I love Apple’s Alpine Loop, and always have. It is my go-to sporty-style strap, but every time I want a new color I need to be willing to drop $99 for one, and I don’t particularly love that. Let’s a take a closer look at Spigen’s new knock-off Alpine Loop you can land for a fraction of the price.
Spigen WBF1 band review – the best Alpine Loop knock off
The Spigen WBF1 Alpine Loop-style band comes in three colors, but only the all-black and black/green models are currently in stock. It sells for $24.99 Prime shipped via the official Spigen Amazon storefront.
Features at a glance
- Comfortable Fit for Daily Wear: Soft, lightweight fabric ensures long-lasting comfort for everyday use
- Stylish Design Details: Side stitching and precise laser engraving create a bold, premium look
- Secure Hook Buckle Closure: Reliable hook buckle provides a snug, adjustable fit that stays in place
- Durable Everyday Band: Reinforced edges and sturdy fabric withstand daily wear without losing shape
gadgetnewsonline’ Take
Anyone familiar with my extensive Apple Watch coverage will already know, at least to some degree, how big a fan I am of the official Apple Alpine Loop. If I’m not going to be wearing a third-party leather band or a more traditional bracelet-style metal/titanium strap, the Tan or Olive official Alpine Loop is totally my vibe.
But right before I went to go score the all-new, all-black model that released last month alongside Apple Watch Ultra 3, we spotted what can only described as an almost total rip-off of the Alpine Loop from Spigen. Officially known as the WBF1 Fabric Strap, it offers up a dramatically less expensive alternative than the real thing.
I’m not specifically keen on the idea of tech brands ripping each other off, but an Apple Alpine Loop costs $99 – that’s not cheap. And while I can 100% confirm the Spigen model isn’t of the same quality, it is awfully close, and quite possibly more than good enough considering you can score one for $75 less.
It features the same sort G-hook like hook buckle as well as the sort of rippled fabric treatment along the body of the brand to clasp the band around your wrist. It even has that same slightly stretch, almost elastic-feel to the band. It’s not quite as high quality, but it is very close, and perhaps much closer than the $25 price of entry would suggest.
One thing I think is worth mentioning, mostly because it is hard to tell from the imagery online, is that it looks like more of a rugged nylon canvas than it is. The material of the band is much softer than some of the other rugged nylon straps I have tested both from Spigen and others. It’s softer and more comfortable, but potentially not quite as robust and strong a material.
Now let’s quickly touch on that G-hook clasp. Again, it works just like Apple’s – the band folds back on to itself leaving a series of the loops exposed on one side so you can slide the hook through to get the right fit. The difference here is that Apple’s feels like a much stronger and higher-quality metal, and Spigen’s is more of a C-Hook, than a “G,” but it is otherwise the same. I very much wish Spigen’s didn’t say “Spigen” on it, but I do very much like the subtle orange detail on either side of it.
In the end, the Spigen WBF1 is not as high-quality as Apple’s, doesn’t feel quite as nice in the hand, and doesn’t come as wide a range of colors. But man is it a solid knock-off and one you can score for a whole lot less. This is the best Alpine Loop knock off I have tested yet, and one that will be landing in my regular rotation. What shape it might be in after a year of use or something like that, I don’t know, but I have had good luck with Spigen bands in the past and at just $25 Prime shipped it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Buy the Spigen WBF1 Alpine Loop-style band
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