Series 10?
Yes, as long as you pick the right size group. A Series 5 is 40mm or 44mm; a Series 10 is 42mm or 46mm, and its 42mm case takes the smaller strap size.
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