Google’s Android Wear is bringing about a big change in the smartwatch arena. Fueled by the imminent release of the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live, one of the coolest features of either of these watches is the ability to change out the watch band with any 22mm band as a proper watch should be able to do. First generation smartwatches like the original Samsung Galaxy Gear didn’t allow you to change out the band because they contained proprietary electronics, but Android Wear watches won’t feature such electoronics in the band, opening up a world of styles and different types of bands for you to use on your new watch. Today we’re going to be looking at the 5 best different styles of watch bands and how they stack up in different conditions.
Nylon
Nylon is a very durable fabric material that feels great on your wrist and comes in a number of different colors and patterns, and is generally very inexpensive. It’s a lot like buying a dress shirt and a fancy new tie; you can get it in any color you’d like, and you’re almost guaranteed to find any color and pattern combination you could wish for. Amazon has a metric ton of different types and styles, and you can even find plenty on Ebay for super cheap as well. These are waterproof but obviously will stay wet for a while since they’re fabric, even if the fabric helps wick away the moisture.
Silicone
Silicone is a rubber material and as such is one of the most durable kinds of watch bands you could buy. Unlike fabric which will get wet, Silicone doesn’t absorb water at all and stays completely waterproof. On the downside if you live in a hotter climate this may make your wrist sweat a bit since it’s not a breathable material either. Silicone straps come in all sorts of colors, patterns and even shapes to help you match whatever style you feel like wearing that day. Watch out though because some of these can look and feel extremely cheap!
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel is a super rugged type of band that’ll likely last you forever no matter how you care for it. Being metal means it’s not only waterproof but is likely to withstand nearly anything you do to it. Of course there’s always the likelihood that these bands will get scratched up over time as any metal material would, and they don’t come in nearly as many colors or styles as the previous two types of bands do, plus they are generally more expensive. If you want that classic metal look though these are your best bet.
Stainless Steel Mesh
Stainless steel mesh offers a sort of hybrid between metal and fabric, as it gives a fabric look with the metal feel. These types of bands usually only come in black and silver varieties, although you can find gold and rose gold scattered about as well. There are varying sized meshes that change the overall appearance, but the smaller, tighter mesh is probably the most durable.
Leather
Leather is probably the most stylish of all the varieties but also the most prone to wear and tear. Leather bands can come in a variety of sizes, shapes, styles and colors, and can be shiny or flat textured. They are generally moderately priced but can be expensive depending on the type of leather you choose. If you’re going for the classy look for your new smartwatch this might just be the way to go.