Jiří Filip While Apple changes the design of classic hardware products relatively regularly, it is quite conservative when it comes to accessories. It rarely happens that he shows the world a brand new type of accessories for iPhones, iPads, Macs or Apple Watch. It still happens from time to time, and when it does, it's usually worth it. A shining example can be the nylon straps for the Apple Watch, which, although they premiered only in the fall of last year, practically immediately became very popular with users due to their design and comfort. The only major drawback to their beauty is the price, which in the Czech Republic is set at 2690 crowns for all sizes, which is definitely not low. Fortunately, however, there are excellent alternatives that will stand in for them and come out on top at the same time. Among them are the pull-on knitted straps from the Tactical workshop, which recently arrived for us to review and which we will now look at together.
Packaging, design and processing
If you decide to buy the strap, it will arrive in a pretty box made of recycled paper, which will surely please any environmentalist. The strap is attached to it with rubber bands and can therefore be very easily removed from it and then attached to the watch. Of course, this is a matter of a few seconds, as it is fixed using completely standard clips that you know from other watch straps.
We received a black model in size M designed for wrists with a circumference of 150 to 170 millimeters. However, there are still blue, pink and red models available for both 38/40 and 42/44mm variants. The price of all is set at the same amount of CZK 379, which is a real treat compared to Apple's price. If I were to start evaluating the design as such, it is, in my opinion, extremely successful. To be honest, I've liked the watch straps ever since they were introduced, and it probably won't surprise you that I've already had a few of them in my hand or on my hand, both directly from the Apple workshop and from other brands. The one from the Tactical workshop is extremely close to the original design, both in terms of design and workmanship, which is really great. You would hardly find a place on the knit that was woven poorly or showed just a hint of imperfection.
The attachment of the nylon part to the buckle is also perfect, with which many competitive straps of a similar type have a problem, for example in the form of an unattractive end of the knit and so on. As for the material and the feel of it, I wouldn't say that the nylon used by Apple is any significantly different to the touch than the one from the Tactical workshop - or at least I don't remember it being so. Therefore, with all these things in mind, I would not be afraid to say that this piece is not only a great alternative to the original, but also a tough competition.
Testing
As I prefer lighter types of straps on my hand in the summer, mainly nylon or perforated silicone ones over harder leather, metal or closed silicone, you probably won't be surprised that I found the Tactical to be quite useful. In addition, the weather of the last few days directly encouraged more activity outside, for which lighter straps are absolutely ideal. The activity logically brings with it some sweat, which does not need to be done under a closed strap that does not allow the skin underneath to breathe so well. After all, I've had the unpleasant rash caused by the friction of a non-breathable strap against sweaty skin a couple of times, and I'll tell you - never again. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about similar things with the nylon winder from Tactical. The strap wicks away sweat perfectly and also allows the skin to breathe, thus protecting it. But here comes the first and actually the only big but. In order for everything to "work" exactly as it should, you need to choose the right strap size.
If you don't do that and the strap is too big, it will naturally rub against your hand, which can eventually irritate it after a long time. In addition, when using a large strap, you run the risk of a bad heart rate measurement or of the watch constantly locking, because it will think that it is simply not on your wrist. So, when choosing, definitely pay attention to the size. On my wrist I have a size M with a circumference of 17 cm and the strap is just right. However, my brother, with a wrist that was about a centimeter narrower, could no longer walk, and the strap "flailed" on his hand. With this experience in mind, I would recommend taking a smaller piece if you are at the lower limit of a certain size of the given strap (or even in the middle of it). Don't worry, nylon is very flexible and will stretch without any strangulation.
After all, you can really test its stretching properties when putting on a watch. Of course, this is not done by unfastening one or the other of the buckles, but simply by pulling the strap over your hand, which is a very convenient solution that will be much more fun than the classic fastening of a watch with a buckle. In addition, nylon always returns immediately to its original length after stretching, so you don't have to worry about destroying it in any way by stretching it.
Personally, I have to highlight this type of installation on one more level, and that is comfort when working on a computer. Quite often, I complete my tasks in bed or on the couch, mostly lying down with my wrists under the keyboard. With classic straps with a metal buckle, I end up in a situation where the metal in the strap "bumps" against the MacBook, which bothers me quite a bit. Although I know that I shouldn't scratch any of the things with it, it's simply not a comfortable feeling and it's nice that the slip-on type of strap eliminates it once and for all.
Since it's summer, I naturally subjected the strap to a lot of water fun either under the garden shower or in the pool. Of course, it stood up well in both situations, because even when wet, it stays on the wrist like a nail and does not tend to stretch in any way. You just have to take into account that its drying time is a little longer than with silicone pieces, so in other words, it can take a little longer on your hands. I personally don't mind this at all, especially in the summer, but it's certainly good to expect it.
Summary
I won't lie to you - the Tactical braided strap really impressed me both with its features, workmanship and design, as well as the price. If you want this type of strap, I think it is far more reasonable to reach for this alternative for a few crowns rather than the original Apple. I don't want to and I won't discourage you from this in any way, but given its price it would be at least a big shame if you bought it and then it didn't fit you. So, at least for testing this strap "novelty", Tactical is definitely great. But honestly – once you put it on your wrist, any longings for the original will probably be there and you won't really see it as a test piece. In short, it is a full-fledged replacement for the original.
