TechRadar Verdict
The CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps are a good choice for anyone looking for a super-cheap alternative to the Apple Sport Band who want the freedom to change up the colour as they please. The quality leaves a lot to be desired, but this isn't a shock considering you get five straps for little more than a tenner at most. Overall I enjoyed wearing these straps, but, as with even the Apple equivalent, this kind of material didn't agree with my sensitive skin.
Pros
- +
Comfortable fit
- +
Budget price
- +
Seven available colour combinations
Cons
- -
Underwhelming finish on metal hardware
- -
Material attracts lint
- -
Not for sensitive skin
CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps review
The CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps come in sets of five, in a range of hues, and are available for a list price of £8.99 – £12.29, depending on which set of colours you purchase. I tested the set that included black, grey, pink, red, and pine; but there are options that have neutrals, purples, white, and so on.
The number of colours that come for a price is definitely a pro here; I found it easy to change up the tone to suit my outfits, although when attaching some straps to my Apple Watch I found I needed to give it a couple of goes, as they were hesitant to align at first. Once they were in though, they stayed in place.
The surface of the CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps bands have an ever-so-slightly rougher texture to them than the Apple Sport Band, and they feel slightly softer and more flexible in comparison, too. This more textured surface may be the cause of a small issue that plagued me while testing and photographing these bands, namely their ability to attract tiny fibres. This isn’t the end of the world of course, but it was noticeable to me; the worst culprit was the black band, which seemed to took any opportunity to pick up lint.
I found the CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps easy to fasten and comfortable to wear. I’m generally not a fan of these silicone-style straps as they’re not breathable, in my opinion. And this was further confirmed to me when I removed my Apple Watch after a day of wearing and found that my skin was reacting, as it had done with my official Apple Sport Band too. So, if you have sensitive skin you may find it more comfortable to opt for a truly breathable alternative, such as the Apple Braided Solo Loop, or the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap.
Despite the benefits of the soft-touch and flexible design, there are telltale signs of the low cost of the CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps, particularly when it comes to the metal hardware. I first noticed this on the warm, gold-coloured fastening posts; there is a noticeable speckled texture, and on closer inspection of the silver version, this is present there too. Now, it’s unlikely that many people are going to scrutinize the details of your Apple Watch band, but to me, it’s a sign that this metalised finish may not stand the test of time, but this is simply my speculation.
Overall, I wasn’t unimpressed with the CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps – they aren’t perfect, but when one can receive five attractively-coloured silicone straps for less than £12.50 tops, one can’t really complain. So, if you’re in the market for a cheap and cheerful alternative to an official Apple Sport Band, these are certainly worth a try. If you’d like to take a look at what else is out there, then I suggest taking a gander at our pick of the best Apple Watch bands, just in case something else catches your eye.
CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps review: Price & specs
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