Alongside the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE, Apple also launched the Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands. The Solo Loop band is not like other watch bands. It does not have a clasp nor a buckle. They are slip-on and can be worn on the wrist by simply being slipped onto your wrist.
The stretchable and slip-on design of the Solo Loop and the Braided Solo Loop means that it is available in different sizes for different wrist sizes. Because they are slip-on, the size and shape of these new loops cannot be altered later. This is why it’s so important to get them in the correct size. The bands can be stretched, but that is only for slip-on/off purposes and not size adjustments.
Compared to other watch bands, the Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands are extremely comfortable and easy to wear which is why there’s a lot of consumer interest in them. While the Solo Loop band uses liquid silicone rubber, the Braided Solo Loop utilizes recycled silicone thread.
No wonder then that Apple offers the Solo Loop bands in nine different sizes and even offers a size guide on its store page. Many customers have had issues with the size of their Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands even though they were ordered after this. You can find some helpful tips to help you choose the perfect size band for you.
Solo Loop Bands Apple Watch Compatibility
Apple might have announced the Solo Loop and the Braided Solo Loop watch bands alongside the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE, but the watch bands are compatible with older Apple Watch models as well. The following Apple Watch models are compatible with the Solo Loop and the Braided Solo Loop bands:
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch SE
Read: Top 20+ Apple Watch Series 6 Tips and Tricks
Find the Right Apple Watch Solo Loop Bands Size
Use Apple’s Solo Loop Sizing Tool
If you want to order a Solo Loop or a Braided Solo Loop band from Apple’s online store, your best bet is to follow the company’s sizing tool for the watch band to find the correct size for your wrist. Although the instructions may seem simple, it’s important to follow the steps.
Apple wants you to print out the PDF on a paper at 100% scale then cut the tool and wrap it tightly around your wrist where you wear your watch. After determining the size that fits you best, take a note of the numbers. The band will gradually loosen so if you feel one size is too snug or the other too loose, it’s best to go for the smaller size. Your Apple Watch should not slide on your wrist. You also want your Apple Watch to fit snugly around your wrist. Otherwise, the heart rate sensor and blood oxygen sensors might stop working properly.
Use the Band Measurement Tool
Apple’s sizing tool requires one to have access to a printer which might not be possible for everyone. There’s an alternative. Simply wrap a measuring tape around your wrist to measure it. You should not grip the tape tightly.
After that, go to Apple’s store page for the Solo Loop or the Braided Solo Loop. You will see the “Start your Band Measurement” option during the ordering process. Select it, then click on the “Household items” button. Enter the length in inches or cm. Apple will then automatically suggest the perfect Solo Loop size. Two different sizes might appear for you: one for active lifestyles, and the other for daily use.
Map the Sport Band Holes
If you already have an Apple Watch with a Sport Band, you can use it along with Apple’s Solo Loop sizing tool to find the right watch band size for you. John Gruber from Daring Fireball explains that the Sport Band holes are mapped with Solo Loop sizes.
Below is how Gruber explains his sizing theory:
The top of the bands aren’t supposed to line up. It was easy. I tried all four Sport Band combinations on my own wrist: 40 and 44mm watches, with both the S/M and M/L bands. Next, I matched the Sport Band hole to my best fit (size 7) with the Solo Loop size I am most comfortable with. It’s that simple. You line up the Sport Band hole that fits you best with the Solo Loop size that fits you best and the other hole-to-Solo-Loop-size mappings just fall into place. It doesn’t matter that the tops don’t align when you do this.
Go to Your Nearest Apple Retail Store
Not the ideal solution given the scenario, but if you really do not want to worry about the size of your Apple Watch Solo Loop band, your best bet is to simply visit your nearest Apple Store. You should make an appointment before you go and visit the store. A store associate will help you determine the right fit for your Solo Loop or Braided Solo Loop bands.
If you already have a Solo Loop band that’s ill-fitting, this is your best option as Apple is doing an in-store replacement for the bands. The process is quicker than sending the band back to Apple via its online support. However, it can take up to a week depending on your location. Apple won’t ship the replacement band until it receives the original.
Were you able to find the right size of the Solo Loop band for your wrist by following the guide above? You can also use Apple’s Solo Loop size tool. Did you have to return the Solo Loop band because of size? Drop a comment to let us know.