BluShark AlphaShark vs PhenomeNato - Premium Nato Strap Battle
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
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I'm taking a look at a couple of very high quality premium nato strap options today. We are going to compare the BluShark AlphaShark Nato Strap versus the PhenomeNato Strap.
You can find PhenomeNato at:
phenomenato.com/
BluShark Nato Straps are available at:
www.blusharkst...
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*This is a brand sponsored review video. What is brand sponsored content? I am reviewing a product provided to me by the manufacturer. I have been compensated to produce this review video in the form of either free products, financial compensation, or a combination of both. Sponsored review videos DO NOT afford the brand editorial control over my content, my sponsored reviews are objective and unbiased - just like every review I produce. Sponsorship compensates me as the creator for the considerable amount time spent creating the video, it does not dictate the narrative of the video.
Blue Shark is good and the quality is there, however the PhenomeNato is just a step up in quality. Another plus with the PhenomeNato is they come in size selections
Thanks for watching I appreciate it.
Precisely! I actually went with the longer phenome straps for my fairly smaller wrist just because I like the longer overlap of the ends. If it’s too short, (imo) it looks like leftover scraps in a sense. It looks “phenomenal” on the wrist! And is hecka comfortable. If it were half an inch longer, it would totally cover the buckle 🤣 which I think is hilarious
Looks like they are both exceptional in their own right and you won't go wrong with either one of them. Great review and thank you.
Both are great. A little different material but I use them both.
I know that the blushark is the better deal, but those phenomenato color schemes are just out of this world.
Phenomenon took almost 2 months to get to my mailbox. Blushark took 5 days.
Hey..Great comparison video. And I'd like to thank the awesome viewer who provided the Alphas for this review.
I too am not a fan of the rectangular bigger holes on the Alphas. Mine frays a lot too out of the box and starts fraying at the sides of the strap despite minimal usage. In my opinion, think that's a design flaw although it does contribute to a more unique look.
I think I'll get myself the phenome soon. I'm a fan of the finer and tighter weave. I personally also prefer thinner strap as its more versatile to fit more watches.
Thanks for watching and for the comments I appreciate it. Let me know how you like the Phenome when you get it.
Blue Shark offers the Alpha premium at $36.00 that is the thinner webbing like the Phenome that would be a more direct & fair comparison. .
This video is almost 2.5 years old. They didn’t have that product back then.
@@JustBlueFish Point well taken, thanks.
For the blushark, not only was there the free shipping and buy2 and get a 3rd one free, but there was a deal where I was able to get an additional 20% off too.
The free shipping is fair but I don't know consider the 3rd free strap as that great of a value, at least in my case, as I'm rarely going to purchase more than one.
New blue Phenomenato color really pops!
Love my Blue Shark Aplha Shark Natos! I rock a Black & Grey 007 on my Seiko Sumo & Vintage 007 on my Seiko SNEO95 solar field watch & Aplha Shark Black with red edges on my Seiko Turtle Coke SRP789 and if you buy two you get the 3rd for free. The quality of the hardware and the material & weave of the straps are awesome! Thanks for the review!
Thanks for watching.
The phenom nato site doesn't have the vintage bond colorway right now. It seems like the keepers on the phenom might end up not sitting straight (perpendicular to the strap) it's hard to say for sure but that's my experience with a thin nato. Thinner material wins on comfort though. I can vouch that the big square holes in the Alpha Shark are a bad design choice, they do begin to fray a bit after a time, also there's less room for fine adjustment.
Oddly enough USPS priority shipping for a box that size is $7 and $25 + 7 = 32 aka the price of the strap. Hard to really call it free shipping when they make it that obvious they marked the price of what should be a $25 strap up in order to trick the buyer into thinking they're getting a deal.
Apsis Gaming interesting observation.
The black and gray AlphaShark nato is so off color wise. I wonder why they decided to have the gray so bright? Looks cheap.
All of the AlphaShark nato straps, in my experience, have a slightly brighter than expected color. On the other hand the Phenome straps are a bit muted. Both could stand for improvement in the color department but between the two I tend to prefer the Phenome.
Roger that. I think my Cincy Strap Works SB Bond is a good color. Pretty close the Omega color. ibb.co/ehwaDF
I have both the AlphaShark and the Phenomenal 'Bond' straps for use with my ceramic Omega Planet Ocean. The AlphaShark is a good strap. It is a bit more rugged, with thicker material, bulkier buckle and larger square holes; probably more true to a 'nato' strap. The Phenomenato, however, is more of an elegant strap with thinner and silkier body, tighter weaving, sliding keeper and small round holes, almost to perfection. It feels no different from a genuine Omega Bond nato (except without the brand logo on the buckle and keeper). They've recently upgraded to a squarer/heavier buckle (more similar to the Omega one). It's made to order in Hungary; so it'll take a week or so to produce and a couple more weeks to ship. It cost me $40 + $4 shipping total. In my opinion, for the money, it's probably the finest nato you could purchase. I'm thinking of purchasing a dark navy blue one for my Omega Seamaster 2531.80. It's hard to justify paying $200 for an Omega nato that'll only have about a 10% wrist time.
The phenome could be a nice dress nato...I will try them on one of my Seiko SARBs...usually I would not use Natos on them, but the phenome might just work.
On my divers I like a rougher looking woven material.
I out my Rolex Explorer on a Phenome for a while, looked good. I'm sure it'll work for SARB.
Phenomenato for the win! Love the admiral gray and the black straps. Classy!
Thanks for the comparison video. I'm a big BluShark proponent. I don't yet own any of the Phenome straps but I will give them a try.
Thanks for watching. The BluShark Alpha straps are great, but if you want something a little different, but also excellent, give those Phenome's a try.
Thanks for doing this review. That's exactly what I wanted to see! It seems to me the main advantages of the Blushark are the price, brighter and more varied coloration (which is subjective), and the fact that shipping is faster. I'd love to add a phenome to my collection too in the near future.
Now the last thing I'm wondering is how they'd compare to Super premium offerings from Omega, Oris, Tudor, etc.
Thanks again Guy, and great job. I can't wait to see more reviews like this in the future!
I think I forgot to mention the shipping issue in this video, but did bring it up in the dedicated Phenome review. It can take weeks to get your strap from Budapest, but it's worth the wait.
Realy great comparison video. Exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks a lot.
Too bad that PhenomeNato does not offer mor colours.
Thanks for the feedback I appreciate it.
There will be more colors this spring ;)
looking foward to it! :-)
Any hints as to what additional colors you're going to be bringing out?
It is not finalized yet, but some brighter colors for the summer ;)
I ended up buying both. Phenome is in a different league. Blushark is good. Very good indeed but Phenome is in a different league.
I like the Phenome a bit more too. Both are good but yeah, the Phenome is a step above.
JustBlueFish I tried to purchase from Blushark, but there's never any available. I guess they aren't good with inventory. I got tired of trying to get a Blushark and just ended up getting my straps from Phenome. And I've got to admit, I'm glad I went ahead and bit the bullet and went through Phenome, love my straps.
With Blushark, you can get 20 and 22mm only. Also, in addition to free shipping, if you buy 2 you one free. My packaging was a plain brown box with crinkled paper shreds as packing.
Thanks for watching and the comments.
Thank you for adding even more complexity to my life !!! Jk both seem very nice. Good review old sport.
DonDubleone1986 I aim to please! Thanks for watching.
It looks to me like the blue alphas hark you were examining is not the navy version but the royal blue. I enjoyed your review though.
You might be right, I forget which one I ordered. Thanks for watching.
You are correct
I'm not familiar with the Phenome brand; but recently I've purchased 3 BluShark straps (2 of the Alpha Bond straps, and the same black/yellow stripe you have ). I could not be more pleased.The Alphas look like the OEM straps which come with some really nice watches. They really kick up the look of a watch up a notch.. The hardware on these is outrageous; and i LIKE the rectangular holes (nobody else has them). The Alphas have limited color options, but I wear Bond straps on half of my watches. I don't need a lot of different colors. While I can't speak for the Phenomes, I can recommend the BluShark Alphas. I will be buying a vintage Bond from them.
The BluShark Alpha vintage bond strap hasn't come off my SKX since I got it. It's a very good strap. I am still waiting for a solid black strap from PhenomeNato for my SKX007, once that gets here I'm sure I'll be switching them around periodically.
I absolutely agree! I have the Aplha Shark vintage Bond on my Seiko SNEO95 solar field watch & Black & Grey Bond on my Seiko SBDC031 Sumo and the Black with red edges on my Seiko Coke Turtle SRP789 and they are just awesome!
I am almost certain you displayed the BluShark original strap and not the Alphashark. I have the navy blue, and it is darker, very soft but thick, and a slight sheen sorta like eggshell sheen. Take a look at the website again as I am almost certain you have the wrong strap. BTW, the BluShark are always buy 2 get 1 free, and free shipping over $50.
Thanks for watching, but to answer your question no I am certain this is an AlphaShark being reviewed strap. This review is over a year old and it's possible they have changed materials or the product line in that time however.
Please ask them to send a few straps to you for an updated review. You are probable correct that they change the material as I got mine last week and it looks nothing like the one in this review. Thanks!
The BluShark Alphashark is both classy and a true hard use NATO while the Phenome is not a hard use i.e. diving, working outdoors and etc...but an office or just for style strap. Have both and the Phenome didn't last is a saltwater environment in and out of the water while the Alphashark has. As for the rectangular holes. They're that way for ease of donning the strap more quickly. Round holes stretch out more and do cause fitting issues down the road. Now packaging. Really??? You pick up the extra cost for what, some cheap cardboard. Who really cares about cardboard boxes. Now if it were a leather or wooden presentation box I could see your point, but it's not it's cardboard. When comparing these two you should look at longevity. The Alphashark is nylon like that of seatbelts and just can't be worn out. The Phenome is a lesser nylon and more of a style over true functioning work material and that is why I believe mine failed from saltwater and air exposure during dives, boating and fishing. It just couldn't hold up to the abuse. So if you just want a looker and not a looker and workhorse buy a Phenome. If you want a workhorse and looker buy a Alphashark. The Alphashark is hands down the best NATO I've ever owned with a close second to a Waterborne NATO that I've had for 12 years and worn on multiple deployments to the Middle East and untold global dive and fishing trips. The Waterborne is a pure workhorse and is big in every way. Only big tool watches really work with it. Like my Marathon GSAR, Black and Orange Monsters and Ti EcoZilla.
Before anyone asks. I got Phenome back in Oct-Nov days prior to an extended diving/fishing trip in the Caribbean on a sailboat. We were gone from mid Nov 16' -Jan 17'. Epic trip and even more epicly tired and beat up. Day to day life on the boat, diving and fishing just best the hell out the Phenome. Though repairable I gave it to guy in Southport who said he'd fix it if I did want it. The Alphashark has been with me since Jul 16' and other than wearing the Phenome (which was a gift) during the most recent trip is still going. I had the Alphashark as my backup to the Phenome and glad I did.
CAPOC38A Thanks for this comment, I work at a boat workshop and was pondering about the alpha shark, I currently use a navy blue 5 ring Zulu from Crown and Buckle for everyday use on my SKX009 when working. I will definitely get the Alpha Shark due to your comment. Thanks :)
Just bought my first Blushark and I’m not impressed. I’ll stick with Hadley Roma.
thank you so much for this review.
$32 and $40...the profit margin on these are ridiculous. Sure they're nice but it's nylon at the end of the day and I'm not paying these inflated prices for a NATO strap. There's a ton of decent NATO straps that are still well made but for much less.
I do appreciate the video and your attention to detail. Thank you.
Thanks for watching. I agree they're expensive, problem is they are nicer than anything else on the market that I've seen. There isn't an equal quality alternative for less money that I'm aware of. At least it's not like the Omega brand Nato straps, those are well over $100 if I'm not mistaken.
geckoloveable I can't speak for the alphashark, but I have the alphashark slim and the quality is really there. Where the regular nylon nato strap has a bit more rough finish, the alphashark is really smooth and soft. Very comfortable to wear. I have straps under $20 from two other companies from Amazon (about $12-14) and couple from blushark for $18 and none of those compare to the alphashark. Though the regular blusharks at $18 are already at a level above the other cheaper one I got with the quality stitching and hardware used (same hardware as the alphashark!)
I'm about to order one of these, because I hear great things about them and the price is even better.
www.watchgecko.com/
Hi. Are the buckles connected on with spring bars on the alpha shark?
Yes I think they are if I remember correctly.
Great review thanks.
Thanks for watching.
if you buy 2 alpha's you get 1 free. that means 3 alphas for just about half the price of 3 phenome. based on that alone, i wouldnt pay $55 + more for a difference in quality is so minimal and subjective.
How long did the Phenomenato take to receive them from the time you ordered til they got to your door ?
It takes a while. 3-4 weeks if I remember correctly.
Ok thanks for the update I appreciate it. I ordered a bond hd. And I heard horror stories about how long it takes
@@Skyfall-fk8ueit definitely takes a while lol, but a long while still ending up at your door is A LOT better than never reaching your door
The BluShark is the better strap. Remember, we're talking about a military style strap, not a bow.
Thanks for watching.
Think you need your eyes tested.
The Blushark is much coooooooler 👍
I like the Phenome a little more but both are great.
I would prefer the straps shipped in the plastic bag method
In the end the packaging doesn't really matter, but I can appreciate the extra effort that was given to designing and producing the presentation.
JustBlueFish copy that the phenomnato would be perfect to gift to a person that way and great review by the way...
It always rubs me wrong when someone does a review, and spends any amount at time on packaging. Who gives a damn about what it shipped in as long as it's not damaged... The nicer the box it's in, the more you're paying for the product, regardless of the quality... Manufactures aren't packaging items in premium boxes for free... They just factor that in their mark-up. The price between these two reflects that... I'd rather you ship it in a ziplock bag and save me money.
I appreciate a products presentation and packaging. It conveys their commitment to their brand and attention to detail. Being a life long collector of many different things throughout my life also save the package of things I buy and collect and enjoy the art form and creativity that they put into the design into it.
JustBlueFish Eh... I'd rather them show me their commitment to me, by saving me money... To each his own I suppose.
The blue shark actually has better packaging. -Packaging Science Student
Why do you think so?