Every Apple Watch band Apple released. Ever.

[Clarke_G]

Did you guys notice that they seem to have changed the texture of the new Braided Solo Loops? At least from picture, the pattern seem different. Can you confirm it?
Do you think it's a functional difference (I don't know, less streatchable over time maybe?) or just an aesthetical difference (like when they changed the texture of the sport loops?).

 

[athousandbands]

Did you guys notice that they seem to have changed the texture of the new Braided Solo Loops? At least from picture, the pattern seem different. Can you confirm it?
Do you think it's a functional difference (I don't know, less streatchable over time maybe?) or just an aesthetical difference (like when they changed the texture of the sport loops?).

They definitely changed the knit to be more dense and either made it more shiny or that’s just a consequence of the finer pattern.

I speculated here that maybe there’s something functional to fight the stretching, and maybe my new ones feel more snug…but then sometimes my old ones feel nice and snug too.

 

[Colepail]

They definitely changed the knit to be more dense and either made it more shiny or that’s just a consequence of the finer pattern.

I speculated here that maybe there’s something functional to fight the stretching, and maybe my new ones feel more snug…but then sometimes my old ones feel nice and snug too.

I don’t think the new ones stretch as easy at all.

 

[Clarke_G]

I don’t think the new ones stretch as easy at all.

That is an interesting comparison to make in a few months. I hope you guys are right and that Apple fixed the stretching issue 🤞

 

[Colepail]

That is an interesting comparison to make in a few months. I hope you guys are right and that Apple fixed the stretching issue 🤞

Yep. Time will tell, eh?

 

[Xing0020508]

Are there any bands except for Gray/Black that have a black ceramic pin?

 

[ssledoux]

Anyone maybe have a sequoia and clover they could post a pic of?

 

[Taubenweg]

Anyone maybe have a sequoia and clover they could post a pic of?

Anyone maybe have a sequoia and clover they could post a pic of?

 

[heyyitssusan]

Red Gen 5

 

[ssledoux]

Thank you for the comparison pic! I wanted to get an idea of how clover would look next to sequoia - I think I'll be happy with it!

 

[ssledoux]

My new abyss blue solo loop on starlight Series 7. I love how it looks with the abyss blue contour face!

Not sure why the darn thing is sideways.

 

[Ale Valerie]

My new abyss blue solo loop on starlight Series 7. I love how it looks with the abyss blue contour face!

Not sure why the darn thing is sideways.

Abyss is one of my favorites on Starlight!

 

[PaladinGuy]

That is an interesting comparison to make in a few months. I hope you guys are right and that Apple fixed the stretching issue

They still stretch some. I went with a size 4 this time on the abyss blue. I compared it in store to a 5, and the sizes were identical. Not sure if it’ll stretch anymore, but I don’t want it to be as loose as my size 5 Atlantic blue band.

 

[PaladinGuy]

Did you guys notice that they seem to have changed the texture of the new Braided Solo Loops? At least from picture, the pattern seem different. Can you confirm it?
Do you think it's a functional difference (I don't know, less streatchable over time maybe?) or just an aesthetical difference (like when they changed the texture of the sport loops?).

The weave is definitely different. I thought at first that it was tighter and that the bands wouldn’t stretch out anymore. I confirmed this is not the case (at least for me). My size 4 is now identical to a size 5 after wearing it since launch of the series 7.

Moral of the story to me is this: if you would be unhappy with the fit after a little stretching, it’s safest to go one size lower still. However, I strongly think it depends on how you like wearing it. That’s why I think there’s so much confusion about the sizes. What “fits” one person may not “fit” someone else, based on their preference. If you want reliable SP02 readings, it’s probably best to be more on the snug side.

 

[Colepail]

They still stretch some. I went with a size 4 this time on the abyss blue. I compared it in store to a 5, and the sizes were identical. Not sure if it’ll stretch anymore, but I don’t want it to be as loose as my size 5 Atlantic blue band.

Here’s some food for thought…. I ordered Dark Cherry and Product Red 45mm Braided Solo Loops in size 5 and they arrived together on the same day. After unboxing I placed them side by side before trying them on. It was obvious enough to notice that the Dary Cherry was longer by maybe a mm right out of the box. Perhaps simply because of the composition of the braided loops there will be slight discrepancies in the actual size of the band when new. I doubt you’d see this with the Solo Loop when new because of its solid molded nature.
Not sure what the long term outcome would be between the two braided loops I received that day as I sent back the Product Red Within a few days. Has anyone else noticed this, or maybe it was just a anomaly?

 

[PaladinGuy]

Here’s some food for thought…. I ordered Dark Cherry and Product Red 45mm Braided Solo Loops in size 5 and they arrived together on the same day. After unboxing I placed them side by side before trying them on. It was obvious enough to notice that the Dary Cherry was longer by maybe a mm right out of the box. Perhaps simply because of the composition of the braided loops there will be slight discrepancies in the actual size of the band when new. I doubt you’d see this with the Solo Loop when new because of its solid molded nature.
Not sure what the long term outcome would be between the two braided loops I received that day as I sent back the Product Red Within a few days. Has anyone else noticed this, or maybe it was just a anomaly?

I would not at all be surprised to see this. They absolutely have some quality tolerances.

 

[Clarke_G]

Seems like, no matter what, solo loops are gonna stretch. I wish Apple would drop the price accordingly: if it's a band that is not gonna last more than a year or two, it's crazy to ask 99$ (or euros, here in Europe) for it, the same price as a milanese loop that could potentially last forever.
But people are happy and purchasing it since the price is so high and solid, I guess. Maybe in a few years..

 

[Colepail]

Seems like, no matter what, solo loops are gonna stretch. I wish Apple would drop the price accordingly: if it's a band that is not gonna last more than a year or two, it's crazy to ask 99$ (or euros, here in Europe) for it, the same price as a milanese loop that could potentially last forever.
But people are happy and purchasing it since the price is so high and solid, I guess. Maybe in a few years..You never know

Agreed. It was a shocker when they dropped the price of the Leather Loops by $50 US a few years back. Who saw that coming?
I like the Braided Loops, but they certainly are not built to last in the way the SS or leather bands are so I wish the price was lower as well. The other thing that bothers me is if you ever want to tone down the collection and sell off some bands….. because of the precise sizing of the solo bands… your target customer base becomes infinitely smaller.

 

[Clarke_G]

Agreed. It was a shocker when they dropped the price of the Leather Loops by $50 US a few years back. Who saw that coming?
I like the Braided Loops, but they certainly are not built to last in the way the SS or leather bands are so I wish the price was lower as well. The other thing that bothers me is if you ever want to tone down the collection and sell off some bands….. because of the precise sizing of the solo bands… your target customer base becomes infinitely smaller.

Especially if you have an "extreme" size like myself (size 2). It took me a full year to find it on EBay/Vinted since I didn't wanna pay apple the full price of the Braided Solo Loop.
Let's see how it's gonna hold up for me...the look and the feel is awesome, if it doesn't stretch too much too quickly I could even convince myself it's worth the extra price.

 

[Colepail]

Especially if you have an "extreme" size like myself (size 2). It took me a full year to find it on EBay/Vinted since I didn't wanna pay apple the full price of the Braided Solo Loop.
Let's see how it's gonna hold up for me...the look and the feel is awesome, if it doesn't stretch too much too quickly I could even convince myself it's worth the extra price.

Yep. At least you found a deal on one to experiment with.
I’ll only ever have a couple of the solo loop styles in my collection for all the reasons we just discussed.
I shudder at the thought of Apple one day changing the watch design and lug connectors….. there would be a mass exodus of bands on ebay driving resale prices down…… and I’d be one of them being the idiot who needs the latest and greatest watch every year. 😣
For fear of this alone I’ll stick with the more…. adjustable bands.
if Apple ever did roll out something completely different (eg. round face), hopefully they would release a “legacy” model with updated features as well to appease those with a lot invested in existing accessories that may not be compatible with a massive redesign.
But it wouldn’t shock me if they didn’t….. you know, because they have “courage”….. 🙄

 

[ssledoux]

Well, all this talk about the bands stretching and not really lasting has me second-guessing my order of 3 more solo loops. I absolutely love the way the size 5 fits, but I don't wear my bands tight. I am certainly concerned now that if the 5 stretches, it'll be too big, and it seems like stretching is a certainty.

Guess I definitely need to try a 4.

 

[Colepail]

Well, all this talk about the bands stretching and not really lasting has me second-guessing my order of 3 more solo loops. I absolutely love the way the size 5 fits, but I don't wear my bands tight. I am certainly concerned now that if the 5 stretches, it'll be too big, and it seems like stretching is a certainty.

Guess I definitely need to try a 4.

Doesn’t hurt to try another size when returns are free! 😉

 

[ssledoux]

Doesn’t hurt to try another size when returns are free! 😉

I know. I just hate returning stuff, but I did order a starlight solo loop in a size 4 to try. If it fits pretty comfortably, knowing it will stretch I'll go ahead and return all my 5s after my other 3 arrive, and maybe just order one more since y'all have me scared of buying so many solo loops now.

I guess I am curious though - if you had several and the same one wasn't getting worn daily, wouldn't they stretch less quickly and last longer?

 

[athousandbands]

Do we have reports of silicone solo loop stretching?

 

[DianaMR]

Seems like, no matter what, solo loops are gonna stretch. I wish Apple would drop the price accordingly: if it's a band that is not gonna last more than a year or two, it's crazy to ask 99$ (or euros, here in Europe) for it, the same price as a milanese loop that could potentially last forever.
But people are happy and purchasing it since the price is so high and solid, I guess. Maybe in a few years..

I read that all you have to do is put your band in the dryer with a wet cloth and it will come out like new.