I would be honest that I have yet to come across this brand i.e. Isofrane prior to searching for a rubber strap to be paired with Katie @ http://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2014/10/first-impression-of-seiko-prospex.html.
I'm not really a big fan of rubber strap- I have G-shocks, Ball Fireman and Seiko diver watches with the infamous Z22 rubber straps, and none of these truly live up to expectations. The rubber straps just don't quite deliver the level of comfort and sophistication as quality bracelet, Nato and leather straps. They get clammy when one gets hot and sweaty, and they just look cheap.
There was a rubber strap that gave me a good impression though- and that was the replacement rubber strap that I purchased from Ball Malaysia for my Ball Hydrocarbon John Hembel. It cost some RM500, which was a premium for a rubber strap; but it was very comfortable, held the watch securely and confidently, and had a tinge of vanilla smell being manufactured vulcanised rubber. Now, that was a good rubber strap well-worth it's asking price.
I received a gift in the form of Katie's cousin i.e. SUN023P1, which came with a Seiko silicon rubber strap; and again, it's one of those rubber straps that screamed el-cheapo with a capital "C" and was very much of a lint-magnet. Unless you really liked the design of the colourful SUN023P1, you would be better off getting Katie's equivalent model that came with the more solid bracelet.
No Sirree, what I wanted was a premium rubber strap that would hold the weighty case securely on my wrist, and yet felt like as feather as though it wasn't there. I didn't want a rubber strap that was going to be very evident and imposing on my wrist all the time.
I started searching online on the most comfortable rubber strap, and a same brand came to my attention time and time again. Isofrane. Using a modern rubber compound that was hypo-allergenic and 100% silicone-free, this strap was designed to be softer, stronger and more comfortable than any other rubber straps in the market. Big claims from Isofrane, but it had the history to back its claims and used to supply Isofrane straps for Omega Seamaster ProPlof. No joking matter then. But USD109 per Isofrane strap, it wasn't cheap, that's for sure.
I walked into a watch shop and said that I wanted to look for a pair of 24mm rubber strap, and prices generally were less than RM50. For instance, the shopkeeper showed me a pair looked like the picture, which suited Katie's looks well and it was going for RM25 only. But it was a lint magnet and I could felt the clammy feel of the rubber. Cheap but no good at all.
Reading so much about the Isofrane, I decided to take a leap of faith and made an online purchase towards a pair of 24mm Isofrane Black strap. If it was indeed as good as claimed pursuant to delivery, I would further add a pair of 24mm and 22mm Isofrane orange straps (for SUN023P1 and Planet Ocean XL respectively).
I'm now waiting for the delivery of the 24mm Isofrane Black and would update on its review pursuant to receipt. Do beware of counterfeits selling as "Isofrane-style" straps, which may be cheap but were not the genuine articles. Isofrane was expensive as it had a long and colourful history, with much R&D going into its design. Oh, and it's vulcanised rubber so it had the trademark vanilla smell- yummy!
In the meantime, enjoy the pictures of Katie's equivalent with many other choices of straps as seen on the Net as per the following :
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