I have had the hardest time finding a comfortable, all-around use watch band for my Apple Watch. I find things that I like about each band type/style, but nothing has ‘clicked’ with me as the best band. A couple of weeks ago, a package of watch band samples from zox watch bands showed up and I honestly don’t know how I survived this long without them.
About The Zox Watch BandS
Admittedly, I didn’t know anything about the brand ‘Zox’ when the watch bands arrived. So, I read up on the company and thought including some of their story here would be relevant to this review.
zox watch bands started out as a creative project designed by Jason Kuipers. A collector of all things sneakers in particular Jason got the idea for his first product when he was attempting to accessorize a pair of Nike’s in 2010. He stylized a piece of elastic with paint markers, sewed it together, and started wearing it around. The first Zox band was reversible and Jason would wear it instead of a watch. Upon wearing it home at the end of the year, his family jumped on the project with his mom sewing the wristbands together and his brothers — Brandon and Jordan — spreading the word about their new designer accessory by wearing them in public. Here is an excerpt from their website story.
Zox Watch BandS Main Features
Even though the Zox brand started with a simple wristband, the company now produces a variety of products including clothing, bags, keychains, medical ID bands, and smart watch bands. The Zox Smart Watch Bands are designed to work with nearly every style of smartwatch. The bands feature the signature style of the Zox band and are designed to uplift and encourage. The watch bands are 100% adjustable so they can fit as many wrists as possible.
The Smart Watch Bands are also collectible. Each watch band is individually numbered on both the band and matching collectors card to ensure no two are ever the same. Numbers 0001–0100 are stitched in gold and include Gold Cards that can be redeemed for special, limited edition rewards.
Finally, the most extraordinary feature of the Smart Watch Band is that it is made from recycled water bottles. This is elastic used to product the watch bands is made from milled recycled water bottles from Repreve. Each band takes the equivalent of on 8oz water bottle out of the ecosystem.
The Smart Watch Bands are compatible with Apple Watches 38/40/41mm, 42/44/45mm, & Ultra Android 20mm & 22mm and adapters can be added so that the bands can be used with FitBit and Google Pixel.
Pricing & Availability
The Zox Smart Watch Bands are all priced between $24.95 and $34.95 — no matter what style you choose! Zox also has an option on their website for customers to buy three and get on free. Zox watch bands are also available on Amazon.
User Experience
One of the first things I noticed was the very simple packaging that the band came in. The band is wrapped around a small card that includes the name of the band style and its unique ID number. The packaging is a plastic sleeve with a zippered closure. It’s a bit of a tight fit and I did have some trouble getting the band out of the sleeve, but overall I liked the approach and thought behind it. Remember, the creators wanted customers to feel as though they were getting something collectible. So the sleeve is meant to mimic the look/feel of a pack of baseball cards. There are a couple of things I think would improve the packaging.
First, it would be great if the actual size of the band was included. I didn’t spot the S or L on the sleeve at first and thought that the bands were all for a different size watch than I had. So, either including the actual mm size on the label or making the S/L more prominent might be a good idea. Second, having the name of the design on the pouch would also be good. Yes, the front of the sleeve is transparent, but there is some type that makes it a little hard to see exactly what the design is unless you remove it from the pouch. These are extremely minor criticisms and I realize that these pouches are probably mass produced so they can be used with as many versions as possible, but for the user, it would be easier if those elements were included.
Once I figured out the right size for my Apple Watch I have a 41mm Series 8 body I chose the design I wanted to wear. I’m a big Starry Night fan so I immediately pulled that one from the pile. the detail of the design is magnificent and honestly, the images on the website don’t do the colors justice. They are vibrant and full of life. I connected the band to my watch body and slipped it on my wrist. I did, of course, have to adjust the band, which I found difficult with the band on my wrist.
So, I slipped the watch back off and tightened the band. Since I first installed the band, I have only had to adjust it one time. I think that says mountains about the durability and flexibility of the material itself. I sleep with my watch on, I workout with it on, and I wear it probably 90% of the day. It doesn’t slip and it hasn’t had any connection issues with my wrist.
This band is zox watch bands seriously the most comfortable one I’ve ever worn. The material is soft and breathable and the adjustment bangle sits in a comfortable spot on my wrist. I love that the band is made from recycled materials. To me, that is a added bonus to an already amazing accessory. In comparison to Apple Watch bands, these are extremely affordable. The sport loop bands.
