This titanium Apple Watch band glows blue in the dark

Last year, Nomad launched the Stratos Band for Apple Watch, which blends titanium and FKM fluoroelastomer rubber. It’s sleek and elegant enough for an executive boardroom, but comfortable enough to wear while running or at the gym. Now, the company is back with a new addition to the Stratos line: a glow-in-the-dark color.

Nomad has dabbled in glow-in-the-dark colors for its Sport Band rubber watch bands. But the Stratos Band Icy Blue Glow marks the first time that the metal band gets a night light. I like the Icy Blue color, but it’s been a much different experience wearing the band than I expected.

The glow won’t cause a disruption

The Icy Blue Glow Stratos Band is the same as the other variants except for its glow-in-the-dark color and a $10 upcharge. This one retails for $189, instead of $179 for the non-glowing colors. You can get it in either black or silver titanium, whichever matches your Apple Watch.

One of the things I’ve noticed since I’ve been wearing the Icy Blue Stratos is that the glow effect is less bright than I expected. I’ve tried the Glow Sport Band, and that one is immediately visible in the dark. This one, less so. Part of that is because only little bits poke through the metal links. The other possibility is that blue isn’t as bright or obvious as the green or yellow colors.

If you’re hoping for a bright blue glow after the lights go out, then you’ll probably be disappointed. I tried leaving it in the sun for an extended time, and that helped some. But it didn’t drastically alter the output.

On the other hand, if you just want a touch of fun, then this is probably the ideal Apple Watch band. During the day, the rubber, in-between, parts of the Stratos Icy Blue look almost white. So, in my case, the black and white combination is great. I really like the look.

Is the Nomad Stratos Band Icy Blue worth spending money on?

I’ve tried the bright Volt Stratos Band when it launched. That one is the boldest of the bunch, followed by the orange. The new Icy Blue glow-in-the-dark option isn’t as bold as the Volt one. It is a good mix between fun and tasteful. It shouldn’t raise any eyebrows during the day. But it could be a conversation starter after sunset.

The only thing to be aware of is its peak brightness. People expecting an ultra-glowing effect may be disappointed. If that’s what you want, you should definitely check out the Sport Band Glow 2.0 instead.