I've been ripped off! This 6-pack Apple Watch band for under $12 is just as good as Nike

I've really loved some of the Apple Watch bands I've owned over the years, but they don't come cheap. For example, the Nike Sport Bands direct from Apple cost $49 apiece — while another favorite of mine, Nomad’s Tempo Band, costs even more at $59.

That’s why I rolled the dice on a 6-pack of knockoff Nike sport bands I saw on Amazon for under $12. Not only is it way cheaper than buying a single official band, but now I have the color variety to match different outfits. More importantly, though, it opened my eyes to the fact that I’ve been overpaying for official ones this entire time. Here’s why.

JTaoBand Sport iWatch Bands: was $13 now $11 at Amazon

Available in six different colors, the JTaoBand Sport iWatch Bands look a lot like the official Nike sport bands with their rubbery material and adjustable clasp. The smooth silicone material feels really soft on your wrist, while loop holes make adjusting the length a breeze.

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Just like any knockoff I come across while shopping online, I’m always skeptical of buying them because the last thing I want is to find out they’re poorly made. But then again, the $12 price point made it practically impossible not to pull the trigger on these JTaoBand Sport iWatch Bands.

The name alone doesn’t inspire confidence, even less so when they arrived in one of those plastic slip containers I often see from sidewalk vendors in New York City. However, once I took one out and tried it on, I realized I’ve been getting ripped off paying $50+ for a single strap.

First of all, the silicone material has that soft-touch, rubbery feel I find in official Apple Watch bands — which is exactly what I need when I go for a run. While the material itself doesn’t have the same level of substance as my Nomad Tempo Band, I think it’s a tradeoff I’m willing to accept for the cost savings.

Secondly, this $12 6-pack means I have way more variety. Beyond just the standard colors like black and white, I have brighter options that let me choose a style that better suits my outfit. And if you want even more flexibility, I recommend using two complementary bands to really make your Apple Watch stand out.

For way less than the cost of an official Apple Watch band, I now have six to choose from with many more combinations. Everything about these knockoff bands makes them worth the $12 I shelled out. This is one of those rare times I’ll say that buying a knockoff is just as good as getting the official one.