If you’ve searched for wedding rings, chances are you’ve stumbled across Manly Bands. But, if you’re like us, it can feel weird buying something as personal (and often expensive) as jewelry online. So, we thought it would be helpful to walk you through the process and share our thoughts on whether or not you should take the plunge and consider a ring from Manly Bands. Read on to find out what we think!
Who Makes Manly Bands?
Manly Bands was started by founder Johnathan Ruggiero and wife Michelle, shortly after they got engaged in 2016. The couple had a hard time finding a men’s wedding band they loved that was in John’s size, so eventually they set out to make one that fit the bill. Now, their goal is to create an easy way for all men to find bands that work for their budget, taste, and lifestyle.
Where Can You Buy Manly Bands?
Manly Bands is an online-only retailer, though you can find their rings in select jewelry stores across the country. However, for the best experience we always recommend couples buy direct. They offer free shipping for their Ready to Ship and Made to Order rings in the U.S. They’ll ship International for free, too. Manly Bands are primarily made in the U.S., though some are made with their partners in Canada or overseas.
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What Kind of Rings Do They Sell?
There are three main categories of rings you can buy on Manly Bands. The first are Ready to Ship rings, which are in-stock bands that are ready to be mailed to you in 1-2 business days. The second type are Made to Order rings, and take between 4-6 weeks to make. They also offer Custom rings, which generally have a 2-3 week lead time. These are the most expensive of the three, as you can only choose premium or precious metals. But more on that, below!
Ready to Ship
Before you dive into the Made to Order or Custom rings, it’s always best to start by looking at what they already have in stock since you’ll save a lot that way. Manly Bands has a crazy big selection of materials to choose from, too, such as best sellers like Titanium, Gold Plated, Wood, Antler, Tungsten, Carbon Fiber, and Silicone to name a few. You can filter by thin or wide styles, as well as by size and fit (“Style” or “Comfort”).
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They have some really great Ready to Ship designs (the “Instigator” is one of our faves at $325), and I love that they have an extremely informative product page. Each one features facts about the ring, and in some cases even a funny video so you can get a better idea of what it looks like.
WGM Says: Not sure of your ring size? Check out this easy way to measure your ring size at home. Manly Bands also has a really great sizing app you can download, or you can order one of their ring sizers to be extra safe. This is perfect for those of you that might have larger sizes.
Made to Order
If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, Made to Order could be right for you. Unlike their Ready to Ship rings, gents can find solid gold and diamonds among their list of available materials in this section. They’ve even partnered with Jack Daniel’s on a whiskey barrel collection (like the “Aficionado” for $1,175). Yes, their rings feature an actual Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrel sleeve [which is the inside of the band].
Overall, I don’t think their Made to Order designs are drastically different, but I like that you have the option for premium materials. Plus, each ring is made to your size at the time you order. They will even send you a free ring sizer to make sure it’s the right one. Just keep in mind that the rings can take 4-6 weeks to make, so you’ll want to be sure you plan ahead.
Custom Bands
If you don’t quite see the combination you want, you can also choose to design a Custom Band. Starting at $500 for alternative metals and $1,000 for precious metals, you can work with one of their designers to create completely unique styles. For instance, I used their custom ring guide to design a ring with following options:
- Style: Flat
- Material: Platinum
- Inlay: None
- Inside sleeve: Gold
- Finish: Satin
- Band Width: 8mm
- Engraved: C&L
They say the lead time is 2-3 weeks, though you’ll want to let them know if your wedding is in less than 6 weeks. It’s also important to note that Custom rings are final sale, though you can exchange it for a different size. Also, site discounts don’t apply.
What’s Their Return Policy?
Speaking of final sales, for all other rings on the site besides Custom, Engraved, and Silicone Bands, you won’t have a problem returning or exchanging them, according to their FAQ. You have 30 days from the date of delivery for easy exchanges or returns. If you return your ring, a $30 restocking fee applies. Read more about their policies here. All of their rings are backed by either a 1-year warranty (for Ready to Ship) or a Limited Lifetime Warranty on Custom rings as well as their Founder’s and Gentleman’s Reserve lines.
What Makes Manly Bands Different?
In our experience, rings in this starting price point don’t offer a huge level of customer service or feel elevated in any way. And Manly Bands just feels different. I really appreciate when jewelry websites have reviews, and Manly Bands shares customers’ honest feedback and photos, as well as transparent information on the pros and cons of the different metals they offer. Couples also rave about their great customer service.
Mens wedding rings and the entire buying process is typically overlooked, and Manly Bands is really striving to make that experience feel more special. I love that their rings come in a custom wood grain box (and not just a ring box, but a nice box that contains the ring along with other information), and their entire presentation feels cool and bespoke. In fact, Manly Bands kind of feels like the Old Spice of wedding rings. They’ve taken a completely stodgy industry that was never any fun (like men’s body wash), and made it feel relevant again. Bottom line? If you’re looking for a unique wedding band, I would definitely start here.
