Apple Watch Braided textile Soloband

Apple Braided Solo Strap tested

Previously you could have all our review of the regular Solobandje read, the standard specimen made of silicone rubber. But Apple also has a more luxurious version that costs double: the Braided Solo Loop (‘Braided solo band’ in Dutch). It is made from recycled material and costs 99 euros. You can choose from five colors and we have already put it on our wrist.

Text, photos and review: Gonny van der Zwaag (@gonny). We tested this strap in the colors blue and green in sizes 3, 5 and 7. One of these straps was made available for review by Apple.

Apple Solobandje in short

• Available in 2 sizes (40mm and 44mm), each in 9 different sizes
• Available in 5 colors
• Elastic and made of soft silicone rubber
• No clasp or buckle
• Price: € 99 each

Dimensions of the Braided Solobandje

Sizing is quite a hassle with these Solo bands. We already mentioned this in our previous review of the Solobandje. It’s pretty tight (pun intended) to find the right size and it is best to go to the Apple Store to try it on. Pay particular attention to how it feels for you and not so much what the employees say. You know best whether you prefer to wear a little tighter or a bit wider. The Braided Solo Strap doesn’t stretch over time, according to Apple, so you don’t have to buy it extra tight.

I have tested the Braided Soloband in sizes 3, 5 and 7. After testing a few different sizes, I now know that size 5 suits me best. So I tested with straps that were both too tight and too loose. If your ideal size is not in stock, I would rather choose a size too large (so in my case size 6) and not a size too small (size 4).

Or better yet: just wait until your ideal size is in stock, because this one Apple Watch-band is too expensive to buy just like that.

As if releasing bands with very specific sizes weren’t confusing enough, Apple has created even more confusion in the entire communication surrounding it. For example, this strap would not be suitable for the Apple Watch Series 3 and before, but that’s bullshit. Rather, it seems that Apple does not dare to guarantee the exact size. Although there is hardly any guarantee, because the whole measuring and finding the exact size is still a matter of trying and feeling.

So you really don’t need one Apple Watch Series 6 if you want this strap. They can also be purchased separately.

More about wrist sizes of Apple Watch bands you can read in our tip.

Appearance of the Braided Solo Band

This watch strap is made of 100% recycled polyester, which, according to Apple, contains 16,000 fibers. Thin silicone wires are woven into the strap, to make it sturdy yet stretchable. We tested the green variant a little longer and it gave the impression of cotton canvas (also because of the color). The texture is a bit rougher than the silicone band, but still feels nice. Apple speaks of a 300D texture, whatever that may be. The strap is sweat and water resistant and can be washed in the washing machine in case of stains. I wouldn’t do warmer than 30 degrees.

Because this band gets dirty faster than the smooth silicone and fluoroelastomer bands, Apple probably chose not to release light colors. You can choose from:

• Charcoal (dark gray)
• Inverness green (khaki green, see photo)
• Atlantic blue (medium blue, see photo)
• Punchroze
• (PRODUCT)RED (rood)

Lovers of black may be disappointed that the so-called ‘black’ strap is not deep black, but the name ‘charcoal’ already indicates that you can expect dark gray. The colors gray, green, blue and pink are immediately available, while the red version is expected later this autumn. Not all models are in stock, by the way. You have the best chance if you have a non-common size, such as 40mm in size 1/2/3/8/9 or 44mm in size 4/5/11/12. Furthermore, the blue variant seems to be the most popular, because it has the longest delivery time together with the red variant. Compared to the regular Soloband, the colors white and ginger yellow are missing.

This Braided Soloband looks a bit more dressy and is therefore more suitable to wear at the office, for example. At the end is a silver-colored metal connection, which disappears completely when you click the band onto your watch. As a result, the strap can also be combined with a blue, red or gold Apple Watch. However, some people complain that you can see a hole on the sides, as if you inserted a 40mm strap into a 44mm watch case. I don’t find that disturbing myself; you can only see it when you look very closely and it is simply a characteristic of this band.

Although this band is sweat resistant, you would probably prefer one of the sports bands while exercising, as they are easier to rinse off. The textile of this strap retains more moisture.

Solo band in use

Since this strap has no clasp, you have to put your hand through it to wear. That has to be done daily, because with a battery life of 18 hours you will still have to charge almost daily. Especially if you have the Apple Watch from now on will wear in bed because of the new slaapfuncties in watchOS 7.

In terms of wearing comfort, it is very different from the Solo silicone rubber strap. The texture is a bit rougher, so it really has to fit this strap well in terms of fit. If the material shifts over your skin, it can cause friction.

It is not the case that the band is so rough that it scratches you MacBook. Also with this strap, the lack of the closure can be an advantage, if you like to rest your wrist on the table or your trackpad. We have (unfortunately) already seen pictures of people who got caught with the strap behind something, causing a loop and the wickerwork is no longer so beautiful. Those who are handy can solve this in no time with a crochet hook or something similar.

The wearing comfort with this braided band is very pleasant. I not only noticed this myself, but I also hear it from other users. Polyester may not be the most premium material (Primark and H & M’s cheap clothing is often made of polyester as well) but this strap certainly doesn’t feel cheap. It’s actually pretty clever how Apple managed to make it: the braid ends in the metal connector, where there’s little room for finishing. Even with hard stretching, no thread will come loose. Although of course we cannot judge how this is after a few months of use. The material can start to show pilling and fluff and some threads can become messier.

I find the price a bit shocking with this band. It makes sense that it would be a bit more expensive to make than the regular sports and silicone straps, but to ask for double immediately we think it is a bit disproportionate. That doesn’t really invite you to buy more than one. You can also buy almost one for € 200 Apple Watch (namely the Series 3). Whether two pieces of fabric are worth as much as a technically complex device as one Series 3, you can decide for yourself, but we would have preferred a price in between, for example 70 euros. Apple seems to have opted for standard prices: € 49 for the regular € bands and € 99 for the slightly more luxurious.

Which Apple Solo Band?

Maybe you have doubts between these two bands: will it be the normal Solo band or the Braided Solo band? The braided version is clearly more expensive, but is also more unique and striking. I would rather opt for the braided version, because it really gives me a different type of strap.

However, if you are concerned with the practical aspect of a strap without a buckle, then the normal Soloband suits you better. This one looks very similar to the normal sports band, so you don’t really impress with it (as far as you would like). It looks like a simple and unobtrusive strap. This model may also be more convenient for children, although you will have to buy a larger strap every six months for children who are growing. Not handy either.

These are the main differences:

• The braided version is considerably more expensive: 99 euro versus 49 euro.
• The braided version is available in only 5 colors. No yellow and white, probably because this gets dirty too quickly.
• The braided version is made from recycled materials and feels like textile. Therefore, it will breathe a little better. But it can also get dirty a little faster.
• From the responses so far, we notice that people think that the braided version feels a bit more pleasant. But this will be personal.

Maybe because I’m Dutch, but I think € 99 for a simple textile strap is too exaggerated. Leather straps require a lot of (manual?) Stitching and leather processing, but this strap seems to come straight out of a computer-controlled machine, that’s how evenly the braiding is. Nicely made, but € 99 is quite a bit of a swallow. I’m afraid it will stay with one band… which is a shame, because I would like to have a few other colors besides the blue one. However, my wallet says no.

I saw these braided bands as fake AliExpress for around € 10. That’s tempting but I’m afraid the quality is such that you can throw them away after wearing them a few times.