My strap checklist…
- infinitely adjustable
- keyboard friendly hardware
- quick change
- fray free
- durable/long lasting
Usual NATO strap hardware ends up under wrist, no good for an all day keyboard warrior.
Zulu hardware can be moved away from under wrist, but it’s a hit or miss on sizing between holes. Annnd sooner or later, said holes fray.
Closest that meet above is Vario Cordura strap, rivets prevent fraying, Zulu Style is keyboard friendly. Those same rivets though are thick enough that one needs to undo springbar to change straps.
Another is RSM Herringbone Twill. all but fraying bit. As it’s has adjustment holes that aren’t reinforced.
Yet another is Marine National/French Navy style elastic straps like WatchSteward, covers all but the last bit. It unfortunately stretches to a noodly mess after a year of use? Granted said straps gets seawater donked around twice a week. Reserving this on Garmin Instinct Solar.
After using springmade for ~3 weeks, I can now check all my nitpicky requirements. From reviews on it’s website there was feedback it heavier watches might cause slippage after a while. I can see smooth seatbelt style band eventually doing that. Ridges on the Ribbed and classic should(?) mitigate that.
Hopefully, this helps someone in same predicament?
The clasps on these remind me of an MN-style strap; the nice ones are from Ericka’s Originals but competitors exist. You do need to remove the spring bars to get them on (which might interfere with Point 3) but I’ve had them for years and they satisfy your other points in full.
Yeap, The Watch Steward in post is like MN. I’m partial to the “G Series” as that doesn’t need spring bar removal to change out.
Buuuut I think one can’t get away from elastic webbing itself stretching out. Left is ~3 month old, One on the right stretched to ~1.5x it’s original length, had to trim it after ~5 years of use .
edit: added length-of-use
Interesting; I’m yet to have that happen with any of mine - one is four years old (same olive green colour as yours but with white luminous stitching from Ericka’s).
I wonder if the difference is related to how tight you like to stretch the elastic around your wrist and what kinds of thigs you’re doing (sweating / swimming).
Possibly. Mine have been in sea / pool a fair amount and have been washed (cold water) a few times, but I’m not in a particularly hot country.
