closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 50 of 77

Thread: Isofrane advice /experiences please

  1. #1
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Cheshire, UK
    Posts
    5,144

    Isofrane advice /experiences please

    Firstly, I cannot abide rubber straps that are sticky and sweaty.

    Assuming the above, is it worth me trying an Isofrane strap do you think ? they seem quite expensive for what seems to me to be a slicone strap - which I don't mind wearing on CASIO W800 etc.

    Subjective opinions and experiences welcome

    B

    Sorry people - wrong subforum - don't know how to relocate it.

  2. #2
    Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Hertfordshire
    Posts
    1,175
    Brilliant straps, however not sure they are worth the recent price hike.

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by Brian View Post
    Firstly, I cannot abide rubber straps that are sticky and sweaty. .
    Personally, I love them. They feel real quality. I They are my favourite strap on a Tuna and I feel that the need a real beefy watch to partner well. Ultimately they are rubber and not resin so they may fall into your sticky category ....

  4. #4
    Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Plymouth, UK
    Posts
    1,391
    Isofrane are very good straps, I have a couple and they don't feel sticky or sweaty to me. For a good quality watch it's worth paying the money.


  5. #5
    Master Glen Goyne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    the Netherlands
    Posts
    3,451
    Never handled a real isofrane but heard the Borealis is a decent cheap alternative. Have two on the way.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Honestly try Borealis first then see if you think anything could really be £100+ better.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Glen Goyne View Post
    Never handled a real isofrane but heard the Borealis is a decent cheap alternative. Have two on the way.
    Same here - Borealis is fine strap for summer.

  8. #8
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Cheshire, UK
    Posts
    5,144
    Thanks for all your input - I will try a Borealis I think.




    B

  9. #9
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    780
    Picked up a 2nd hand one on SC a couple of weeks ago. Great strap and very comfy. No sweating here. But over £100 new is alot of money.
    Got a Crafter Blue coming next week. Will see how that goes against the Isofrane.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland
    Posts
    2,333
    OP what size and colour are you looking in the Isofrane? I love the straps but it's already been said that due to the thickness of the strap it does need a fairly beefy watch.

  11. #11
    Grand Master MartynJC (UK)'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Somewhere else
    Posts
    12,336
    Blog Entries
    22
    OP picked one up from SC with DLC clasp. Looks and feels great on my Aero Nighmission. Little tricky to get on and off - but that’s a bonus as no skally-wagag will be able to pull it off your wrist

  12. #12
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    North East, England
    Posts
    1,498
    Obris Morgan also do a very good £20 alternative. I've got two.

  13. #13
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    5,622
    I have an isofrane, an obris Morgan and a Borealis; all in the same style. I also have an omega version. Omega seem to have produced a thinner and slightly more pliable strap. I'd like to find a cheaper equivalent of the omega one as the obris and Borealis are 80-90% isofranes for 20% cost.

  14. #14
    Master mycroft's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    London
    Posts
    5,695
    Of all that have been suggested I'd buy Borealis without a moments hesitation as the best value for money. I'd say it's as good as an original Isofrane (albeit with no vanilla scent!), and mine was £23.00 delivered instead of well north of £100.

    For the record (as with Steve) I own 3 ISOfrane-type straps - ISOfrane, Borealis and Cousins own-brand - so my opinion is based on experience of all those three. I've never tried the Obris Morgan, though...

    Simon

  15. #15
    Apprentice
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Devon, UK
    Posts
    37
    I'll second the Borealis recommendation. I wear one on my work/surf watch and it's beefy but supple, strong and not sweat inducing at all...and I run hot at the best of times. For the money it's a no brainer.


  16. #16
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Stourbridge UK
    Posts
    304
    OP, what width and colour are you looking for?

  17. #17
    Master sean's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    UK/Canada
    Posts
    4,677
    Something to be aware of is the different spacing of the holes on some of these variations. Wider spacing can make it harder to get a good fit. Here's a photo from somewhere.

    ISOfrane/Borealis/Obris Morgan


    I've never owned a Borealis but it does look like a very close match to the Isofrane (which I have owned and would recommend despite the price).

  18. #18
    Grand Master andrewcregan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Highlands, Scotland
    Posts
    11,824
    Borealis is new to me. Where can you purchase them from?

  19. #19
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    18,851
    I’ve owned two in my time and can say that they’re nice but not worth the money by any stretch of the imagination. I complained about the first one because the buckle was so sharp it marked my then baby daughter.

    Try Borealis or Obris Morgan.

  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by SiSetts View Post
    Picked up a 2nd hand one on SC a couple of weeks ago. Great strap and very comfy. No sweating here. But over £100 new is alot of money.
    Got a Crafter Blue coming next week. Will see how that goes against the Isofrane.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
    I’d love to see a comparison!

  21. #21
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    780
    Quote Originally Posted by The_Perfect_Sandwich View Post
    I’d love to see a comparison!
    Will give the Crafter Blue a couple of weeks then post something.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

  22. #22
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Cheshire, UK
    Posts
    5,144
    Quote Originally Posted by MrMater View Post
    OP, what width and colour are you looking for?
    22mm in light blue - The Borealis sounded good.

    I like thin in straps


    Tremendous input from you all - thanks

    B
    Last edited by Brian; 13th July 2018 at 21:54.

  23. #23
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    711
    Quote Originally Posted by chime101 View Post
    Personally, I love them. They feel real quality. I They are my favourite strap on a Tuna and I feel that the need a real beefy watch to partner well. Ultimately they are rubber and not resin so they may fall into your sticky category ....
    Hello Chime, just to be clear, when you say they're rubber not resin, you don't mean they're silicone?

    Thanks.

  24. #24
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    hull
    Posts
    13,427
    the cousins versions are reasonable too, and £4.50! i was quite impressed, i was expecting soft lint magnets but they are quite stiff yet supple and comfy.
    ktmog6uk
    marchingontogether!



  25. #25
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    18,851
    Quote Originally Posted by ktmog6uk View Post
    the cousins versions are reasonable too, and £4.50! i was quite impressed, i was expecting soft lint magnets but they are quite stiff yet supple and comfy.
    Me too, they’re amazing for the money.

  26. #26
    Master AAddict's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Barrow, UK
    Posts
    1,295
    Quote Originally Posted by ktmog6uk View Post
    the cousins versions are reasonable too, and £4.50! i was quite impressed, i was expecting soft lint magnets but they are quite stiff yet supple and comfy.
    Quote Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli View Post
    Me too, they’re amazing for the money.
    I was about to order a handful of the Cousins version the other day but they seemed almost 'too cheap' so I stopped myself.

  27. #27
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    18,851
    Quote Originally Posted by AAddict View Post
    I was about to order a handful of the Cousins version the other day but they seemed almost 'too cheap' so I stopped myself.
    I can recommend them, they’re much, much better than Eddie’s (sorry Boss), they are rubber so don’t attract lint and are firm enough that the watch head doesn’t move around.

  28. #28
    Master Glen Goyne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    the Netherlands
    Posts
    3,451
    Out of curiositeit, anyone compare Cousins to Borealis?

    My Borealis arrived yesterday, quite comfortable and doesn’t seem to attract lint. Smaller holes vs Obris so easier to fine tune the size.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  29. #29
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Cheshire, UK
    Posts
    5,144
    Quote Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli View Post
    I can recommend them, they’re much, much better than Eddie’s (sorry Boss), they are rubber so don’t attract lint and are firm enough that the watch head doesn’t move around.

    I'm going to try these first. It's for a blackwater.

    Thanks for the tip.

    B

  30. #30
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    West Yorkshire
    Posts
    1,788
    Quote Originally Posted by Glen Goyne View Post
    Out of curiositeit, anyone compare Cousins to Borealis?

    My Borealis arrived yesterday, quite comfortable and doesn’t seem to attract lint. Smaller holes vs Obris so easier to fine tune the size.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Still waiting for my Borealis, a good price for a classic look without the isofrane price tag.
    Last edited by oiljam; 17th July 2018 at 07:33.

  31. #31
    Master senraw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Gisleham
    Posts
    6,224

    Isofrane advice /experiences please

    I've had Isofrane, Cuda, Timefactor's, Obris Morgan and I'm currently using the £4.50 Cousin's version.

    Tbh, for £4.50 it's a no brainer. They seem reasonably well made, do not attract lint and they are comfortable.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  32. #32
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    West Yorkshire
    Posts
    1,788
    Well mine arrived and I’m really impressed, so much so I’ve ordered a 22mm as well just in case. So I’ll have a 20mm and a 22mm both in black. Here it is. All the way from sunny Portugal.






  33. #33
    Master bedlam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Fremantle, Western Australia (GMT +8)
    Posts
    1,177
    Quote Originally Posted by oiljam View Post
    Well mine arrived and I’m really impressed, so much so I’ve ordered a 22mm as well just in case. So I’ll have a 20mm and a 22mm both in black. Here it is. All the way from sunny Portugal.
    The Borealis strap is spot on, hey.

    Paying full-fare for the Synchron version is bonkers IMO.

  34. #34
    Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Hertfordshire
    Posts
    1,175
    Quote Originally Posted by oiljam View Post
    Well mine arrived and I’m really impressed, so much so I’ve ordered a 22mm as well just in case. So I’ll have a 20mm and a 22mm both in black. Here it is. All the way from sunny Portugal.
    Where are you buying them from?

  35. #35
    Master AAddict's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Barrow, UK
    Posts
    1,295
    Quote Originally Posted by troymcclure72 View Post
    Where are you buying them from?
    I think you can only get theirs direct

    https://www.borealiswatch.com/store/watch-straps/

  36. #36
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    West Yorkshire
    Posts
    1,788

    Isofrane advice /experiences please

    Quote Originally Posted by troymcclure72 View Post
    Where are you buying them from?
    Yes buying direct as above. Don’t forget 10welcome to get 10% off

  37. #37
    no big holes for me..so never want those though they're much cheaper.

    Have three Isofrane and love them.

  38. #38
    Master bedlam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Fremantle, Western Australia (GMT +8)
    Posts
    1,177
    Quote Originally Posted by seikomatic View Post
    no big holes for me..so never want those though they're much cheaper.

    Have three Isofrane and love them.
    The Borealis holes are the same as the original Isofrane and the current Synchron reissued Isofrane. Its Obris Morgan that has the larger ones.

  39. #39
    Master Glen Goyne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    the Netherlands
    Posts
    3,451
    My second Borealis arrived today, perfect match for the PRS18q. These straps are very comfortable despite being quite thick.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  40. #40
    Master S.L's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Posts
    7,251
    Borealis are great VFM but the keepers on the 22mm version are too big/loose (ironically the opposite issue that some have with Isofranes).

  41. #41
    Grand Master Onelasttime's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Everywhere, yet nowhere...
    Posts
    13,708
    Does anyone know what thickness each of the different versions are?

    I received my Obris version last week and fitted it to the Doxa and while I like its natural rubber it's a touch too thick.

    I'd also like more holes for a better fit, although the OM isn't uncomfortable, just not perfect.




  42. #42
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Scotland!
    Posts
    1,063
    Just to add, I was looking for an Isofrane style and bought a Borealis based upon comments here. Have been wearing for a week and absolutely love it. Very well made, comfortable to wear even in this heat, and looks really good. Cost is much more appropriate than Isofrane (where price I feel is far too high now), plus ships from EU so no issues with duty etc.

  43. #43
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    780
    Crafter Blue just fitted. Good fit and feels supple. Defo smell of rubber compared to Isofrane. Will comment more after i have worn it for a bit.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

  44. #44
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    West Yorkshire
    Posts
    1,788

    Isofrane advice /experiences please

    I’m not sure why but when using a rubber strap I prefer it to be a straight end rather than the sculpted style to the watch case as with the Crafter Blue above. Dunno why but I prefer to see the gap. Totally opposite opinion with a bracelet, prefer fitted end links opposed to straight end links. Makes no sense I know.
    Last edited by oiljam; 20th July 2018 at 20:29. Reason: spelling

  45. #45
    Master AAddict's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Barrow, UK
    Posts
    1,295
    I only have one complaint about Crafter Blue straps, the very cheesy 'PROFESSIONAL' on the keeper

  46. #46
    Any 18mm straps in this style?

  47. #47
    Grand Master Rod's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Co. Durham
    Posts
    10,239
    I'd like to buy a 20mm green Borealis but the site only shows a 22mm. 😶 Also are there any suppliers in Europe?

  48. #48
    The cousins version arrived yesterday and I am very pleased with it... at £4.50 it is a steal



    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  49. #49
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    hull
    Posts
    13,427
    Quote Originally Posted by Rod View Post
    I'd like to buy a 20mm green Borealis but the site only shows a 22mm.  Also are there any suppliers in Europe?
    cousins do a green rod item S49788
    https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/isofrane-style?code=S49788
    ktmog6uk
    marchingontogether!



  50. #50
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    West Yorkshire
    Posts
    1,788
    Quote Originally Posted by Rod View Post
    I'd like to buy a 20mm green Borealis but the site only shows a 22mm.  Also are there any suppliers in Europe?
    They’re based in Portugal

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information