NATO straps for your watch

How to choose a NATO strap

Start with your lug width. That is the gap between the watch lugs where the strap sits. Our NATO straps come in 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm and 24 mm lug sizes. Measure the gap in millimeters, or check your watch specs. A strap that is too wide will not fit between the lugs. A strap that is too narrow will slide and feel loose.

Next, pick your material. Woven nylon is the classic NATO look. It is light, dries fast and comes in many colors. Elastic woven nylon stretches a little, so it hugs the wrist and slips over the hand without a buckle fuss. Sailcloth is a woven nylon with a tighter, textured face that reads a bit dressier than plain nylon.

Then think about the buckle. Steel pin buckles and tang buckles are the standard. The Parachute Elastic Slip-On NATO also comes with a black buckle option if you want a darker look. The Woven Nylon NATO Watch Strap uses a black metal ring buckle.

Sizes and measuring

Measure your wrist with a soft tape or a strip of paper. Wrap it snug, not tight, and note the length in inches or millimeters. Our straps fit a range of wrists.

The Sailcloth Nato Strap fits wrists 5.3 to 7.5 in (135 to 190 mm). The NATO Nylon Strap fits wrists 6 to 7.9 in (150 to 200 mm). The Parachute Elastic Slip-On NATO is one size fits all, thanks to the stretch.

Check the strap length too. The NATO Nylon Strap runs about 11 in (280 mm) overall. The Parachute Elastic NATO Strap and the Parachute Elastic Slip-On NATO both come in 18 mm, 20 mm or 22 mm lugs. The Sailcloth Nato Strap covers 18 to 22 and 24 mm lugs. The Woven Nylon NATO Watch Strap covers 18 mm, 20 mm, 22 mm or 24 mm lugs. The NATO Nylon Strap covers 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm or 22 mm lugs.

Materials and feel

Woven nylon is the workhorse. It is soft, breathable and easy to wipe clean. The Woven Nylon NATO Watch Strap should be wiped clean and kept away from water. The NATO Nylon Strap is 0.05 in (1.2 mm) thick, so it sits low on the wrist and slides under a cuff.

Elastic woven nylon adds stretch. The Parachute Elastic NATO Strap and the Parachute Elastic Slip-On NATO both use elastic nylon, so they move with your wrist through the day. That makes them a good pick if you want a close fit without adjusting a buckle.

Sailcloth is a woven nylon with a denser weave. The Sailcloth Nato Strap uses woven nylon sailcloth. It has a slightly raised texture that catches light and looks sharper than plain nylon.

Buckles and hardware

All of our NATO straps use metal hardware. The Parachute Elastic NATO Strap has a steel pin buckle and keepers. The Sailcloth Nato Strap has a brushed steel tang buckle. The Parachute Elastic Slip-On NATO comes with a steel buckle or a black buckle. The Woven Nylon NATO Watch Strap has a black metal ring buckle. The NATO Nylon Strap has a brushed steel pin buckle.

Spring bars are included with most straps. The Parachute Elastic NATO Strap, the Parachute Elastic Slip-On NATO, the Woven Nylon NATO Watch Strap and the NATO Nylon Strap all include spring bars. The Sailcloth Nato Strap includes quick release spring bars, so you can swap it without a tool.

Care and daily wear

Nylon straps are easy to live with. Wipe them with a damp cloth and mild soap, then let them air dry. Keep the Woven Nylon NATO Watch Strap away from water. For the others, a quick rinse after heavy sweat is fine, but avoid soaking the hardware.

Check the spring bars now and then. If a bar bends or feels loose, replace it. A snug fit and a clean strap will keep your watch comfortable all day.

Which strap suits your watch

A field watch or a dive watch pairs well with a woven nylon NATO. A dress watch can take a sailcloth NATO for a textured look. A smartwatch or a fitness tracker with 18 mm, 20 mm or 22 mm lugs can use an elastic NATO for stretch and comfort. If you want a single strap that fits many watches, the Sailcloth Nato Strap covers the widest lug range here, from 18 mm to 24 mm.