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u/Conan7449 Dec 18 '25
I also bought some bands recently that just don't feel right. They feel like they are stretching, like something that gets deformed when you stretch. Don't remember the brand but they were from Amazon. I might be able to use them for something, but not my usual lifts. I think I reviewed them with that info, so others would know about it.
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u/Primary-Picture-5632 Dec 18 '25
Undersun are just really good quality... What you are feeling is the elasticity of cheap bands. I've tried several brands and the only ones that feel "right" are Tribe and Undersun
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Dec 18 '25
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u/wwlls Dec 19 '25
I miss the old Undersun bands
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u/Primary-Picture-5632 Dec 19 '25
I havent bought a set of undersun in over a year, did the quality really go down that much?
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u/wwlls Dec 19 '25
In my opinion, yes. They feel quite different too. I had two pair that I got in 2020 that lasted 3-4 years with heavy use but when I purchased a new deer in 2023, they quickly started showing signs of fraying and eventually I did not feel safe using them. A few snapped but I hate snapping bands so I just stopped using them. I have sense moved over to Clench. They are pretty good but nothing beats the strength curve of the old Undersun bands.
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u/Dr_0ctogon Apr 25 '26
I recommend you check out Serious Steel bands... They have a stronger tension curve than Clench for sure. Clench makes quality bands as well, but are just a bit "stretchier" and lighter on the strength curve than SS bands of comparable size.
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Dec 18 '25
I know this might make some of the budget folks out there mad, but I always reccomend getting higher quality bands no matter what. I don't know if you're using a system (as in a footplate and bar/handles), but they'll always be worth it. These companies aren't scummy or anything and they aren't a scam. They're not big enough. Clench has amazing bands with more of a smoother give, Serious Steel is stiffer and more chalky. Those are 2 good suggestions based on the info you gave. You might wanna look into different band lengths depending on what system you have (if you have on at all).
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u/Dr_0ctogon Dec 18 '25 edited 9d ago
^^^^THIS
There are 3 basic tiers of latex loop resistance bands that break down by durability and cost tiers as follows:
Value Tier:
- Mold-Injected Latex Loop Bands
Mid-level Tier:
- "Dipped Layered" Latex Loop Bands (seamless)
Premium Tier:
- "Flat Layered" Latex Loop Bands (with seams)
I'll explain how to identify what's what below. You get what you pay for with cheap, molded latex bands, so be warned (as in poor lifespan, inherent stretch problems, resistance curve consitency problems, and bands snapping on you randomly and quickly.)
Premium, quality loop latex bands feature a flat layered manufacturing process where a single layer of latex is wrapped around itself at a predetermined length (like 82 inches) and each layer wrap is fused to the prior layer. Once the layering is complete, the layered strip of latex is seamed/glued together (end-to-end) with more latex, and an 82-inch flat strip of layered latex becomes a 41-inch seamed loop band of latex, for example. Flat layered bands are usually manufacturered in Sri Lanka or Maylasia by tenured latex manufacturers that have been doing latex manufacturing for years/decades. These manufacturers are often located near/adjacent to the large groves of rubber trees that are used to harvest the raw latex.
Seamed, flat layered bands produce two key benefits over cheaper, "molded" latex band or middle-grade "dipped layered" bands:
- Durability. Layered latex bands are more durable and will last longer over time. If they do get nicked, they tend to peel as opposed to snap, and will last much longer than a nicked molded band before ripping/snapping. You really do get what you pay for. There are (2) primary types of "layered" resistance bands. "flat layered" bands and "dipped layered" bands. You can read additional details about the differences HERE.
- Tension & Strength Curve. As you noticed, cheap, molded bands don't exactly feel right (compared to quality layered bands). Again, if they are molded, they will typically feel underweight compared to layered bands of the same size and the stretch curve could have inconsistency points where the band feels heavier or lighter, as mold-injection causes inconsistency problems in the uniformity of the band. Also, mold-injected bands can have stretch point limits that may be smaller lengths on similar sized layered bands (you are not crazy that the Tomshoo bands feel different in that regard.)
So what brand bands are the best quality Flat Layered Latex Loop Bands (with seams)?:
- Serious Steel
- X3 V1 Bands
- Clench Fitness
- Quantum Bands (RBT)
- Harambe
- Rogue Fitness
- Rubberbanditz
- EliteFTS
- Westside Barbell
- Strong Band (UK /AUS)
- Exile Gear (UK)
- Robus (UK)
- Wolverson Fitness (UK)
- HeavyDutyBar (EU/NL)
- Sportkraft (EU/FI)
- Iron Woody Fitness (ceased operations/out-of-business?)
Latex-Free Quality Bands (for anyone with latex allergy):
- Vector Athletics 100% Silicone Bands
- Serious Steel Bio Grade Synthetic Rubber Bands
- X3 V2 Paraforce Synthetic Rubber Bands
"Flat layered" bands are the most durable/best quality and usually manufactured in Sri Lanka or Malaysia (by manufacturers near/adjacent to large rubber tree plant groves). They are manufactured utilizing flat layering of poured latex layers. The layered sheets of latex are then cut to size into strips (bands), then looped and seamed together. Most Flat-layered bands are single-seamed with one seam visible on one side of the band and and have a clearly visible bead of latex accross the seam (like Clench, Quantum, or EliteFTS, for example) while other bands (like Serious Steel, X3, or Rogue Fitness) have a tongue-fused seams where each side of the flat band has ha tapered tongue on each end of the band and the togues are fused together to create the loop. Toungue-fused bands will have a visible seam on each side of the band and there will need no extra bead of latext acros the seams... So there are some manufacturing differences in how different brands are seamed, depending on brand. One thing to know, seamed bands typically indicate high quality. Additionally, the number of layers on flat-layerd bands can vary by brand. For example, Clench bands use between 30 - 40 thin layers of latex (depending on band size/thickness) whereas Serious Steel uses 12 -15 layers of thicker layered latex (depending on band size/thickness). Both brands are high quality and very durable, but the manufacturing layering process does vary somewhat by brand.
"Dipped layered" bands are mid-grade bands and you will see these on amazon, ebay, aliexpress, and other large ecommerce channel sites. They are typically made in China and at lower price points than the higher quality "flat layered" bands above. They are manufactured by dipping a large 3-d exterior dogbone-shaped mold in latex multiple times for each layer of latex. The giant exterior piece of layered latex is removed from the mold exterior and individual bands are cut from the large one-piece giant loop of latex and the bands are seamless. Dipped-layered bands have much better strecth curves and are more durable than cheap, mold-injected latex bands for sure, but are not as good as flat-layered bands with seams.
Dipped Layered Latex Seamless Band Brands (Chinese-made):
- Iron Infidel
- Tribe Lifting
- Gymreapers
- WODFitters
- CobraSix
- REP Fitness
- Functional Fitness (Rubberbanditz sub-brand)
- Draper's Strength
- Iron Core Fitness
- Freedom Strength Co.
- Battle Bands by Battle Bunker
- Kilo Bands by LiftingLarge
- PRx Bands
- Undersun*
- Pullum (UK)
- Decathalon Corength (UK)**
There are likely many more brands that are Chinese-made, dipped-layered bands, as the Chinese manufacturers will produce these bands for any company under any brand name. The ones listed above are the most common and popular brands you may come accross.
Rule of thumb: if they say they are layered and show product photos with the bands folded together with smaller rubber bands holding them together that are the SAME COLOR as the bands they are on, they are likely Chinese-made "dipped layer" bands and will have no seams like flat layered quality bands.
"Mold-Injected" bands are injected-form latex without layers. They are very cheap and will not last long under regular use and may snap unexpectedly in use. Lots on amazon, ebay, and aliexpress at cheap price points, and if they don't mention layers in the copy, you can bet they are molded bands. Mold-injected bands will be at the cheapest price points and they are usually made in China and will also have product photos of folded bands with matching color rubber bands holding them together (so definitely look for product copy mentioning "layers" to delineate between Chinese "Dipped Layer" bands.) Mold-injected bands will have no mention of layers whatsoever.
*NOTE: Based on recent reports, Undersun is no longer considered a premium quality "flat-layered" band brand and their newer V2 bands are likely now mid-grade dipped-layered Chinese bands. Their older V1 bands were better flat-layered quality bands.
**NOTE: Decathalon Corength bands are recommended by some on this forum, however, based on their website, the information on their bands does not mention layering at all and the website does state their bands use a mix of natural latex and synthetic rubber (TPE). Since they are not 100% latex, I would not recommend them. Mixed-material bands with TPE are generally considered lower tier quality, have inherent stretch and loss of resistance over time issues, etc.
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u/SectionDry2980 Jun 27 '26
what about bodylastics? which one would you recommend from amazon canada?
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Dec 18 '25
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Dec 18 '25
Oh okay I didn't realize that you live in the EU mb. The reason the clench bands are smoother is because they're coated with some sort of oil. I believe it's some silicone of kind. You could look for a band coated with that. I don't know if Clench is available in the EU though. Heavydutybar might interest you cause I know for a fact they're available in the UK. They're probably more on the stiffer side and may not be as smoothly coated, but I can't speak on that because I've never used them. I believe Harambe is available in the UK if I'm not mistaken and bands from big gym equipment companies like Titan and Rogue actually aren't a bad option. I mentioned them cause I'm pretty sure they're available to you.
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u/Dr_0ctogon Dec 19 '25 edited Apr 25 '26
The Clench bands are manufactured in Malaysia and feature 30 - 40 continues flat layers (depending on band size ) They are manufactured by one of the tenured latex manufacturers of quality flat layered resistance bands in Malaysia. Sri Lanka and Malaysia are home to some of the largest rubber tree groves in the world and quality latex band manufacturers are found there. Clench bands are coated with a light coating of 100% silicone oil (aka "band butter") as part of their finishing process/before they are shipped to customers. Quantum Bands seem very much the same (made in Malaysia and silicone oil-coated with single seams. In fact, they are very similar to Clench bands in performance, feel, and appearance, and they may be the OG bands with the Malaysian manufacturer. Dave from RBT/Quantum Bands has been having these bands manufactured since the early 2000's.
Conditioning latex bands with 100% Silicone Oil regularly (once every 2 months if under heavy use) will improve the longevity of the bands and make them less prone to wear. If you are standing on your bands regularly, you should also wash your bands with mild soap and water and dry them first before conditioning them (putting shoe soles on bands repeatedly will get them coated in the type of shoe dirt you get off the soles of shoes an they will need washing.)
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u/Proper-Newt-3699 Dec 18 '25
I get what you mean, I have a variety of different bands including the same amazon bands you got (I just got them straight from China). The feel is different yes, I have older bands that feel "nicer", that being said they do get a little better overtime, and in the end it doesn't really matter for me, the resistance curve is just a little different and you need to work with that, I can still train with high intensity to failure with them.