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Mel8899

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 15, 2017
457
300
Which band between the silicone and the sports loop better? I have silicone but like the look of the midnight blue color.

TIA
 

ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,612
6,909
Sports Loop. Breathable, infinitely adjustable, fast, and suuuuuuuper soft. It is by far the most comfortable watch band I've ever used.

The only drawback is that it looks cheap. Like someone used 10 cents of velcro strapping from the craft store.
 

nattK

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2014
726
1,860
The Upside Down
Which band between the silicone and the sports loop better? I have silicone but like the look of the midnight blue color.

TIA

Do you mean Apple's fluoroelastomer sport band vs the sport loops? Fluoroelastomer is not silicone. They're two different materials. Most third party bands are made out of silicone, however.

If you play sports or sweat a lot I would recommend the sport band over the sport loop since they don't soak up sweat and are easier to clean.
 
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ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,612
6,909
Most third party bands are made out of silicone, however.

Are any third party Sport Bands made out of fluoroelastomer? Last I checked, I couldn't find a single one (other than Nike which are basically Apple bands anyway).
 

jbachandouris

macrumors 603
Aug 18, 2009
5,928
3,086
Upstate NY
Which watch do you have? I feel as if the sport loop bands are too light for my SS, for aluminum it's not bad.

I haven't used canvas bands in a LONG time as they would soak up the sweat and smell.

I have no idea how well the Apple Sport Loops hold up, but I vote for Sport Band.
 

mizmimi02

macrumors 6502a
Feb 27, 2014
611
870
Midwest
I prefer the sport loops in the summer, and the sport bands in the winter. I often find that the sport band gets super sweaty in the summer time, but the sport loop is breathable and comfy.
 
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Mel8899

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 15, 2017
457
300
I ended up exchanging my Apple Watch 5 for the Nike 5.
 

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Mel8899

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 15, 2017
457
300
Ordered this band also!
 

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Strangedream

macrumors 6502a
Sep 15, 2019
661
546
London, UK
Sport loops ain't pretty but they are the best for sweaty work outs. Personally I still prefer the sport band tho, it's a bit more versatile and looks marginally more premium, also you get more color choices.
 
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deeddawg

macrumors G5
Jun 14, 2010
12,467
6,569
US
Which watch do you have? I feel as if the sport loop bands are too light for my SS, for aluminum it's not bad.

Each to their own but I've run many miles with my SBSS on a sport loop and it's been fine.

We're talking an 11 gram difference between the stainless and aluminum watches (44mm S4/S5)

That's NOT much mass.
 
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Royksöpp

macrumors 68020
Nov 4, 2013
2,404
4,018
Sports Loop. Breathable, infinitely adjustable, fast, and suuuuuuuper soft. It is by far the most comfortable watch band I've ever used.

The only drawback is that it looks cheap. Like someone used 10 cents of velcro strapping from the craft store.

The only Sport Loop that looks cheap is a Fake Sport Loop. I bought both and the quality difference was night and day. Even before that, I could always spot a fake one. The Sport band is another story. You would have a hard time telling the difference between a 5 dollar Ebay knockoff and the real thing.

In terms of comfort I find the Sport Band hard and uncomfortable to wear. The wide area on the closure pushes against my wrist when I move my hand around. Another thing I don't like is that it makes the Apple Watch look very Tech-ey. I know that's what it is, but I'd rather not have it look so obvious like a run of the mill smart watch.
 
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Beachmusic18

macrumors member
Oct 28, 2018
63
66
St Petersburg
Personal preference rules, imho. I have sports bands only as I prefer the look, so can't compare the feel of the two, yet the bands have always been ultra comfy even in our hot climate during 5 mile walks.
 
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ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,612
6,909
The only Sport Loop that looks cheap is a Fake Sport Loop. I bought both and the quality difference was night and day. Even before that, I could always spot a fake one. The Sport band is another story. You would have a hard time telling the difference between a 5 dollar Ebay knockoff and the real thing.

My Nike Sport Loop came with the watch, so I'm pretty sure it's authentic. It looks like a velcro strap to me. The first person I showed it to literally said, "THAT'S what Apple includes with a $400 watch???"

Maybe the fake ones look even worse.
 
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