NATO Strap Buyers Guide

[jeckyll]

Great writeup! Thank you for putting in the effort to put it together

[vbuskirk]

Here are two straps that I have right now. The tan/black I got with my Seiko MM from Chris so I don't know who makes it.

That black&tan is a DMH. I never broke that one in, but I bought an olive drab zulu at the same time, and I can confirm that I'm not overjoyed with this option due to some fraying at the holes and a buckle pin that catches things.

Maratac rocks.

[matt.wu]

Anyone got a good source/recommendation for braided black NATOs (satin hardware preferred)?

[toxicavenger]

Anyone got a good source/recommendation for braided black NATOs (satin hardware preferred)?

Matt, I thought timefactors had some braided ones.

[justsellbrgs]

Anyone got a good source/recommendation for braided black NATOs (satin hardware preferred)?

gnomon or DMH


gnomon G10s are decent... get the black/Gold as well.... looks great.






.....and splurge for the altstrap, cheap ass

[dshap]

.....and splurge for the altstrap, cheap ass

What's an altstrap?

[matt.wu]

.....and splurge for the altstrap, cheap ass

What's an altstrap?

Very expensive NATOs.

http://www.altstraps.com/store/merchant ... _Code=NATO

[justsellbrgs]

expensive is Jurgens or the Horween offerings some sell.

[watchingyou]

Great work Dave, very informative!

[AZpops]

Wow, just ran into this thread….It’s a well thought out review that I’m sure took some time with excellent useful information!!!!

Thanks,

Lance

[SoCal C4S]

I too think that there should be a ZULU Strap Buyer's Guide. I have a number of 2 and 4-ring Maratacs, but my all-time favorite is still the Waterborne. I have a 5-ring one that lasted 9 years in the Marines, and another 2 so far in Iraq (on top of the multiple deployments in the MC).

[ncstate1201]

Maratac is all I buy, and I like both the Nato and the Zulu, correct me if I am wrong but I believe the Nato only comes in solids, whereas you can get the stripes in the Zulu. I wish someone in NC would stock these things, I normally order mine from a guy on ebay who ships me the wrong sizes more than half the time, he does take them back and exchanges them, but he is in CA and the whole process ends up taking forever!

[dshap]

Maratac is all I buy, and I like both the Nato and the Zulu, correct me if I am wrong but I believe the Nato only comes in solids, whereas you can get the stripes in the Zulu. I wish someone in NC would stock these things, I normally order mine from a guy on ebay who ships me the wrong sizes more than half the time, he does take them back and exchanges them, but he is in CA and the whole process ends up taking forever!

Wrong! Is this enough striped NATOs for ya?

[randyswagon]

Maratac is all I buy, and I like both the Nato and the Zulu, correct me if I am wrong but I believe the Nato only comes in solids, whereas you can get the stripes in the Zulu. I wish someone in NC would stock these things, I normally order mine from a guy on ebay who ships me the wrong sizes more than half the time, he does take them back and exchanges them, but he is in CA and the whole process ends up taking forever!

Wrong! Is this enough striped NATOs for ya?

[ncstate1201]

hell yeah that is enough, where did you get those?? I may be switching back to the Nato only! I have a Benrus Type II Class B, all original and I put it on a zulu, which is really kind of thick for that watch, and because its a military watch I do worry about messing it up with the thicker band, I really should switch it to the nato striped!

[dshap]

hell yeah that is enough, where did you get those?? I may be switching back to the Nato only! I have a Benrus Type II Class B, all original and I put it on a zulu, which is really kind of thick for that watch, and because its a military watch I do worry about messing it up with the thicker band, I really should switch it to the nato striped!

Some are from eBay, some are Maratacs, and some are from DMH.

[CesarG]

Just wanted to add the Admiralty Gray NATO which was supposedly the color/make officially issued to the Royal Navy. I bought mine from Corvus but there are many different sellers. RLTwatches.co.uk also sells them in England. They're pretty cheap straps, nothing like the ones on the OP. But it is the only way to get that beautiful gray color.



I have been getting a few questions about a braided NATO I have as well. I bought mine from eBay seller bicycleman for about $15USD. It gives a different feeling than a regular strap since it really does breathe extremely well. And if you're like me, you're always in between sizes and this strap takes care of that since it does not have preset holes. This one is one of my favorites.

[dshap]

Just wanted to add the Admiralty Gray NATO which was supposedly the color/make officially issued to the Royal Navy.

That's my favorite color NATO. I really should get one.