Everyone's first aftermarket strap, the ubiquitous NATO. Originally designed to meet the G1098 spec created by the British Ministry of Defense in the 1970s, these nylon straps were asked to be both tough and comfortable, easily adjustable and secure on the wrist. The NATO strap has, of course, exploded past its original military designation thanks to its easy-wearing style and affordable nature
Not all NATO-style straps are created equal, of course. But the best NATO straps will simply make the experience of wearing a watch a little easier and a bit more comfortable. It's the simple things that make this hobby worthwhile, like putting a dive watch on a grey NATO at the first sign of summer.
The Activity: Any NATO strap should be more than suitable for swimming, hiking, camping, pickup basketball, really anything outdoors at all. A good NATO will dry quickly and if a springbar happens to fly off while climbing a 14er, the NATO will keep you from losing the rest of your watch. If you're going someplace unpredictable, a solid NATO will be hard to beat in its versatility.
