Hating Erika strap (unpopular opinion)

I paid about $8 for the same kind of strap on https://cnswatchbands.com/ . I dont understand what is worth €80 about those straps.

Wow. Maybe there is something wrong with yours? I love mine. Works well and pairs great with my Oris.

You did well. I should have started by that, although my intention was to get the best and support Erika. I was too confident actually.

Perfect match ! ❤

Well, maybe (see the sort of fraying on mine), anyway I don't like the system but this is personal of course.

I forgot to mention the size, I update the original post in case you are interested.

You’re right about the fraying. Disappointing

I've always been skeptical of these. The price for a couple bits of stamped metal and some stitched underwear elastic from Madame Erika defies explanation. Every video I've seen shows repetitively one-handed fussing with the thing for a good half minute.

I like the idea of a bit of stretch, but having found out that there are other options for such fabric at much better prices, this loses whatever appeal it ever had.

You might try a strap type from Cabot Watch Co (link below). It combines the stretch of an MN strap with the look of a NATO

https://www.cwcwatch.com/collections/cwc-straps-accessories/products/cwc-stretch-watch-strap

I have Erikas, B&R, and CNS MN style straps. There's no advantage to paying for the Erikas. The CNS are configured slightly different from the others, it takes me 5 mins to cut and sew them.

I usually wear them on my everyday watches. I think they cost $3 on sale.

Comfortable and they will retain the watch on your wrist, like a NATO or single pass strap.

I agree 100% on both points. Not worth the extra cost AND it is very fiddle-y to put on. Maybe they got a lot of attention at the start for their non-standard design that was cleaner overall? Now there are plenty of other options at a fraction of the cost. One that I have had good luck with is https://www.thewatchsteward.com/20mm-straps.html Certainly worth checking out.

Sounds like someone should look into a Zero Pass from anachronist.shop 😎

I can't wear that bungee stuff, looks cool but doesn't feel secure at all.

I Have no experience with erika straps as I'm in the UK but I have numerous straps that are very similar for about £8

I got one of them cheapos from eBay and threw it in the box when I sold a Seiko 5. Maybe the buyer will enjoy it, I certainly didn't.

I do like the elastic loops though:

no fiddling and sleek profile. This one is from Delugs but there is probably cheaper ones out there on eBay and AliExpress. I think ABP sells them as well and they have a shop in Paris (I think) so you might be able to try them out if you ever happen to be there.

Yeah, I wasn't impressed with the whole MN strap fad.

If you want a comfortable proper mil-spec elastic NATO then try CWC. Legit blows the uberhyped MN out of the water .

100% agree. I do not understand the hype around Erika's or any elastic strap. They're awkward, uncomfortable, and counterintuitive, not to mention usually ridiculously expensive. I was lucky enough to be given a non-name brand elastic strap from a friend and got to experiment a bit with the wear and feel and holy crap, no thank you!

I agree, Erika’s is way over priced at this point for someone in the know (e.g. us who pursue watch forums etc).

I’ve been happy with Nick Mankey’s original hook straps because (1) softer nylon and (2) reasonable price. Also CNS paratroopers and adjustable straps are great. All of these can be configured to wear it without a strap underneath the watch back—I find wearing it this way more comfortable and secure.

Good luck!

You can find tons of them for less than $10 on Aliexpress. I personally think some brandings are just overrated & almost illegal justification for exorbitant pricing. Based on your story, I think they have the exact same quality (or maybe worse) compared to the chinese made ones.

By my personal experience, it indeed took some times (and fine motoric skill) to get used with the locking system, but once you mastered it you'll need only 5 seconds or less to secure it on your wrist.

These days, my MN strap is my daily go-to strap due to these reasons:

1. Thinner & more flexible material compared to nato/zulu, feels more comfy & breathable for all day wear

2. Very secure even at unlocking process because you basically wear it like a cuff/bangle on the wrist, no chance of falling/dropping unless the strap is torn/cut

But again, it's a type of strap that you either love or hate 😂

Well, to try out the kind of straps I got a cheap one at cnswatchbands.com Won’t get more of those… I agree with the fact they are not as comfortable as they seems ..

I'm in the other boat, I think they are infinitely better than the cheap MN straps out there and I've tried a lot, the material is significantly better and comfortable and I think that the hardware quality is good. I get mine on in seconds, there is a knack to it.

HOWEVER, they are overpriced and the last one I bought seemed to be worse than my previous straps from them, it did have some edge fraying straight off, so I wonder if there has been a change in quality control...

Ill be honest and say I've never heard of these straps, but from the picture they do look very cheap indeed.

Loving the Oris 👌

Respect Max! 👌

I'm chocked at the markup many resellers allow themselves to add to the products they source from the ironically very criticised / despised far east manufacturers. Blimey! I know everyone needs to earn a living but that's plain wrong. You can get the same item from aliexpress for 5 euros, is the engraving done by the same manufacturer worth that much? Many resellers don't even bother to state the item provenance. I'm happy to a few hundreds for a handmade fancy leather strap or even for a fancy nato but for the rest I get the thing straight from the factory, that includes many sailcloth straps. Plain rip-off.

Can't you return the item? Has the window closed?

If you're referring to Erikas being the same as Ali Express straps you're completely wrong. Erikas make the material themselves on their own looms, the fabric is very different and has a much better construction than cheaper alternatives. There are interviews with Erika about it.

https://youtu.be/coPzBARZNSY?si=uPkBdcb3riVCpSws

Cheap strap on the left Erikas on the right. Quality difference is clear to me, but the real test is having both in hand. The material of the strap on the left is horrible, it's stiff, scratchy as hell, looses elasiticy and loosens, Erikas is absolutely the opposite in all respects.

I am glad to hear that, but I was not referring to them. I remember reading an article about how old parachute bungee strips were used as a watch strap, but I can't recall the brand's name. My point/rant was on the general side of the market offering. As to Erikas, I would not criticise a product I have never tried... Obviously.

This is another downside that I did not even mention, not to add to the negative.

But here the sales agreement :

As such the following items are non-returnable or refundable:

• all straps custom made to your specifications and/or personalized products;

As every strap is made to order on your wrist size, she legally could refuse a return.

Anyway I tried to contact her, exposed my point (basically not liking the system) and she never dared to answer.

I know she received my e-mail as she once replied to a question prior to my order…

So yeah, customer support not great too.

I love my CWC natos… but I love my Erika’s straps more… they’re far more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

I’ve tried a few cheaper MN straps too as I wanted to change colours but they don’t come close to the Erika’s straps.

The putting it on takes getting used to and they don’t suit every watch… but on my FXD and Ranger it’s perfect

I do believe that they are way too expensive for what they are .. news to me that they were manufacturing in Bulgaria, at first I thought it was in Spain. But, my man get some of your hard earned $$ back! Don't sweat over it !

to be fair they are horrible as well 😂not the best comparison