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nycgeo

macrumors 6502
Apr 12, 2005
262
405
NYC
Currently using a Sport Loop on my Series 6 and thinking about buying a braided loop. Could anyone who’s tried both give me their opinion on which one they prefer?
The braided loop is my favorite Apple Watch band ever. It’s worth every penny imo. I love the new leather link (my former favorite band ever), but it’s tendency to come one notch loose over the course of the day is annoying enough to dock it to second place.
The braided loop is everything u want: comfortable, reliable, flex-fit, sophisticated and totally beautiful with quality that somehow (how?!?) feels worth the nosebleed $100 price tag.

Get it.
 

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nycgeo

macrumors 6502
Apr 12, 2005
262
405
NYC
What’s your opinion on braided loop versus the normal solo loop?

The fit is similar. I’m using the same size in both loops, and the fit is perfect. Where they differ is in feel, use cases, and imo appearance.

The braided loop is worlds more comfortable—in a different league from the regular solo loop. I find the feel of the solo loop on the wrist is noticeable some the time with a weird rubbery friction that I would describe as irritating, even though the loop fit is perfect, or even a little loose. Most of the time I would describe the solo loop feel on wrist as good.

The braided loop has the actual “disappear on the wrist” feeling. The braided loop is soft and extremely comfortable, full stop.

Another differing aspect is the appearance, which of course is subjective. I find the braided loop to be much more interesting visually than the solo loop, which has beautiful color saturation but just a plain look overall, it’s sort of isn’t even there.

Lastly the use cases, which is debatable. I feel like the braided loop is not the best water sports band, but I’m sure people will use it that way and be fine. The regular solo loop is made for the water, it’s just the perfect swimming band, and I use it whenever I’m doing anything outside in the rain or with water.
 
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Mr. Y

macrumors 6502
Oct 12, 2011
489
554
I concur in the braided loop being my favorite band ever. It is quite comfortable and rests snugly without any issues. I find the solo loop to snag my skin and the hair on my wrist. Because it is covered in cloth, it is also soft to the touch as opposed to the "sticky" like feeling of the solo loop. While it is a heavier price tag, I think it is worth it as it is often my go-to band regardless of occasion and despite having multiple, *multiple* other bands in different styles and materials.
 

freshy17

macrumors member
Jan 15, 2021
73
165
How’s the braided loop sizing working out for everyone at this point?
I got my Braided Loop in early January, I have worn it almost daily and, while it has stretched, it has been a minimal amount. Perhaps half a milimeter. It's still holds its looks and remains my most used band (not that I have many, mind you) I ordered a size 6 and when it was brand new it left the weaving markings on my wrist at the end of the day. Now it doesn't do that but still feels snug enough that it doesn't move during the day, nor slides up and down my wrist during workouts. Much like a pair of new shoes that you break in over time. I don't wear the watch during my sleep.
In all, I'm very happy with my purchase
 

freshy17

macrumors member
Jan 15, 2021
73
165
If I’m a 12 in the solo loop should I go with 11 or 10?
For a braided? That depends on how snug you feel the silicone one. I’d say the 11. I think the 10 would be way too small. I use 7 for the silicone solo loop and 6 for the braided. But there are people who use the same size for both models
 
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se1961

macrumors newbie
Nov 8, 2010
18
3
The braided loop is my favorite Apple Watch band ever. It’s worth every penny imo. I love the new leather link (my former favorite band ever), but it’s tendency to come one notch loose over the course of the day is annoying enough to dock it to second place.
The braided loop is everything u want: comfortable, reliable, flex-fit, sophisticated and totally beautiful with quality that somehow (how?!?) feels worth the nosebleed $100 price tag.

Get it.
What color is the loop in the photo? It’s beautiful, and doesn’t look like any that I have seen—
 

tobefirst ⚽️

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2005
4,612
2,335
St. Louis, MO
My wife got me a braided loop for my birthday and I love it. I would never spend $100 on a band for myself, but it made a great birthday present. I did have to go way down in size. She ordered me a 6 based on what hole I use on normal sport band – I would have ordered the same size – but a 4 ended up fitting me perfectly.
 

jaybar

macrumors 68020
Dec 11, 2008
2,074
640
The braided loop is my favorite Apple Watch band ever. It’s worth every penny imo. I love the new leather link (my former favorite band ever), but it’s tendency to come one notch loose over the course of the day is annoying enough to dock it to second place.
The braided loop is everything u want: comfortable, reliable, flex-fit, sophisticated and totally beautiful with quality that somehow (how?!?) feels worth the nosebleed $100 price tag.

Get it.
@nycgeo Do you wear the leather link, during the summer? If so, has it held up?
 

nycgeo

macrumors 6502
Apr 12, 2005
262
405
NYC
@nycgeo Do you wear the leather link, during the summer? If so, has it held up?
Hey sorry for the late reply. I haven’t been wearing it much this summer. When I did it breathed ok, much better than the silicone ones, but eventually got sticky. I would be worried about using it daily in the summer and especially near water.
 

nycgeo

macrumors 6502
Apr 12, 2005
262
405
NYC
What color is the loop in the photo? It’s beautiful, and doesn’t look like any that I have seen

iverness green. It’s one I never thought I’d get but was the one I liked the most when I tried them on at the store.
 

se1961

macrumors newbie
Nov 8, 2010
18
3
Thanks for this! It's a much prettier color than it appears on the Apple website. I ended up getting it and love it. For those with size questions: I measured exactly according to Apple instructions, and got size 4. It was HUGE on my wrist. Went into the Apple store and tried on the bands, and decided on size 2.
 

iBought

macrumors regular
Dec 2, 2010
139
45
The fit is similar. I’m using the same size in both loops, and the fit is perfect. Where they differ is in feel, use cases, and imo appearance.

The braided loop is worlds more comfortable—in a different league from the regular solo loop. I find the feel of the solo loop on the wrist is noticeable some the time with a weird rubbery friction that I would describe as irritating, even though the loop fit is perfect, or even a little loose. Most of the time I would describe the solo loop feel on wrist as good.

The braided loop has the actual “disappear on the wrist” feeling. The braided loop is soft and extremely comfortable, full stop.

Another differing aspect is the appearance, which of course is subjective. I find the braided loop to be much more interesting visually than the solo loop, which has beautiful color saturation but just a plain look overall, it’s sort of isn’t even there.

Lastly the use cases, which is debatable. I feel like the braided loop is not the best water sports band, but I’m sure people will use it that way and be fine. The regular solo loop is made for the water, it’s just the perfect swimming band, and I use it whenever I’m doing anything outside in the rain or with water.

Curious how you fitted your braided loop. I am a size 7 on the paper apple measuring tool, but I have read to size down. Best to try on in store or how accurate is the apple measurement system?
 

PaladinGuy

macrumors 68000
Sep 22, 2014
1,690
1,093
ok i keep reading this. So too tight is not uncomfortable at first i am guessing.

It doesn’t take very long for the band to stretch a little bit and fit better. I wish I’d kept my 4 and not gone with the 5 that the website recommended. My 5 fits decently, but it moves around more than I’d like.

I just ordered a size 4 this time.
 
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lsh

macrumors 6502a
Feb 6, 2012
744
202
Cincinnati, OH
I find my braided 5 is loose in the morning and may or may not be a little tighter in the pm. But it’s always comfortable. So nice not to have to adjust during the day vs. other bands.
The size tool said 6 but it felt too loose most of the time and after comparing it to 5 in the store, I went with the 5. I do have a SS watch, which is a little heavier.

I do have a loop band but I love this so much, I don’t bother much to change it.

I wash it occasionally with hand soap. It’s well dry by morning. I use an older SS 4 for sleep.

I did not try the Sport loop - the idea of no beathability with a band meant to hold the watch tight to your skin bothered me.
 
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iBought

macrumors regular
Dec 2, 2010
139
45
I find my braided 5 is loose in the morning and may or may not be a little tighter in the pm. But it’s always comfortable. So nice not to have to adjust during the day vs. other bands.
The size tool said 6 but it felt too loose most of the time and after comparing it to 5 in the store, I went with the 5. I do have a SS watch, which is a little heavier.

I do have a loop band but I love this so much, I don’t bother much to change it.

I wash it occasionally with hand soap. It’s well dry by morning. I use an older SS 4 for sleep.

I did not try the Sport loop - the idea of no beathability with a band meant to hold the watch tight to your skin bothered me.
I feel like the braided loop would be a good band to have one during sleep. Not the case?
 
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