Is the Apple Watch Leather Band for You? 4 Ways to Know

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Changing the band on your Apple Watch can make it look more classic, sporty, and fashionable. When finding high-quality bands, nothing shouts sleek and more durable than leather bands.  


Hand-made leather watch bands add a premium look to your Apple Watch. They have the most authentic character and complement your leather belt when wearing a formal outfit.


The smooth feel of leather bands is nearly divine. They’re significantly more comfortable to wear than metal and adapt over time to fit your wrist better.


We’ve been making quality watch leather straps for nearly a decade. This means we know what makes stylish and durable watch straps. Today, I’ll help you decide if leather bands are worth considering for your Apple Watch. You’ll also learn:

  • If leather Apple Watch bands are comfortable
  • Whether leather is a great watch strap material for working out
  • How Apple Watch leather bands help add style to your outfit
  • If leather is a durable material for making Apple Watch bands

Our customers are often impressed by the high-quality leather watch straps we make. Here’s what one of them had to say after buying one of our Apple Watch leather bands.

"The quality of these bands is definitely top tier."

Anthony S, United States

Are Apple Watch leather bands worth buying? Here’s how to know. 

1 - You Want a Comfortable Apple Watch Band

Leather watch bands are the new trend in Apple watches. They're comfortable, lightweight, and look, you know…so cool!


Compared to other materials used to make watch straps like metal and rubber, leather is more comfortable due to its gentle feel on the skin that reduces skin irritations. Metals, on the other hand, are prone to temperature changes due to their high conductivity, causing discomfort.


The Apple Watch leather bands feel so light on your arm. They also firmly grip your lavish Apple Watch without being too tight on your wrist. This makes it hard for anyone to grab your watch off your wrist. If you are one of those people with hairy wrists, it's unlikely that your hair will get trapped through bands, causing pain when getting the watch off your wrist.

Suppose you want to monitor your sleep time using your Apple Watch. The leather bands feel comfortable and soft on your wrist, and if you sleep with your head on your arm, the straps do not cause discomfort.


The table below shows how leather bands compare with other materials used to make Apple Watch straps.


Feature Leather Rubber Metal
Comfort Comfortable Comfortable Affected by temperature changes and can cause discomfort when hot or cold
Durability Durable Durable Durable
Versatility Highly versatile Does not look stylish when wearing a suit or a tuxedo Versatile
Waterproof No Yes Yes
Eco-friendliness Environmentally friendly Rubber is non-biodegradable Can be recycled
Attractiveness Looks stylish and beautiful Best for a casual outfit Stylish
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2 - You’re Looking For Durable Watch Bands

Leather is a strong, flexible, and long-lasting material. 


Unlike other materials used to make watch straps, leather is highly resistant to wear and tear. This is one of the reasons why it’s used to make other luxurious and long-lasting items like handbags, shoes, and wallets.


Leather is also resistant to scratches. Its surface turns smooth when the patina develops over time, making the accessory even more beautiful.


Before buying leather straps for your Apple Watch, it's better to understand what leather the bands are made of. 


At Popov Leather, we understand the significance of high-quality, durable leather accessories. All our Apple Watch bands are made from full-grain Horween leather


Full-grain leather contains all the natural grain of the cowhide. This leather has all the best elements that make it strong and durable while maintaining its sleek appearance. Check out our collection and find an Apple Watch band that impresses you most.

3 - You Want a Classic Watch Strap That Matches a Variety of Styles

A watch is a simple yet effective accessory that can add style and personality to outfits. The type of watch bands you’re wearing can make or break your style. As any fashionista would tell you, it's all about matching your accessories with your outfit.


Leather bands are versatile. The watch straps will complement your style, whether you’re wearing a suit or your favorite blue jeans.


At Popov Leather, our Apple Watch leather bands come in different colors. We use genuine full-grain leather that comes from natural cow hides. This implies that each watch strap will be unique, with the leather having natural blemishes and squiggles from the animal it was sourced.

Here are the unique characteristics of our leather bands and what makes them stand out:


  • Made from full-grain Horween Leather, one of the tough and durable types of leather
  • Handcrafted and hand-sewn using top-quality Tiger thread, adding an artisan feel to the watch
  • Comes from genuine cowhide, giving each strap a unique look
  • Develops patina over time, thereby giving straps a sleek and slippery smooth feel

Expert Tip: Leather is not waterproof and might get damaged when exposed to water. Ensure that you take your watch off while swimming or walking outside in the pouring rain. 

4 - You’re Looking for a Comfy Watch Strap When Working Out

Are Apple Watch leather bands great for exercising? Of course. While most experts argue that leather is damaged when exposed to moisture, it turns out that high-quality leather can be great for exercising. 


As you exercise, your skin surface releases sweat to cool down your body. When sweat comes into contact with the leather band, it absorbs oils from your skin, allowing the leather to develop the patina. 


This makes your leather change in appearance, giving your bands a waxy-smooth and shiny appearance, enhancing its beauty. 

Another reason leather bands are ideal for exercising is their breathability. While exercising, you want a band that can handle sweaty skin without causing discomfort. Unlike rubber, leather facilitates air circulation through your skin, allowing it to stay cool and refreshed. 


The leather bands will also adjust with the movement of your wrist so your watch remains in place. That way, you don’t have to constantly adjust the position of your watch whenever you want to use it.


After purchasing one of our Apple Watch leather bands, here’s what this customer had to say.

"Great Watch band for casual or business look. Comfortable and very stylish."

Brad, United States

Our leather-made products come with a 90-day guarantee. If you are unsatisfied with our Apple Watch leather bands, you can feel free to return them and get a refund before the 90 days. 

Apple Watch Leather Bands Allow You to Personalize Your Timepiece


It's no secret that we love Apple Watches. And with all the different straps available, there's something for everyone—whether you prefer a sporty look or a more classic style.


But what if you want to personalize your watch even more? Well, now you can. With leather bands, you can change the look and feel of your Apple Watch entirely.


Leather is one of the outstanding, sleek, and modern materials for making Apple Watch bands. It's durable and helps add some flair to your wearable tech. 


At Popov Leather, we create high-quality Apple Watch leather bands to add a unique look to your digital timepiece. All our products are made from genuine full-grain leather. This ensures that your band lasts longer and gives your watch a premium look. 


You can check our collections of watch leather bands and find what band you like.

Written by Ryan Popoff


Ryan Popoff is the creative mind behind Popov Leather wallets, iPhone cases, belts, watch bands and journals since 2013. With a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, my leatherworking journey began at home. I wanted to create a simple leather wallet that could fit into my front pocket and — to my delight — it was a hit with family and friends. Hopefully you love our honest, quality leather goods too! Reach out with questions.