Apple Braided Solo Loop review
I've been putting the Apple Braided Solo Loop through its paces to see how well it compared to the Sport Band that came with my Apple Watch. Everything was rosy at first (helped along by the gorgeous magenta color), and I was feeling set to give the Apple Braided Solo Loop a blinding review. But then I saw the price.
The Apple Braided Solo Loop has a list price of $99 / £99 / AU$149 on the official Apple website. I understand that large brands such as Apple sell a high enough volume of products to allow them access to higher-quality materials and more sustainable production processes, which warrants them charging a premium, but £99 for, in my case at least, a teeny-tiny Watch band feels somewhat far-fetched. My mind was made up further when I found that the 80% recycled stainless steel Apple Milanese Loop strap is the same price, despite using what I would imagine to be more expensive materials.
I liked the nifty tool on the Apple website that gave me step-by-step instructions to measure my wrist to ensure I ordered the correct Watch band size. I can confirm that the size of the Apple Braided Solo Loop I received was a good fit, sitting comfortably tight on my wrist. However, this tightness and lack of adjustability brought with it one slight issue, this being the squeezing caused a slight bulging of skin on either side, which isn’t the most attractive of looks.
As the name suggests, the Apple Braided Solo Loop consists of one continuous braided strap made from weaving 16,000 recycled polyester yarn filaments around ultra-thin silicone threads, which made this Watch strap stretchy enough to get over my hand without losing its structure once in place around my slimmer-than-average wrists. Despite my beef with the cost, I must applaud Apple for their sustainable practice here, with this strap stated to be carbon-neutral, with the 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester yarn and 80% recycled stainless steel manufactured using clean energy.
The Apple Braided Solo Loop is compatible with 40, 41, and 42mm Apple Watch models and there are ten watch band lengths to choose from. It’s water and sweat-resistant and so far has proven to be adequately breathable, unlike my previous silicone strap, which I would have to remove and dry off after every skincare routine as it would never dry on its own.
In a nutshell, I am a big fan of the Apple Braided Solo Loop, and I support Apple’s sustainable approach, but the cost has proven a major turn-off for me – especially considering this is a quarter of the price of an Apple Watch Series 10 with a silicone strap included. That being said, if you’re looking into this before purchasing an Apple Watch, there is a saving to be made if you select an Apple Braided Solo Loop as part of the initial Apple Watch purchase, which at the time of writing is around fifty percent, so that’s definitely something to keep in mind.
If you’d like to see what other Apple Watch band options are out there, we’ve got a broad range of options over in our guide to the best Apple Watch bands.
Apple Braided Solo Loop review: Price & specs
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| Price | $99 / £99 / AU$149 |
| Materials | 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn, 80% recycled stainless steel |
| Band sizes available | 0 - 10 |
| Compatible with | 42, 44, 46mm |
| Resistances | Sweat and water |
| Sustainable aspects | Yes |
Should I buy the Apple Braided Solo Loop?
Buy it if…
You want a guaranteed fit
With its stretchy nature and the help of the Apple sizing guide, getting a good fit is super easy.
You want something breathable
If you're not a fan of water-trapping silicone Watch bands, then this woven polyester alternative should prove more suitable.
Don't buy it if…
You're on a budget
The cost will be fine for some who expect to pay sky-high prices for Apple quality, but for most of us mere mortals, this cost is bonkers for an unessential purchase.
You want a smooth silhouette
One issue with close-fitting, stretchable Watch bands such as the Apple Braided Solo Loop is that it reduces its size to fit, inevitably leaving a little overhang above and below the band. This may not be bothersome for some, but it's worth considering before you buy.
Apple Braided Solo Loop review: Also consider
Apple Solo Loop
Again, this is a continuous band with no closure, made from liquid silicone rubber, so it's a simple case of pulling it on and off. The upside of the silicone material is that it's perfect for swimming, so if you're someone who likes to take a dip in the pool on the reg, this would be the best alternative.
English (US) ·