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Z8beema

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 18, 2013
399
18
Mass.
Hi Everyone,

Can any suggest a good knockoff of the nike+ bands? I want to buy a few colors and am not looking to pay $50 a pop
 

steve217

macrumors 6502a
Nov 11, 2011
542
844
NC
I've come to the conclusion that knock offs are a waste of money, hence, more expensive than the OEM bands from Apple.

I have a bag full of them in my desk but they are never worn.
 

MacGizmo

macrumors 68040
Apr 27, 2003
3,200
2,503
Arizona
found a really good seller on ebay if anyone is interested
So share it...

So far, I have no problem with the third-part bands I've ordered (listed in my previous post). As a side bonus, the Nike band rip-offs glow in the dark. They don't even mention that in their product listing.
 

Shawn9987

macrumors newbie
Feb 17, 2016
24
5
I was kinda wanting get pride band but I’m only used sports bands. Spending 49$ on something I dunno just kinda worries me. Anyone try third party one or apple one ?
 

MacGizmo

macrumors 68040
Apr 27, 2003
3,200
2,503
Arizona
I'm usually not a nock-off kind of guy but I have these bands as well and they are fine. They are soft silicone and I've had no issues with it.

I'm with you. I usually take the stand of "you get what you pay for." But in this case, they're pretty good. And quite frankly, when I pay $6 to $9 for a watch band, I only expect it to last 6-12 months. I'll probably be bored of wearing them long before they fall apart.
 

CarlJ

Contributor
Feb 23, 2004
7,012
12,216
San Diego, CA, USA
I was kinda wanting get pride band but I’m only used sports bands. Spending 49$ on something I dunno just kinda worries me. Anyone try third party one or apple one ?
The official pride band is fabulous. The woven nylon bands are great for summer wear, more comfy than the sport bands. There's a thread in here with lots of pics and commentary.
 

sean000

macrumors 68000
Jul 16, 2015
1,628
2,346
Bellingham, WA
I'm with you. I usually take the stand of "you get what you pay for." But in this case, they're pretty good. And quite frankly, when I pay $6 to $9 for a watch band, I only expect it to last 6-12 months. I'll probably be bored of wearing them long before they fall apart.

My strategy from the start was to purchase multiple less expensive bands so I could rotate them. The only original AW band I own is the silicone band that came with my AW Sport two years ago. That's still the band I go to when I know I will get sweaty, and it has held up perfectly well. I have three third-party bands which are a mixed bag. The best of the bunch is a Clockwork Synergy leather band that is is probably the band I have worn the most over the last two years. It's comfortable, nice looking, and has been durable. At the other end of the spectrum is a leather loop knockoff that I paid less than $20 for. It's a good looking band and one others have complimented. However the "leather" has been peeling away from the lugs. It doesn't affect the integrity of the band... it just looks bad. I have used glue to repair it, but the glue only holds for so long. I think there are better third party options now, but this is one band that isn't going to look as good as the original under close inspection. In the middle is a black woven nylon knockoff that I bought at Best Buy for about $25. Half the price of the original, and I figured I could return it easily if it wore out too quickly. I think the brand is Modal. I get a lot of compliments on it, and I think it would take a side by side comparison to know it isn't a real Apple band. Super short though... I have average wrists and it barely fits. I can see the edges starting to fray a little, which I doubt happens so easily on the original band. It's not like $49 is that much, so I would probably stick with Apple for woven nylon, unless you want a lot of colors. Then I would go with a third party and rotate them. They will likely last many years with light use.
 

Mlrollin91

macrumors G5
Nov 20, 2008
14,172
10,181
I purchased those and returned them the same day they arrived. They had a horrible smell and the texture was really weird. I even soaked them for an hour with dish soap. They also left a rash on my wrist (after washing them thoroughly). I then went to Apple and purchased an authentic one and it was a night and day difference. I've been using that band since March and it is without a doubt worth the $50 IMO.
 

Z8beema

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 18, 2013
399
18
Mass.
I purchased those and returned them the same day they arrived. They had a horrible smell and the texture was really weird. I even soaked them for an hour with dish soap. They also left a rash on my wrist (after washing them thoroughly). I then went to Apple and purchased an authentic one and it was a night and day difference. I've been using that band since March and it is without a doubt worth the $50 IMO.
From this exact seller? I'm surprised. I really like these. They have a nice feel to them and they seem decent. I've never actually worn a nike+ band from apple but I'm sure for as a good of quality that I got from this seller, apple is much much better.
 

Mlrollin91

macrumors G5
Nov 20, 2008
14,172
10,181
From this exact seller? I'm surprised. I really like these. They have a nice feel to them and they seem decent. I've never actually worn a nike+ band from apple but I'm sure for as a good of quality that I got from this seller, apple is much much better.
Yes from the same exact seller. It's possible the quality has improved in the last 3 months. But boy, I was disappointed with them.
 
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