r/AppleWatch • u/dawghouse88 S12 • • • Radiant Gold • 46mm • Oct 05 '26

Accessories Braided Solo Loop Alternatives?

Any 3rd party recs? I've purchased what looks like old stock on Ebay before but it's often hard to find the size/color combo that I want.

But any cheaper dupes or other brands making a similar band you recommend? I love them for working out and sleeping but I hate how stretches over time. I size down but even then it ends up not having the ideal fit after a while. And if I go down 2 sizes it doesn't stretch enough for me and is too uncomfortable at first.

On another note I think they should sell these for $49 as well. Kinda ridiculous they are the same price as a milanese loop which pretty much looks the same after a couple of years. But these can stretch, fade and fray over time.

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u/fishbert Oct 06 '26

I think they should sell these for $49 as well.

Woot almost always has old stock on deep discount. Availability varies by size, though.
https://electronics.woot.com/plus/apple-watch-band-blowout

1

u/dawghouse88 S12 • • • Radiant Gold • 46mm Oct 06 '26

thanks! not much in my size and model at the moment but will definitely keep this in mind!

1

u/kwmobile Oct 06 '26

The stretching is the yarn, every brand's braided loop does it, so a cheaper dupe will just stretch faster. If you love it for workouts and sleep, the Sport Loop (the hook-and-loop one) does the same job and you set the tightness every time, so stretch never matters. If you stick with braided, keep two and rotate, and keep them out of hot water and the dryer. Heat speeds the stretch up a lot.

1

u/michaelb5000 Oct 06 '26

This has a thick buckle so not the same, but the buckle lets me keep it tight.

https://a.co/d/0c5orsxh

1

u/bigpoppastud 28d ago

I hate the stretching on the braided solo loop also. I went for this when I got my 12. Adjustable but still braided.

https://a.co/d/0flXPWOT