Product Review: GrooveLife Rings, Watchbands & Belts
If you’re looking for hard-wearing, comfortable products with tons of options, check out GrooveLife. Their rings, watch bands and belts do not disappoint — and don’t forget to use code HORSE at checkout to get an additional 15% off your order!
As an equestrian and pretty avid barn rat, I long ago abandoned most of my jewelry in favor of, well, just not wearing any. The exception being my Apple Watch, which I wore more as a means to avoid checking my phone repeatedly but still managing to be aware if someone at home really needed me. Between the dust and hay at the barn and my other hobbies that didn’t lend themselves particularly well to wearing my quite lovely engagement and wedding rings, I opted not not to wear anything. So, admittedly, I was a bit skeptical of how the GrooveLife products would work for me. This is nothing against the products, but had more to do with my feelings on wearing things on my hands and wrists that are bound to trap the aforementioned dirt and hay.
However, in the name of research and for the good of equestrians everywhere — or at least those who might be inclined to wear things like rings, watches and belts — I took the hit and decided to try out the products. I am the first to admit, I am a sucker for cool packaging. If it makes me feel cool when I’m opening it, the product has an edge on the competition. GrooveLife didn’t disappoint. Everything arrived in these rad black metal boxes and had a clean and stylish presentation.
Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan
Upon opening the boxes, I was met with the same appealing presentation.
Unbridled — Katie Van Slyke Signature Apple Watch Band. Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.
Apple Watch Band Dimension Arrows in white. Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.
Unbridled — Katie Van Slyke Signature Stackable Rings. Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.
I had the option to choose from a number of single silicone rings and the Unbridled — Katie Van Slyke Signature Stackable Rings. I chose to go with the latter. First, they look amazing. The Aztec design paired with the gold braid is eye-catching. Second, I figured if there was an accessory that was going to drive me crazy, this was it. I thought the stacked rings would be too much volume for me to deal with on a day-to-day basis. I made the (incorrect) assumption that the three rings together would slide and be more likely trap debris.
I am happy to report that my assumptions were proven woefully incorrect.
I have been wearing the GrooveLife rings and watch band every day for a little over a month (of course I had to go with the Unbridled — Katie Van Slyke Signature Apple Watch Band because it matches the rings I chose). I like to make sure that I use a product for a significant period of time before reviewing it. I want to make sure I test it in as many situations as possible to see how it holds up and how it suits my daily life before offering an opinion on it.
I am thrilled with the way the rings and watch band are performing.
These rings are comfortable, functional and stylish. They don’t trap dirt they way I thought they would and I’m able to wear them whether I’m doing barn chores, riding, playing volleyball or skiing (both of the latter are other hobbies during which I typically don’t wear rings). The flexibility of the rings keeps me from feeling like they are impeding me, likely to get stuck on something while I am working or feeling claustrophobic while I sleep. I have this weird thing with rings — I hate wearing them to sleep. I always wake up feeling like they are constricting my fingers (Freud, have at it!). However, this has not been a problem with the GrooveLife rings. I seldom take them off. I wear them to work, in the shower, to bed, to ride, to play, to ski — all the things. I have yet to be irritated or constricted by them, and most of the time I don’t notice they are there.
The only exception to this is the rare occasion when I am styling my hair (so, like, once a month… maybe?). I have a tendency to run my fingers through my hair while I style it. Silicone rings + still damp hair = unhappy me.
While I wax on and on about these rings, I have to share an regarding them. I have a few Facebook Messenger groups with various friends (because don’t we all?). I sent one of the groups a picture of my hand to show the discoloration from breaking open capsules of medication for one of my client’s horses. This is the exchange that ensued:
We went on a bit longer, but I’m not lying when I say that these rings get noticed and people comment on them. For someone who usually looks like she fell off the hayloft into the manure pile, that’s always a bonus.
I’ve been equally pleased with the watch band. So far, I’ve opted to stick with the Unbridled — Katie Van Slyke Signature Apple Watch Band. If I’m being honest, I haven’t changed out bands because 1, I’m lazy, and 2, for as much as I like the white arrow design, I think it would quickly become a white watch band with brown arrows.
The main thing I love about the watch band is pretty specific to me. Apparently, I have an oddly sized wrist. I can never seem to find the sweet spot between too big and too small on bands with pre-punched holes. For whatever reason, the GrooveLife watch bands fit me very nicely, so I don’t feel like the watch is sliding around or constricting my wrist. The added bonus of this is that when it does get dirt under it (because, again, the barn…), it doesn’t irritate me. When I wear a watch band slightly too tight, if dirt gets under it, I have to take it off and wash the band and my arm immediately or I go crazy. I can wear the GrooveLife watch band all day and wash it and my arm in the evening (like a normal human being). That’s an added bonus of the silicone products — they are super easy to clean and fast drying.
Finally, I really like the way the rings and watch band go together. They match, but it’s not overwhelming. The design on the watch band is subtle in the rings, so they complement each other well.
Photo by Hailey Sinon
The final GrooveLife product I’ve been able to test is the Groove Belt in gun metal/deep stone.
Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan
Full disclosure: I outsourced this one to my husband, as he wears belts daily and probably puts a little more strain on them than I do (shh — don’t tell him I wrote that). He’s been wearing the belt every day since I received it in the mail and has been quite pleased with it. The two things he likes most: the stretch and the magnetic belt buckle.
His take on the stretch is that it is flexible enough and has enough give to be really comfortable, but enough structure to do its job and hold up his pants. Also, the magnetic buckle is easy to use, but still manages to be secure. Really, it’s everything a belt should be. A feature that he appreciates is the way the loop catches the excess belt length on the inside of the belt and not the outside, so there’s not a belt flap hanging down. The overall look of the belt is a bit more utilitarian, but that fits my husband’s style perfectly. Plus, there are a number of options from which to choose — everything from a woodgrain or camo belt buckle to one etched with your favorite NFL team, Marvel DC logo.
Overall, I highly recommend GrooveLife products. Each product is designed with performance and durability in mind. The products were developed by an avid outdoorsman and the company strives to be a leader in customer service. Learn more and shop to you heart’s content at their website. Remember, you can get an additional 15% off your order when you use code HORSE at checkout.
