Nyloon’s solid blue Durham band matches just about anything [Review]

Nyloon's Durham band looks and feels straightforward. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Do you find some of Cupertino’s more innovative Apple Watch bands a bit ridiculous? Well, feast your luddite eyes on the Durham band from Nyloon. It’s made of nylon and comes in exactly one color: navy blue.

It’s a very traditional Apple Watch band at a lower price than any of Apple’s offerings.

Nyloon Durham Apple Watch band review

Apple offers a wide range of Apple Watch bands with pretty weird designs. There’s the flashy Milanese Loop, the weird-looking Ocean Band, the astonishingly expensive Link Bracelet and more. Do you find watch bands that you have to open and close to be frustrating and annoying? Well, the company that brought you the no-button-mouse offers the no-clasp watch band.

So, stop me if you’ve heard this before. Nyloon’s Durham band comes in two pieces: one with a row of holes, one with a buckle. You run the buckle down the other strap until it’s snug, fit it in the most comfortable spot, and then tuck the band through the loops. No surprises here.

It feels very secure on the wrist. With Apple’s Sport Band, I occasionally worry that the pin will come out of the strap and my watch will fall off. I’ve had a few close calls with my Milanese Loop, which loses its tight grip after just a minute of running and jumping around with my dog.

Sometimes, boring is better. You just can’t beat the security and peace of mind that comes with the tried-and-true belt design of a band like this.

Style … or lack thereof

Here I am sporting the Durham band while pretending to stand outside and use my Apple Watch.Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Durham band is a very close match to the classic Midnight Blue that was pervasive among Apple Watch and iPhone accessories a few years ago.

Like Nyloon’s other bands, this nylon band is designed to meet the specifications of the NATO straps created for the British Ministry of Defence. Nyloon just likes to make them in nicer colors than pale green. (Other options include a full rainbow, black and white with flashes of red, high-contrast stripes and some that are truly beyond the power of language to describe.

This band will have none of that. The Durham comes in a single, solid, inoffensive color that will fit right in with many outfits.

Quality control?

A few loose threads after a couple weeks of wear.Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

I do have a few issues with this basic nylon band. After a few weeks of wear, I noticed a couple of loose threads. Plus, some of the stitching came off on one of the belt loops, which you can see above.

The combination of the tightly knit, fabric-like material and the navy color means this band shows dust really well, too. It shouldn’t be a problem if you keep your house cleaner than me, which is a remarkably low bar.

Comfortable and familiar

The Durham band fits in great if you know someone like me who likes solid colors.Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Durham band feels a little stiff when new. When I first attached it to my watch, I sort of squeezed it into a wrist shape with one hand and it fit much better.

After wearing it for a while, the band feels more natural on my wrist than Apple’s Sport Band in a way that’s hard to articulate. If, like me, you wore watches for years before switching to an Apple Watch, you might find the Sport Band to feel a bit alien. I never expect to touch something so rubbery and artificial where I expect my watch to be.

Nyloon’s Durham band is comfortable and no one will ever ask you questions about it. It’s that simple.

★★★☆☆

Price: $40

Buy now: Watch Store