The Best Waterproof Watch Straps

Wasting no time getting to the big question, the answer is - not usually. Leather is naturally porous, and while it does have enough water resistance to fend off rain and a light sweat, we wouldn’t recommend taking it for a dip, especially if it’s vegetable tanned, nubuck, suede or aniline. However and here’s that answer we said may surprise you - our waterproof leather watch straps have been specially treated during tanning to ensure water rolls off them when they get wet. They even retain their breathability, which is one of the great qualities of a decent leather watch strap.

Looking for a vegan leather watch strap that’s water resistant? Then make sure  it’s either apple skin/PU, cork or Lorica.

While our non-treated nylon watch straps aren’t waterproof, they’re still suitable for swimming, so feel free to keep them on if you decide to take a dip. Water soaks through the strap, but the material dries extremely quickly and, if needs be, can be cleaned very easily. We’re particularly fond of this NATO strap, which is comfy enough for everyday wear and delightfully colourful.

Nylon fabrics that are specially coated can be water resistant - a well known example is Cordura. 

Canvas watch straps will absorb water but, much like their nylon counterparts, taking them for a swim won’t ruin the material. They take a little longer to dry than nylon, but they’re more than suitable for swimming whether you’re at your local pool or the Mediterranean seaside. You have to admit - they certainly fit the look of a regular beachgoer!

Now, this feels like a trick question. Surely alligator skin wouldn’t mind a bit of water? Alligators spend most of their time in it, so a quick dip couldn’t hurt right? Unfortunately - no. If you’re wearing an alligator watch strap, we’d recommend taking it off before jumping in at the deep end.

Silicone has become a popular watch strap material choice in recent years, due to its durability, flexibility and the fact that it comes in just about every colour of the rainbow. They make great dive watch straps and, because they’re non-absorbent, are great for swimming, hot weather and hitting the gym. A quick wipe with a damp cloth is all it takes to get them back in tip-top shape after a swim in the ocean, and with good care and attention, these straps will last you for years. Check out our plasma-treated silicone watch strap for a striking example of our silicone range.

You may think metal is an unsuitable material to take in the water but, as long as you’re extra careful and give your watch strap a thorough clean after it's been in seawater, then straps like our solid stainless steel dive watch strap are a great choice. Just treat it like another piece of kit that needs some extra TLC once you’ve been in the sea.

We love our classic British leather watch strap which is perfect for more traditional watch faces. It works just as well for dressy occasions as it does on a long weekend yachting, and if you fall overboard then you know your watch strap will still be in good condition once you make it back on deck.

Our Cordura watch strap with a water resistant leather lining is a durable watch strap constructed from two functional materials. The abrasion resistance of Cordura and the comfort of a leather lining make this watch strap well suited to active wearers.

We also have to recommend our slightly chunkier padded waterproof leather watch strap which suits a sportier watch, whilst maintaining a certain elegance. If you like a timepiece that makes an impact on your wrist, then this one’s for you.

Our stitched dustproof silicone watch strap with perforations is the ultimate sports watch strap. The stitching and perforated design give it the look of a racing watch strap, but the non-absorbent dust repelling material means that the strap can take some serious moisture both on land and in the water. All you need to do afterwards is give it a quick wipe clean.

When it comes to looks, there’s none more distinctive than our Portuguese cork leather vegan watch strap, which has been designed to show off the unique and asymmetric texture that this material is famous for. It’s waterproof and no two straps are completely the same, making this unique watch strap one of our top picks.