What's the consensus on NATO straps?

[amare32]

For those interested in Nato style straps with a difference check out:

https://erikasoriginals.com/

Just bought one of these amazing straps for my Tudor Black Bay Bronze.

[rog007]

andy_s said:

Most secure way to wear one though.

Which is their primary purpose if that’s important to you. If you can get one that looks good too, bonus!

Wonder how the moped gangs and watch thieves get on with them.

[Doofus]

I have about half a dozen.

Pros:

Cheap
Wide range of colours
Easy to remove

Cons:

Cheap
Flimsy
Bulky in the wrong places
Buckle holes prone to stretching
Difficult to fine one that holds the watch in place properly
Not much good for a heavyish automatic watch and a wearer who likes a looseish strap

[andy_s]

DT398 said:

If you say so. Never used a NATO strap in my life and never lost a watch or had one fall off.

Maybe if you are a paratrooper or a ninja or something like that and your survival depends on knowing what time it is, then fair enough but they look rubbish for day to day wear imho.

Edited by DT398 on Saturday 7th July 22:39

I don't think you need to be a ninja to not want to lose your watch, but yeah, in normal use losing it shouldn't be a problem. With a NATO you need both spring bars to fail, with a bracelet it only takes one. It's happened to me once and I don't want it to happen again so NATO/Gasgasbones for anything outdoorsy for me.
As I wear the same watch pretty much all the time and run with it pretty much every day and don't want to change straps every time then it lives on the NATO. I use one with the smaller buckles (not the big thick ones) and it's pretty unobtrusive and the coulouring is black with a tan stripe, so again, pretty unobtrusive. The bracelet also causes problems when wearing for running as my wrists swell after 5-6 hours, so adjusting is easy. The watch is titanium so doesn't flop about or seem 'head heavy' either.
I appreciate the cosmetic isn't to everyone's tastes, but in terms of practicality it can't really be beaten for me - except perhaps by my gasgasbones strap - but that has the disadvantage of being harder still to change.
Each to their own and all that, my other watches stay on bracelets / leather but only seldom get worn.

[Greendubber]

I love a NATO



Far more suitable for my line of work having it on this one than the bracelet, plus if it gets a knock it's less likely to part company with my wrists. It's seen a bit of action and does the job perfectly.

[AmosMoses]

Love them! Zulu Natos are my most worn. They work really well in summer and if you swim with your watch.

Even have my 16600 on one which is blasphemy for the purists

[squareflops]

amare32 said:

For those interested in Nato style straps with a difference check out:

https://erikasoriginals.com/

Just bought one of these amazing straps for my Tudor Black Bay Bronze.

Considering a mirage mn strap for my BBN, be good to hear feedback on how you find yours. it looks like these are infinitely adjustable which is a gripe of mine with the standard NATO's, they're invariable slightly either too tight or too loose which is frustrating. It's quite the premium to pay for the MNs but compared to the price of a BB it's still a very reasonable cost if they're as good quality as they look

[Doofus]

squareflops said:

Considering a mirage mn strap for my BBN, be good to hear feedback on how you find yours. it looks like these are infinitely adjustable which is a gripe of mine with the standard NATO's, they're invariable slightly either too tight or too loose which is frustrating. It's quite the premium to pay for the MNs but compared to the price of a BB it's still a very reasonable cost if they're as good quality as they look

Despite what I've said about NATOs, I like the look of those Mirages. They need more colour options, perhaps with less inspiration from US-forces. It's not obvious how they buckle up, or how secure they are.

[lostkiwi]

Doofus said:

squareflops said:

Considering a mirage mn strap for my BBN, be good to hear feedback on how you find yours. it looks like these are infinitely adjustable which is a gripe of mine with the standard NATO's, they're invariable slightly either too tight or too loose which is frustrating. It's quite the premium to pay for the MNs but compared to the price of a BB it's still a very reasonable cost if they're as good quality as they look

Despite what I've said about NATOs, I like the look of those Mirages. They need more colour options, perhaps with less inspiration from US-forces. It's not obvious how they buckle up, or how secure they are.

The buckle arrangement is whats stopping me from pushing the button. It looks like a simple hook over buckle but that would worry me.

[HannsG]

I have one on a Gshock. But find the watch head moves around a lot.

Are there straps which prevent movement?

Thanks

[amare32]

squareflops said:

amare32 said:

For those interested in Nato style straps with a difference check out:

https://erikasoriginals.com/

Just bought one of these amazing straps for my Tudor Black Bay Bronze.

Considering a mirage mn strap for my BBN, be good to hear feedback on how you find yours. it looks like these are infinitely adjustable which is a gripe of mine with the standard NATO's, they're invariable slightly either too tight or too loose which is frustrating. It's quite the premium to pay for the MNs but compared to the price of a BB it's still a very reasonable cost if they're as good quality as they look

I only ordered it a week ago on the recommendation by a work colleague. Will feed back once I've received it. Perhaps a bit pricey compared to other similar out there but it's certainly cheaper than £120 Tudor is charging for a replacement Nato.

[HannsG]

I have one on a Gshock. But find the watch head moves around a lot.

Are there straps which prevent movement?

Thanks

[lostkiwi]

HannsG said:

I have one on a Gshock. But find the watch head moves around a lot.

Are there straps which prevent movement?

Thanks

Gasgasbones do an interpretation of a NATO which has the pins sitting in sleeves on the strap.

[Wildfire]

When I first saw one I thought they made a watch look cheap, however having gotten on with a watch I have had the epiphany!

Love them!

I have a black one which I got cheap, which is terrible, and a couple from Timefactors.

For summer and causal days out, I have moved many of my watches to NATO’s, switching them out, but I think I’m going to get a few more.

[Doofus]

Wildfire said:

switching them out

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[anonymous-user]

They’re awful and cliché.

[squareflops]

amare32 said:

I only ordered it a week ago on the recommendation by a work colleague. Will feed back once I've received it. Perhaps a bit pricey compared to other similar out there but it's certainly cheaper than £120 Tudor is charging for a replacement Nato.

That's great agree re the buckle and can't see if they're double thickness under the case either, will be interesting to hear your review.

Currently I've got a host of NATOs from WatchGecko; UK company, really great straps and good customer service.

[Hoofy]

bulldong said:

They’re awful and cliché.

I would have thought a leather strap was a bit cliché.

[pessimal]

why do NATO straps tend to be nylon rather than cotton?

[Hoofy]

pessimal said:

why do NATO straps tend to be nylon rather than cotton?

Tougher? Easier to wash? Less likely to stain? (Am guessing. I could be completely wrong.)