How are these NON OEM straps holding up?

[cshk9574]

I see lot of straps for review, but the real question is how are they holding up after months of everyday wear and tear. They mostly say "just got and looks good" or "just got and it's no good".

I've tried only one leather band but after about 3 weeks I could already see the wear and so I'm thinking if the OEM will last me, than it's def worth getting them over the NON OEM.

 

[AlliFlowers]

I have swapped out my Bohemian leather loop twice since I got it. Once to try another band, and once because I was going out and wanted to wear my black mesh. Then the LL goes right back on. I love it more today than the day it arrived. I wear it nonstop, and it shows no sign of wear.

 

[fieldsphotos]

I think it depends on the level of 3rd party band you are buying. I have bought two handmade leather bands for almost the same price (or more) than the Apple bands that are holding up wonderfully. I feel they are a higher quality of leather than Apple was offering. There is even a thread for high end bands here.

Also, leather bands do wear. They darken to a nice patina with everyday use. If that is what is happening, then I wouldn't recommend leather bands for you at all as they all do that. However if you are noticing tears or peeling or other crap like that, then yes, I would expect the Apple bands to be better.

I do have a less expensive eBay steel band that I don't have high expectations for. I would never buy a 3rd party sport strap, as I would expect those to be made of less expensive silicon and have that dreaded "sticky" texture I associate with silicone bands. As a pet owner, those are awful.

 

[Ingster]

I've had 2 leather loops, one from an aliexpress seller and one from ebay, the ebay one was the standard cheap option, it looked and felt cheap, the magnets didn't hold fully on my wrist and it was thin (depth of the band - thinner thickness of magnets?) so I stopped using it after that. My aliexpress order was good, a little wide at the lug end but nice, it held well and was closer to the large size apple leather loop than most which are more towards the medium size. I had to stop wearing it as silly me noted a slight portion of what looked like tape sticking out, instead of snipping it off with scissors i pulled it and in turn ripped off the seal between the two leather sides exposing the end magnet, I did like the loop so I have ordered a replacement, I just won't pull if I see any tags sticking out next time!

 

[cshk9574]

I figured the leather bands are going to be the most durable in the 3rd party bands. My friend had the Moko stainless black strap and within the month certain corners would show wear. As people say...there are certain things which the saying "you get what you pay for" applies. But the safest best is I going to leather band. I have a Clockwork Synergy Leather coming!

I'm still hoping to find a black stainless to go with my SS Space black without forking out $600 OEM band that will endure the test of time!

 

[Bbqthis]

I have a no brand blue classic buckle clone that I've had since about June, still looks like the day I got it, minus the natural wear on the band where it buckles.

 

[barryblack]

The "leather" on my faux leather loop just started to separate from the band on the magnet end. Before that it was great. I'm going to try and fix it with some glue. I wore it every day for 2.5 months. It was only ~$45, but the thought of buying 4 of them to get through the year makes me wonder if I should just buy the apple one.