Sport Band
The Nomad Sport Band provides a secure watch band option for active users. It's a bit higher priced ($59.95) than Apple's watch bands ($49) with a similar function, but the design makes the expense worth it. The band is comfortable, easy to install, and made with high-quality materials. Based on how the band has performed, I would recommend it to others.
- DESIGN
- EASE OF USE
- PRICE
- COMFORT
Nomad Sport Band provides an athletic style band for users.
When the Apple Watch was released, it had a limited number of watchband designs and the original watch body came with the Apple Sport Band. The band was fine at first, but I noticed over time how it started to degrade and how the closure became looser. I just didn’t feel secure wearing it for long periods of time.
I still have those old Sport Bands, but I’ve moved on to other styles. I typically find myself staying with the Apple brand of watch bands, but the Nomad Sport Band caught my eye. I had been wanting a sport-style band but didn’t want to go back to the Apple Sport Band.
DETAILS
The Nomad Sport Band is designed to provide the Apple Watch body with a modern, athletic look for physical activities as well as everyday wear. The band is made with FKM fluoroelastomer rubber and is 100% waterproof. Interior ventilation channels are built into the band and there is a custom aluminum closure pin affixed to the shorter half of the band.
The band is designed for Apple Watch Series 7, 6, SE, and all previous versions of the Apple Watch (Ceramic, Titanium, Steel, Aluminum, Sport, and Nike versions). It is available for both the 44mm/45mm and 40mm/41mm size watch bodies and has five different color options (black, lunar gray, ash green, marine blue, and dune). The band is considered “one size fits most” and is 150mm to 200mm in total length.
USER EXPERIENCE
The Nomad Sport Band comes in a very nice retail package. The front of the box has an image of the Sport Band connected to an Apple Watch body. The box calls the product the “sport strap” rather than the Sport Band, which is what the Nomad website refers to it as. The color of the band is reflected in the image provided on the cover. The side of the box lists the color that should be enclosed as well. I have the Lunar Gray color option for the 44mm/42mm Apple Watch.
The center section of the box lifts out of the outer sleeve to reveal the band resting inside. There is no user manual or instructions that accompany the Nomad Sport Band, but since it can’t be modified (i.e. links can’t be removed, etc.) a user manual is sort of irrelevant. The only thing in the box is the band itself. It’s held in by a couple of elastic bands, which it slips easily out of when you want to remove it from the box.
Something I noticed right off the bat is how the Nomad Sport Band differs from the Apple Sport Band. Apple’s Sport Bands are made with fluoroelastomer and are smooth. It fits flush against the skin and there isn’t much room for the skin to breathe. Many people, my fiancé included, have reported skin irritations when wearing the Apple Sport Band for long periods of time. The main reason is that a rash builds up from lack of ventilation.
The Nomad Sport Band solves this problem because even though it’s also made with fluoroelastomer the band has ventilation chambers built into the band along with notches cut out for the closure pin to latch into. Both of these elements combined help the skin be able to breathe more than the Apple Sport Band.
Another thing I noticed about the Nomad Sport Band is the soft color of it. I would have loved to be able to compare the gray against the other color shades, but it seems as though Nomad has provided a gorgeous color profile for this band that is muted and classy by design. I love the way the Nomad Sport Band fits onto the wrist. It feels much like the Apple Sport Band, but as I noted, the skin can breathe much easier. This makes the band a bit cooler than the Apple band.
Even though there is a bit of a lift where the two halves of the band join, it’s not uncomfortable to work with. I spend most of my days behind a computer screen typing away at a keyboard. Even when my wrist is resting on the desk, I’ve not had any discomfort from the Nomad Sport Band. I also really like that the closure pin makes the Nomad Sport Band feel much more stable than the Apple Sport Band.
CONCLUSION
Even though the Nomad Sport Band is slightly higher priced ($59.95) than the Apple Sport Band ($49), I think the Nomad band is a better investment. It is more secure and more comfortable than the Apple Sport Band. I’m very impressed with the performance of this watch band and would get more of them if the opportunity presented itself.
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