Are you in the market for a rubber watch strap? Read on to check out the best rubber watch straps for men.
When it comes to high-quality, desirable watch straps, the humble rubber strap doesn’t get enough credit. But, they look great, they’re tough, and they’re easy to clean. What’s not to love?
If you’re considering switching from a bracelet or leather strap, don’t count out rubber. You might find that you enjoy a great rubber strap—maybe even more than those luxurious options.
Either way, the best rubber watch straps can freshen up an older watch and offer a break from babying your expensive leather strap or precious metal bracelet.
Quick Take
Short on time? Here are our top three picks for the best rubber watch straps you can buy right now:
Bonetto Cinturini’s 324 is a nitrile rubber carbon fiber-patterned strap. It’s soft, pliable, and non-allergenic, plus it won’t attract lint or dust.
This silicone strap comes in 15 different colors, as well as five different lug widths, providing plenty of simple variety for your entire watch collection.
The 1968 is a modern take on the famous 1960s ISOfrane watch straps. It has contemporary touches like silicone-free rubber that’s far softer and more durable than the strap of old.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
Why You Need a Rubber Watch Strap
Regardless of what your collection looks like, you should have at least one watch on a solid, comfortable rubber strap. They provide a bit of flexibility, utility, and fun. The right one can add a touch of relaxed and sporty class to your style, as well.
Let’s look at a few reasons why you should own a rubber watch strap.
They’re Tough
Most rubber watch straps are incredibly tough. You can wear them while running, swimming, hiking, or working. You don’t have to worry about scratching them, banging them up against a door jamb, or damaging any stitching.
They’re Waterproof
Rubber watch straps are completely waterproof. You can wear them in a pool, a freshwater lake, or ocean without worrying about what the water will do to the strap.
They’re also sweat-proof and well suited for hot weather. While rubber isn’t the most breathable material, the best rubber watch straps have textured patterns on their inner side.
The texture allows for a bit of airflow under the watch, and also gives sweat and water a passageway to escape so your wrist can dry.
They’re Comfortable
When most people think of rubber watch straps, they think of the stiff, uncomfortable resin bands that come on low-end digital watches. They don’t realize that there are a ton of soft, pliable straps available to increase your watch’s comfort.
Manufacturers of the best rubber watch straps use silicone or nitrile rubber in their production process. These straps are soft to touch and don’t require any break-in time.
Couple that with the texture underneath for moisture-wicking, and it’s easy to see how a high-quality rubber strap could feel so great on the wrist.
They Look Great
Not only are high-quality straps much more comfortable than a cheap resin band, but they also look incredible. There are a ton of different patterns, styles, and colors available.
You’ll find models with curved ends to hug your watch case, waffle-textures, rally styling, and classic diver-styling. You can even find two-tone models with hardware to match your watch’s case.
With their casual style, you can use rubber straps to change a watch’s look. The right strap will match your watch with a pair of sneakers or athletic wear, if that’s your style.
They also stay looking great. Rubber watch straps are really easy to keep clean. They don’t absorb sweat, dirt, or stains, and they clean up with just a bit of soap and water.
The Best Rubber Watch Straps
Now that you’re convinced that you have to give a high-end rubber strap a try, the following is a list of the best straps. While they vary a bit in price and style, they’re all great quality straps that will take your watch to the next level.
1. Bonetto Cinturini Rubber Strap 324
If you’re looking for a high-quality watch strap from an established company, you can’t go wrong with Bonetto Cinturini. This Italian company makes rubber watch straps for several luxury watchmakers.
Bonetto Cinturini’s 324 is a nitrile rubber carbon fiber-patterned strap. It’s soft, pliable, and non-allergenic, plus it won’t attract lint or dust. It starts with a 22mm lug width and then tapers down to 20mm at the buckle. It has two floating keepers and a polished stainless steel buckle.
Pros:
- Awesome carbon fiber texture
- Made from nitrile rubber
- Vanilla scent
Cons:
- Only one color
Bonetto Cinturini watches have distinct vanilla scents embedded during production. They really smell amazing. If only the 324 came in more colors, it’d be hard to spend money on any other rubber strap.
2. ISOfrane 1968 Rubber Watch Strap
While it might seem counterintuitive to update your modern diver with a retro-styled strap, the ISOfrane 1968 has a classic ladder design worthy of any dive watch.
The 1968 is a modern take on the famous 1960s ISOfrane watch straps. It has contemporary touches like silicone-free rubber that’s far softer and more durable than the strap of old.
Pros:
- Super soft and comfortable
- Classic design
- The stepped buckle locks the strap in place
Cons:
- The price is a little steep
This 22mm strap has a straight, no taper design. It has a burly buckle with a stepped design that will prevent the strap from accidentally coming loose.
The underside of the strap has a ribbed surface to keep a grip on your wrist while still allowing air and moisture to pass through. You can find it in several colors, including anthracite, orange, and blue.
The only downside to the ISOfrane is its price. But, considering it’s a premium strap aimed at high-end watches, it’s on par with other comparable models.
3. Barton Elite Silicone Watch Band
If you’re searching for a great looking strap at an awesome price, the Barton Elite Watch Band is a great choice. This silicone watch comes in a ton of different colors, allowing you to match them to anything in your wardrobe.
The Elite Silicone Watch Band is a really good value at this price point. It has a nice but subtle waffle exterior texture that looks great on most sports and dive watches.
It also has a 2mm taper from the lugs to the stainless steel buckle, regardless of the width you purchase.
Pros:
- Subtle waffle texture
- Great value
- Quick-release spring bars
Cons:
- Lighter colors will show lint and dust
It has quick-release spring bars, and the strap keeper has a notch that locks in place at the end of the strap.
When you order a rubber strap from Batron, they send you two different lengths for the long side. You’ll be able to choose the length that fits best, but you don’t have to send the other one back.
The only problem with the Barton is that it’s a silicone-based strap, so it shows lint and dirt and the lighter colors.
4. Crafter Blue CB01 Rubber Strap
For guys searching for a proper dive strap for their diver, Crafter Blue has the answer. This vulcanized rubber strap is strong and durable, but still supple and comfortable. It’s also more resistant to oils and acids than other rubbers.
This strap has a ton of adjustability, so you can wear it to work during the week or over a bulky dive suit on the weekend. It tapers from 22mm down to 20mm at the brushed stainless steel buckle.
Pros:
- Proper diver strap
- Made from vulcanized rubber
- Tons of adjustment
Cons:
- Cut-outs on the strap aren’t everyone’s style
The strap has a somewhat unique design, and it might not be everyone’s taste. Each strap has two rectangular cutouts that will improve airflow and keep from trapping water but look a little out of place with the strap’s tapered shape.
If you’d prefer a strap without these cut-outs, you can find model-specific options for your SKX, Turtle, Samurai, Sumo, Black Bay, and soon, Submariner.
5. ZULUDIVER 286 Italian Rubber Watch Strap
If you like the overall look of your Seiko or Citizen’s factory rubber strap, the ZULUDIVER 286 Italian Rubber Watch Strap is a significant upgrade with the same style. This soft rubber strap is the result of a ZULUDIVER/Benetto Cinturini partnership, and it’s impressive.
It’s rare that anyone today uses an ND Limit chart for decompression purposes, but they sure look cool on the side of this strap. It also has perforations on both ends for breathability, as well as plenty of adjustability.
Pros:
- Excellent OEM look
- Comfortable compared to stock
Cons:
- NDL chart might seem too busy for some guys
If an NDL chart isn’t your thing, we understand. So does ZULUDIVER, apparently, as they offer the same strap, sans NDL.
6. Bonetto Cinturini NATO
If you’re a guy who just loves NATO straps, but you’re tired of them getting dirty, stained, and downright nasty, the Bonetto Cinturini Rubber Strap could be a great option. This rubber NATO strap can offer all the benefits of a rubber strap with the look of a standard NATO.
Like other Bonetto Cinturini straps, this strap is of nitrile rubber construction, so it won’t collect lint or dust. It also has a fine ribbed-texture that blends right in with other NATO straps.
Pros:
- Uncommon two-piece NATO design
- Nitrile rubber construction
Cons:
- Doesn’t have the same sporty look as other rubber straps
Unlike nylon NATOs, this one has a spring bar at the second keeper to hold the inner strap in place. You could potentially remove it and turn this trap into a Zulu strap of sorts.
If you’re not a NATO guy and prefer a sportier look, this strap won’t scratch the itch. It’s quite hard to tell that this isn’t, in fact, a standard NATO strap.
7. Archer Watch Straps Silicone Watch Strap
The Archer Watch Straps Silicone Watch Strap could be an excellent choice for any guy looking for a low-cost minimalist strap. This silicone strap comes in 15 different colors, as well as five different lug widths, providing plenty of simple variety for your entire watch collection.
Archer packs a lot of value into these inexpensive straps. For instance, the quick-release spring bars make swapping back and forth between straps quick and easy. The silicone is incredibly soft, as well.
Pros:
- Tons of colors
- Great price
- Quick-release spring bars
Cons:
- Will collect lint
The simple, straight-cut straps coupled with the polished stainless buckle create a classic look without much fuss.
On the other hand, you might have to fuss a bit to keep this strap clean. The lighter colors will cling to the silicone surface, so you may find yourself washing it frequently to keep it clear of fuzzy little hitchhikers.
8. Hadley-Roma Silicone Diver Sport Watch Strap
If you have a favorite work or field watch with a strap that’s ready to be put out to pasture, consider swapping over to the Hadley-Roma Silicone Diver Sport Watch Strap. This silicone strap has a classic tapered design that will work well with traditional watches.
Between the padded look, the taper, the English point on the strap, and the stitching, this Hadley-Roma strap can pass as matte black leather from a few feet away. However, it’s very soft and comfortable, and the diagonal ribs on the underside allow for some breathing room.
Pros:
- Classic design will fit any traditional watch
- Stitching provides a nice touch
Cons:
- Not very sporty
This watch strap comes in a few colors, including red, white, and blue, so you can tone its formal look down a bit. But, if you’re looking for a sporty-looking strap, you’ll probably have to look elsewhere.
9. Hadley-Roma Rubber Rally Strap
Some guys love a classic rally and racing-inspired watch design, and this strap from Hadley-Roma ticks the boxes. This rubber strap has contrasting stitching and a three-hole design that partners really well with classic chronographs.
This strap tapers down to the stainless steel buckle, which pairs nicely with the off-white stitching. The rubber has a pleasant vanilla scent as well.
Pros:
- Great rally design
- Contrasting stitching looks awesome
Cons:
- Not much of a color selection
The only other color choice available is a black on black scheme, but it doesn’t really make the same impact. A wider color selection for both the rubber and the stitching would make this an incredible watch strap.
10. Uncle Seiko Tropic Strap
If you’re looking for a modern strap to put on a vintage diver or field watch, the Uncle Seiko Tropic Strap is certainly worth considering. In fact, it ticks most of the boxes for the old Captain Willard look. It looks awesome paired with almost any tool watch.
The Tropic strap is an excellent rendition of the iconic Seiko tropic strap. It comes in 20 and 22mm, but also 19mm for some of the classic Seikos. Underneath, it has a raised waffle pattern with perforations to the exterior to allow moisture to escape and your wrist to breathe.
Pros:
- Iconic design
- Comes in three sizes
Cons:
- Not as soft and supple as other straps
The only complaint with this strap is it’s the least supple of the straps on this list. After it breaks in, however, it’ll look cool and feel great.
11. Ritche Silicone Waffle Strap
There’s something really cool about a waffle-textured rubber strap. The Ritche Silicone Waffle Strap offers that look at a very low price and comes in a wide range of colors.
This waffle strap comes in several sizes, and each of those sizes has a 2mm taper down to the brushed stainless buckle. The floating strap keeper has a locking tab that fits in place on the end of the strap to prevent it from sliding around or coming loose. It also has quick-release spring bars.
Pros:
- Nice, classic waffle texture
- Locking strap keeper
Cons:
- The silicone is a lint magnet
The Ritche suffers from the same issue as other silicone watches: It collects lint. Other than that, it’s a great value.
Final Thoughts
Swapping over to a high-quality rubber strap can take your watch to a whole new level. You’ll benefit from a durable material that’s easy to clean and care for.
And, since most of the best rubber watch straps are relatively affordable, you’ll be able to choose a few different colors to change things up without breaking the bank.
It’s all about pairing the right strap with the right watch. If you’re looking to add a rubber strap to your Speedmaster, an option like the Hadley-Roma Rally strap will look incredible.
Or, if you want to make your Submariner even more dive-friendly, check out the ISOfrane 1968. You can even pair your Alpinist with the Bonetto Cinturini NATO for a really cool and unique look.
Whatever watch you’re looking to upgrade, there’s a rubber strap out there to compliment it.
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