Popular accessory company Nomad has released a new range of premium Apple Watch bands made from hydrophobic leather and designed for "heavy everyday use."
The new Active Straps are water and sweat-resistant, and feature ventilation channels on the underside of the leather to ensure the bands remain comfortable and breathable during workouts.
Nomad says the bands are "built for sport," but the look is more formal than sporty, and the bands can be rinsed with water after a workout so they're ready to wear for a night out.
The new Active Strap Apple Watch bands are available in both black and mocha leather, and customers also have the option to choose between black hardware and silver hardware on the stainless steel accents.
The Active Strap is available for 42mm and 44mm Apple Watch models, in one size that fits wrists ranging from 150mm to 210mm. The Active Strap costs $69.95 and can be ordered on Nomad's website from today.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:02 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Some Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners have experienced unexpected skin irritation with the new models, according to reports on the MacRumors forums and Reddit.
Affected users complain of a burning sensation and redness under the sensor area. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 measure heart rate every five seconds, and some people have wondered if that's the cause of the skin...
Friday October 9, 2026 10:20 am PDT by Juli Clover
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Southern Straps to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a nylon band from Southern Straps to go along with it.
Southern Straps is a California-based company that has been making high-quality bands for the Apple Watch since the device first launched in 2015, and the company's selection of bands offer a an...
Tuesday October 6, 2026 6:09 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's $634 million patent loss to medical technology company Masimo has just gotten even bigger, after a federal judge ordered Apple to pay an additional $184 million in interest on what it owes (via Bloomberg Law).
The ruling takes Apple's bill to around $818 million, but that doesn't include any post-judgment interest continuing to accrue until the judgment is paid.
Judge James Selna ...
The best one for myself is Nike Sport Band. Dries quick cause holes and odor free. Nike Sport Loop is easier to adjust, but Nike Sport Band reigns supreme imho.
Meh. I prefer to have materials that an animal wasn't killed for. Or at least not during this millennia.
The best one for myself is Nike Sport Band. Dries quick cause holes and odor free. Nike Sport Loop is easier to adjust, but Nike Sport Band reigns supreme imho.
I agree, except that I feel that the Nike Sport Bands run tighter than the regular Sport Bands.
I wouldn’t expect this to feel exactly like leather, especially given the texture and form that is visible on the inside the band. I wouldn’t even care if this wasn’t real leather, either. Durability and high quality materials (including no weird/harmful chemicals) are what I would want from a waterproof watch band at this price.
I think the band’s rectangular shape looks far better on the Apple Watch than the rounded off bands I see everywhere. I’ve (personally) been tired of Apple’s rounded off corners for years now. The iPhone 5 was the best example of minimal design. It was thin, could be easily gripped due to its “chamfered edges” and was far sleeker than the current “flattened tampon” design that’s been Apple trademark for, what, seven or more models now?
Anything to offset the mashed cookie dough look of the Apple Watch is a step forward, IMO.
For those who want a nice leather band that feels, wears, smells, etc. like leather, you can always chose to use more than one band. As long as these watches require daily fiddling with chargers and the like, why not take another 30 seconds and change the band to fit whatever you’re doing?
