Summer Watch Guide 2025: The Best Straps for Heat, Sand, and Sea

Leather straps and summer just don’t mix. The moment temperatures start creeping into the 70s (and up), that beautiful calfskin starts to feel like a sweaty wrist sauna. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the pool, or just trying to survive your commute without sweat pooling under your watch, strap choice becomes as essential as SPF.

Luckily, summer doesn’t mean sacrificing style. With the right strap, your favorite watch can go from sticky to sleek, all while holding its own against heat, humidity, saltwater, sand, and your cocktail of choice. Here’s your no-fuss guide to the best warm-weather options

Why Rubber Still Rules

Rubber straps may not win elegance awards, but they remain the gold standard for summer durability. They’re waterproof, UV-resistant, easy to rinse off, and tough enough for everything from scuba diving to paddle boarding to chasing your kid down the beach.

Today’s rubber options go well beyond the stiff OEM straps of the past. Brands like Tropic, Isofrane, and Crafter Blue offer soft, pliable versions that stay comfortable all day, even when wet. Premium takes from Everest and Rubber B bring color-matched options and curved-end fits for Rolex, Omega, and others. On something like a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech or the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph, a rubber strap looks completely at home.

Outdoor adventurer, travel writer, and professional diver Jason Heaton has long been a fan of rubber. “If I was diving, it was almost always a rubber strap, preferably very long,” Heaton said. “Rubber worked well in and out of water, though if it lacked enough venting, it could get clammy.” It wasn’t just for dive gear. He was quick to note that comfort and a secure fit mattered just as much for everyday summer use.

Canadian filmmaker Cole Walliser agreed. “Summer straps! Rubber and bright colors! I thought leather-strapped watches stayed in the watch box for the sweatier months,” Walliser said. “Ideally, rubber was my preference, because hopefully I found myself jumping in and out of pools. Of course, bracelets worked well too, but they definitely needed a micro-adjustment for when it heated up during the day, or I’d had one too many salted-rimmed margaritas. Summer was a great excuse to wear the things that didn’t come out daily. That bright Swatch! The pink rubber strap I bought on a whim… I used it in the heat!”

The Case for NATOs

If you’re after a more breathable option, NATO straps are hard to beat. Woven from nylon, they dry quickly, clean up easily, and come in endless colorways that let you add some personality to your wrist without overthinking it. They work particularly well with vintage divers and field watches but are just as at home on modern tool watches, especially when you’re keeping it casual.

Heaton mentioned that he used NATO straps year-round but felt they came into their own during the hotter months. “NATO straps were secure and comfortable, but held moisture,” he explained. That made them ideal for dry days and urban wear, but a little less pleasant if you were getting in and out of the water. He also pointed out that NATO straps didn’t cinch down tightly enough to stay put when worn over a wetsuit, especially as pressure increased during a dive. Afterward, they tended to stay soggy.

Even so, when the weather heats up and you want comfort, color, and a bit of low-key ruggedness, it’s hard to beat a well-made NATO from a trusted brand, especially on dry land.

Canvas and Sailcloth Done Right

Want something a little more elevated than rubber or nylon but still summer-proof? Canvas and sailcloth straps strike a great balance. They’re tougher than they look, often backed with leather or rubber for structure, and they hold up surprisingly well to heat and humidity

Canvas brings a classic field-watch vibe. Sailcloth leans a little dressier, especially when stitched with color accents or paired with a deployant clasp. Artem’s sailcloth straps are among the best in class, while waxed canvas options from ADPT offer a more casual, broken-in style that improves with wear.

Keep Your Strap in Shape

Salt, sweat, and sun can take a toll even on the toughest straps. Rinsing them with fresh water after beach days goes a long way. Giving them a chance to dry completely helps preserve their feel and fit. If you’re traveling, pack a spare or two. Straps, like shoes, need time to breathe. And don’t forget the hardware. Titanium buckles and PVD-coated clasps resist corrosion better than untreated steel, especially in hot, humid conditions.

As Heaton put it, “the most important part of a dive watch was the strap.” If it was fiddly, uncomfortable, or not secure, it could completely change the experience, whether you were underwater or just out for a hike.

Final Thoughts

Swapping out your strap might seem like a small change, but in the summer, it makes all the difference. The right strap keeps your wrist cool, your watch secure, and your style right where it needs to be. Whether you’re diving into the ocean or just into a rooftop spritz, don’t let a sticky leather strap kill the vibe. Summer’s short. Your strap shouldn’t be holding you back.