Not impressed with Ultra straps

[iLondoner]

I was initially quite keen on the Ultra with green or orange Alpine Loop, but when I tried these on firstly at John Lewis (London) and then at the nearby Apple store I was most unimpressed. It takes me less than five seconds to put on my current watch, but with the Alpine Loops it was initially 30 seconds and eventually down to 20. What a faff!

I don't want the Ocean Loop which looks even more difficult. The Trail Loop actually looks easier than my current strap but the choice of colours leave me cold, and in any case Apple had no stock which underlines the drawback of the individual SKU packaging. So after two shop visits and 90 minutes in total, I walked out without buying the Ultra.

Yes, I know I can pay another £99 for a different strap, but that's taking the micky.

 

[telefono]

I cancelled my initial online order for the ULTRA with the Alpine Loop to be delivered October 5th onwards. Just didn’t seem easy to put on or off from the reviews I’ve seen.

I just placed an order for the ULTRA with Ocean Band for pick-up tomorrow. Getting it much quicker and with the band I want I like the fact it’s rubber/silicone and easy to put on/off.

 

[antipodean]

Interesting. I have ordered mine with the orange Alpine loop. I hope I can get the putting on time down to less than 20 seconds! Did it feel secure once on?

 

[iLondoner]

The metal tab that you insert through the loops on the Alpine Loop strap is not meant to be the method of holding the strap tight, it's only to stop the end flapping about. The actual securing method is to pull the strap tight where it passes through the upper lug.

 

[Radeon85]

Using the Ocean Loop now and it's just a regular watch strap, takes seconds to put on and take off.

 

[NJRonbo]

Using the Ocean Loop now and it's just a regular watch strap, takes seconds to put on and take off.

Stay with me here as I have a big decision to make. I have two watches on preorder. One the Alpine loop the other Midnight Ocean.

Really like Midnight Ocean but am concerned it would be too thick or bulky. Also, as a runner, rubber does not lend well to sweat.

I also have a small wrist at about 150mm. At least one reviewer (iJustine) thought the strap was way too big.

Really want the Ocean. Would it work well for my concerns?

 

[Hankster]

I'm not a fan of any of the bands. Was going to order a third party band later on. Anyone see sites for them yet?

 

[NJRonbo]

I'm not a fan of any of the bands. Was going to order a third party band later on. Anyone see sites for them yet?

Sport Band - 46mm/49mm | Ultra Orange| NOMAD®

Upgrade your Apple Watch with our Sport Band, designed for modern athletes. This lightweight, 100% waterproof strap features breathable FKM rubber, inte...

nomadgoods.com

 

[ebika]

I’m a bit nervous about the ocean band. It fully opens into top and bottom pieces, not a closed loop, right? Most marine bands are closed loops with something like a deployment clasp. If you are floating on the surface of the water in your dive gear, you’ll often make final gear adjustments, such as temporarily sliding your watch off the wetsuit onto your wrist to flush water into your wetsuit. I guess an extra death grip on the band while moving it around so it doesn’t drop? Honestly, it’s sending chills thinking about it. I may need to rig some surgical tubing loop up for it.

 

[perezr10]

The Ultra bands were designed like a piece of specialized equipment. It makes sense that it would take longer to put on and adjust just like it takes longer to put on your snow boots than flip flops.

I’ll probably just use my regular sport bands and ignore the Ultra bands. Well, unless I’m climbing a mountain or scuba diving.

 

[ckurt25]

Won't buy an $800 watch that you can probably keep on your wrist for 36-48 hours because the time it takes to put on is a few seconds longer than another apple watch band. May also not realize the bands being used now will probably fit the Ultra.

Gotcha.

 

[jz0309]

I guess the purpose of these band designs is to not come off easily/accidentally so it should be harder to get them on.
I have my Ultra with ocean band coming today so I will see how that goes, I have multiple older bands that should fit…

 

[Tenkaykev]

DC Rainmaker just uploaded a review of the available bands.

 

[b17]

DC Rainmaker just uploaded a review of the available bands.

He got the trail loop 😮

 

[Radeon85]

Stay with me here as I have a big decision to make. I have two watches on preorder. One the Alpine loop the other Midnight Ocean.

Really like Midnight Ocean but am concerned it would be too thick or bulky. Also, as a runner, rubber does not lend well to sweat.

I also have a small wrist at about 150mm. At least one reviewer (iJustine) thought the strap was way too big.

Really want the Ocean. Would it work well for my concerns?

It's a comfortable well built strap but it does sweat exactly the same as the regular rubber straps, doesn't really breath at all.

It's definitely a little thicker than the regular rubber one, seems about 50% thicker visually but width seems the same.

For running if you sweat a lot I wouldn't recommend the ocean band and go with something that breathes more.

 

[NJRonbo]

It's a comfortable well built strap but it does sweat exactly the same as the regular rubber straps, doesn't really breath at all.

It's definitely a little thicker than the regular rubber one, seems about 50% thicker visually but width seems the same.

For running if you sweat a lot I wouldn't recommend the ocean band and go with something that breathes more.

That's the PERFECT answer I was looking for. Thank you so much.

I actually have two watches on order, one with Alpine loop and the other with Ocean. Going to pick it up at the store tomorrow, look both bands over, and cancel the one I don't want.