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ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,410
4,243
Down south
I have a few really good color sport bands, but I just do not love wearing them. They feel so constricting to me compared to my nylon buckles and leather bands - even to some knockoff silicone buckle bands.

I don’t like the sport loops at all either, but for a different reason.

It definitely limits my options.

Anyone else not love the sport bands?
 
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SisterBlue22

macrumors demi-goddess
Apr 29, 2015
2,581
6,031
Arizona
I find them extremely comfortable. Are you maybe wearing them too tight? Once I figured out what hole to use on the sport bands that was tight enough but not too tight, they basically disappear on my wrist and I barely know I'm wearing my watch. I also wear my watch behind my wrist bone (toward the elbow), but I know many wear their watches between the wrist bone and the hand, right up against their hand, which I think would be less comfortable when moving one's wrist. It all comes down to personal preference, though, which is why it's great that we have so many styles and colors to choose from!!
 

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,410
4,243
Down south
I find them extremely comfortable. Are you maybe wearing them too tight? Once I figured out what hole to use on the sport bands that was tight enough but not too tight, they basically disappear on my wrist and I barely know I'm wearing my watch. I also wear my watch behind my wrist bone (toward the elbow), but I know many wear their watches between the wrist bone and the hand, right up against their hand, which I think would be less comfortable when moving one's wrist. It all comes down to personal preference, though, which is why it's great that we have so many styles and colors to choose from!!

I wear mine behind my wristbone too. If I loosen it more, it just moves around on my arm. I don’t mind how it feels that way, but it’s not really great for keeping track of anything that requires a more snug fit.
 

Htsi

macrumors 65816
Oct 14, 2020
1,398
1,267
I have not purchased a sport band because I do not like the material and the closing mechanism. I’ve kept only a hyper grape sport loop, don’t like that as well.
my favorites are the braided solo loop and link bracelet, haven’t tried the Hermès leather yet.
 

MacDevil7334

Contributor
Oct 15, 2011
2,552
5,816
Austin TX
I like the look of the sport band. With the way it tucks away the excess band and organically widens where it meets the watch, it’s one of the cleanest looking bands in my opinion. I also like the wide range of colors the sport band has come in over the years. There is something for everyone!

As others have said though, the sport band does not let your wrist breathe. Even the Nike version with the extra perforations struggles with breathability. Because of this, sport bands are a winter-only band for me here in Texas and I only own a few. In the summer, I much prefer the sport loop or woven nylon bands.
 

justiny

Contributor
Jul 28, 2008
791
2,587
Bubbletucky
I actually love the sport bands for exercising or when I’m going to be outside in the heat or getting sweaty. But I generally don’t wear them beyond those scenarios. Hermès leather or Link Bracelet for work or formal occasions (when those used to be a thing).

Almost every other time, I’m wearing a glorious sport loop. They’re like the most comfortable sweatpants you’ve ever worn, but for your wrist (IMO).

My wife has always disliked the sport bands, it hurts her wrists for some unknown reason. But now she’s loving her new Deep Navy Solo Loop.
 

myrtlebee

macrumors 68030
Jul 9, 2011
2,677
2,242
Maryland
I have Sport Bands and Sport Loops (all original Apple bands) and they all make my wrist itch after a while in the same spot (bottom of wrist). What’s weird is the spot that itches isn’t even touched by anything when wearing the Sport Bands (it’s the area under the gap).

The only thing I can think of is my wrist is sweating a little and can’t breathe as much as it needs to. I don’t understand it because I don’t have this problem when wearing a regular watch with a plastic band. At first I thought it was an allergic reaction, but with two different materials on the Sport Bands and Loops, that can’t be the case- and my wrist isn’t swelling and getting red.

I’m waiting to find a Leather Link at a cheaper price to see if that changes anything. Really stumped by this.
 

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,410
4,243
Down south
I actually love the sport bands for exercising or when I’m going to be outside in the heat or getting sweaty. But I generally don’t wear them beyond those scenarios. Hermès leather or Link Bracelet for work or formal occasions (when those used to be a thing).

Almost every other time, I’m wearing a glorious sport loop. They’re like the most comfortable sweatpants you’ve ever worn, but for your wrist (IMO).

My wife has always disliked the sport bands, it hurts her wrists for some unknown reason. But now she’s loving her new Deep Navy Solo Loop.

The only time I can imagine really needing a sport band myself is when I’m at the beach because sometimes I’m wearing my watch in the ocean, although I think I actually wore one of my nylon buckles last time, then just rinsed it. I do love the look of them, and the fact that I can have all the fun colors, but I just wind up hating the feel. I guess I’m not completely alone in this.

I can’t stand the sport loops either. I would likely love the way they feel, but I hate the bulky look in the area where they loop over, and mine always has a big air gap because there isn’t enough Velcro. It looks awful.
 
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SusieS

macrumors 6502
Sep 23, 2018
301
547
They feel so clammy on my arm, it gives me the willies. It’s too bad, because I like the look of them and all the fun colors, but the feeling on my skin is like nails on chalkboard. Sports loop is all I can wear.
 

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,410
4,243
Down south
They feel so clammy on my arm, it gives me the willies. It’s too bad, because I like the look of them and all the fun colors, but the feeling on my skin is like nails on chalkboard. Sports loop is all I can wear.

I know - I love the colors. It really bums me out. I put one on the other day because I love the color, and had to take it off. Honestly, for me it’s about the way the band tucks back into itself too - makes it feel even bulkier. The one knockoff I have that’s silicone, but with a regular buckle isn’t nearly as bad.
 

MacDevil7334

Contributor
Oct 15, 2011
2,552
5,816
Austin TX
Maybe give the solo loop a try? All the colors and style of the sport band but without the pin and tuck design. Also the braided version is even more breathable. Similar to the sport loop but without the loop portion.
 

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,410
4,243
Down south
Maybe give the solo loop a try? All the colors and style of the sport band but without the pin and tuck design. Also the braided version is even more breathable. Similar to the sport loop but without the loop portion.

Got a braided one early on, and I did like it, but it was too big, and the wait time was too long for another. I think I’ll try and reorder another.
 
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