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Solo loop appreciation thread
- Thread starter Boardiesboi
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I got my first solo loop today. Got a 5, and I love the feel and fit. I wear my watch a little on the looser side unless I need it to be particularly snug for something, so I hope I don't get much stretch. Right now it is perfect!
This is probably not a band I'll wear much in the summer, but I'm definitely gonna get a couple more as my casual band for winter.
Are the braided ones typically tighter or looser than the solo loop if ordering the same size?
This is probably not a band I'll wear much in the summer, but I'm definitely gonna get a couple more as my casual band for winter.
Are the braided ones typically tighter or looser than the solo loop if ordering the same size?
I have a solo loop and braided solo loop, both in size 6, and I can't tell much of a difference in tightness between them. They both are very comfortable.
Well I just ordered 3 more solo loops. I almost ordered a braided, but there are only 2 colors I really like in the braided, and I will have both of those in the solo as well. I need to get the solos in and see which color I love enough that I'd want two different bands the same.
Is the braided loop really as soft and comfortable as the solo? I ordered one last year, but the sizing was incorrect, and they were out of stock for months after. I don't really remember what it was like.
Joining the Solo Club a year later with my first Braided Solo Loop, Atlantic Blue.
Size is very tiny for me (size 2), and right now it's tight and fit, leaving a "tattoo" of the band texture on my skin when I take it off. Also joining the prayers club of "hopefully it will stretch some but not too much", because I really love it on my Series 5. According to Apple I should be a size 3, I don't have a store to try them on, so I guessed on a size 2 and for now the fight is nice and snug. Wondering how the Size 1 would have fit, but I guess it would have been way too tight, at least when brand new.
How are your solos holding up after a few months?
Size is very tiny for me (size 2), and right now it's tight and fit, leaving a "tattoo" of the band texture on my skin when I take it off. Also joining the prayers club of "hopefully it will stretch some but not too much", because I really love it on my Series 5. According to Apple I should be a size 3, I don't have a store to try them on, so I guessed on a size 2 and for now the fight is nice and snug. Wondering how the Size 1 would have fit, but I guess it would have been way too tight, at least when brand new.
How are your solos holding up after a few months?
Unfortunately, my regular solo loop developed a tear at about nine months and eventually broke off completely. I managed to get the Genius Bar to replace it, but they at first didn't want to. Said they couldn't tell if the band broke just from regular use or i had somehow done something to tear it.
Anyway, the loop did stretch a bit with use, but never to the point where it felt too loose. I do tend to take the watch on and off multiple times during the day -- like every time I wash my hands or do the dishes, I have to take it off because I always manage to get it wet and I don't like the feel of wet watch against my skin. So that may have contributed to my loop not lasting a year. I'd love to hear how people are doing with the braided loop. It looks like it won't tear the same way as my regular loop did, but do the edges become frayed? Do they stretch more than the regular loop? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth paying the $50 extra for a braided loop next time I upgrade my watch.
Obviously the feel of the two materials is different, and I did find the braided solo loop was a little itchy the first few days, but that feeling quickly went away. I really do find them both to be equally comfortable, to the point that sometimes I forget I'm wearing a watch.
I definitely noticed that just having it on yesterday. I really can't believe how comfortable they are. I wound up ordering the starlight color even though I have the sport band in starlight because I am just not really a fan of the sport bands, but that is such a great neutral color. I got the clover and dark cherry as well. I'm wearing abyss blue - what a nice blue! I've also never coordinated my watch face to my band color, but the contour band in abyss blue with the black background looks so good with my band!
I think this year is the most excited I've been about my Apple Watch since series 0 - really enjoying it!
I got mine when the 6 came out and really liked it, but it would cause massive irritation after several days. Tried it over and over, and once on the other wrist for a test. Wiped it with alcohol, put lotion on my wrist. No go. Put it away for months and just tried it again a couple of weeks ago - same thing in 3-4 days. Itchy rash. It is not just me - I have seen lots of posts about the same thing.
Its a shame, cause it is really comfortable and easy on/off.
Its a shame, cause it is really comfortable and easy on/off.
Regular solo or braided? Just curious. The sport bands bother me a lot when it’s hot, and I don’t wear mine very tight unless I need to for something specific. I’ve always felt like some of that was lack of breathing with the band, and some was the overall bulk because of having to tuck the extra band in.
I have 3 more of these on order, and I’ll be wearing this one pretty continuously until mid-week when they arrive, so hopefully I’ll know if they’re gonna bother me by then. Right now I’m loving it for sure.
Never seen this thread before, so here goes.
I loved my Solo loop (size 7) when I first got it, hardly ever touched any of my other bands, mostly my favourite Nike straps. Then I got a braided loop… not touched any other band since, it’s just simply the best.
I loved my Solo loop (size 7) when I first got it, hardly ever touched any of my other bands, mostly my favourite Nike straps. Then I got a braided loop… not touched any other band since, it’s just simply the best.
Regular. And season makes no difference. Even in a cold week I will get the itchy rash - no sweating involved. I have never been allergic to anything so it is somewhat strange that my first would be with a fairly loose wrist band. Leather, plastic of all kinds, metal, magnetic - never had any problem with those. Go figure.
In my experience, both types of solo loops will stretch some. The braided solo loop stretch is more noticeable because of the material, which allows it to slide easier. The silicone solo loop’s material creates friction with your arm to somewhat keep it in place.
The flip side to this is that the braided loop is much easier to put on and take off because of the material and because it stretches easier.
Both of mine stretched to about a size larger within a month. My new abyss blue braided solo loop (size 4) has stretched to the size of a 5. I compared in store and they were the same length.
Long story short, it just depends on how you like to wear your band and how much blood oxygen readings matter to you.
Well crap. I just ordered three more size 5s. Maybe mine is so comfortable because it's too big. I love the fit right now, but if it stretches, it will likely be too big.
I'm not super worried about blood oxygen readings. If I want a reading, I can always put on a sport band or leather band and get it tight enough to get a good reading. I DO want accurate heart rate readings, and ECG as well. I don't feel like that's a problem at the moment, but IDK what it would be like if the band were looser.
Any idea the actual difference in length between sizes?
Here’s a link I found that has all the measurements of the sizes. https://samagame.com/00/en/some-guidelines-when-choosing-the-size-of-our-future-solo-loop/
How is the braided better? In what way? I can't imagine it could be more comfortable, so I'm really curious. I am planning to order one - just trying to decide on a color.
Thank you!
Also, you said your size 4 stretched to a 5 - do you need a 5, but bought a 4 knowing it would stretch, or did you need a 4 and now the band is too big?
IDK what I should do at this point. Thinking I could just order everything in size 4 and see how the 4 fits then return all of whichever size doesn't work.
I wouldn't worry too much about the regular solo loop. In my experience, it never stretched enough to be as big as the next size. The braided one, you may want to get a size smaller.
And if it's comfortable, it's the right size now. I feel you are overthinking this. I understand being concerned about how much it may stretch, but that's a separate issue from whether it fits you *now*.
This. Also, women generally have a smaller hand-wrist ratio, meaning they have to stretch the bands less when putting them on.
I would not size down on the silicone solo loop.
I need a 5, and I bought the 4 for the braided solo loop with the expectation that it would stretch out some. My Atlantic blue braided solo loop that is a 5 is now too big in colder months. It moves around a lot.
Unfortunately not true in my case -- I have large hands with tiny wrists.
Well, overthinking IS my strong suit! ;-p
Seriously though, since I tend to like my bands looser, I think I might wind up with this one being unusable if it stretches much. I surely don't want to have 4 bands that are unusable for me.
I ordered one solo in a size 4 to try.
Can you try the actual sizes in the Apple store? I'd assume they get stretched out as well if so. I know the braided size 4 I want is in stock at my Apple store, which isn't super nearby, but I could go try it before buying it.
You can indeed try them on. However, there's no way to tell how many people have tried them on before you, so there's no way to tell how stretched they are in comparison from a brand new state. Also, the models they have in stock to sell don't always correspond to the models they have for you to try on. When I bought my band, they had the regular solo loop in my size for sale, but not to try on. I said I'll just buy it and if it doesn't fit I'll come back and exchange for another size. Fortunately it did fit.
Much more comfortable and easier to put on/take off.
Don’t even like the feel of the original Solo loop anymore.