Apple Watch Strap Suggestions?

[Deactivated] on 23/09/2018 - 17:29
Last edited 23/09/2018 - 17:31

I’m finally jumping on the smart watch bandwagon with the release of the series 4 Apple Watch.

Does anyone have experience with third party straps and/or adaptors they can recommend?

I liked the space grey Milanese loop but almost choked when I saw the $229 price tag. Quick google searches show a lot of them out there for around $30 but I have no idea if these are any good (ie fit into the watch, durability, cheap metals or paints that cause skin irritations etc).

Not getting the stainless steel watch that comes with the Milanese loop. Just too much $$ to spend on something that will be worthless in 3 years (I can cop the $600 aluminium but not $1200).

The alternative is getting an adapter so I can get a branded strap, but again it seems like no large players are in the market, they’re all pokey Chinese brands which could be either fantastic or terrible.

Feedback from anyone with hands on experience would be much appreciated :-)

Fashion & Apparel Apple Watch Accessory

Comments

  • StickMan on 23/09/2018 - 19:13
    +3

    Ozstraps.com.au

    Good quality (leather in particular), decent prices, sales often.

    I got five bands from them.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2018 - 23:25

      Thanks for the recommendation. I’m leaning towards getting the original Apple Milanese one from the feedback below, but I’ll probably get at least one from here for variety on their next sale

  • jimbobaus on 23/09/2018 - 23:47
    +2

    Almost every after market strap I have tried has had issues with connecting to the watch. They copy the adapter etc but they are not quite right and you end up forcing them in/ out.
    Now I only buy the genuine ones.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2018 - 23:22
      +1

      Bugger. I’ve had this experience and thought process with iPhone cases too, the Apple ones just fit and work the best.

  • Praeto on 24/09/2018 - 01:14
    +3

    I have about 20 different straps from a range of different places, but the Apple straps are by far the best quality. You do get what you pay for.

    • Ozstraps are pretty good quality and a good option. They also sell adapters.
    • The leather straps that JB Hifi sell aren’t too bad for the price. The leather is stiff and they aren’t particular co for table, but they look the part.
    • There are plenty of options on Amazon. I’ve grabbed most of my bands from here, and they’ve all been acceptable quality. I got a copy of the steel link band that wasn’t too bad.
    • Some of the best options around can be found at Juuk Designs - https://www.juukdesign.com/bands but they’ve just noted that their metal bands aren’t compatible with series 4, so you may want to hold off until they update.
    • I have both the leather loop and Milanese loop bands from Apple and they are by far the best two bands I own. The leather loop in particular fits perfectly and is so comfortable you can forget you’ve got the watch on.
    • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2018 - 23:20

      Those Juuk straps looks amazing, will definitely keep my eyes open for the series 4 bands.

      I’m leaning towards the Milanese from a durability perspective, would hate for the $230 leather loop to wear out

  • werdnanostaw on 24/09/2018 - 15:15

    I have a $35 Mambo digital watch that I bought from Big W in Taree 2 years ago. The integrated non-replaceable plastic band split about a year ago. You can't buy the watches in WA where I live.

    While in Big W I removed one of the 2 very fine plastic cable ties that hold $10 watches in their cases from several cases. I then used a red hot nail to melt holes in band to tie broken pieces together. Whenever the band splits I pay another visit to Big W and acquire more cable ties.

    That's the OzBargain way to solve watch band issues.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2018 - 23:09

      Must be a great watch to go through that trouble! :-)

  • omguleh on 24/09/2018 - 22:01
    +3

    I have an ozstrap Milanese loop and it's not as good as the apple one. I've also tried all sorts of other straps from Bay and aliexpress and really none of them are as good as the original. Some gets close but in the long term I'm just going to stuck with the original bands even though they cost a fortune.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2018 - 23:02

      Damn this is the one I had my eye on, thanks for the feedback.

      At this rate I’ll probably bite the bullet and and buy the original Apple Milanese strap, and cross my fingers and toes that series 5 or 6 remains backwards compatible

      • Hybroid on 24/09/2018 - 23:10
        +3

        If 4 was compatible there's very little chance 5 and 6 won't be. Although doubt there's much improvements like past 3 years so you likely won't need to upgrade anyway.

  • evanmurray on 08/10/2018 - 16:46
    +1

    It would be nice to have one standalone gadget, considering that at the moment there are more than 100 models of different styles and directions of smart watches with connection and synchronization with a smartphone via Bluetooth on the market. Of course, most companies that offer smart watches appeal to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and the ability to track their activity, while autonomous smart watches especially casio watches from retailers like rafiqsonsonline{.}com/product-category/casio/ will significantly expand the opportunities offered. Anyways, thanks for sharing the nice thread with us.

  • conzz on 17/10/2019 - 22:41

    I purchased some milanese loop from this guy, loops good and cheap, https://www.ixtra.com.au/.

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