A nato strap may sound like something straight out of a military manual, but it is hardly the first such watch accessory to make the leap from obscure tool to mainstream fashion. Just consider the modern flieger and dive watches, which were designed for very specific purposes but are now seen on every wrist from the boardroom to the beach.

Of course, the evolution of nato straps from military to civilian fashion wouldn’t be nearly as fun or as colorful without their history. And while true NATO straps (also known as NATO G10 or NSN) are only made to a handful of precise specifications set by the British Ministry of Defence in 1973, there are plenty of great choices out there for anyone who wants to add a military aesthetic to their watch with a soft, durable and versatile strap.

Why Choose a NATO Strap for Your Watch

Founded in 2019, MORA is a self-proclaimed watch enthusiast company that aims to create the highest quality NATO-style straps for the watch community. The MORA NATO features a phenomenally tight, thick and dense weave that is silky smooth and comfortable to wear. The 316L stainless steel hardware also is of exceptional quality and feels sturdy and heavy in your hand.

This is one of the more expensive options on this list but it offers all of the factors that true watch nerds get nitpicky about – thickness, comfort and quality of hardware — as well as the traditional NATO appearance in a few color options and 20mm or 22mm widths. It also comes with a warranty.