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Solo Loop sizing accuracy?

iLoveDeveloping said:
My wrist measured 17.3 Apple said it was a size 8. So I got a size 8 and it’s PERFECT. Not to lose not to tight. I wore it to bed and it’s actually a tiny bit to tight for that but during the day it is exactly the size I need. Doesn’t move around and fits so snug. It’s weird how so many people are having issues with this!

What’s wrong with your wrists man!!!!

😄
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I hope I am as lucky as you were. My wrist measured 14.7 mm, which according to apple's guide is a size 4. With the printable tool I fall between 4 and 5, and the method of comparing to the S/M sport band (which I wear on the 2nd tightest hole, that is the 2nd hole closest to the case when I am wearing the watch) with apple's printable tool also shows I would be between size 4 and 5 so I ordered a size 4, which also happens to be the second smallest size they have for a 44 mm watch case (which makes sense since I've always been that close to the smallest size on every other type of band I've bought so far). I will update once I get my solo loop (Monday) with the results as to how it fits. I had no choice but to order online, since the closest Apple Store is 65 mi away from where I live and at this time the solo and braided solo loops are only available for purchase directly from Apple; they're not yet available to purchase from either one of the two premium resellers of Apple products who do have brick and mortar stores in my area (the solo and braided solo loop bands are indeed listed as 'only at Apple' products on Apple's website).

It's also worth to note that Apple has updated the printable sizing tool since they released the solo and braided solo loops last September. The original printable sizing tool they had on their website in September had sharper edges, while the one they now have as of this writing (Dec 19th, 2020) has rounded corners, so maybe this new printable sizing tool is more accurate than the older one. I am attaching both pdf files so everyone can compare the two.
 

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For me, measuring my wrist with a tape measurer and then putting in the size of my wrist worked more accurately than the sizing tool. The tool seemed to measure me close to a 4. My wrist size caused the recommendation to be a straight 5. I bought a 4 and a 5 to be safe. The 5 was the better fit. I was worried at first that maybe the 5 would end up stretching and being too big, but the 4 is just too tight when my wrist swells.
 
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Ok here is my update: Size 4 with the 44 mm watch was a pretty good fit for me. It felt a tad looser than the sport band (which I wear rather tight), but snug enough so the watch doesn't really move on my wrist. And it leaves enough room for my wrist to swell when the weather gets warmer. I am attaching two pictures of my series 4 with the solo loop for reference. I think the secret for apple's printable sizing tool to work was to stick one end of apple's printable sizing tool on my wrist with tape and pull the other end around my wrist until the paper 'band' was really tight on it. Seems to me that those whose size turned out to be one or two less than what the tool indicated might have been holding the paper band too loose on their wrist and that was the reason for the poor result in sizing their solo loop. Just to be sure I also confirmed using the measuring tape method and the comparison with the sport band that has been posted all over the internet, both of which also indicated I'd be a size 4. I do find it a bit difficult to put on and take off the band though.

One more thing: I still have my original Apple Watch lying around, so just out of curiosity I decided to snap the Solo Loop on it and see what happened, since Apple does say that the solo loop (and also the braided solo loop) is only compatible with series 4 or later. The result: the solo loop fist the OG Apple Watch just fine and I noticed no difference in how it looks or how it fits me vs the series 4 for which I bought that solo band. I am attaching two pictures of my OG apple watch with the solo loop on it for reference. Conclusion: I don't understand why Apple says the solo loop is only compatible with series 4 or later. From what I saw, it is actually 100% backwards compatible with ALL Apple Watch models. Other than Apple playing a dirty trick because they want to make owners of series 3 and earlier Apple Watch models to feel compelled to upgrade to one of the newer models (of which apple currently only sells the series 6 and SE), I see no valid reason for Apple's remark on the solo loop and braided solo loop compatibility.
 

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My wrist is 165mm. The size guide showed between 6 and 7. But trying them on sizes 4 and 5 fit very well. I ended up buying size 4 for the braided and the "normal" solo loop and I'm glad I did because they stretched a (tiny) bit over time.
 
MayfairMissy said:
My wrist is 165mm. The size guide showed between 6 and 7. But trying them on sizes 4 and 5 fit very well. I ended up buying size 4 for the braided and the "normal" solo loop and I'm glad I did because they stretched a (tiny) bit over time.
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You probably wrapped the sizing tool and the measuring tape a little loose around your wrist, that’s why they indicated a larger size than tou actually needed. It’s very easy to miss the size unless you wrap the tape or sizing tool very very tight around your wrist. I did that and got size 4 and it fit pretty well. Couldn’t go smaller even if I wanted to, because size 4 is the snallest they have for a 44 mm case.
 
OK, so I just ordered a Charcoal Braided Solo Loop...
According to this guide, I would be an 8 (I wear the Sport Loop S/M at the second last hole from the bottom or the M/L at the 3rd from the top)
1620146832216.png


Decided to go for a size 7 as I figured it might be too loose as it's stretchy, not more or less fixed size like the Sport Band.

What kind of experience have you guys with that? Any input would be much appreciated ;-)
 
I've heard that a good rule of thumb on the Braided Solo Loops is to go one size smaller than the guide. I take a 7 with the Solo Loop and went with a 6 on the Braided Solo Loop and it was the right choice for me. The BSL stretches over time. I've been wearing my for 5 months and it's holding up very well.
 
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BSG75 said:
I've heard that a good rule of thumb on the Braided Solo Loops is to go one size smaller than the guide. I take a 7 with the Solo Loop and went with a 6 on the Braided Solo Loop and it was the right choice for me. The BSL stretches over time. I've been wearing my for 5 months and it's holding up very well.
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Has your BSL stretched in that time?
 
bricktop_at said:
OK, so I just ordered a Charcoal Braided Solo Loop...
According to this guide, I would be an 8 (I wear the Sport Loop S/M at the second last hole from the bottom or the M/L at the 3rd from the top)
View attachment 1769686

Decided to go for a size 7 as I figured it might be too loose as it's stretchy, not more or less fixed size like the Sport Band.

What kind of experience have you guys with that? Any input would be much appreciated ;-)
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According to that size guide I would be a 4 (I wear the sport band on the 2nd hole from top to bottom) which is what I actually bought. It actually fits a little loose, not completely snug as the sport band does. I’d buy a size 3, but unfortunately Apple doesn’t make that size for a 44 mm case.

Before you buy a solo loop, I suggest you put on your watch with the sport band without tucking in the end of the sport band through the slot under the other piece of the band (i.e just put the pin in the hole). That should give you a good idea of how the solo loop size matching the hole you use for the sport band according to your sizing guides will feel on your wrist.
 
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Always order 1 size smaller than whatever Apple tells you to. It should be snug, and they loosen considerably in a short amount of time.
 
Was at an Apple Store recently to get my AirPods replaced and while I was there I tried on the various sizes of watch band samples to find a perfect fit, finally purchased a braided loop and though nothing has yet to beat the steel link bracelet, it’s still pretty nice. Was in between 10-11 and went with 10.
 
Tagbert said:
The best guide I've seen for picking a loop band size is the method John Gruber posts here. He uses your sport band buckle position and maps that to the loops. it worked perfectly for me.
daringfireball.net

More Adventures in Solo Loop Sizing

Mapping Apple’s longstanding Sport Band holes to the new Solo Loop sizes.
daringfireball.net daringfireball.net
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For me, for the braided loop, it‘s this guide minus one size that works perfectly 😉
 
Tagbert said:
The best guide I've seen for picking a loop band size is the method John Gruber posts here. He uses your sport band buckle position and maps that to the loops. it worked perfectly for me.
daringfireball.net

More Adventures in Solo Loop Sizing

Mapping Apple’s longstanding Sport Band holes to the new Solo Loop sizes.
daringfireball.net daringfireball.net
Click to expand...

For me it turned out to be John Gruber’s size guide - 1, the reason being that the sport band gets a little tighter when you tuck in the holes piece under the other piece. For added accuracy, try on your sport band WITHOUT TUCKING IN THE HOLES PIECE UNDER THE OTHER PIECE. That will give you a pretty good idea of how your solo loop size according to John Gruber’s guide will actually feel on your wrist and whether or not you may want to go one size down (or one size up) from Gruber’s size guide when you go ahead and order the solo loop.
 
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Teride said:
Again I’m irritated...I have a small wrist but prefer the larger watch...many of the watch bands are too big for my wrist, now the latest bands are not small enough for my wrist. i cannot imagine I’m the only small wrist AW44 out there...not sure why Apple doesn’t consider that.
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Hello I know this is an old post, but I’m also considering buying the 44 and I also have very small wrists. What did you ended up doing? When I printed the measuring tape from the website the smaller number was still too big.
 
Liz1212 said:
Hello I know this is an old post, but I’m also considering buying the 44 and I also have very small wrists. What did you ended up doing? When I printed the measuring tape from the website the smaller number was still too big.
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Well the smallest solo loop size Apple has for a 44 mm case is size 4. If your wrist size turns out lower than that, you’re out of luck for a 44 mm watch. And no, you’re definitely not the only one with small wrists who wears the 44 mm watch. I have small wrists too, barely big enough for the size 4 solo loop to fit. Apple seems to have designed the 44 mm case band sizes mostly for anglosaxon and african american males, who tend to be bigger in size than males of other races, not to mention any ladies.
 
I measured an 8 on the tool at Apple but it was extremely to big. So I’ve resolved that im a 7 on Solo, and 6 on braided solo. I like my watch SNUG
 
lartola said:
Well the smallest solo loop size Apple has for a 44 mm case is size 4. If your wrist size turns out lower than that, you’re out of luck for a 44 mm watch. And no, you’re definitely not the only one with small wrists who wears the 44 mm watch. I have small wrists too, barely big enough for the size 4 solo loop to fit. Apple seems to have designed the 44 mm case band sizes mostly for anglosaxon and african american males, who tend to be bigger in size than males of other races, not to mention any ladies.
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I know this might not sound very helpful but I sometimes pair the 40mm bands with the 44mm watch to get the band size I want. It doesn't look as bad as it might sound.
 
lartola said:
For me it turned out to be John Gruber’s size guide - 1, the reason being that the sport band gets a little tighter when you tuck in the holes piece under the other piece. For added accuracy, try on your sport band WITHOUT TUCKING IN THE HOLES PIECE UNDER THE OTHER PIECE. That will give you a pretty good idea of how your solo loop size according to John Gruber’s guide will actually feel on your wrist and whether or not you may want to go one size down (or one size up) from Gruber’s size guide when you go ahead and order the solo loop.
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Ok this is a really good idea - going to try this.,. I have super small wrists and a size 1 ideally on paper would fit me, but I doubt it’d be a snug fit since there’s no clasps etc to secure it.
 
MayfairMissy said:
I know this might not sound very helpful but I sometimes pair the 40mm bands with the 44mm watch to get the band size I want. It doesn't look as bad as it might sound.
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I’ve done that with other bands. It certainly doesn’t look half bad. Apple says 40 mm bands aren’t compatible with a 44 mm case, but it isn’t really true. Just like they said the solo loop only works with series 4 or later when in reality the band works fine with the series 3 and earlier too (I’ve tested the solo loop with my old OG/series 0 and it works fine).

What works but might not look too good, however, is a 44 mm band on a 40 mm case, since it sticks out a little on the sides.
 
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