Review: Nomad’s Silicone Strap is the Apple Watch Sport Band that should’ve come from Cupertino

Nomad is known for its unique and handsome Apple accessories made from top-notch materials. This focus extends across the entire lineup of products, from Mac to iPhone and more. Its latest creation is the Silicone Strap, designed specifically for Apple Watch.

After being unveiled earlier this month, we’ve spent some time with this Sport Band alternative. At $40, it’s not only 20% less than Apple’s official options, this Strap packs much more in the area of design too…

Apple Watch Sport is the most popular model amongst most consumers. That means that there are a ton of accompanying bands floating around out there. For Watch users looking for an alternative, there are a few options. Apple, of course makes its own $49 Sport bands and you’ll find low-cost alternatives on Amazon. But Nomad finds itself right in between.

This $40 band is made from liquid silicone rubber, which has a decidedly different feel than Apple’s default strap. It feels much lighter in comparison and has an almost luxurious feel about it.

Nomad has left the inside of the strap smooth with no markings other than a brand logo. The outside has a molded texture to it that adds a sense of depth. Liquid silicone rubber is made specifically for interaction with your skin and is hypoallergenic, which is an added bonus of this product.

While Apple’s Sport Band is smooth and tapers off, Nomad has gone with a squared-off design in all areas. It doesn’t take a keen eye to see the distinct differences between the two products.

Although Nomad’s latest watch band is only available in 42mm and black, there are two hardware options. The stainless steel slugs ship in either silver or black. Space Gray, Aluminum and Steel Watch owners will each be able to find a match or contrast with this product.

Being someone with a smaller wrist size can make finding a Watch Band difficult at times. This band is made for sizes 150mm to 210mm whereas Apple offers two sizes. It can be difficult to cover such a wide range of sizes but Nomad does a fairly good job here. I found it to be just slightly looser than Apple’s official 42mm option on the smallest buckle. One thing worth noting is that the sliding loop is a bit looser than I would prefer given the extra strap length that comes with having smaller wrists. It would often slide off leaving the excess band exposed.

All told, the Nomad Silicone Strap is the Sport Band that Apple should’ve made. The materials are higher quality and at $10 less, a better value. I particularly appreciated the differences in physical design that make Nomad’s product standout from the competition. Having tried a variety of bands over the last 18 months, this is certainly at the top of the class.

Nomad’s new Silicone Strap is available for purchase today with a price tag of $39.95.

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