When Apple announced its newest Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE, it also introduced a new type of band. Called the Solo Loop, it's the first Apple Watch band made from liquid silicone. This detail, among others, make it the best band for most Apple Watch owners. The reason silicone is best and why other bands can't match the new design isn't immediately apparent, but will become obvious when the various advantages are laid out.
Every year the new Apple Watch is accompanied by new bands. Apple offers a variety of colors and patterns. Materials include metal, fabric, high-tech synthetics such as Fluoroelastomer and even leather bands. The newest band is made of silicone. The type of clasp varies, but it's usually a fairly standard buckle or the lever type that is used on metal bands. The latest innovations from Apple include the iPad Air 4, which has many features once reserved for the iPad Pro line and two models of Apple Watch. However, an unsung hero this year is the Solo Loop watch band.
The unique Solo Loop band solves several problems that have plagued watch owners since the earliest days of the wristwatch. Made of liquid silicone, the band is a continuous length of material with no clasp, notches or hardware to touch the wrist. Silicone is generally considered to be hypoallergenic and is often used in medical products, since it is well tolerated by the body. The Solo Loop has no clasp, but it's springy enough and durable enough to stretch the band over the hand, even big hands, and hold its original snug shape on the wrist. With no loops or holes or metal bits to dig into the wrist, the stretchy nature means it flexes along with hand and wrist movement. The smooth and seamless Solo Loop will stay clean longer and silicone is among the easiest of materials to clean - nearly any cleaner can be used. The feel is soft and satiny, color choices range from bold to understated, and the simplicity of the style means it won't detract from the Apple Watch itself.
How Other Bands Fail
Comparing the Solo Loop to other bands, those that have clasps will always have a sizing issue. The possibility of an exact fit is rare when preset holes and notches are used. This means the fit of the Apple Watch will likely be too loose or too tight, possibly affecting heart rate measurements. Some other Apple Watch bands are elastic, but fail to address other concerns. Bands with metal can irritate skin and may catch on fabric or scratch surfaces. Metal shows scratches over time and may discolor with exposure to sweat. The fine texture of some metal bands are prone to collecting dirt and grime. In fact, any band with clasps, textures, woven materials or other crevices will require extra diligence in cleaning to avoid build up of odor causing bacteria and general uncleanliness. This problem also affects the Braided Solo Loop as crevices can fill with sweat and dirt.
Cleaning some bands requires special attention. Beyond the ethical and sustainability concerns about strapping parts of an animal on the wrist, leather can also shrink and discolor with exposure to water. Leather bands will absorb sweat and be difficult to clean. Fabric bands will retain sweat also. Apple states that bleach and alcohol should not be used with leather and fabric bands, instead recommending a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. In other words, don't get your leather or fabric bands too dirty or sweaty. For those that feel a style imperative to use one of these difficult to clean, somewhat uncomfortable or less than ideal fitting bands, swapping bands is quick and easy. The best new Apple Watch band is the Solo Loop, but nothing says a person can't have multiple bands.
Source: Apple