How to Measure Your Wrist for Apple Watch Solo Loop Bands

[44267547]

This is legit funny. I think Apple needs to understand that most consumers probably ‘measure their wrist’ whats comfortable versus actually taking an exact measurement over a ‘sport band‘. I think this is a bit overboard to say the least.

I kind of picture the engineer who designed this, must be really be proud of how hard he/she worked for the design tool, but lost the train of thought to keep it simple.

 

[slvrscoobie]

the simple fact that you cant use your iPhone "measurement" app tells me that its not ready for prime time. this would have been the Perfect app for this type on silliness. "just measure it with your phone!"

 

[Stromos]

So I'll share my story since I keep reading people saying that people who got the measurements wrong are stupid. Measured my wrist and ordered an 8 day one. See the discussions measure again and cancelled my order that evening and ordered a size 7. Got my watch Wednesday. Could fit two fingers in the band with no stretching. Already sold my Series 5 to a coworker.

Scheduled a shopping session at the Apple Store across the street for Thursday and verified 30 mins prior all the smaller sizes are in stock in store. Got there said I had an appointment. Took my temperature told to stand in a line. Then they had someone else come and confirm my appointment. Go stand in the other line and get my temperature taken again. They take me inside. Stand on the other side of the table. Tell them the situation and that I want my arm measured. Guy get the one time use measuring thing. Says I am a size 7 or maybe even an 8!

So at this point I am highly entertained thinking about all the Macrumors folks that say its so easy/accurate. Take out the size 7 band and put it on for the Apple dude. He was totally shocked. So he gets a size 5 and 6 to try on. Size 5 ends up being my size. I wish I could try a size 4 but they didn't have one to try. So then he says they have to do the whole refund rebuy thing and I was like I know lets get it done. Says let me check inventory before we start. Sold the last size 5 in the session before mine. So I ask if any other stores have size 5. He fidgets with his phone and says I don't think so.

So I leave with my size 7 band and have wasted my lunch. At least I know what size I need. So I get back to work and schedule a session with another Apple store I can go to on my way home that shows size 5 in stock. Get to the second store. They take my temperature then say they got new instructions this morning that I can't wear my facemask into the store because it has a filter. They make me take my mask off and switch to a regular paper surgical mask. Whatever. Get inside this store and say that I've already done the song and dance earlier in the day. Ask if they have a size 4 I can try on. They don't (granted its more pure curiosity). So I just tell them I want a size 5. They say they think they have a way to take care of it without a return rebuy. They scan the band as a no receipt return with manager authorization and then give me the new band.

It is very comfortable. But what a pain in the rear even with stores open here. After the whole ordeal I think people should absolutely not get the solo loop without trying it on first.

 

[Rogifan]

What would really be nice is if Apple Stores were open for business and had these in stock for in-person purchasing.

They are in Minnesota.

 

[baryon]

Protip: If you don't have a tape measure, go and buy a tape measure.

 

[MozMan68]

I used both the printed tool and "paper" measurement and came up with the same number.

Solo band arrives today...green braided not scheduled to arrive for 8 more weeks

Hope it fits well!

 

[rmoliv]

So much trouble to choose the right fit. Lamest move by Apple ever. Fire whoever had this ideia at Apple!

 

[Attirex]

All of this clicking, printing, cutting, gluing, sizing, measuring, fiddling, stapling, marking, re-measuring, adding, subtracting, multiplying, square-rooting, giving of more money to Apple all so everyone can get a shiny, colorful new watch band....

....that no one will see because pandemic.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple: This is too complicated. Where’s
jony I’ve! Simplicity???

 

[Keniutek]

And people wonder why other nations makes fun of Americans. A 200 paragraphs on how to measure your wrist...

 

[MozMan68]

Apple: This is too complicated. Where’s
jony I’ve! Simplicity???

You'd have to order an extraordinary, clean, simple measuring tool online for $19.99 (10 week lead time).....but it's white!
[automerge]1601062537[/automerge]
oh boy...mine just showed up at the door...here we go....

 

[JohnApples]

I told my high school math teacher I would never use Algebra in real life.

Jokes on me now, I guess.

There’s no algebra required for this.

 

[MozMan68]

Well..could it be tighter? Yes.

Does it need to be? I don’t know.

It’s staying in position...it’s resting on my wrist...but it is looser than o typically wear the watch with the sport band.

Gonna live with it for now and see how I feel after wearing it for a while.

 

[tonie walker]

...so one night i decided to measure my wrist by using sport loop and mark the overlap, then place the sport loop on a flat surface and measure the length using apple measure app! tadah 14cm, its a 4 for 44mm the smallest but i have the option to select 5 for loose fit. Ordered the size 4 blue braided solo loop and expecting to arrive 25th of Nov but it was delivered after 4 days. Size 4 is the smallest for 44mm but its a bit loose and i think my size should be 3 which is non existence.

 

[lockhartt]

These bands were a stupid idea. Even if it fits you properly now, it won’t for long because the material will stretch with age.

The correct way to measure for a loop band is to skip the loop band and go with the sport band instead.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Well..could it be tighter? Yes.

Does it need to be? I don’t know.

It’s staying in position...it’s resting on my wrist...but it is looser than o typically wear the watch with the sport band.

Gonna live with it for now and see how I feel after wearing it for a while.

Given your description, I say return it, as it sounds too loose.

 

[JohnnieBBadde]

That's the beauty of these bands: Each time you put your watch on or take it off, you are stressing the elastic fibers of the bands until the fit becomes too loose and features like EKG or pulseoxymetry aren't working properly anymore.

Then you'll have to buy a new band and the old one cannot be used for anything anymore. Hooray for sales!

 

[Apple_Robert]

These bands were a stupid idea. Even if it fits you properly now, it won’t for long because the material will stretch with age.

The correct way to measure for a loop band is to skip the loop band and go with the sport band instead.

I am not planning on being buried with the Solo loop in x years. So what if it stretches a little in two years. I will get a new one. Not a big deal.

 

[scotio200]

Was passing an Apple Store when in Haarlem yesterday and it was empty so we asked at the door if we could have a look and see what fit would be best. We were allowed in and was introduced to a very nervous “specialist” who gave us both an official Apple measuring tool (looks like the one on the website but it’s pre printed and had a sticker to stick to your wrist.)

we both stuck it to our wrist, wrapped it round and took note of where the arrows pointed to. The specialist then told us that we should be taking the number at the edge of the square and not where the arrows where pointing to 🤷🏻‍♂️

My fiancé was after a new strap so she then tried on several sizes, turns out that the number the arrows pointed to where correct. However as she has a series 3 38mm watch they don’t do the size she needs in the 40mm version apparently, again we where just going off what the specialist told us and I haven’t actually checked online. And they didn’t have stock of the 40mm straps although they do fit the older watch, even though Apple say they are not compatible for some reason.

Find it tough to think that even Apples own retail staff can’t get this right, what chances do the average consumer have? As they had no stock we would have ordered online, but would have gotten the wrong size going off what the specialist told us.

I also think they should make the sizes universal, for the leather link they have 2 sizes and give you the size range in mm, why not in the same size numbers as the solo loop?

 

[Asarien]

The very first horologist solved this centuries ago by making wrist bands adjustable.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The very first horologist solved this centuries ago by making wrist bands adjustable.

Sorry. I am not into horror films.

 

[Return Zero]

That first pic is on point...

Came here to say this. I don't know about most people, but I like to use the sport band to cinch up when I'm doing something active, then bump it back down a notch for casual wear. Needless to say I most likely will never be ordering a watch with a band like this, but it's cool to have the option for those who want it.

 

[gaximus]

So I'll share my story since I keep reading people saying that people who got the measurements wrong are stupid. Measured my wrist and ordered an 8 day one. See the discussions measure again and cancelled my order that evening and ordered a size 7. Got my watch Wednesday. Could fit two fingers in the band with no stretching. Already sold my Series 5 to a coworker.

Scheduled a shopping session at the Apple Store across the street for Thursday and verified 30 mins prior all the smaller sizes are in stock in store. Got there said I had an appointment. Took my temperature told to stand in a line. Then they had someone else come and confirm my appointment. Go stand in the other line and get my temperature taken again. They take me inside. Stand on the other side of the table. Tell them the situation and that I want my arm measured. Guy get the one time use measuring thing. Says I am a size 7 or maybe even an 8!

So at this point I am highly entertained thinking about all the Macrumors folks that say its so easy/accurate. Take out the size 7 band and put it on for the Apple dude. He was totally shocked. So he gets a size 5 and 6 to try on. Size 5 ends up being my size. I wish I could try a size 4 but they didn't have one to try. So then he says they have to do the whole refund rebuy thing and I was like I know lets get it done. Says let me check inventory before we start. Sold the last size 5 in the session before mine. So I ask if any other stores have size 5. He fidgets with his phone and says I don't think so.

So I leave with my size 7 band and have wasted my lunch. At least I know what size I need. So I get back to work and schedule a session with another Apple store I can go to on my way home that shows size 5 in stock. Get to the second store. They take my temperature then say they got new instructions this morning that I can't wear my facemask into the store because it has a filter. They make me take my mask off and switch to a regular paper surgical mask. Whatever. Get inside this store and say that I've already done the song and dance earlier in the day. Ask if they have a size 4 I can try on. They don't (granted its more pure curiosity). So I just tell them I want a size 5. They say they think they have a way to take care of it without a return rebuy. They scan the band as a no receipt return with manager authorization and then give me the new band.

It is very comfortable. But what a pain in the rear even with stores open here. After the whole ordeal I think people should absolutely not get the solo loop without trying it on first.

So what you're saying is that the measuring isn't the problem, its that Apple's sizes don't match the measurements? Which this article isn't going to help solve.

 

[Ravi_MR]

There’s no algebra required for this.

I believe it was a joke
Also, we could make an equation out of this situation.
X stands for the unknown size of the band I need to get.
Y is the measurable size per apple's method.
According to the forum's advice, X= Y-1
😅

 

[walshmee]

FWIW

I went to an open Apple store yesterday and got “fitted” for the new loop bands, here is my feedback:

- Using the in-store watch measuring tool (basically a paper Apple Watch that you stick to your wrist) I measured a size 8 (which was inaccurate to the actual bands)
- my accurate size for the Sport Solo Loop ended up being a size 7
- and for the Braided Solo Loop I was a size 6

I was also able to do an exchange for the Sport band that I originally purchased with my AW6.

Hope this is helpful to someone out there.