Apple Watch Sport Loop Hands On: A runner's new best friend

By Serenity Caldwell
published

We didn't just get hands on time with Apple's new devices at the company's September event: We got a peek at their new bands, too. Aside from the typical array of new colors and fancy Hermès styles, The biggest announcement in the Apple accessories sphere was the company's new Sport Loop band.

Designed with its Leather Loop sibling in mind, the Sport Loop eschews leather for fluffy woven nylon and magnets for hook-and-loop fastenings (commonly known as Velcro), providing a softer, more secure option for those on the go.

The band provided by far the most secure fit on my wrist without killing my circulation or pinching; those who lose skin contact while running due to either movement or sweat are going to love this band, especially its easy Velcro-style readjustment. (Apple doesn't actually call the connection "Velcro," opting instead for "hook and loop fasteners," which sort of makes me think Jony Ive spent a month in a room somewhere trying to invent a better form of Velcro.)

I'm definitely going to be buying one for roller derby, and probably sending one to my dad, who spent most of my week visiting grumbling about how the Sport band didn't hold the watch tight enough to his wrist. Here you go, Dad. An early Happy Christmas to you.

Serenity Caldwell
Serenity Caldwell

Serenity was formerly the Managing Editor at iMore, and now works for Apple. She's been talking, writing about, and tinkering with Apple products since she was old enough to double-click. In her spare time, she sketches, sings, and in her secret superhero life, plays roller derby. Follow her on Twitter @settern.

12 Comments
  • Velcro is a brand. Like Kleenex. There have been competitors and improvements. But you can’t say Velcro unless you mean Velcro®, the original hook and loop closure.
  • Look up pedantic. Then give yourself a time out.
  • She pointed out that Apple didn’t call it Velcro. I said why. Look up douschebag in Urban Dictionary and STFU.
  • Yup, I know! I just find it interesting that they didn't license Velcro-brand, and instead made their own hook-and-loop closure.
  • I love the current nylon bands. They look great. But one complaint is they take so long to dry after washing my hands and they smell really gross after a while. Worried these will get really gross from running. Thoughts?
  • Definitely going to test, but one of the things highlighted on the floor was how quick they were to dry. So we'll see. :)
  • Velcro? Really? Apple is going to charge $50 for nylon and velcro? You have to admire the chutzpah.
  • This band looks awesome. Some questions: 1. How is the weight compared to the other nylon band or the nike sport band.
    2. Does it breathe as well as the Nike Sport Band?
    3. Most importantly, can you charge it with the upcoming AirPower without taking out the strap? It looks like the strap will get in the way charging it which is unfortunate. It would be a deal breaker for me to always have to take off one side of the band in order to charge.
  • It is stretchy, so you can just sort of flip the band inside-out and then the back of the watch would be on-top so to speak. Hopefully you get what I mean :-)
  • This has to be some sort of a joke, right? There is nothing about that band that says Apple-design.
  • i keep switching between two different holes on my current woven nylon band, so having a more adjustable strap like this one is great
  • Same here on switching between two sizes. Some companies actually make better hook-and-loop closures, like 3m. They have very tiny hooks and they don’t obviously affect the fabric as much. A lot of water belts for running use them. I think this is the same type here.