The smartwatch wristband is an important component of any wearable that is often overlooked, even by the designers.
This is unfortunate, because the smartwatch wristband has as much to do with quality and style as the display.
It might seem silly to claim the wristband is such an important element of a smartwatch, but think about it. After you buy a smartwatch, you’ll be wearing it all day, every day and the band is what will secure the device to your person. You’ll be in direct contact with the wristband at all times.
No wonder band quality and style is such a big deal to many watch enthusiasts out there.
Why the Smartwatch Wristband Is One of the Most Important Elements
Some Smartwatch Wristbands Are Irreplaceable
Though we’re not sure why a manufacturer would decide to make a proprietary wristband, it still happens.
Wearing a watch every day can get the wristband dirty, and the degree of wear also depends on the composition. A rubber smartwatch wristband will wear faster than a cloth or leather one.
What’s worse is when the band is uncomfortable or just plain ugly. When that happens, it’s ideal if you can replace the stock smartwatch wristband with one of your own.
There are other reasons why you might want to replace a wristband. Size problems with the band and your wrist might be a good reason. Another is if you plan to sell the watch, replacing the band can make it look new.
The Qualcomm Toq calls for you to cut the stock wrist band so that it fits your wrist. The first time you set up the watch you measure your wrist, squeeze the end of the band into a clasp and chop off the excess.
This may not be a big deal for some, but if you were to ever gain weight or lose it this might pose a serious problem. Worse yet, you cannot resell the Toq because the smartwatch wristband is sized to your wrist. There’s no guarantee it would fit someone else after you cut the band.
If you want to see what we’re talking about watch this tutorial video from Qualcomm.
Some Smartwatch Wristbands Can Be Changed Completely
The good news is you can swap out some smartwatch wristbands completely.
When it comes to making a change, the only thing you need to worry about is the size. Most regular watch bands are 22mm, which is the standard for smartwatch wristbands too.
Some manufacturers even sell the device with many bands, so you can change the style.
What Type of Smartwatch Wristband Should I Look for?
Devices that have a replaceable band are much more versatile.
You can change out the smartwatch wristband at will, instead of being stuck with one.
When choosing a new smartwatch wristband, you may be confused what type to choose.
The best way to determine which band type suits you is to look at current devices on the market. Once you’ve chosen a smartwatch you want, try wearing it on your wrist. If you find the band to be uncomfortable, or you don’t like they way it looks then you’ll want the option to replace it.
Another overlooked point is how easy the smartwatch wristband is to clean.
Since smartwatches are on your wrist all day, the band is going to get dirty or even stained. A cloth or leather band is much easier to clean, and they’re also less likely to snap under duress.
To reiterate this question, what should you be looking for when you choose a smartwatch? The answer is comfort.
A watch is something you will wear all the time. Some have a water resistant shell so you can take them in the shower, pool or ocean. With a watch like that, you’ll rarely take it off.
In fact, the only time you may take off a smartwatch is to charge it.
Unless the wristband is uncomfortable. If the band irritates your skin or hurts you, you’re not going to wear the watch often. That also means you’ve wasted all that money.
When you look at the smartwatch wristband in the store, make sure it fits and is comfortable. The other elements of a wristband matter but personal comfort is most important.
What Smartwatch Wristband Style Is Best?
The smartwatch wristband style that is best for you will hinge on your preferences, because there are so many. No one can tell you which style is best because it’s relative.
We recommend going with a NATO-style strap, but it only applies if you choose a smartwatch that supports custom bands. NATO straps are a great mix of casual and preppy styles, and they seem to fit any watch design.
Not everyone likes the look of NATO-style bands, which is another reason why you should explore other options.
Try on a bunch of bands – even for regular watches – and choose something you fancy.
Are There Other Limitations of Smartwatches That Don’t Have Custom Band Support?
The limitations are obvious and we’ve talked about most of them already.
Just to lay it out again, the biggest limitation is that you won’t be able to customize the band. Expanding on that, if the band gets dirty or worn there is no way to swap it out for a clean one. Worse yet, if you break the band or something happens to it you won’t be able to install a new one.
The most common feature of watches backed on Kickstarter is they support custom bands. The Pebble smartwatches are a great example of this. A lot of the financial backers showed interest in custom band support, which is why it’s common. When so many people want a certain feature, it indicates that it is crucial to the design of a product.
We can go on-and-on all day about this topic, but we’ll stop here.
If you buy a smartwatch with an irreplaceable band make sure it fits you comfortably. Also, make sure you like the style and that you can clean it easily. Otherwise, go after a device that allows you to swap out the smartwatch wristband for one of your own.