Apple Emphasizes That Solo Loop May Increase in Length Over Time, Updates Sizing Guide With More Specific Instructions

[Fatboy71]

I ordered the braided loop. I printed the Apple tool and ensured it was printed out at the correct size by putting my credit card in the area shown.

The Apple tool showed my wrist to be 7, so I thought to be safe I will order a 6 & 7 (as I have read some people say about going for a size less than shown.

Well the straps arrived today and the 7 was way too big and so was the 6. I'm now returning the straps and I have just ordered size 4 and 5 (size 4 is the smallest size in the 44 mm strap).

 

[bbfc]

You’re wearing it wrong.

 

[Rogifan]

I think it was poor implementation. They should have not sold the watch with these bands. They should have started out with it as an optional band to test the waters. Now you have returns like crazy. Poor decision apple. The "One size fits most" is not a good idea right now especially since we can't try them on at the store.

The Apple store I went to yesterday didn’t indicate at all that they were getting a lot of returns over this issue. I even asked. Then I felt kind of stupid thinking this might not be a big issue but just something that appears that way because of Twitter/rumor sites.

 

[ZipZap]

A new guide does not fix the original issue. I sized up since there was not clear guidance. They need to take band exchanges by mail and store

 

[ShadowJade]

What is the appeal of this band other than it being harder to size, put on, and take off? Is it really that much more comfortable?

Personally, I am a semi-pro volleyball player that wears my Apple Watch during all play. I fear, (and have seen on others), watches flying off during spikes and blocks. I realize that this represents a rather niche' crowd, but it is 1 example...I have wanted something with no snap/buckle for some time.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apple should have posted the obvious to begin with, so that potential buyers could be better informed.

 

[ZipZap]

The new strap was all about the pulse-ox feature. To create a firm contact. Nothing more. Apple is in for a s-storm on this once the media gets involved.

 

[CarlJ]

I guess it’s needed that they put it there to prevent law suits. Like manufacturers have to state that washing machines are not made to wash your pets or kids...

Oh? **goes and takes cat out of washing machine**

 

[HiVolt]

I like this idea, but I think there may be too many variations/combinations that could confuse the average user. There's the 40/44mm watch size, and there's also the older 38/42mm watch size. There are also different sizes/lengths of the sport band, where the holes are in different places. Not only that, the 40mm band can be used on the 38mm watch, and the 44mm band on the 42mm watch.

It shouldn't be all that difficult. They could have a simple pulldown menu, select watch size, and what current sport band size do you have (Small/Medium) or (Medium/Large) and what hole do you wear it on.

 

[avanpelt]

This smells somewhat like what they said about Apple Maps when it came out — “The more you use it, the better it will get.” The Apple Maps statement was wishful thinking/misleading on Apple’s part (take your pick). This statement about the solo band seems to be a similar attempt at damage control.

Apple must realize that most people aren’t going to send the watch back just because the solo band doesn’t fit them. Most people will either buy a different type of Apple band, a third-party band, or they’ll buy a different size of solo band that fits them.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

I'm sorry but offering a non-adjustable watchband for the Watch is asking for it.

That said, buying (an expensive) Watch with a non-adjustable band without trying it on first is asking for it even worse.

We're already seeing the #Sologate, #Soloflex or whatever memes.

Apple should have made the solo bands in-store purchase only and then offered replacements online.

But that's just my two very, very insignificant cents.

 

[bpeeps]

"may" increase...damage control after poor engineering.

Have you ever used any item that stretches? This is what happens over time.

 

[cmaier]

I'm one of those unlucky doofs who had to exchange his whole watch just to swap the band out. I used the sizing tool in store and fell on a 7/tight 6 so I bought the 6. Got home because they don't let you put it on in the store, immediately found it too loose. Then spent the next day wearing it just to see how it fit. Decided I needed to get a tighter band. Went in the next day, spent two hours waiting for my appointment they made me make. Had to return everything. I didn't have the charger with me because I didn't expect to have to make a full return. They made me open the new watch in the store and hand them the charger. Entire experience was degrading.

I don't think that's what "degrading" means.

 

[Mw0103]

It shouldn't be all that difficult. They could have a simple pulldown menu, select watch size, and what current sport band size do you have (Small/Medium) or (Medium/Large) and what hole do you wear it on.

The problems with that:

(1) first-time Apple Watch buyers
(2) Apple Watch owners who purchased their watch with a sport loop, Milanese, modern buckle, or anything else without holes
(3) people who wear their sport band one size too big (I’ve seen many who wear their sport band so their watch can move around, which is too loose for pulse ox as I understand it).

I think their solution was probably the least bad of many bad solutions given that try-on in person is more limited than usual. This does, however, seem like a logistical nightmare of their own making.

 

[Rafterman]

I like the Milanese. One size fits all and it doesn''t wear as bad as cloth/leather ones.

 

[Rogifan]

I'm sorry but offering a non-adjustable watchband for the Watch is asking for it.

That said, buying (an expensive) Watch with a non-adjustable band without trying it on first is asking for it even worse.

We're already seeing the #Sologate, #Soloflex or whatever memes.

Apple should have made the solo bands in-store purchase only and then offered replacements online.

But that's just my two very, very insignificant cents.

That’s fine except not everyone has an Apple store near them. There are some states in the US that don’t have an Apple store at all.

 

[joeblough]

FWIW, i laid out my size 7 band over top of my sport loop. the sport loop would be clasped just inbetween the 4th and 5th holes, meaning the solo band is just slightly larger than where i wear the sport band (4).

but i guess owing to the fact that the solo loop doesn't overlap anything, the size 7 loop is way too big for my wrist.

 

[Bluetoot-]

In my opinion, the solo loop is one of apples most disastrous decisions to date.

I say shut the place down. It’s doomed.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Apple should have made the solo bands in-store purchase only and then offered replacements online.

People get upset when Apple has a thing that they can’t or don’t want to buy, too.

I CAN’T GET TO A STORE, THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST OFFERED A SIZE GAUGE THAT CAN BE PRINTED!!

Plus, everyone knows the only #sologate is whether or not he shot first.

 

[howywood]

I still want to know why the woven version costs $99..

Why does anything cost anything? For businesses to make money, bro.

 

[howywood]

"Who honestly doesn't realize that's ultimately going to happen?"
Do you even know people?

Here, here! In a world where half of people think the earth is flat, Christopher Columbus was a hero, and a pandemic is fake news ... who the F thinks people are gonna know a band will loosen overtime?

 

[howywood]

I really don't know why they even bothered releasing these. The regular sport band looks better and there is no headache with the different sizes.

What headache? Go to a store. Find your size. Buy.

Same headache as choosing between the 5000 different varieties of bands, no?

 

[Yojimbo007]

So you don't have to fiddle with buckling it. Could be useful for those with fine motor challenges.

Why would anybody want this band anyways?

Im my case.. while surfing or kitesurfing there have been occasions where both the Sport loop And Sport band have come loose due to impact with water or waves nearly causing the watch to come off my hand... im hopeing the Solo loop will address this valnnerabirlty .🤞🏼

 

[Justin Lawless]

I also don't know why they don't have the size guide indicate that if you currently wear a sport band on a 40/44mm watch on "this hole", your size sport band size is this. Would be that much easier for existing users with the sport band.

Probably because of the stretching. My Apple Watch 6 band has changed from one hole to a different one since I got it due to stretching. The minute they announced this new band I couldn't help but think about the stretching. Seems like a bad product idea to me.

 

[Haquers]

Can anyone with the largest size solo loop tell me how long it is or how long it gets? I wear my Apple Watch on my arm and want to know if the Solo Loop will be an option for me. I need the band to be about 13” in length when stretched.