Solo Loop sizing accuracy?

[CarolG]

My Solo Loop arrived today. Using Apple’s measurement tool, I came in between 7-8. I went with 7 and it’s a perfect fit. If I were to get the braided nylon, I think I’d go with a 6.

My Black Solo Loop is arriving on Sunday! I am using that band with my Red Apple Watch as a “test size” before the Product Red Solo Loop and Braided Loop go on sale in October. I will probably go down a size in the braided loop from what I keep reading.

 

[craigc_]

Another data point to add: measured a size 7 using the print-out method and measuring tape method from Apple. Picked it up from the store today and it looks to be about two sizes too big. On the phone with support to see if I can get a replacement expedited to me.

 

[alee]

6 3/4" wrist. Measured as a 7. On a whim, I found a braided loop in stock in a 6, bought it, tried it and it's the right fit. Just a hair snug, but confident it will break-in and be perfect. I think a 7 would have been too loose right out the gate.

 

[Beau10]

Another data point to add: measured a size 7 using the print-out method and measuring tape method from Apple. Picked it up from the store today and it looks to be about two sizes too small. On the phone with support to see if I can get a replacement expedited to me.

Wait - are you saying that you need to go *up* two sizes? I think that may be a first, it's rare to see going up one size.

 

[craigc_]

Wait - are you saying that you need to go *up* two sizes? I think that may be a first, it's rare to see going up one size.

Sorry I meant two size too big! Edited my original post.

 

[Apple_Robert]

My gold stainless steel watch with size 4 black solo loop was just delivered. I used the paper tool printed off the website to measure. Put it over the non-tanned area of my wrist where I normally wear my watch. It measured between 5 and 4. I ordered the 4 and it is a bit loose. I like to wear the band loose but this is just a little bit too loose.

Are stores allowing exchanges of just the bands?

Yes. Apple has changed their policy in the last 2 days to allow just the band return from a watch band combination purchase.

 

[harrypraneeth]

I dropped in to Apple Store, Seattle today to try in some braided solo loops. The Apple store sizing guides showed up as I’m size 7, after trying on size 5 was the perfect fit for me. Fortunately they had one 44mm blue braided loop in stock and snagged one. Happy with it

 

[strakagirl]

Thanks everyone for the input on this thread.

• 15cm wrist measurement with a soft tape measure.
• On the line between a 4 and a 5 using the measuring strip.
• SM sports band on a 42mm SS S3. Could use the 2nd smallest hole, but prefer using the 3rd.
• Website recommended either the size 4 or the size 5.
• Went with the size 5 because I prefer my watch a bit loose
• This is way too loose. Size 4 would have been fine; possible that the size 3 might be ok if I wanted a tight fit.

 

[Apple fanboy]

My gold stainless steel watch with size 4 black solo loop was just delivered. I used the paper tool printed off the website to measure. Put it over the non-tanned area of my wrist where I normally wear my watch. It measured between 5 and 4. I ordered the 4 and it is a bit loose. I like to wear the band loose but this is just a little bit too loose.

Are stores allowing exchanges of just the bands?

I exchanged just the band. No issues at all.

 

[tdbrown75]

Measured using the Apple sizing guide at an 8. Also used a measuring tape, measured at 7" which suggested an 8 or 9 with 8 recommended. Ordered both the 8 braided and 8 solo loop. Braided is a perfect fit, does not move up or down but not tight at all, super comfortable. Waiting for the solo loop to arrive Friday, I expect it will fit well also.

Size 8 Solo loop arrived today, also a perfect fit.

Tim

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thanks everyone for the input on this thread.

• 15cm wrist measurement with a soft tape measure.
• On the line between a 4 and a 5 using the measuring strip.
• SM sports band on a 42mm SS S3. Could use the 2nd smallest hole, but prefer using the 3rd.
• Website recommended either the size 4 or the size 5.
• Went with the size 5 because I prefer my watch a bit loose
• This is way too loose. Size 4 would have been fine; possible that the size 3 might be ok if I wanted a tight fit.

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I like that Cypress Green band. Looking good.

OT: I see you have Kazoo as your avatar. That is old school Flintstones. Great show.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I like that Cypress Green band. Looking good.

OT: I see you have Kazoo as your avatar. That is old school Flintstones. Great show.

I like it too. Cypress green and black are a good combination.

 

[Sdnyfl123]

Do you have a sport loop where you know which hole the pin goes into for your size? A size 10 corresponds to the 3rd hole from the end on the M/L sport loop band.View attachment 955922

Carac thanks for the pic here. It’s a great benchmark. Just one question: Is this really the best way to think about sizing? The original sports bands are rigid (no stretch), so a tight fit is uncomfortable. However the solo loop and solo braided loop have stretch and as such a more comfortable fit likely is one where the band is snug. Maybe I’m missing something, but wouldn’t that suggest sizing down 1 or more to get a fit that is snug enough not to move but not so snug as to be uncomfortable?

 

[mikethebigo]

Carac thanks for the pic here. It’s a great benchmark. Just one question: Is this really the best way to think about sizing? The original sports bands are rigid (no stretch), so a tight fit is uncomfortable. However the solo loop and solo braided loop have stretch and as such a more comfortable fit likely is one where the band is snug. Maybe I’m missing something, but wouldn’t that suggest sizing down 1 or more to get a fit that is snug enough not to move but not so snug as to be uncomfortable?

I have found that if you opt for a tighter fit, the sport band is actually more comfortable than the solo loop. I think that's because the loop has elasticity and gives a squeezing feeling while the sport band is more neutral. When I wear a tighter fitting solo loop with that sense of constant constriction/squeezing, I'm much more aware of it throughout the day. In fact, I think I'm going to size up because of this.

I don't think there is a good size where it's tight enough for athletic activity but also loose enough to be comfortable all day. Probably one of the failings of the loop for me.

 

[Evil Dan]

I have found that if you opt for a tighter fit, the sport band is actually more comfortable than the solo loop. I think that's because the loop has elasticity and gives a squeezing feeling while the sport band is more neutral. When I wear a tighter fitting solo loop with that sense of constant constriction/squeezing, I'm much more aware of it throughout the day. In fact, I think I'm going to size up because of this.

I don't think there is a good size where it's tight enough for athletic activity but also loose enough to be comfortable all day. Probably one of the failings of the loop for me.

Interesting because I've found it the opposite, so lot of user variability. Solo loop much more comfortable than the sport band as it doesn't have any lateral movement and adjusts to wrist/arm movements without moving up and down the arm. I have it snug and leaves a very slight imprint at the end of the day but I find it really comfy to wear.

I prefer the solo loop to the braided solo loop and I'm swapping out the braided loop I ordered with my S6 watch for the leather link as a result (also it was 2 sizes too big!)

 

[mikethebigo]

Interesting because I've found it the opposite, so lot of user variability. Solo loop much more comfortable than the sport band as it doesn't have any lateral movement and adjusts to wrist/arm movements without moving up and down the arm. I have it snug and leaves a very slight imprint at the end of the day but I find it really comfy to wear.

I prefer the solo loop to the braided solo loop and I'm swapping out the braided loop I ordered with my S6 watch for the leather link as a result (also it was 2 sizes too big!)

Yeah I'm sure there is a ton of user variability. In my case I have RSI in both wrists from a lot of computer use and gaming when I was younger, so I'm sure my nerves and tendons are more sensitive to constriction than others. But for some reason, they seem to react better to neutral pressure than the squeezing pressure of the solo loop. So YMMV.

 

[Cotypubby]

So I was finally able to try on some of the solo loops today. My wrist measures 144cm, on the tool I printed at home I was right on the line between 3/4, the in store tool had me in the middle of 3. I tried on a size 3 braided loop and it was great! Size 2 was also comfortable, it was snug, probably would prefer the 3. They did not have the solo loop in a 3, they only had a 2 to try on. The 2 was snug, but not too bad, however I have a feeling the 3 may be better. So for me at least, it seems the measuring tool is pretty accurate.

The gap is also not as bad in person, at least not on the smaller watch.

 

[Beau10]

So I was finally able to try on some of the solo loops today. My wrist measures 144cm, on the tool I printed at home I was right on the line between 3/4, the in store tool had me in the middle of 3. I tried on a size 3 braided loop and it was great! Size 2 was also comfortable, it was snug, probably would prefer the 3. They did not have the solo loop in a 3, they only had a 2 to try on. The 2 was snug, but not too bad, however I have a feeling the 3 may be better. So for me at least, it seems the measuring tool is pretty accurate.
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The gap is also not as bad in person, at least not on the smaller watch.

With all due respect, you're pulling it super tight, esp. Apple's measurement tool. You're not supposed to do this under tension like that (but, really maybe we all should be lol). You'd likely be firmly in a 4 if you just had it normally snug.

 

[Cotypubby]

With all due respect, you're pulling it super tight, esp. Apple's measurement tool. You're not supposed to do this under tension like that (but, really maybe we all should be lol). You'd likely be firmly in a 4 if you just had it normally snug.

The instructions say to wrap it tightly. I think that is why so many people are getting larger sizes than actually fit. The employee said that was the right way to do it, and he was right.

4 would be way too big.

 

[Beau10]

The instructions say to wrap it tightly. I think that is why so many people are getting larger sizes than actually fit. The employee said that was the right way to do it, and he was right.

4 would be way too big.

Based on the wonky results we're getting it probably should done this way. But again, that is way under tension, well beyond snug. I don't think Apple intended for people to do it like that. There is no standard there... you could conceivably pull it even tighter to the next level down.

Yes, a lot of us are going 1-2 sizes down, myself included. With a cloth tape measure, no slack at all (ie. how a tailor would actually measure you), I measure 165mm on the dot, which is a low 7, but I take a 5.

 

[Apple_Robert]

With all due respect, you're pulling it super tight, esp. Apple's measurement tool. You're not supposed to do this under tension like that (but, really maybe we all should be lol). You'd likely be firmly in a 4 if you just had it normally snug.

If the Solo loop is going to slowly expand over time due to use and varying conditions, it makes sense that Apple said to make sure you have a snug fit, so that the band would not end up sliding off the wrist or just causing the watch to not have good contact with the skin.

 

[Beau10]

If the Solo loop is going to slowly expand over time due to use and varying conditions, it makes sense that Apple said to make sure you have a snug fit, so that the band would not end up sliding off the wrist or just causing the watch to not have good contact with the skin.

I'm not arguing snug. I'm arguing a standard for measurement. Take another look at the photo using the Apple tool above with the skin bulging out of the sides - it's way beyond snug, under significant tension. Snug means no slack.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I'm not arguing snug. I'm arguing a standard for measurement. Take another look at the photo using the Apple tool above with the skin bulging out of the sides - it's way beyond snug, under significant tension. Snug means no slack.

The picture you mentioned is how I am wearing my Solo loop right now. It may be a little too tight for many here but, it works for me. I don’t have to worry about it getting loose when I am covered in sweat from running all day, or when my arm gets wet from rain, or the wrist shrinks from temperature and or weight. It will stretch over the coming months and it will still fit properly.

 

[Beau10]

The picture you mentioned is how I am wearing my Solo loop right now. It may be a little too tight for many here but, it works for me. I don’t have to worry about it getting loose when I am covered in sweat from running all day, or when my arm gets wet from rain, or the wrist shrinks from temperature and or weight. It will stretch over the coming months.

My 2-size down solo loop isn't anywhere close to what is shown in that photo - if it didn't stretch it probably would be about there though. It hasn't moved even a little bit over the week I've had it and been through various workouts and one brisk run. That looks crazy uncomfortable.

 

[mikethebigo]

The picture you mentioned is how I am wearing my Solo loop right now. It may be a little too tight for many here but, it works for me. I don’t have to worry about it getting loose when I am covered in sweat from running all day, or when my arm gets wet from rain, or the wrist shrinks from temperature and or weight. It will stretch over the coming months and it will still fit properly.

Surprised your hand isn’t turning blue holy cow 😂