Amazon Zsuoop Ultra Band (Alpine Loop clone)

[JWGold]

I just received the Zsuoop Ultra Band (Alpine Loop clone) off Amazon. At $18.99, it’s 1/5th the price of a genuine Alpine Loop. Given the choice, I’d take a genuine OEM Alpine Loop any day, but at 20% of the price of the OEM strap, it’s a great back-up, knock around or even every day wear replacement.

My initial assessment is that the large Zsuoop is almost 2 inches shorter than the large Apple Alpine Loop. The width is the same. The lugs are a polymer/plastic, not titanium, but the G-Hook appears to be the same. The lugs snap into the Ultra firmly and are snug. I don’t feel this will be an issue because even apple is using plastic in their Sport Loops now.

Close inspection reveals the OEM strap has better attention to detail and construction, especially evident on the underside of the straps.

When it comes to wear, I hate to say it, but the Zsuoop is actually a bit more comfortable Than the OEM band as the fabric is a little softer against the skin. Also, the folded side of the fabric conforms better so it doesn’t puff out as much as the OEM strap. All in all, for $18.99, it’s a bargain. I am not sure the OEM Alpine Loop is worth 5 times more.

 

[earthdog]

Thanks I have been waiting for a honest comparison. I have the Apple Alpine I like it and want other colors but didn't want to pay Apple price.

 

[CyberDavis]

Looks promising, be interesting to see how it stands up over time compared to original Apple one.

 

[JWGold]

Looks promising, be interesting to see how it stands up over time compared to original Apple one.

Considering I can buy five of them for the price of one Apple strap, I’m guessing it doesn’t matter, although, so far the construct seems fine.

 

[DMG35]

Like everything but the cheap looking orange connection pieces.

 

[mikedop]

At $18.99, it’s 1/5th the price of a genuine Alpine Loop.

you know this is just a $2 AliExpress band being resold for a massive profit, right?

Also, Alpine Loops (real ones) can be had for 10-40% off retail on eBay already via secondhand sellers who ordered the wrong size. So, really, you're paying 1/3rd the price. Unless you have some fear of buying on eBay...

 

[mikedop]

but the G-Hook appears to be the same.

I have very very high doubts it's anything more than cheap grade aluminum, if it's even metal at all.

 

[JWGold]

I have very very high doubts it's anything more than cheap grade aluminum, if it's even metal at all.

Honestly, I don’t care. I have an OEM Alpine loop and I bought the knock-off as a spare. For the money I spent, I could buy five more knock-offs. It isn’t meant to compare with an OEM strap toe to t…. Just in value.

 

[JWGold]

you know this is just a $2 AliExpress band being resold for a massive profit, right?

Also, Alpine Loops (real ones) can be had for 10-40% off retail on eBay already via secondhand sellers who ordered the wrong size. So, really, you're paying 1/3rd the price. Unless you have some fear of buying on eBay...

Having purchased from AliExpress in the past, I also know that I will be waiting eight weeks for them to arrive from China. Pick your poison. $2 in 2 months, or $18 tomorrow via Prime.

But this does bring up an interesting point… it always seems funny that the latest models and releases are available on AliExpress sometimes even before the official Apple release. I think that the Chinese commercial spy network is strong… no one is safe from it, not even Apple.

 

[mikedop]

$2 in 2 months, or $18 tomorrow via Prime.

I've purchased from aliexpress in the past, knockoff sellers sometimes have US warehouses if you can find the right ones. If I had to buy a knockoff (yuck), that's the route I'd go as to not support both a tax dodging, slave supporting billionaire and a mark-up reseller at the same time.

 

[JWGold]

I've purchased from aliexpress in the past, knockoff sellers sometimes have US warehouses if you can find the right ones. If I had to buy a knockoff (yuck), that's the route I'd go as to not support both a tax dodging, slave supporting billionaire and a mark-up reseller at the same time.

Specifically in the case of the Alpine loop, most are quoting about 8 weeks delivered from AliExpress. Probably because they are a new design.

 

[mikedop]

Specifically in the case of the Alpine loop, most are quoting about 8 weeks delivered from AliExpress. Probably because they are a new design.

View attachment 2091733

As I mentioned, you need to find the sellers who have US warehouses. Here's one that just uses USPS First Class. I know, you have to wait a whole two days longer, might as well just give daddy Bezos your whole paycheck and pay another $10 on top of the Aliexpress price to save yourself the horror of waiting another 2 days. After all, those Amazon slaves workers aren't going to overwork themselves!

 

[ARH1956]

If the Zsuoop bands were as wide as the Apple Alpine loop bands it would be Ok. The narrower band is unacceptable for me.

 

[jaymc]

Got these on amazon.com and love them. Got the blue/silver trail loop with the Ultra and the only difference I can see between that and the clone is the M/L and 49MM labeling on the lugs.

Got these in 4 days through amazon instead of waiting weeks through aliexpress. Also, amazon will allow returns if they don't meed your standard. 😀

edit: also the Ocean Loop bands come with an adjustable loop like the original Apple product.

 

[Pug72]

Looking at the review photos, the stitching on the Trail Loops aren't very neat and the Green Alpine Loop clasp is bent. Wouldn't trust it them.