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c.s.

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 11, 2007
262
225
Did my first boot camp style workout with the lte watch and sport loop. I sweated heavily for a solid hour and the watch was extremely comfortable and forgot I had it on. I used the HIIT workout setting and ended the workout at 80% battery. It did take a full 3 hours for the band to completely dry. After an hour it was just damp and could hardly notice. I might get another sport loop to switch out rather than rubber. I like the feel and ability to adjust it so easily.
 
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co1f

macrumors regular
Oct 14, 2014
107
37
I first shake out as much water as practicical, then pat (squeezed) my sport loop band with a dry towel. It’s slightly damp after that, but I put it on. I’m also thinking about getting another sport loop to swap out while drying.
 

sean000

macrumors 68000
Jul 16, 2015
1,628
2,346
Bellingham, WA
Just looking at the photos and video of the sport loop made me think it probably takes a bit of time to dry out. I guess that's the main advantage of the silicon bands: You just wash them and wipe them dry. The downside is that they aren't breathable (unless you have something like the Nike sport band with holes). Glad to hear it is comfortable. I bought a woven nylon band this Summer because my leather and silicon bands are so sweaty when it gets hot. I like it so much I was excited about the sports loop... even though it looks like it's different material since it stretches.

While the nylon bands do require some drying time, it seems like they are easy to wash and keep clean. I'm willing to deal with that for the comfort in the heat.

Sean
 

c.s.

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 11, 2007
262
225
How do you normally clean it? Just wear it in the shower?
 

edhchoe

macrumors 65816
Oct 28, 2011
1,401
900
I don't like my sport loop band. it doesn't look good. i knew it would not dry easily when wet and it would start smelling bad also after repeated use. And it is not particularly comfortable.
I like the silicone band for working out and leather band for comfort.

1zn1wxw.jpg


dm4mrk.jpg
 
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diegostarr

macrumors newbie
Jul 23, 2011
19
2
I don't like my sport loop band. it doesn't look good. i knew it would not dry easily when wet and it would start smelling bad also after repeated use. And it is not particularly comfortable.
I like the silicone band for working out and leather band for comfort.

1zn1wxw.jpg


dm4mrk.jpg

Love the black leather band with the deployment clasp. Where did you find it? Thanks in advance.
 
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sean000

macrumors 68000
Jul 16, 2015
1,628
2,346
Bellingham, WA
I wonder whether the sport loop will be prone to getting mildew.

I think the trick to keeping any watch band, and your wrist, in good shape is to rotate two or more bands so each one has plenty of time to dry out. Just like shoes. Still, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to wash it on occasion (especially after a sweaty workout) with soap and water. Maybe let it dry in the sun.
 
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co1f

macrumors regular
Oct 14, 2014
107
37
I’ve only had my lte/loop watch for one day. Rinsed it in water twice. I’ll have to try showering with it.

I liked the idea of showering with watch on (to use Hey Siri), but somehow managed to errantly checkoff some todo items from my OneList watch app.

Other thing is, I still had to rinse it after getting out and noticed there were some minor things caught in between (hairs from shampooing? And I have really short hair).
 

BarracksSi

Suspended
Jul 14, 2015
3,902
2,664
I liked the idea of showering with watch on (to use Hey Siri), but somehow managed to errantly checkoff some todo items from my OneList watch app.
This is where Screen Lock comes in handy (Series 2 and later, of course). Or, you could switch to a watch face with no complications, so water droplets won't accidentally trigger an app.

Yes, you can -- and probably should -- wash out the band with the same soap & water that you use to wash yourself. The grime is exactly the same gunk that you wash off your own skin.
 
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co1f

macrumors regular
Oct 14, 2014
107
37
This is where Screen Lock comes in handy (Series 2 and later, of course). Or, you could switch to a watch face with no complications, so water droplets won't accidentally trigger an app.
...

Thanks for the ideas! I'll try the watch face w/o complications first. And thanks for the pointer to "Water Lock"... I'd wondered what that icon was for (I used the S0 for almost a year, but haven't had a AW till last Friday).

Coincidentally, OneList has stopped working for me... I think they need to update it for iOS11/watchOS4.
 

3goldens

macrumors 68000
Feb 26, 2008
1,890
264
Born NYC Living in CT
I was going to get the sport loop even at the ridicules price of $49 bucks, knowing full well that a generic knock off is just around the corner.

Having read here the amount of time it will take for this thing to dry I think I'm going to stick with my Black and my Tan sharkskin bands for my 2 series 3's. They are virtually water proof and last a very long time, much longer than regular leather.

Thanks for the tip!
 

pinkoos

macrumors 6502a
May 15, 2005
597
65
Texas
I was going to get the sport loop even at the ridicules price of $49 bucks, knowing full well that a generic knock off is just around the corner.

Having read here the amount of time it will take for this thing to dry I think I'm going to stick with my Black and my Tan sharkskin bands for my 2 series 3's. They are virtually water proof and last a very long time, much longer than regular leather.

Thanks for the tip!

I don’t have the same experience. My sport loop stays pretty dry during my workouts. It’s as if it’s made out of some kind of water resistant or water repellent material. Best band I’ve used.
 

ZipZap

macrumors 603
Dec 14, 2007
6,112
1,467
Swimming or washing, the band is slow to dry out completely. Might be best to have a band for workouts and a band for everyday.
 

alecgold

macrumors 65816
Oct 11, 2007
1,489
1,044
NLD
For swimming or heavy sweating I don’t mind the elastomer strap. If Im going to be wet anyways, why bother with a wet/non-breathing strap. But for day to day wear I like something more breathable that isn’t afraid of water like most leathers are. That’s where I think the sports loop can shine. I also like the nylon woven band, but the loop is even better as it can be adjusted without steps, possibly fitting even better.
 

c.s.

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 11, 2007
262
225
I think I spoke too soon saying it takes 3 hours to dry out. As others have noted, if you really squeeze the band with a towel it gets quite dry and will only be damp for another hour or so. I did my first pool swim today with the sport loop and it was really secure and comfortable the entire time.
 

hdinla

macrumors newbie
Sep 28, 2017
20
13
I think I spoke too soon saying it takes 3 hours to dry out. As others have noted, if you really squeeze the band with a towel it gets quite dry and will only be damp for another hour or so. I did my first pool swim today with the sport loop and it was really secure and comfortable the entire time.

Have you needed to put it in the wash? I am curious about how it will be after working out with it over a period of time. I am torn between the sport loop and nike sport band for working out/leisure.
 

BarracksSi

Suspended
Jul 14, 2015
3,902
2,664
One nice point for the sport loop is that it won’t completely undo itself — the free end won’t accidentally slide out of the slot.
 

P8boy

macrumors newbie
Dec 17, 2017
1
0
I don't like my sport loop band. it doesn't look good. i knew it would not dry easily when wet and it would start smelling bad also after repeated use. And it is not particularly comfortable.
I like the silicone band for working out and leather band for comfort.

1zn1wxw.jpg


dm4mrk.jpg
Did you have the solid black sport loop that you can only get with the LTE version? I have the GPS only model and that's the only sports loop I like and you can't buy it separately. Looking for someone to get one from.
 
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