Review: Solo Loop band for Apple Watch

I love that it is so easy to give an Apple Watch a new look simply by changing the band.  After using an Apple Watch for over five years — since it first went on sale — I’ve had lots of opportunities to try out lots of different bands sold by Apple.  The very first watch band I ever purchased, the Classic Buckle, is actually my least favorite of all that I own.  But thanks to a Christmas gift from my wife, I now have a new band that makes the list as one of my all-time favorites:  the Solo Loop, which Apple first introduced on September 16, 2020.

The Solo Loop is the most simple band that Apple makes.  There are no clasps.  It only comes in solid colors.  Each version of the band is just a single size.  It doesn’t have any fancy features. 

While the design is simple, this is also perhaps the most complicated Apple Watch band to purchase.  That is because you have to pick a specific size, from size 1 to 9 for the 40mm Apple Watch and from size 4 to 12 for the 44mm Apple Watch.  The Apple website lets you download a printable guide that helps you to determine the correct size, and also includes instructions for how to measure your wrist with measuring tape or a ruler.  Or you can visit an Apple Store and have a specialist help you find the correct size, but that option is obviously more limited during the pandemic.

Another option for determining the correct size — or a good way to double-check that you picked the right measurement — is to figure out what hole you use on an Apple Sport Band and then follow John Gruber’s instructions for translating that to a Solo Loop size.

Once you determine your size, you get to pick a color.  There are currently ten colors to choose from:  Northern Blue, Plum, Deep Navy, Kumquat, Ginger, Cyprus Green, Pink Citrus, White, Black, and Red.

My wife picked out Cypress Green for me, and it looks great.  It is a very dark green — almost black, depending upon the light.

Simply slide each end of the Solo Loop band into the Apple Watch, and it is ready to use.

The Solo Loop stretches, almost like a rubber band, so to put it on you just slip your wrist in, expanding the band in the process.  And then it surrounds your wrist.

The back of the Solo Loop has a slight indented well, which helps the Solo Loop to feel even thinner.

There are a number of things that I really like about the Solo Loop band.

First, it is by far the thinnest and lightest Apple Watch band that I have ever tried.  That’s a nice feature in a band.

Second, it is by far the most secure Apple Watch band I’ve ever used.  Because there is no clasp, there is zero chance that you will catch it on something and have the Apple Watch band open up and fall off of your wrist.  That almost happened to me a few times with the large size of the Sport Band, although the XL size of the Sport Band solved that for me.  But even so, I love how secure this feels on my wrist.  It is not going anywhere.  If I was going to go swimming with my Apple Watch, this is the band that I would want to use to make sure that the band doesn’t come off without me noticing it.  And if you want to do a vigorous run outside and you don’t want any chance that your Apple Watch will become disconnected and fall off, this is the band for you.

Third, this band is made of silicone, so it is super easy to clean.  I wouldn’t want to wear some of my other bands if I knew that my hands were going to get dirty, but I don’t see that ever being a problem for the Solo Loop.

Fourth, I like that this band holds your Apple Watch in place.  It is not going to slide up and down your wrist.  It makes your Apple Watch feel like it just becomes a part of you.

So let’s talk about comfort.  The most comfortable band for the Apple Watch that I’ve ever used is the Sport Loop with its double-layer nylon weave.  As I noted in my review, that one is like the yoga pants version of the Apple Watch, and it is perfect for when you are stuck at home during a pandemic — not that you would in any way feel embarrassed wearing it in public.  The Solo Loop is not soft like the Sport Loop, but it is still incredibly comfortable.  I think that this is a result of it being so thin, light, and seamless, but it also helps that it so perfectly conforms to the shape of your wrist.  I consider this one of the most comfortable watch bands I own, although the Sport Loop still holds the #1 spot for comfort.

One downside of the Solo Loop is that if you sweat while you are wearing it (for example, when you are working out), the sweat can get trapped under the band because the silicone does not breathe.  It’s the same issue that you can have with the Sport Band, but it is a little more pronounced because the Solo Loop is a little tighter against your wrist than the Sport Band.  I only notice it when I remove the Solo Loop at the end of the day, and I certainly don’t notice it every time, but it is something to consider.

Overall, I really like this band.  It is comfortable, thin, light, durable, and secure.  If those features appeal to you, I encourage you to try this band out.  At $49, it is one of the cheapest bands that Apple sells.  I’m glad to have this band, and I use it often.