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Black Sport Band VS. Black Sport Loop?
- Thread starter kat.hayes
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It's all based on personal preference. For me, I prefer the sport band. It doesn't get as dirty, it repels moisture a lot better and it's easier to clean when you need to. Plus, it doesn't absorb sweat.
Nothing is easier to clean than the silicone sport bands. So if you plan to wear it to the gym, you just wash it and dry it with a towel and you’re done. The sport loop will take a bit longer to dry after you wash it, but I’ve only owned a sport loop for a short week and I understand it dries quickly.
Both are comfortable. The loop can be infinitely adjusted for the perfect fit, but my sport band also fits me well. The loop is more breathable.
As far as looks go... I believe the black sport band used to have some flaking issues, but hopefully those have been resolved. My 3 year old blue sport loop still looks new. The black sport loop has some red woven into the black that you can see, so if you are looking for a totally black band the sport band might be better. The Nike black sport loop has reflective thread woven into the black instead of the red.
Both are comfortable. The loop can be infinitely adjusted for the perfect fit, but my sport band also fits me well. The loop is more breathable.
As far as looks go... I believe the black sport band used to have some flaking issues, but hopefully those have been resolved. My 3 year old blue sport loop still looks new. The black sport loop has some red woven into the black that you can see, so if you are looking for a totally black band the sport band might be better. The Nike black sport loop has reflective thread woven into the black instead of the red.
I like the look of the sports loop but the third party ones for both types of bands on Amazon (between $8-$12) are fine as well so worth getting one of the other if you get the Apple version with your watch. I see no reason to spend $50 for Apple bands and I'm the last to say that the quality of Apple isn't worth it but in this case, it really is too expensive to go all Apple on the bands. I think I'd like a rubber band to try but got the grey sports loop instead and I've had no problem with it drying and is very comfortable when working out. I also got a cheap 3 pack of "leather" bands for a dressier look for work in two variations of brown and one of black that look really nice and was only $15. I match it to my clothing of the day and it's "fun" to have that variation for so cheap.
I agree that the Apple bands are overpriced. The only genuine Apple bands I own are the ones that came with my watches. Neither looks or feels like a $50 product. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with them. It just seems like a lot for what they are. My leather Clockwork Synergy band cost less and is much nicer.
I’m not trying to single out your post here, but the sport band is not Rubber, it’s actually flueroastamer, which basically is a highly durable material that is resistant to almost anything, and it’s difficult to stain and damage this band made of this material. That said, the Sport band is very comfortable, although, it does trap moisture under the wrist and is not as breathable as the black Sport Loop may be.
I like the sports loop over the sports band because of the adjustment. It is also more breathable and lighter.
On the other hand it is more difficult to clean and takes longer to dry as others have mentioned.
On the other hand it is more difficult to clean and takes longer to dry as others have mentioned.
I like the sport band better, feels thinner and not as bulky and you don’t have to worry about getting it wet.
They are definitely premium looking and feeling. There are no third party band that can even come close. I do not buy any band but Apple anymore. All the 3 party band I’ve bought have been sent back or simply thrown away.
Sport loop >>> Sport band.
+ Infinite adjustability/perfect fit with the velcro strap.
- Can obtain a smell if not washed regularly/dry time.
+ Infinite adjustability/perfect fit with the velcro strap.
- Can obtain a smell if not washed regularly/dry time.
There are good third party bands and there are crap third party bands. Of the genuine Apple bands I own (Sport band and sport loop) I would say the fluoroelasromer Sport band feels more premium. It’s a very nice band for what it is. The Sport Loop is a great band, but it’s a glorified Velcro strap. I don’t think either band costs Apple much at all to produce, but $49 is their entry level band price whether it’s the Sport band, loop, or woven nylon. All are nice, but Apple would sell a lot more if they knocked them down to $30, or even less.
My post was just saying that I own a $45 third party leather band that is nicer than my genuine Apple bands in the same price range. Great leather, great adapter and buckle finish. Now I also bought a $20 leather loop knockoff that looked good, but only for about a year. I would gladly pay Apple $150 for a genuine leather loop if they made on for the 38/40mm watches. To me that is a reasonable price for such a band.
I enjoy my third party bands, but you are correct, they don’t match Apples quality in terms of materials used, thickness, even though they do resemble Apples bands almost identically, the quality is set apart and easily favored with Apple’s. The Caveat to the third-party bands, is that you do pay significantly less, and for some, they would rather have the money saved in terms of having a band that looks like Apples, even though it’s not the same quality.