The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[Sportcat]

Try the URVOI store on aliexpress, assuming you mean the nylon sport loop, they seem to have 68 different options

URVOI sport loop for apple watch series 6 SE 5 4 3 21 strap for iwatch sport loop 40 44mm breathabe hook fastener woven nylon|Watchbands| - AliExpress

Link is dead.

 

[Sportcat]

A package just arrived from China 🤣 Found a seller with the double pin sports bands I prefer. ~$50CAD

View attachment 923176

Link? How are they holding up?

 

[rstark18]

Are there any sport bands that are fluoroelastomer or at least very similar (not grippy like silicone).
I haven’t bought any sport bands for a few years. The last time I bought only the silicone sport bands were available. I have a few of these but don’t like them that much because the silicone is too grippy.

 

[PegasusTenma]

I got a 3 GBP blue loop for my gold Apple Watch on eBay!

 

[durangojim]

Just received this yesterday. Color matches the graphite and seems to be good quality. To heavy to wear while exercising but nice for more formal occasions.

 

[Pug72]

Looks great! Mine due for delivery Tuesday.
Regarding exercise, I always cover my watch with a sweatband. Prevents movement and knock damage in one.

 

[macphoto861]

Received my Urvoi braided sport loop today. Though I don't have an OEM to compare it against, it does indeed have the metal ends and flared out band where it attaches to the ends, just like the OEM. Quality seems great, and I'm almost completely happy with it.

I say almost, because I'm just a little on the fence about the size. My wrist is in the ballpark of 165mm, which for a 44mm watch is right on the border of the small and medium sizes. I don't like to wear my watch loose/floppy, so I opted for the small, and I'd say it's just slightly on the "too snug" side. Definitely not intolerable, and perhaps it will loosen up after being worn a while, but this demonstrates the issue with third-party loop bands, since although Apple offers numerous sizes with small increments, these are only available in S-M-L, so for someone like me (at the upper end of S and lower end of M), the band is either going to be slightly too tight or slightly too loose.

That being said, I still think this is the best size for me, as I'd prefer it to be a little snug rather than a little loose.

Edit: I should add, after several days of wear, though the band is slightly on the tight side, I've experienced zero discomfort from it – I barely feel I'm wearing the watch.

 

[Boardiesboi]

Bellroy just released their Apple Watch strap. Looks to be a combination of leather top and rubber/plastic back? The racing green looks great!

Watch Strap | Smooth Leather Watch Band for Apple Watch | Bellroy

From work to workouts, this sleek performance watch band complements your Apple Watch, with sculpted curves and a smooth leather touch.

bellroy.com

 

[rstark18]

For those that are thinking of getting the Urvoi braided solo loop…
My wrist is 165mm. For the 44mm the medium is too big. And the small is a little too tight. I have it hanging from a weight now to stretch it. I’ll check it after a couple more days.

 

[tom619]

View attachment 1760365

Which strap is this?

 

[Switchview]

Received my Urvoi braided sport loop today. Though I don't have an OEM to compare it against, it does indeed have the metal ends and flared out band where it attaches to the ends, just like the OEM. Quality seems great, and I'm almost completely happy with it.

I say almost, because I'm just a little on the fence about the size. My wrist is in the ballpark of 165mm, which for a 44mm watch is right on the border of the small and medium sizes. I don't like to wear my watch loose/floppy, so I opted for the small, and I'd say it's just slightly on the "too snug" side. Definitely not intolerable, and perhaps it will loosen up after being worn a while, but this demonstrates the issue with third-party loop bands, since although Apple offers numerous sizes with small increments, these are only available in S-M-L, so for someone like me (at the upper end of S and lower end of M), the band is either going to be slightly too tight or slightly too loose.

That being said, I still think this is the best size for me, as I'd prefer it to be a little snug rather than a little loose.

Edit: I should add, after several days of wear, though the band is slightly on the tight side, I've experienced zero discomfort from it – I barely feel I'm wearing the watch.

View attachment 1785793

Nice band! Could you share the link ?

 

[rstark18]

Received my Urvoi braided sport loop today. Though I don't have an OEM to compare it against, it does indeed have the metal ends and flared out band where it attaches to the ends, just like the OEM. Quality seems great, and I'm almost completely happy with it.

I say almost, because I'm just a little on the fence about the size. My wrist is in the ballpark of 165mm, which for a 44mm watch is right on the border of the small and medium sizes. I don't like to wear my watch loose/floppy, so I opted for the small, and I'd say it's just slightly on the "too snug" side. Definitely not intolerable, and perhaps it will loosen up after being worn a while, but this demonstrates the issue with third-party loop bands, since although Apple offers numerous sizes with small increments, these are only available in S-M-L, so for someone like me (at the upper end of S and lower end of M), the band is either going to be slightly too tight or slightly too loose.

That being said, I still think this is the best size for me, as I'd prefer it to be a little snug rather than a little loose.

Edit: I should add, after several days of wear, though the band is slightly on the tight side, I've experienced zero discomfort from it – I barely feel I'm wearing the watch.

View attachment 1785793

I’m in exactly the same situation size wise. I tried stretching the band out for a few days with a 3lb weight. It made zero difference in size. The bad part is it still doesn’t fit perfectly. The good news (for others) is the band won’t stretch out over time.

 

[macphoto861]

Nice band! Could you share the link ?

13.37US $ 49% OFF|URVOI Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch band series 6 SE 5 4 3 2 1 stretchable Strap for iWatch Polyester yarn threads gen.5|Watchbands| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[macphoto861]

I’m in exactly the same situation size wise. I tried stretching the band out for a few days with a 3lb weight. It made zero difference in size. The bad part is it still doesn’t fit perfectly. The good news (for others) is the band won’t stretch out over time.

No complaints about how it feels on my wrist, it’s very comfortable. I think my only real problem with it is when putting it on and taking it off (especially when it’s wet). I keep expecting the band to tear out of the adapter!

 

[Switchview]

13.37US $ 49% OFF|URVOI Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch band series 6 SE 5 4 3 2 1 stretchable Strap for iWatch Polyester yarn threads gen.5|Watchbands| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Thnx! Appreciate it! You got the Atlantic blue one ? On your picture it seems more jeans color than blue.

 

[tom619]

Hi guys are there any 20mm wide, 38mm suitable mesh or milanese style straps?

 

[macphoto861]

Thnx! Appreciate it! You got the Atlantic blue one ? On your picture it seems more jeans color than blue.

Yes, correct... I'd say the actual appearance of it is closer to the seller's photo than mine (light coming in from the window created highlights on the texture, giving it that "blue jeans" look).

 

[BS1981]

I’m after buying two braided loops from URVOI on AliExpress, I’ll post up what they’re like when they arrive… on August 13th!!!

My wrist size is an 11 for the strap I got from Apple and I bought the large one. No idea if it’ll fit but we’ll see what it’s like.

If anyone has bought a large from URVOI and a braided band from Apple then it would be great if you posted a comparison of the two? Thanks.

 

[1CaesaR1]

For those that are thinking of getting the Urvoi braided solo loop…
My wrist is 165mm. For the 44mm the medium is too big. And the small is a little too tight. I have it hanging from a weight now to stretch it. I’ll check it after a couple more days.

I measured my wrist and it comes out to be 168mm. Ordered medium in 44 MM - do you think that would work? How lose is the medium for you? OEM band, once it stretches, shrinks after washing. Wondering if medium can be run through a gentle drier cycle to shrink ;-)

 

[rstark18]

I measured my wrist and it comes out to be 168mm. Ordered medium in 44 MM - do you think that would work? How lose is the medium for you? OEM band, once it stretches, shrinks after washing. Wondering if medium can be run through a gentle drier cycle to shrink ;-)

I think the medium will be too loose. I have a medium that I had ordered first and it isnt even close to fitting. It is very loose. I'd say that it's probably good for a 175 wrist.

 

[1CaesaR1]

I think the medium will be too loose. I have a medium that I had ordered first and it isnt even close to fitting. It is very loose. I'd say that it's probably good for a 175 wrist.

Wow so medium itself is about 162mm and then you have the watch that is 44 MM. I will need to ask the seller to change to small.

 

[macphoto861]

Wow so medium itself is about 162mm and then you have the watch that is 44 MM. I will need to ask the seller to change to small.

I really hope they add some more sizes. I understand the economics of it (hey, if you want more sizes, buy the Apple band, right?), but they don't necessarily need ALL the 18 of the sizes (9 for each watch size) Apple offers. Just adding a few more would be tremendously helpful (maybe one size in between S-M, and another in between M-L).

 

[Rindy Ruth]

Got this from wristpop.com yesterday. Pure silk with the watch connectors in your choice of colors. I have black here because at the time I had the S6 mm black aluminum. I have since upgraded to the natural titanium. But I don't think the mismatched colors are too distracting. I think I paid $45USD for it. No, I don't work for them, just happy with a pretty, unique, band.

 

[Rindy Ruth]

S6 44 Ti CapeDiablo.com watchband I have forgotten the "color" or the type of stones used, but I love the boho look! Also, it does not feel as tight as it looks. That is just my 60 yr old soft arm.

 

[1CaesaR1]

I really hope they add some more sizes. I understand the economics of it (hey, if you want more sizes, buy the Apple band, right?), but they don't necessarily need ALL the 18 of the sizes (9 for each watch size) Apple offers. Just adding a few more would be tremendously helpful (maybe one size in between S-M, and another in between M-L).

Ok so mine arrived - seller did change to small based on my message to them. Quality is good and I like everything about it except the fit. As was the case for you, it is snug on me to the point where I don't want to wear it. It is leaving a mark after a while and I keep feeling it on my wrist. So complete waste of money as medium wouldn't have worked. Doesn't seem like it will loosen over time either.