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techno-Zen

macrumors 68000
Apr 27, 2015
1,879
3,260
Gilbert, AZ
I like both.. but I'd never swim with a sport loop. Actually I don't even use my OEM Sport bands in the pool. I use cheap 3rd party sport bands
 

Starship67

Suspended
Oct 28, 2017
958
1,337
LA
Sports band by far the most comfortable to me. Sports loop is just too ugly second only to the leather loop.
 
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Luba

macrumors 68000
Apr 22, 2009
1,807
379
Sports band by far the most comfortable to me. Sports loop is just too ugly second only to the leather loop.
I laughed when I read this because I feel it's so true. It's a great idea the leather loop. In theory leather to make it look good, and the magnetics for practicality and ease of use, but somehow the look doesn't work. Using thicker leather might help, probably not.
 
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Jessica08

macrumors 6502
Nov 2, 2015
362
110
Roll Tide
Does the sport loop’s bulge/hump ever flatten out? It sits kinda crooked and creates a hump there on the side with the fastener.
 

AZhappyjack

Suspended
Jul 3, 2011
10,184
23,659
Happy Jack, AZ
Sport loop. It breathes... it's incredibly more comfortable compared to the rubbery sport band... it's also infinitely more adjustable to give a perfect fit. Not even close.
 
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staggerlee41

macrumors 65816
Sep 25, 2017
1,072
1,057
Pittsburgh, PA
I love the sport bands and have a slew of them. I wasn't all that wild about sport loops but have since been converted. Despite the fact that I don't like the way they loop through the lug and thus you have a double up of the band, they are incredibly comfortable. I much prefer the look of the woven bands, one strap per side, but the lack of buckle on the loops makes really adds to the comfort of them.
 
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Beerstalker

macrumors 6502a
Jun 14, 2011
577
237
Peoria, IL
I bought my watch with the sport band, and wore it for a while, but I eventually found it to be not that comfortable. I tended to sweat underneath it, and it eventually started itching and smelling. I probably could have washed it more often, but it was enough to get me to try something else. I didn't like the look of the sport loop, so I searched around and found an old Apple Woven Nylon Band. It is made from the same woven nylon as the sport loop, but it has a classic style buckle like regular watches instead of the hook and loop fastener. I like this look much better.

Overall I am happier with this band. It does absorb water and stays wet for a bit after you wash your hands, etc, but it will dry out on it's own eventually. It breathes on the wrist much better so I don't tend to sweat under it like the sport band, and I don't find it near as irritating on my skin. I found that it did start to smell eventually, especially after I wore it while mowing the lawn and doing other yard work. I tried just washing it in the sink with dish soap a few times, and it helped, but the smell seemed to come back pretty quick. Eventually I decided to try throwing it in the laundry. I put it in one of those washable mesh garment bags for delicates and threw it in with a load of dark colors, then let it air dry. This worked much better and I have found I only need to do this about once a month or so now that I haven't been out mowing the lawn with it. So far it has been holding up fine.

My wife has the same issue with her sport band too. She recently quit wearing her watch for a couple weeks because she had developed a bit of a rash on her wrist. I just bought her the black leather classic buckle for Christmas for her to try out. I'm also going to have her look at the Sport Loop, and Woven Nylon bands if we can find any. I figure the leather will be nice for work and when we go out, and she can switch to the Nylon when working out/doing yard work etc.
 
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yeyeapplesauce

macrumors newbie
May 21, 2019
1
0
I agree the sports loop is more comfortable. It does hold water if you swim, so the sports band is probably better for regularly in and out of water. HR works better with the sports loop as well (I think) because it always fits perfectly.

The sports bands are nice too though and get you fun colors if you want that. There are endless cheap imitation sports bands to pick up cheap if you end up wanting to try that too.

Where could u get the imitations? and are they good quality?
 

artfossil

macrumors 68000
Oct 5, 2015
1,785
2,059
Florida
Is it okay to take shower with the loop? Would it smell in a long run eventually?
I do it all the time (I want the fall detection in the shower). Getting the Sport Loop wet doesn't result in any smell. (It's fast-drying). I throw mine in the washing machine every few weeks.
 

artfossil

macrumors 68000
Oct 5, 2015
1,785
2,059
Florida
I like both Sport Band and Loop, but Loop is more comfortable. I wear Loop more often than Band. I put my Sport Loops in laundry net and put in the washer, and it comes out nice and clean.
I just throw them in with my clothes. No bag. I air dry them.
 

artfossil

macrumors 68000
Oct 5, 2015
1,785
2,059
Florida
Both have their advantages. The Sport Loop is extremely durable, but when wet, it becomes problematic. The sport band, doesn’t allow your wrist to breathe as easy, nearly indestructible with the flueroastamer.
No problems here with wet Sport Loop bands. They are fast drying.
 

AZhappyjack

Suspended
Jul 3, 2011
10,184
23,659
Happy Jack, AZ
I do it all the time (I want the fall detection in the shower). Getting the Sport Loop wet doesn't result in any smell. (It's fast-drying). I throw mine in the washing machine every few weeks.

I have run them through the "light wash" cycle of the dishwasher in the past... just lay them out in the third (silverware) rack, and they come out perfect... they lay them out to finish drying before wearing again.
 
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SisterBlue22

macrumors demi-goddess
Apr 29, 2015
2,581
6,031
Arizona
I have run them through the "light wash" cycle of the dishwasher in the past... just lay them out in the third (silverware) rack, and they come out perfect... they lay them out to finish drying before wearing again.
I wash my husband's ball caps in the dishwasher...never thought of doing the same with my watch bands. Love it!!
 
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