Braided solo photos: 4/5 vs Sport loop S/M

[RPhoto]

Sorry for ANOTHER thread on this but thought it might be useful to some, without getting lost in one of the mega-threads! Mods please feel free to move if it doesn't warrant its own space.

For reference I have a 15.5cm wrist. Apple measure me as a size 5 braided solo loop but I am actually a 4.

Sizing comparison
For Sport loops and Nike loops I wear S/M on either the 4th hole for a slightly lose fit or the 5th hole for exercising. Below you'll see both the braided loops in size 4 and 5 against the bands I normally wear in their respective sizings. Note that braided size 4 looks a lot shorter but that's because when worn it hangs down towards your wrist without as much resistance due to the material. So whilst it looks a lot shorter, it actually gives me a fit somewhere between the 4th and 5th hole of the Nike loops.

Lug sizes
Also, the lugs widths are not good as we know. The lugs on the 44mm braided are virtually identical in width to the 38/40mm watch bands. Maybe because the material has no solid base to attach too to stick out further and fill the width?

Exposed lug strip
Finally, the small silver strip that you can see from the lug when the braided loop is on. I've discovered that once the loop is fitted to the watch, if you push it towards the watch, there is a small click and and the lug moves backwards a fraction and the exposed strip all but vanishes. This happens with both the size 4 and 5 I have here. Note that putting the watch on stretches the band and may expose the strip again. But pushing the bands towards the watch again once on 'clicks' the lug back in again to hide the strip.

Quirks aside, I actually really like it and the lug width on the graphite and charcoal combo doesn't bother me so much when worn.

 

[PaladinGuy]

I’m interested in possibly getting a braided loop, but I’m not sure what I think about the logs not fitting perfectly. For $100, I’m leaning towards thinking it’s unacceptable for Apple to not make sure they fit perfectly.

They definitely look like they’d be very comfortable.

 

[RPhoto]

I’m interested in possibly getting a braided loop, but I’m not sure what I think about the logs not fitting perfectly. For $100, I’m leaning towards thinking it’s unacceptable for Apple to not make sure they fit perfectly.

They definitely look like they’d be very comfortable.

I think it’s because there is nothing solid for the material to wrap around to extend out away from the metal park of the lug. To fit the full width I suspect the band itself would need to be even wider, to allow the metal part of the lugs to be wider, allowing the material to stick out the same distance it does now but to also fit the full width.
That makes sense in my head but I’m not sure I’ve explained it properly.

 

[currrr]

I’m the exact same size as you in my 44mm. For a 5 on the test and measure 15.5cm exact. Went to do the fitting of the braided loop. While a 5 works, it can shift up and down my wrist. The 4 was perfect in store. However, after wearing a newly purchased 4 for the night, my veins are a bit swollen after taking off the watch. Is it possible that I need time to stretch the band? I’m frustrated cause the 4 definitely fitted a lot better in store.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

I’m the exact same size as you in my 44mm. For a 5 on the test and measure 15.5cm exact. Went to do the fitting of the braided loop. While a 5 works, it can shift up and down my wrist. The 4 was perfect in store. However, after wearing a newly purchased 4 for the night, my veins are a bit swollen after taking off the watch. Is it possible that I need time to stretch the band? I’m frustrated cause the 4 definitely fitted a lot better in store.

I'm 14.5. In the store a 4 moved around on me a bit (I would have considered 3 if it existed in 44mm), but at home 4 seems pretty perfect. It is looser than I would wear my sport bands/loops, but still doesn't seem to interfere with the ability of the sensors to function. I think that's partly because the back of the watch itself tends to stick to me.

But, anyway, yeah, I had the same experience of feeling like maybe the ones in the store were stretched out a little compared to the ones I got. And, of course, wrist size changes as you get cooler/warmer.

 

[heyyitssusan]

I have a small wrist and the 40MM sport band fit Snugly for me on the last hole.. so I hope that a size 1 would work for me.

 

[currrr]

I have a small wrist and the 40MM sport band fit Snugly for me on the last hole.. so I hope that a size 1 would work for me.

My friend uses the second last hole 40mm sport band and she has a snug/comfortable fit for size 1 on the solo sport loop.
If you need to use the last hole, there’s a chance it might be loose unfortunately.

 

[currrr]

I'm 14.5. In the store a 4 moved around on me a bit (I would have considered 3 if it existed in 44mm), but at home 4 seems pretty perfect. It is looser than I would wear my sport bands/loops, but still doesn't seem to interfere with the ability of the sensors to function. I think that's partly because the back of the watch itself tends to stick to me.

But, anyway, yeah, I had the same experience of feeling like maybe the ones in the store were stretched out a little compared to the ones I got. And, of course, wrist size changes as you get cooler/warmer.

Definitely, I am feeling my braided loop is a little roomier in comparison to day 1 after wearing it for 3 days already. Or maybe it’s just getting chillier, regardless I went a full size down from 5 to 4 and I think it’s the right choice. Veins are happier now vs day 1 lol.

 

[heyyitssusan]

My friend uses the second last hole 40mm sport band and she has a snug/comfortable fit for size 1 on the solo sport loop.
If you need to use the last hole, there’s a chance it might be loose unfortunately.

Hmm, that is good to know, thanks for this. I guess I can use the second hole too but it’s a looser fit. Both would work for me but I prefer it to be tighter and snug. I don’t have a store nearby to try it on so I don’t know if I should give it a shot and just get one any way.

 

[shimpster]

I used my existing M/L sport loop band and found I am a size 10. Ordered a size 10 braided loop and it fits perfect

 

[dthree36]

I went into the apple store and tried on the loops. The home printed measuring "device" that paper wrap thing told me I was an 8 but should go with a 7. Well, I bought the 7 and it fit nicely... but... it had a slight tendency to slip forward. I took it back the next day. They had some of the sizing slips on the table this time. and I pulled the sizing strip tightly and said I was a 7....so.. I asked to test fit a 6 and a 5. The 6 was a better fit than the 7. One thing to consider is that these things are going to stretch over time. The 5 was very snug and had no movement. I purchased the 5 and a week later, the 5 fits perfectly after "stretching". It's by far the most comfortable band I have ever owned. Now the 7 was a nice fit but if you workout with your watch and are very active, I would go at least a size smaller if not 2. The Apple store sales guys suggested going smaller due to stretching over time.

 

[bluegt]

I'm 14.5. In the store a 4 moved around on me a bit (I would have considered 3 if it existed in 44mm), but at home 4 seems pretty perfect. It is looser than I would wear my sport bands/loops, but still doesn't seem to interfere with the ability of the sensors to function. I think that's partly because the back of the watch itself tends to stick to me.

But, anyway, yeah, I had the same experience of feeling like maybe the ones in the store were stretched out a little compared to the ones I got. And, of course, wrist size changes as you get cooler/warmer.

My wrist is also 14.5cm, the 5 was far too big. The 4 is a nice “casual” fit, if I wiggle my wrist it moves a bit so I worry that the sensors might not work well when exercising.

 

[MacStreamer]

I wear a 44 MM sport band. Went to the Apple Store this morning and their paper measuring tool told me 8. I tried the woven loop in a 7, which felt good but was a tad loose. The 6 was nice and snug and the one I will end up purchasing once they actually come back in stock. So my size was 2 spots less than the "test".

 

[bluegt]

My wrist is also 14.5cm, the 5 was far too big. The 4 is a nice “casual” fit, if I wiggle my wrist it moves a bit so I worry that the sensors might not work well when exercising.

funny thing happened. I woke up and the watch felt uncomfortably tight. I remeasured my 14.5cm wrist and it is now 15.3cm...The 4 size loop is now perfect for a workout but too tight for casual wear.

 

[currrr]

funny thing happened. I woke up and the watch felt tight. I remeasured my 14.5cm wrist and it is now 15.3cm...The 4 size loop is now perfect for a workout but too tight for casual wear.

Personally you will get used to it. My 15.5cm wrist feels snug with a 4. But moved with a 5. After wearing the sport band again on a bike ride on the 4th tightest hole, I’ve come to appreciate the snug fit. Tbh, if you keep swapping between the loop and regular adjustable bands daily, you will definitely feel the snugness, otherwise you really just adapt to it.