Umm it’s easier to put on and take off. By far.
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Apple Emphasizes That Solo Loop May Increase in Length Over Time, Updates Sizing Guide With More Specific Instructions
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Umm it’s easier to put on and take off. By far.
It’s a brilliant idea. Especially for those using them for sports. Open your mind.
Computers become outdated, break, etc over time. Should we not use them?
Kind of, I mean there's a great amount of potential for error in even just ordering the things, hence more specific instructions Apple provided and the noise online about people returning them because of poor fit. On top of that, they're restricted to a single size so the user can't change the fit based on comfort during the day. Then there's Apple's warning that they might (probably will) stretch over time. That'll potentially ruin the blood oxygen monitoring for those users affected.
That's just from a user experience point of view, think of what SKUs Apple have to now stock in every Apple store around the world, not to mention 3rd party locations:
And the Solo Loop has nearly half the colourways of the Sport Band. I know Apple is the king of logistics but during the presentation in nearly the same breath they were talking about removing the power brick from the Apple Watch to 'save the planet'. An enormous amount of these straps in unpopular sizes or colours will never get sold and have to be melted down in 4 months when they change the seasonal colours.
I honestly don't mean to disparage anyone here who enjoys the look and feel and are delighted by their purchase. I myself really like the look of the Braided Solo Loop. I just think there's a lot of hoops (loops!) the user has to go through to ensure they get precisely the product they want and a ton of logistics that are needed to support it ... just to get rid of a steel pin.
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With that logic, I can't criticize anyone of any profession unless I am a part of it?
Try again.
I put the sizing tool snug around my wrist but not tight. Then chose the smaller size. I got the woven band and it’s almost perfect - just a little loose so I have to pull it up my arm half a centimetre from its usual place. So definitely go small. I’m keeping it as I’ve lost weight temporarily and comparing to how a sport band fits (one hole tighter than normal) it should be perfect when I gain it back. I heard that if an Apple Store is open near you, you can get it exchanged there. Make an appointment though.
Yes. It’s super comfortable. (I have the woven solo loop so can’t speak for the silicon.) it stays in place and no sweating.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
That is a good point I failed to see.
I guess that by the time I got to this Apple somewhat rectified the situation by allowing band returns without having to return the watch.
Still, I can see getting a band like these as a secondary band, but that is just me. I'm glad the choice exists for those who want to go clasp-less.
My guess is that with watchOS 7 supporting sleep tracking, Apple wanted an extremely comfortable band that was easy to put on and take off, and that led to the sport loop being conceived.
That’s the thing when trying to evaluate intangible qualities like “comfort”. It’s very hard to quantify, much less out a price tag on, which leads to statements like “you mean that I have to pay $100 for a giant rubber band?” When what you are actually getting is the most comfortable option for people who want to wear their watch overnight while they sleep but they normally would not do this as they find normal watch bands too restrictive or uncomfortable.
So while the solo band may not cost much to produce, I imagine the process that led to the creation of said band costing a fair amount in its own right, and its price tag is a fair reflection of the value it brings to people who want a comfortable option, especially when wearing the Apple Watch overnight.
When it's being sold for $100 per band, I expect one that doesn't stretch significantly enough to no longer fit properly in just 5 weeks.
After just 5 weeks my Braided Solo Loop has stretched from just slightly loose around my wrist to way too loose. FIVE WEEKS! For $100 this feels like a rip-off.
For reference, I have both the silicone and yarn loops. They are both size 9. Both have had about 5 weeks full time wearing on them. Attached is a side-by-side comparison of how much the braided one has stretched.
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And even areas with plenty of Apple Stores, like Los Angeles, have had very little access to them since the Series 6 launch because of COVID closures and restrictions on retail operations.
The braided ones by default are longer, there have been a few comparisons showing that they can start off something like 1/5" longer.
My size 5 solo loop, which is two sizes below what I measured (low 7), is now pretty stretched out to the point, where it stretches out any more, will be too loose. I gather it's stretched a full size. More than the length changing, I think it's just that the material has lost a good deal of elasticity.
Yes, that's correct. My watch came with the green solo loop, size 9, was very snug, almost too snug. It's stretched a very small amount but not past that, it's actually a perfect fit at this point.
When the Red braided loop arrived it was noticeably more comfortable at first than the silicone one.
Didn't think of trying to shrink it with hot water until after I posted last night, but a good hot bath and scrubbing with dish soap has shrunk it back down to it's original size and it's fitting just right on my wrist this morning. I'll follow up in a while with how long it stays unstretched, but I can live with having to shrink wash it every now and then.
Bottom line advice from me is trust the sizing tool on the silicone bands, but go a size smaller on the braided loop, unless you're at the low end of the range for the size you measured at.
Just got in the new light blue strap, same size at my black, size 5 40mm.
This is from 2 months of wear, you can see it stretched out about a size. To be fair, I do move between wrists several times a day, so this is more like simulating at least 6 months of daily usage.
Trying the new strap on, it doesn't really feel all that much more snug, not like I would expect as a size difference, so there is that.
This is from 2 months of wear, you can see it stretched out about a size. To be fair, I do move between wrists several times a day, so this is more like simulating at least 6 months of daily usage.
Trying the new strap on, it doesn't really feel all that much more snug, not like I would expect as a size difference, so there is that.
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I'm two sizes down for the silicone band... the stated size was fairly loose, and one size down was kinda snug but not snug enough to trust it to not move while running. And as can be seen above, mine stretched about a full size.
That's awesome your braided shrunk back, makes sense as that is a fiber. If my new band stretches out to the point of being loose in the next 6 months I might go the braided route.
Yes.
Here's the impact in comfort level difference for me:
Before solo loop:
I only wore my Apple Watch while exercising. My other bands made it just too noticeable while using laptops and keyboards. Nothing terrible. It simply felt better when it was off. So I took it off to use keyboards. Then I only wore it while exercising.
With solo loop silicon:
It feels like a part of my skin while using a keyboard. No extra bump under that wrist.
I first purchased the woven blue. LOVED the look. Also purchased the blue solo. I wear the blue silicon most of the time and the blue woven when I go out cos I think it looks cool.
In hotter temps I noticed slightly (once a month?) this fall more sweating under the silicon. Now (winter) I notice no comfort difference. The Day 1 sizing instructions worked perfectly for me.
Now I wear my Apple watch all the time. I really like how the WatchOS or Health app "nudges" me to move more, exercise more. I've lost ~ 10 lbs since I got the Solo loop.
I have had my single loop braided band since December 2020. I was just telling my husband this morning that the fit is a little loose. It was perfect when I first got it and didn’t move at all. Now it moves a little when I move my arm. I agree with someone who said for 100 bucks this thing shouldn’t do this, or there should be a solution to shrink it back down!! What I want to know is what is Apple doing about it? Can I exchange it every few months when it stretches out?