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Do you only buy official Apple Watch straps?
- Thread starter The Cockney Rebel
- Start date
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I’m also the one who only purchase Apple/Hermès watch bands. I didn’t look too deep into third party watch bands offering and many of them weren’t my up of tea.
I had a cheap 3rd party get kind of stuck on my watch years ago. Only very reputable non OEM or OEM - won't touch the cheap ones any more,
90% of the time, yes.
I have the brown sport band that came with my gold S1, the black that came with my S4, and the Midnight Sport Loop that came with my S9.
I also regrettably purchased an orange Sport Band (not sure the year or actual colour name, was around 2018) that I never use.
My current Sport Loop is the first SL I’ve used, and I much prefer it over the Sport Band since it’s much comfort and doesn’t irritate my skin/cause minor rashes when I sweat.
I’ve tried knockoff Sport Bands when I had my S0 and S1, but the quality isn’t good.
The only third party band I use is a Moby Fox Yellow Submarine band which I alternate with my Sport Loop - quality is top notch.
I have the brown sport band that came with my gold S1, the black that came with my S4, and the Midnight Sport Loop that came with my S9.
I also regrettably purchased an orange Sport Band (not sure the year or actual colour name, was around 2018) that I never use.
My current Sport Loop is the first SL I’ve used, and I much prefer it over the Sport Band since it’s much comfort and doesn’t irritate my skin/cause minor rashes when I sweat.
I’ve tried knockoff Sport Bands when I had my S0 and S1, but the quality isn’t good.
The only third party band I use is a Moby Fox Yellow Submarine band which I alternate with my Sport Loop - quality is top notch.
I‘ve bought some $20 straps that felt of a higher quality than a $99 Apple strap.
I’m not getting fooled by assuming Apple’s high strap prices equate to higher quality.
If you think I judge just by their pricing, you‘re wrong 😉I‘ve bought some $20 straps that felt of a higher quality than a $99 Apple strap.
I’m not getting fooled by assuming Apple’s high strap prices equate to higher quality.
If you or anyone else doesn’t want to buy the original bands, hey that’s perfectly OK and it‘s also perfectly fine if you don’t agree with my approach of getting myself the Apple ones.
Best example for me are their (Apple's) iPhone cases, the quality took quite a dive over the last couple of years and therefore I don’t buy them anymore. I found a small german company which makes excellent leather cases with MagSafe support that are actually worth their price…. so my money goes there instead.
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I only have four bands, and three are Apple (two acquired with different Apple Watches and the third, a Celestial Teal Nike Sport Band, a present one year). The 4th is a Shinola leather band, and it's probably the best one.
No, but I have some. I had the first leather loop, and the quality was - like most of Apple's "leather" products - very poor. But then, it was expensive, even more so when you consider the quality.
They are better than the cheapest knockoffs, but often, bands for half the price have better quality. Having said that, I usually buy bands for the looks, not the quality.
They are better than the cheapest knockoffs, but often, bands for half the price have better quality. Having said that, I usually buy bands for the looks, not the quality.
You are correct about the sport bands, but also makes solo loops and those bands are silicone. I only buy sport bands from because fluoroelastomer is just better. But I won’t pay $50 for silicone. My 3rd party solo loops aren’t nasty. They aren’t even showing signs of wear and I wear them the most.
Nomad has been a pleasant surprise. The leather is very nice, the the clasp can be a tad big. Nomad titanium band fails to adjust perfectly, might sell it.
Did get some third party Ebay and the like, they all had quality issues, rust and failing locks or sports bands.
The only I have gotten compliments for, is the old original Apple steel bracelet. It pairs beautifully with my Ultra 1.
Did get some third party Ebay and the like, they all had quality issues, rust and failing locks or sports bands.
The only I have gotten compliments for, is the old original Apple steel bracelet. It pairs beautifully with my Ultra 1.
The only official watch bands I own are the ones that came with my watches. I’ve used 3rd party bands for years with no problems. They all click in secure and have no wiggle nor have any of them ever failed.
Now, if Apple made a band I liked, I’d probably buy one. But all my $15-$20 bands work just fine.
Now, if Apple made a band I liked, I’d probably buy one. But all my $15-$20 bands work just fine.
I have tried to stick to only Apple branded watch bands from here on out. I had a Milanese loop that was silver that I bought for $20 at Best Buy for my S1 back in 2016 and within a few months the metal was rubbed bare on it from the magnetic clasp. Boo.
Then I got a magnetic black leather loop from Target when I had my S3 in 2019 and within a year that started to crack on the sides. Also not great.
With my S8, I bought it with the gold Milanese loop and I have never had any issues. I also bought a black Nike sport loop for it and the pride 2023 band for it since the other band I had was a Braxley Band; the sizing was weird and it’s now since stretched out making it kind of useless.
I think there might be something wrong with the material the silicone is made out of as it begins to irritate my skin after a few days. My wife also has the same issue and she can’t do the silicone either. Anyone else have this issue?
I think my next band might be either a woven sport loop or the braided solo loop just to avoid silicone all together.
Then I got a magnetic black leather loop from Target when I had my S3 in 2019 and within a year that started to crack on the sides. Also not great.
With my S8, I bought it with the gold Milanese loop and I have never had any issues. I also bought a black Nike sport loop for it and the pride 2023 band for it since the other band I had was a Braxley Band; the sizing was weird and it’s now since stretched out making it kind of useless.
I think there might be something wrong with the material the silicone is made out of as it begins to irritate my skin after a few days. My wife also has the same issue and she can’t do the silicone either. Anyone else have this issue?
I think my next band might be either a woven sport loop or the braided solo loop just to avoid silicone all together.
That sounds good! I was just "taking issue" with this comment:
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow since it sounded like it was overlooking the fact that many quality band options exist at low prices... I read your comment to suggest that one should pay up $$ for a band merely because the watch was a $$ spendy item...that $$ must be spent on a band to ensure it's of a certain high quality.
If you were specifically pointing to choosing & using bands that were undoubtedly cheap in quality, regardless of Apple or other brands, then I do agree.
I believe there are many sub-$20 options that are "cheap" in cost but by no means cheap in quality and function and overall value to the purchaser. The $20 metal band I bought from Amazon last month feels no different after 1 month's wear than the band that came with an Omega watch I owned for a few years.
On the other hand, the Nike-type band that came with my AW8 started giving me a rash on the inside of my wrist after 1+ year, I think where the metal circle/clip part is. That was a major disappointment and strange that it surfaced after a year. Can't say I think the Apple band is "cheap" but we'll see if this $20 all-metal band holds up and gives no rash...so far none after a week.
I wear sport loops the most also. Have you tried Armillawear? I really like mine from there. I barely feel it on my wrist and it's holding up great.
Armilla Wear I Official Site I Apple Watch Bands
Shop the latest selection of affordable Apple Watch Bands starting at just $7.00! Get free shipping on orders over $25 and find the perfect band to complement your style. Upgrade your Apple Watch today at Armilla Wear.
www.armillawear.com
I wear sport loops the most also. Have you tried Armillawear? I really like mine from there. I barely feel it on my wrist and it's holding up great.
Armilla Wear I Official Site I Apple Watch Bands
Shop the latest selection of affordable Apple Watch Bands starting at just $7.00! Get free shipping on orders over $25 and find the perfect band to complement your style. Upgrade your Apple Watch today at Armilla Wear.www.armillawear.com
I haven’t heard of them. I’ll check them out! Thanks!
My experience is that original sport bands and ocean bands are far away better than non original. Apple’s fluoroelastomer is in some way really different than anything else.
I bought one kind-of-Nike-Sport-Band-thing from Amazon for £7 rather than the £39 I think a genuine one was from Apple. It was thinner, and the pin didn't keep the band in properly. Then I bought a Ted Baker leather strap. The leather was thin and rigid and it felt rubbish. After those poor experiences I bought Apple bands. They're just better.
I've got 50 bands and all are Apple ones. When I first got my watch I tried a few cheap third-party ones but they were pretty awful. However, I've never bought one at full retail price. Always either old stock or second-hand. Never paid more than £20 for a sport band or sport loop, sometimes half that. Most I've paid is £60 for the stainless steel bracelet.
