Nike Announces New Apple Watch Bands With Matching Running Shoes

[DaveOP]

Exactly. I love how Apple uses "fluoroelastomer." Oh my God, just say "rubber." It's a rubber band. Nothing special about "fluoroelastomer."

And I bet it really does cost 5 cents. But since it has a giant Apple logo on it, people buy it.

Just like Glock guns. They're plastic. But they use "polymer nylon something." Just say plastic.

You've obviously never used one, and then tried a knock off. They are not in the same universe when it comes to quality or feel.

Edit: My day-1 sports band still feels great, but some pricey knock-offs I bought from Amazon lasted less than a month before they started to shine and feel terrible. Well worth the cost for the real thing.

 

[Glideslope]

Oh the forum is just going to love this...

Yup. $6 Bands for $49 and $10 Sneakers for $190. At least people can say they have them. You know, the "Cool Thing".

 

[44267547]

You just described absolutely all of Apple's 1st party accessories. All over priced crap.

Overpriced, I would somewhat agree. However, their accessories are not "Crap." (Assuming we are on the topic of Watch bands.) Apple makes The Watch bands at a much higher quality than third party manufacturers do. I own plenty of both for comparison and Apple's quality standards are actually very well made.

 

[doelcm82]

I don't fully agree though. I've tried a lot of the aftermarket rubber straps, each time hoping to find that one that rivaled the original rubber strap. They're all made of crap silicone rubber.
My Apple rubber strap still looks like new and keeps holding up. It's just decent stuff.

I bought a black milanese loop band for my AW on Amazon for about $25 and I've been happy with it. I honestly haven't tried Apple's version, so perhaps it is better. It's hard for me to accept that it is 8X better.

That's the only band I have, other than the original one that came with the Watch. I'm definitely not a connoisseur.

Question: If you're happy with your original rubberized strap, and it keeps holding up, why are you hoping to find an aftermarket one? Do you just want another color?

 

[kemal]

If nothing else, this is proof Nike can't make a Macintosh computer.

 

[guzhogi]

5 cent bands sold for $50 to go along with 20 cent shoes sold for $200. They look great, but I just can't fathom paying that much money for some cloth and rubber.

I agree, those prices seem high for that cost, but I guess enough people are willing to pay that price. Yay economics!

 

[zombierunner]

WWDC can't come soon enough ...

 

[jonnysods]

Those look pretty cool.

 

[jasonklee]

You've obviously never used one, and then tried a knock off. They are not in the same universe when it comes to quality or feel.

Edit: My day-1 sports band still feels great, but some pricey knock-offs I bought from Amazon lasted less than a month before they started to shine and feel terrible. Well worth the cost for the real thing.

Are you somehow trying to convey there are differences in the chemical composition between fluoroelastomer and some common rubber to justify Apple's application of the material as a watch band in addition to its $50 price tag?

 

[44267547]

Are you somehow trying to convey there are differences in the chemical composition between fluoroelastomer and some common rubber to justify Apple's application of the material as a watch band in addition to its $50 price tag?

Who cares about the price tag. If someone wants to pay $50.00 for the Watch band, so be it. What is apparent is you don't understand the differences between rubber and flueroastamer.

"Fluoroelastomer comes from the two words "fluorinated" and "elastomer". Fluoroelastomers are famous for their durability resistance to heat, oils, solvents and fuels. They are often used for fuel-distribution systems or for high-quality lab gloves. It is not a material that will stretch out easily, get damaged by extreme heats, or get deformed by being excessively sweat on. It is also much less prone to induce any allergic reactions than, for example, latex."

Where as rubber, doesn't have the consistency and durability as Flueroastamer does. Flueroastamer easily is the preference For fitness for reasons stated above.

 

[willmtaylor]

They aren't "rubber", nor do they cost $0.05 to produce. Pretty easy to see this when comparing Apple bands to ones purchased from Amazon or Best Buy. It's an extremely noticeable feel and durability difference.

The sport bands I bought with my first gen watch are still going strong.

But that doesn't fit his narrative and rant now though, does it?

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Yeah, they're too expensive. And although the quality is good you can find a lot of compatible bands for a few dollar. Maybe they won't look and feel the same, but with $50 you can get a bunch of them with different colors and materials.

True - I recently bought a leather band for $25 from Amazon. The quality is good and the band looks very nice.

 

[shareef777]

The concept of luxury items really eludes you? Or is it that you're ok with large profit margins so long as it's an Apple product?

lol, rubber watch bands and gym shoes are NOT luxury items. And no, I don't buy Apple branded accessories. Bought two third party iPad smart covers (which also include a back plastic shell which Apple doesn't) for $10 each off Amazon. And I get all my iPhone/watch accessories off Amazon as well. Like I said, I can't fathom (me, personally) paying those retail prices for plastic/rubber/cloth products.

 

[antonis]

If nothing else, this is proof Nike can't make a Macintosh computer.

Sadly, neither can Apple, anymore.

 

[gkarris]

Yup. $6 Bands for $49 and $10 Sneakers for $190. At least people can say they have them. You know, the "Cool Thing".

I got weird looks from people when I had gotten a fitness band instead of an Apple Watch because I was more interested in "fitness" than "fashion"...

Now, this....

LOL....

 

[shareef777]

Who cares about the price tag. If someone wants to pay $50.00 for the Watch band, so be it. What is apparent is you don't understand the differences between rubber and flueroastamer.

"Fluoroelastomer comes from the two words "fluorinated" and "elastomer". Fluoroelastomers are famous for their durability resistance to heat, oils, solvents and fuels. They are often used for fuel-distribution systems or for high-quality lab gloves. It is not a material that will stretch out easily, get damaged by extreme heats, or get deformed by being excessively sweat on. It is also much less prone to induce any allergic reactions than, for example, latex."

Where as rubber, doesn't have the consistency and durability as Flueroastamer does. Flueroastamer easily is the
preference For fitness for reasons stated above.

From the dictionary app on my Mac:
elastomer |əˈlastəmər| nouna natural or synthetic polymer having elastic properties, e.g., rubber.

so it's rubber with fluorine. Must be the 'premium' fluorine to justify that $50 price tag.

 

[44267547]

From the dictionary app on my Mac:
elastomer |əˈlastəmər| nouna natural or synthetic polymer having elastic properties, e.g., rubber.

so it's rubber with fluorine. Must be the 'premium' fluorine to justify that $50 price tag.

I'm not sure if you have used Apple sport watch bands, but they are highly flexible, stain resistant and can take a serious beating. $50 is a lot of money for a plastic band in some respects, but they do last and they rarely have issues with defects. I have been satisfied with mine knowingly they are highly durable.

 

[DUIduckSAUCE]

Unapologetically rubber

 

[Stlcheer]

I like the bands and the shoes. I can't see myself paying $190 for shoes though.

 

[Zirel]

Yup. $6 Bands for $49 and $10 Sneakers for $190. At least people can say they have them. You know, the "Cool Thing".

> complaining because the product's price reflects the value for the buyers and not the material costs

This is not Apple people, they are on the wrong part of the Internet.

 

[shareef777]

I'm not sure if you have used Apple sport watch bands, but they are highly flexible, stain resistant and can take a serious beating. $50 is a lot of money for a plastic band in some respects, but they do last and they rarely have issues with defects. I have been satisfied with mine knowingly they are highly durable.

Agreed, but all the bands I bought (from Amazon) for my original Apple Watch are still working and pristine as well, and I'm currently using them with my series 2.

 

[willmtaylor]

From the dictionary app on my Mac:
elastomer |əˈlastəmər| nouna natural or synthetic polymer having elastic properties, e.g., rubber.

so it's rubber with fluorine. Must be the 'premium' fluorine to justify that $50 price tag.

If you're resorting to dictionary definitions, ignoring costs of R&D, marketing, etc., and sincerely believe that all "rubber" is just "rubber," (why are my care tires so damned expensive when rubber bands are so cheap?!?) then any legitimate reply would most likely be pearls before swine.

 

[venom600]

lol, rubber watch bands and gym shoes are NOT luxury items. And no, I don't buy Apple branded accessories.

What is your definition of luxury? Because according to the dictionary definition, they are. You don't need a $190 pair of shoes to run in.

 

[FactVsOpinion]

5 cent bands sold for $50 to go along with 20 cent shoes sold for $200. They look great, but I just can't fathom paying that much money for some cloth and rubber.

Nike's cost to manufacturer the shoe for is one thing to think about, the cost to make that shoe yourself is another. Are you sure 20 cents would cover it?

 

[citysnaps]

These are not for me, but I'm already tired of comments by people who haven't sold a million of anything hating something because it's a different colour, or whatever non-reason that doesn't affect their lives.

But hating on others is the only way some can feel good about themselves. It's a tiny burst of perceived power that lifts their lives for a few seconds.