Best wristband for hot weather ?

[Lictor]

I have an space gray sport watch, with both the standard sport wristband and a leather loop.

The leather loop feels great, except we had a pretty hot weather episode. Then, the band becomes quite uncomfortable to wear once your wrist get sweaty : it sticks to the skin, it feels hot...

The sport band felt better, except that it fits very very tight for me and that's uncomfortable too... I'm wondering if it would be easy to add extra holes to it...

So, I was wondering how the various bands felt when hot and sweaty ? I'm wondering if a metal band, like the Milanese loop, would feel better for instance...

 

[acctman]

I have an space gray sport watch, with both the standard sport wristband and a leather loop.

The leather loop feels great, except we had a pretty hot weather episode. Then, the band becomes quite uncomfortable to wear once your wrist get sweaty : it sticks to the skin, it feels hot...

The sport band felt better, except that it fits very very tight for me and that's uncomfortable too... I'm wondering if it would be easy to add extra holes to it...

So, I was wondering how the various bands felt when hot and sweaty ? I'm wondering if a metal band, like the Milanese loop, would feel better for instance...

any sports band... metal will heat up in the sun.

 

[Mac2me]

Agree on the metal. We get pretty hot here (80s, 90s and 100s) and I don't even put on my leather unless it would be for an evening outing when the temps are lower. The sports band is comfortable, the watch's ceramic area touches my wrist and I have air space around the rest of the band. I move it up and down my wrist sometimes when it feels a bit sticky and uncomfortable. I plan to look for some type of a fabric band to switch off with. Someone had a striped fabric one (James Bond in the title I think) that looked interesting. All I know if that fabric seats in a hot car are much more comfortable than leather. I've seen some people show off a few different jeans material watch bands but nothing so far has made me jump yet. Can't imagine the nylon ones being any more comfortable in heat than the sports band seeing as women hate wearing nylons during the summer!

Will be checking back to see what people are happy with.

 

[WilliamG]

I have the Leather Loop and love it. However, it's been shelved for now since in the heat it's not very nice at all. Sweaty wrist ftl.

Sport Band = win.

 

[Mac2me]

With the hot weather do use a damp cloth to clean your band and back of your watch on a daily basis. Doesn't take long to look unclean with oils and such.

 

[Jack426]

The leather loop feels great, except we had a pretty hot weather episode. Then, the band becomes quite uncomfortable to wear once your wrist get sweaty : it sticks to the skin, it feels hot...

Same for me. I end up having to tighten and loosen it throughout the day, because of the temperature changes from going outside (currently upper 90's with 80% humidity) and inside. Whenever I'm outside for a long period of time (usually in the evening) I just take my watch off and leave it inside. During the day, I do the same thing as Mac2me, moving my watch slightly up and down my wrist. This keeps it from sticking to my skin, and gives my skin some time to breathe.

 

[mikezmac]

The Milanese loop is he best. The stainless steel link 2nd.

The sports band traps sweat under it and can become real itchy if you don't wear it loose.

The leather straps cannot get wet. I wouldn't wear them if you're going to be sweating a lot.

So I'd say the order is :

1. Milanese loop
2. Stainless steel link
3. The sport band worn loosely.
4. Do NOT wear the loop, modern or classic IF you'll be sweaty.

 

[kirkhuffy]

I went for a 4 hour hike on Saturday and it was close to 90 and humid. The sport band was fine the entire time (I use the third hole from the bottom on the smaller band and it stays put).

 

[CharlesShaw]

Sweat and everyday wear will eventually age your leather loop, so let the less expensive yet handsome sport band do the heavy lifting during the summer and when doing sweaty chores.

I'm new to this, but already wearing my link bracelet under a long sleeve dress shirt to work Mon-Thu, the leather loop on casual/denim Friday and weekends, and changing to my sport band when I do sweaty chores or go to the gym, etc. Heck, I didn't go to the gym tonight, but put my sport band on and removed the link bracelet because it was full of sweat and rain from a hot stormy humid day in Chicagoland.

 

[Nermal]

metal will heat up in the sun.

Are you saying that from experience or just guessing? I'll freely admit that I have no experience with the Apple steel bands, but I wear a steel bracelet and have never had any issues with it getting hot in the sun. While it does warm up a little bit, it certainly doesn't get uncomfortably hot so I'd be surprised if the Apple one does.

 

[friedmud]

Sweat and everyday wear will eventually age your leather loop, so let the less expensive yet handsome sport band do the heavy lifting during the summer and when doing sweaty chores.

I'm new to this, but already wearing my link bracelet under a long sleeve dress shirt to work Mon-Thu, the leather loop on casual/denim Friday and weekends, and changing to my sport band when I do sweaty chores or go to the gym, etc. Heck, I didn't go to the gym tonight, but put my sport band on and removed the link bracelet because it was full of sweat and rain from a hot stormy humid day in Chicagoland.

I'm currently in Chicago myself... what a nasty, humid, rainy day!

I wore my blue sport band with my SS watch today. I just kept it one hole looser than normal so it could breathe a little bit. It was fine.

I'm going to track down a Milanese loop soon... I think it will be a bit more breathable.

As for hot metal... it's actually the opposite of what you think (unless you are laying still with the metal band in direct sunlight). Remember that your body is 98.6 degrees... which (in most places) is warmer than the air. In that scenario the higher thermal conductivity of metal vs rubber (or leather: both are insulators) will conduct heat away from your skin to the air. If you are moving you get even more benefit as convection wicks away heat from the band (and hence, your body).

It would have to be REALLY hot for the band to actually be warmer than your body (or, like I said, you would have to leave it sitting in direct sunlight).

 

[Lictor]

I guess I will try the Milanese at an Apple Store again, that might be a solution...

I'm not that worried about sweat and leather. I have a leather desk chair and I just have to wash it with soap and then cream from time to time to keep it in good shape. But it does get uncomfortable...

The texture sport band is comfortable enough, but it's much too tight. I hesitate to add extra holes myself. There is not much room to add one and I worried that it won't be secure if I don't get the size right.

 

[bushido]

just tried two days in the summer heat with my black sports band on my SS and it is killing my arm. it basically left a red mark of the whole watch and band on my wrist. my skin must react badly to the sweat building up under it

 

[jerns]

I own a Sports Band, Leather Loop, and Milanese Loop. In my experience, the Milanese is the most comfortable for hot, sweaty, humid Ohio Valley weather. The steel does not absorb sweat (obviously), it's impervious to water, and the mesh provides some breathability that the SB and LL don't allow. It's quite durable and the magnetic closure gives near infinite adjustability for the slight change in wrist size due to temperature. Sure, it's a little flashy but it sure is comfortable.

 

[CWallace]

I find the leather loop (42mm Large) feels as comfortable than the Milanese Loop on a hot day, but the Milanese does breathe so it does feel a bit cooler.

 

[acctman]

Are you saying that from experience or just guessing? I'll freely admit that I have no experience with the Apple steel bands, but I wear a steel bracelet and have never had any issues with it getting hot in the sun. While it does warm up a little bit, it certainly doesn't get uncomfortably hot so I'd be surprised if the Apple one does.

experience as a regular watch owner. Metal bands always head up, reason why I stopped wearing my watches on hot summer days. A 3rd party fabric band might be best but depending on the material it's just going to absorb sweat can need regular cleaning (depending on your daily activities)