My Biggest Surprise: Just How Great the Sport Band Turned Out To Be!

[bobob]

Having come from traditional watches, I was very ambivalent about getting the Sport Band when I first started planning my Apple Watch purchase. However, I was determined to keep the price minimal in exchange for having the opportunity to try out the first generation of this new device, so the cost of the Classic Buckle band that I normally would have chosen was out of the question.

Now after 3 months of wearing the Sport band, I never want to buy another type of watch band again - - I love the design!

It is extremely comfortable and easy to keep clean, but the best part is the tuck-in end strap - - no more catching the end on things. Once I put it on, it almost seems like it's part of my arm, so streamlined and unobtrusive.

Brilliant!

 

[AlliFlowers]

The sport band is nice. But wait until you try a leather loop.

 

[Javabird]

I agree. I really like the sport band - the black one I have feels velvety and looks great.

 

[scotttnz]

Agreed. The sport band is really comfortable. I'd just like to see more colours, like that red one that has been hinted at.

 

[maflynn]

I'm very happy with the sports band, it looks and feels nice. I'm not really tempted to get any other band at this point

 

[bobob]

The sport band is nice. But wait until you try a leather loop.

The design of the leather loop is indeed beautiful, however it does not top the sports band in the one regard I highlighted in the OP: "the tuck-in end strap - - no more catching the end on things. Once I put it on, it almost seems like it's part of my arm, so streamlined and unobtrusive." The leather loop still has the dreaded strap end that can catch on things...

The only true competitor in streamlining amongst Apple's strap offerings is the link bracelet...

 

[cyclingplatypus]

I agree as well, I was surprised how much the sport band grew on me.

 

[nicho]

i agree. lack of band options beyond the sports bands is what pushed me away from the space grey in the first place but, a few months on, its clear that wouldn't have been a problem after all. they are mostly quite comfy (although the black one hurts my wrist sometimes for reasons i can't work out, where the blue green or white don't).

if i could go back and decide again, and commit to just wearing sport bands... i'd probably make that choice!

 

[broadbean]

The Apple Sport Band is the only one I trust to swim in the pool with.

 

[menace3]

Yes love the Sports Band. I only have the Black one but debating buying the green strap.

 

[scott99]

Great band, but mine started to peel and fade after 6 days. Went to the Apple Store and they basically told me to GFY. Terrible engineering on that band that it does that after 6 days, didn't even work out with it. So have swapped it out for several different kind of 3rd party bands (leather, metal, leather loop, Milanese loop, etc).

 

[Mac2me]

I have a white sports band I picked up as a second Apple band (bought mine with the black classic) and absolutely love it. No problems, easy to wipe clean each day along with watch case, and just super comfortable. I like it better than a silicon band I have and honestly don't think I'd buy another silicon one. I also have some adapters and 3rd party bands to use but for everyday wear it's just become my go to daily band because it is so comfortable to wear and touch. I will be picking up more of the colors when they release them (can't wait til the 9th to see what colors finally). I'd like the navy and hope it doesn't have the same issue with peeling that I've seen some of the black band wearers have.

Not sure how you approached the situation at the Apple Store Scott99 but I've read many posts on here of people getting a replacement band for that. I'd give it another try with them. Maybe when you went in there weren't many reports of issues with it but I do believe it's known issue for some of the black bands. I'd be guessing here but have to wonder if something wasn't applied to the black bands to enhance the color depth and being this is Apple's first foray into bands and this band material, it hasn't worked out perfectly. There are plenty of black sport band owners out there and don't think it's a universal problem, so maybe got addressed early on and you just unfortunately got an early one. I'll probably give a navy band a try regardless.

BTW I also really love the tucked end on the band. Had many watch bands years ago with curling ends sticking up.

 

[Krabba]

I'm a big fan of the sports band. I probably wear it 80/20 compared to my leather loop. It is by far the most comfortable band I've ever had. I'm really looking forward to the new colors to be announced next week. Fingers crossed for that navy blue.

 

[Thepixelsedge]

I dunno, for me its a toss up. I think the leather loop is the most comfortable band but the sport is a close second and it is way more versatile and resistant with a toddler running around. I also have a third party hoco stainless steel band but I tend to only wear that on weekends.

My black sports band fortunately hasn't shown the peel problem although I have seen it on a friend's band and it looks to me like there was a problem with the outer coating.. if that makes any sense.. on mine you can't see an outer coating at all but on my friends its almost like a haze that is peeling in some areas.

ps. I wouldn't worry about the end of the leather loop catching. I've worn watches for many years and know the flapping end problem very well. The magnet on the leather loop is very strong. To take it off you almost have to peel to off. I also have big wrists so the end of the large loop lands almost right in the middle of the bottom of my wrist in prime "catch and flap" territory. I've never gotten it stuck on anything and it looks better now after 2 months of use (and a little leather oil) then it did when I bought it. If I didn't have a toddler with sticky or wet hands running around, I'd probably only ever wear my sport when working out.

 

[SchneiderMan]

It makes Motorola's new silicone band for the Moto 360 2 look absolutely awful and cheap.

 

[broadbean]

It makes Motorola's new silicone band for the Moto 360 2 look absolutely awful and cheap.

There you have it.

 

[nburwell]

I'm a huge fan of the sport band too. I do want to get a more classier band other than the white sport band I have now, but Apple doesn't make the leather loop for the 38mm case. I may just end up getting the blue sport strap since I'm a big fan of that color.

 

[WarHeadz]

There you have it.

The knockoff sport bands are made of silicone and they're only $8 with free shipping. Worth it for the price though, and they replicate the shape and look of the genuine ones amazingly.

 

[broadbean]

I'm a huge fan of the sport band too. I do want to get a more classier band other than the white sport band I have now, but Apple doesn't make the leather loop for the 38mm case. I may just end up getting the blue sport strap since I'm a big fan of that color.

Check out the cloned Leather Loops. I think my wife's 38mm is better made than my 42mm! At least in terms of gaps. The ones I got (in the nice blue) is properly aligned and the magnets are good.

 

[nburwell]

Check out the cloned Leather Loops. I think my wife's 38mm is better made than my 42mm! At least in terms of gaps. The ones I got (in the nice blue) is properly aligned and the magnets are good.

Do you happen to have a link you could provide for the cloned leather loop your wife bought?

 

[broadbean]

Do you happen to have a link you could provide for the cloned leather loop your wife bought?

I bought mine from AliExpress, but you'd need to do your homework and even then hope it's ok!

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Fash...Milanese-Loop-Watch-band-For/32366219239.html

 

[Mac2me]

I'm a huge fan of the sport band too. I do want to get a more classier band other than the white sport band I have now, but Apple doesn't make the leather loop for the 38mm case. I may just end up getting the blue sport strap since I'm a big fan of that color.

Might want to wait and see what is revealed on Sept. 9th.

 

[seadragon]

I too really like the sports band. I have two, a green and a black. I really like them and wear them most of the time due to their being moisture proof.

I also tried the leather loop but returned it as I didn't like it after wearing it for a couple of days. It felt hard with all the metal/magnets under the leather and it was constantly creaking and clicking when I moved my wrist. I often thought the watch was tapping me, but it was just the leather loop clicking. Very annoying.

Instead, I got the classic buckle and really like that band. It looks like a classy regular watch band and I love the look and feel of it.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I bought my Apple Watch Sport with the white sport band. Was not expecting to like it. Ended up being surprised. The look and feel was much better than I thought. But the Apple sport bands were too expensive. So I turned to the Moko straps on Amazon. So happy I did. Just hope they add many more colors in the near future.

 

[bniu]

I've owned all the bands at one point or another (returned most of them) because none of the bands save the sport ones gave me this "OMG! Best watch band ever!" feeling. I always felt iffy with the leather bands afraid I'd damage the leather around liquids, the link bracelet I found to be rather uncomfortable, and the Milanese loop I found to keep slipping. Only the sport bands I've found to be real comfortable and durable and able to go with me everywhere. In the end, I'm just going to get some more sport bands, especially if Apple releases new colors next week!