Watch straps and hot summer days – which one is suitable?

Jul 20, 2021by Philipp Mayrhofer
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Even on hot summer days, you want to exude glamour and feel good with an attractive watch. Attractiveness and a well-groomed appearance are closely linked to an attractive watch. However, not every watch strap is suitable for every purpose.

Which material is suitable for summer?

When choosing watch straps, especially for summer, you shouldn't just look at the design but also consider the material used. Leather straps are particularly popular for watches. Unfortunately, due to their product properties, they are not at all suitable for the intense summer heat. The strap quickly becomes brittle and fragile, as it dries out very quickly in the sun. Sometimes you can achieve a lot by using saddle soap. In this case, you should preferably use a saddle soap that is suitable for smooth leather. However, if you really want to be sure that the strap is not damaged and will look good over time, other materials are preferable.

Watch straps from Canvas are particularly recommended

Canvas straps are characterized by their particularly good properties and are particularly comfortable on the wrist, especially on hot summer days. The straps are made from a particularly tight and dense yarn. The material composition can be quite diverse. Cotton, hemp, and linen are particularly common. However, polyester is sometimes added. Unlike leather straps, they absorb sweat and moisture much better. The canvas strap doesn't become tight and brittle as quickly and is also much easier to clean.

A rubber watch strap is also an exciting alternative

For particularly hot summer days, rubber straps are a particularly exciting alternative. While you may have to make some compromises, this strap is significantly better than comparable leather straps when it comes to heat and humidity. Rubber straps don't get completely soaked and therefore always look elegant and fresh, even in summer, as the increased humidity doesn't cause any visible wear. But where do you have to make compromises, and what can't this strap do that a canvas strap can? Ultimately, the only noticeable compromise is in terms of comfort on the wrist. Even if moisture and sweat aren't visible, they can still be felt by the wearer. However, there are differences depending on the model. If you opt for a ribbed model, the effect of the increased humidity on the wrist is almost unnoticeable.

The so-called NATO strap is extremely popular

This strap is a very sturdy yet lightweight pull-through strap made entirely of nylon. It consists of two metal rings and is fastened with a metal clasp. This model was first introduced in 1973 by the British Ministry of Defense. The NATO strap is now also very popular for private use.

The advantages of this design are by no means overlooked. The finely woven nylon absorbs sweat very well on hot summer days and is not easily exposed to wear and tear. Another great advantage is that this strap repels dirt very easily and is very tear-resistant. NATO straps are available in many designs, so you can almost always find a nice model.

Use a high-quality steel bracelet

Steel watch straps are also a great way to survive the summer well and, above all, with comfort. Who wants to wear a completely sweaty watch strap on their wrist?

Steel is a convincing choice in this regard, as it is robust and highly durable. It therefore doesn't suffer any serious damage even when exposed to strong moisture. In general, steel is very resistant to high temperatures, making it ideal for a particularly hot summer. However, another important advantage is worth mentioning here. Despite its robust construction, such a watch strap is pleasantly lightweight and doesn't overheat. This makes it easy to get through even the hottest summers!

A large selection that makes a decision not easy

It quickly becomes apparent that there is a huge selection of suitable watch straps, even for a particularly hot summer. But which strap is most suitable and should therefore be on your shortlist? This question cannot be answered in a general way and depends primarily on personal preference. In addition to the purely practical features, which primarily relate to the quality of moisture absorption, the design of a particular watch should be considered more closely. Here, too, personal preference plays a very important role. Not every watch can always be perfectly combined with every outfit.

Metal watch strap

A metal watch strap is also highly recommended on hot summer days. It's characterized by its robust construction and extremely low susceptibility to wear and tear. Even if you're prone to excessive sweating, this won't harm the metal strap.

Care plays an important role

Based on the list provided, it quickly becomes apparent that there are many ways to equip yourself with a suitable strap for hot summer days. Nevertheless, the straps do require appropriate care. Depending on the type of strap, very different methods can be used. For a metal strap, cleaning with a damp cloth and a soft brush is the best option. A cotton swab previously soaked in soapy water also works very well. However, thorough cleaning should by no means be neglected, as dirt and dust naturally tend to collect in the gaps between the watches. This quickly makes the watch look unattractive and is not particularly pleasant from a hygienic point of view.

Rubber watch straps can also be cleaned particularly well with soapy water. However, rough brushes are not recommended, as they could quickly leave marks on the material. Soapy water should also be rinsed off very thoroughly to ensure no residue remains. Thorough cleaning significantly extends the lifespan of rubber, especially.

Über den Autor

Authors | Philipp Mayrhofer

Authors | Philipp Mayrhofer

Pierre grew up in a small village near Lörrach, close to the Swiss border. His passion was ignited when, at the age of 15, he visited a watchmaker's workshop and saw intricate gears brought to life.

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