can someone else help me pick wristband size?

[TrancyGoose]

Hey folks,

We got our first ever Apple Watches today, we got SE models, me 44mm and wife 38mm.

Then we went on amazon to pick some wristbands, as the silicon ones are not very much to our liking.

But then, we were met with this:

I am extra confused now.
I have 44, but why is there 42/44mm?
Also, it seems the "longer option" that i had in my box, the second longer strap fits me ok, but I can't seem to find the size of original strap inside our boxes for 38 and 44.

Has anyone done this before and can help understand the size we need to get?

 

[mk313]

The Apple watches up through series 3 had 38 and 42 mm screens. The watches since series 4 have had 40/44 mm screens. The bands for the 38 and 40 mm watches are interchangeable as are the ones for the 42 and 44 mm versions.

I’m nit sure as to the length question.

 

[waw74]

I can't seem to find the size of original strap inside our boxes for 38 and 44.

the second number is the size of your wrist.

there's no way to tell the "size" of the original bands because it depends on which hole you use. Both sizes have an inch or two of adjustment, the bands your listing only have 1/3 of an inch, meaning each size apple band would cover a few of those you've posted.

get a soft tape measure and go around your wrist, or wrap paper around your wrist, and measure that.

 

[mcaswell]

If you go to Apple's site and start the process of buying a loop band, there's a PDF you can download and print to help make an easy and accurate measurement. There's an outline of a watch and band which you cut out and wrap around your wrist, which will give you the band size (the #2, #4, #6, etc. in your image... most of these third-party band sellers also list Apple's sizing).

 

[bricktop_at]

Apart from the sizing, I strongly suggest getting a strap from Apple (I assume you‘re after a braided solo loop).
I tried a couple of those „fakes“ and they are nowhere near the quality and feel of the Apple version.

 

[mcaswell]

Apart from the sizing, I strongly suggest getting a strap from Apple (I assume you‘re after a braided solo loop).
I tried a couple of those „fakes“ and they are nowhere near the quality and feel of the Apple version.

I've always had great experiences with the non-Apple silicone sport bands, but in shopping for a third-party braided solo loop, it seems like many of them suffer from the issue of the band pulling loose from the watch adapter. Most of them are plastic, but there's at least one seller on AliExpress (which I found in the third-party band thread here) that has them with metal adapters (as well as the band tapering out where it meets the watch), so I decided to try one of those. Will be very careful with it for the first few months.

Edit: oh, but one other consideration... most (if not all) of these third-party braided solo loops only have S-M-L sizes available, as opposed to the Apple braided loops, which have 9 different sizes available for each watch size. That means for some people, they won't be able to get a perfect fit with a third-party band (for instance, medium might be too loose, small might be too tight).

 

[bricktop_at]

I've always had great experiences with the non-Apple silicone sport bands…

From my experience, they are OK (especially the URVOI ones) - but nothing more.
What irks me is that they quite soon look used, kind of shiny and seem to collect lots of dust/lint, while the flouroelastomer straps from Apple look more or less new even after getting worn a lot.
After getting myself the S6 SSG I stopped wearing the 3rd party straps completely as they ruin the experience for me.
In my book, the Apple straps are worth their price and you can find sweet deals from time to time

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Apart from the sizing, I strongly suggest getting a strap from Apple (I assume you‘re after a braided solo loop).
I tried a couple of those „fakes“ and they are nowhere near the quality and feel of the Apple version.

I went through more 3rd party braided loops than I'd like to admit and like you all of them were not worth it for several different reasons. The Apple version is undoubtedly too expensive and would be a better sell at $49 like there sport bands, sport loop and solo loops but it seems you get what you pay for.

 

[TrancyGoose]

Thank you for all your responses! IT does seem when you buy a third party it looks great on a photo and looks like crap when it arrives, connections are wiggly.... but, I do find that Apple straps cost a ridiculous amount of money, some go as far as 150 EUR. I will need to marinate myself on the idea of buying a strap before spending that much cash on it, lol!