Are you looking for the best bands for Apple Watch cyclists? There is some good news. With all the options of Apple Watch straps available, there are now multiple ways to spruce up your Apple Watch.
With all the different bands available, finding the perfect one for you can be a daunting and frustrating process. This post will share with you five of the best bands for Apple Watch cyclists.
In a rush? Here are the various options:
How To Choose Apple Watch Bands For Cyclists
Before getting to our list of the best bands for Apple Watch cyclists, let’s start by looking at what factors to consider when shopping for your Apple Watch band.
Apple Watch Model
No brainer, but check your Apple Watch model first!
It is now time to delve into the world of bands. The first thing you’ll notice is that not all Apple Watch bands come in multiple sizes or are compatible with all models. For instance, some bands are limited to only the 40 and 41mm Apple Watch models.
Small Apple Watch models tend to be compatible with bands of sizes one to nine. Meanwhile, large Apple Watch models are compatible with bands whose size is between four and 12.
Wrist Measurement
One essential step when picking your Apple Watch band is measuring your wrist. Use one of these measuring techniques.
Cloth Tape Measure
The first way is by using a cloth tape measure, simply wrapping it around your wrist to get your measurement.
Piece Of String
If you do not have a cloth tape measure, you can use a piece of string instead. Take the string and wrap it around your wrist, then use a ruler or a flat measuring tape to measure the part of the string which fits around your wrist.
Be sure to use a stretch-free material for your string.
Piece Of Paper
The third option is using a piece of paper. Cut the piece of paper into a strip and wrap it around your wrist. Mark the point where the paper overlaps with a pen. Then compare the strip to a ruler or other measuring tool.
Apple’s Online Tools
You can use Apple’s online measurement tool to further ensure the perfect fit. Head on to the store page’s Solo Loop and click on “Start your measurement” to download the sizing tool. Alternatively, you can use Apple’s on-page calculator, inputting the measurements you got from the earlier methods.
When using these methods, ensure the paper, string, or tape measure fits tightly to your wrist, and doesn’t slide around. You want your Apple Watch to fit snugly on your wrist and stay on your skin for its sensors to function and offer accurate heart rate data.
Additional Considerations
Besides Apple Watch model, sizes and wrist measurements, additional criteria for getting the best bands for Apple Watch cyclists are:
- Comfort: While your band should provide a close enough fit, it should also feel comfortable. There should be no chafing.
- Handle Sweat Well: Time spent on your bike will undoubtedly produce sweat, and your band will need to deal with it well.
- Water-resistant: Though this is not an essential criterion, your Apple Watch band should be able to handle water well, ideally drying quickly.
- Material: The band’s material will determine comfort. For instance, bands made of soft liquid silicone rubber have an elastic quality that will enable them to slip over your hand, contracting on your wrist.
Best Bands For Apple Watch Cyclists
Though having these considerations in mind will help make your decision easier, it can still be tricky knowing where to start. Should you go for standard bands or a metal band with stainless steel?
Not to worry, with the following list of the best bands for Apple Watch cyclists, we will point you in the right direction, making the process more straightforward.
APPLE LEATHER BAND
Apple’s leather band is a high-quality band that you can wear even when you are not exercising. However, a downside of this option is the fact that it does not deal with water and sweat as well as other bands.
On top of that, as good as the leather band is, some are advocating for the introduction of vegan leather Apple Watch bands.
Adopting a plant-based diet does have several health benefits, including offering positive results in recovering after exercise. Since not eating animal products has its advantages, some question why we continue to wear them.
APPLE SPORTS BANDS
Though sports bands are the standard option, it is an impressive choice. The strap feels good and secure and is extremely easy to adjust to find the perfect fit. This is a feature that not many Apple Watch bands have, with the Microsoft Band 2 the only band that comes close. Unfortunately, Microsoft no longer makes these bands.
While these are significant benefits, sports bands are not quite ideal when working out because sweat will often accumulate in the middle of the band. Sometimes you will need to take your Apple Watch off to wipe the back.
NIKE SPORTS BAND
The Nike Sports Band is the standard Sports Band, with the main difference being this band features several vent holes. Additionally, the Nike Sports Band offers a bit more color.
This option also addresses its counterpart’s issue with sweat accumulation. Due to the holes the band has, more air can reach and cool your skin. This feature allows you to focus on your workout instead of the thought of accumulating sweat, making it the go-to option for many cyclists.
APPLE SPORTS LOOP
The Sports Loop hit the market with the Apple Watch Series 3 and is one of the best bands with which to workout.
Not only are these bands quicker to adjust than Sports bands, but they also do not suffer from the sweat accumulation problem their counterparts do. This is because the straps never completely sit on your skin. On top of that, their Velcro pieces permit space for airflow between your skin and the band.
Besides solving the sweat accumulation issue, the Sports Loop is also highly comfortable, thanks to the material it utilizes.
Unfortunately, what makes these bands comfortable creates their one significant downfall. Since Sports Loop uses fabric, it will absorb water and take quite a while to dry when it gets wet.
NYLON BAND
One of the features that make Nylon bands a suitable consideration when looking for the best bands for Apple Watch cyclists is the various colors in which it comes. The numerous color options allow you to add a bit of appeal to your look.
Unfortunately, this option is not the best when it comes to working out. For instance, the strap will either sit too tight or too loose on your wrist. If it’s too tight, it will be uncomfortable and can get sweaty during your ride.
On the other hand, if the band is too loose, it will bounce around your wrist during your ride, which can be extremely distracting. If that wasn’t enough, its straps are not that easy to adjust on the fly.
Conclusion
While the ultimate choice is down to your preferences, you can’t go wrong with the Nike Sports Band for cycling. This option promises to offer the perfect combination of practicality, functionality, and style for cyclists.
Should you decide to go with an alternative option, there are plenty more bands you can choose from, including the metal bands mentioned in passing. However, considering their edges and bulkiness, this option isn’t everyone’s cup of tea whilst riding!
You may also like to read How To Track Cycling On An Apple Watch.
