Diff Between Water Resistant And Waterproof

What's the difference between water resistant and waterproof

Understanding the diff between waterproof and water resistant
is a key point when choosing a watch strap, especially for swimming and fitness enthusiasts, as well as watch lovers who work in aquatic environments. Many people end up using ill-suited watch straps in inappropriate scenarios because they confuse these two concepts, and even mistakenly believe that water-resistant and waterproof watch straps offer the same functionality and are all suitable for water-related activities such as swimming. This is not the case, however. This article will break down their core differences in detail and share the proper methods for selecting a watch strap.

	Basic Concept	Applicable Scenarios	Absolute Avoid Scenarios
Water Resistant	It refers to the ability of the material or coating surface to prevent the intrusion and penetration of water molecules. A water-resistant watch strap provides basic water protection, but it is not designed to be fully submerged in water or exposed to water for a long time.	Daily wear, hand/face washing (short-term water splashing), light rain, mild perspiration (non-sports)	Swimming, diving, bathing, soaking in water for a long time, contact with hot water/steam, deep water flushing
Waterproof	It refers to the material that maintains stable performance when exposed to water or soaked in water, with strong resistance to water. It is usually made of rubber, silicone, or some specially treated leather and other materials.	Swimming, showering, heavy perspiration during sports and other scenarios	Professional deep diving (without corresponding water pressure rating), high-temperature hot water/steam immersion, deep water and high-pressure environments

Comparison of water resistance levels of different watch strap materials and their suitability for everyday use

Material	Waterproof Rating	Waterproof Features	Rain	Wash hands	Shower	Swimming
Calfskin / Alligator / Lizard	★☆☆☆☆	Natural leather has porous structure; easily swells, deforms and peels when wet. Waterproof coating only resists minor splashes.	√	×	×	×
High-density Canvas	★★★☆☆	High density prevents water penetration; can be air-dried after wetting, but prone to aging and wrinkling with repeated soaking.	√	×	×	×
Suede	★☆☆☆☆	Fluffy surface absorbs water easily; causes clumping, discoloration and permanent texture damage once wet.	×	×	×	×
PVC Rubber With canvas pattern	★★★★☆	PVC rubber base is fully waterproof; canvas pattern is decorative only. No deformation when wet, resistant to mild corrosion.	√	√	×	×
Silicone / Pre-made FKM Rubber	★★★★★	Seamless all-rubber structure, waterproof, sweat-proof, high and low temperature resistant, corrosion-proof; unaffected by water.	√	√	√	√
Stainless Steel	★★★★★	Solid metal is completely waterproof; only requires regular cleaning to avoid rust in link gaps.	√	√	√	√
NATO Strap	★★★☆☆	Nylon canvas material dries quickly after wetting, but shrinks slightly and ages with repeated water immersion.	√	√	√	×
Silk/Satin	★☆☆☆☆	Silk fiber absorbs water easily, fades and wrinkles; loses smooth texture and cannot be washed.	×	×	×	×

Water resistance level of leather watch straps and their potential risks in detail.

Our alligator / calfskin / … leather watch straps feature basic Water Resistant performance.
This means that if water splashes onto the strap accidentally during daily use, the protective coating on its surface has a certain water-repellent and impermeable effect, preventing water molecules from immediately penetrating the interior and the strap from absorbing water and going limp.

However, leather is a naturally porous material and can never achieve full waterproof performance. Therefore all leather watch straps should not be exposed to prolonged contact with water or humid environments.

If your leather watch strap gets wet by accident, please promptly blot up any surface moisture with a clean soft cloth, then place it in a well-ventilated, cool area to air-dry completely naturally before wearing it again. This avoids irreversible damage such as mold growth, deformation, delamination and fading caused by dampness and trapped moisture.

Term	Meaning	Level	Protection	Typical Features	Suitable For
Water Repellent	Surface treatment that causes water to bead and roll off	Low	Light splashes, light rain	DWR coating; no sealed seams	Daily use, light drizzle, short exposure
Water Resistant	Resists water penetration to a certain degree	Medium	Moderate rain, sustained moisture	Hydrostatic head rating usually 1,500–10,000 mm	Steady rain, moderate snow, outdoor activities
Waterproof	Completely blocks water under high pressure	Highest	Heavy rain, storms, prolonged exposure	Waterproof membrane, sealed seams, waterproof zippers, ≥10,000 mm HH	Severe weather, heavy downpours, harsh conditions

FAQ

Q:If i want to wear in water,which material should i choose?
A:Custom PVC rubber cover / leather strap are water resistant, not waterproof. If you need to wear the strap in water, you should choose a Pre-made FKM rubber strap

Q: The bottom of the customized PVC rubber-cover strap is defaulted to cowhide. Can you make it all PVC rubber?
A:Yes, however, even all-rubber strap is not suitable for use in water.And the leather bottom strap offers relatively higher wearing comfort on the wrist.

Q: Can water-resistant strap replace waterproof watch straps?
A: No. These are two completely different performance indicators and should not be confused with each other.

Q：What’s the best waterproof band and Comfortable waterproof strap for summer?
A: It must be FKM rubber strap.Silicone straps also offer solid waterproof performance, but they’re generally not as good as FKM overall.

Performance Indicators of Silicone and Fluororubber (FKM)

Characteristic	Silicone (SILICONE)	Fluororubber (FKM)
Temperature Resistance	-60℃~250℃	-20℃~250℃
Oil Resistance	Poor	Excellent
Chemical Resistance	Fair	Excellent
Mechanical Strength	Low	Medium
Cost	Medium	High
Typical Applications	Food industry, medical field, electronics	Chemical industry, aerospace

Q: What is the waterproof performance of the calfskin strap with rubber bottom? Can it be used in the rain?
A: The rubber bottomis fully water-resistant,but for the calfskin part, occasional light rain is acceptable, but we don’t recommend frequent exposure to rain- leather cracking and other irreversible damage.

Q: Can I wear a NATO strap in the sea or swimming pool?
A: No. NATO straps (typically made of nylon or canvas) only have basic water-resistant performance for daily splashes, not waterproof capability. For sea or swimming activities, we recommend choosing FKM rubber or silicone straps with full waterproof performance.

Q: Can you customize a leather strap without stitches/full-folded leather strap? Will it be fully waterproof then?
A:No. Even we make it stitchless, it is still NOT completely waterproof. When they get wet, the glue can weaken, and the stitching can loosen, which can lead to the strap breaking.

Q: Can you make the front and lining of the strap with canvas/nylon material? Will it be fully waterproof then?
A: No, it won’t be fully waterproof. While canvas and nylon are more water-resistant than leather, they are still porous fabrics. Prolonged submersion or exposure to water will cause them to absorb moisture, leading to issues like mold, fading, and weakened structural integrity. For full waterproof performance, please opt for FKM rubber or silicone straps.