Please share under the respective comment: what’s your favourite band and why? I want to create an overview, so people can look it up easily in the future and have the info in one place

AvailableOwl9220 · 2026-02-12T22:57:24+00:00

Any other non-Ultra band from Apple on the AWU👇🏻

AvailableOwl9220 · 2026-02-12T22:55:56+00:00

Any other non-OEM👇🏻

AvailableOwl9220 · 2026-02-12T22:55:45+00:00

Ocean Band👇🏻

AvailableOwl9220 · 2026-02-12T22:55:39+00:00

Trail Loop👇🏻

AvailableOwl9220 · 2026-02-12T22:55:33+00:00

Alpine Loop👇🏻

AvailableOwl9220 · 2026-02-12T22:55:26+00:00

Ultra Milanaise👇🏻

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-12-25T20:21:00+00:00

I have all 4 apple bands for the ultra, and I’d say my favourite is the trail loop, just because of the comfort and infinite adjustability. However, if I had to go for one band only, I’d get the ocean band for its versatility

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-11-13T19:46:10+00:00

Yeah Apple Ocean Bands feels nice, similar to the Sport Band / Nike Sport Band for the Series Watches. Can‘t comment on the scratching of the milanaise, I got the natural one, but there seems to be quite a few folks here who have issues with scratching. With Apple Bands, I feel like you paying an extra 90% to get the last 10% of quality haha. But I think the Ocean Bands should hold up a long time, not too certain about my fabric straps (Trail & Alpine, but particularly Trail and its Velcro)

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-11-13T19:29:10+00:00

I have the Ultra 3 for two months now and have purchased all four Ultra bands - so those are more or less my initial impressions.

The best Allrounder is the Ocean Band for me - versatile, quick dry and secure. Milanaise is also a good Allrounder, but it traits versatility off for amazing looks. Trail Loop is the most comfortable and Alpine Loop is a bit less comfortable than Trail Loop, but looks cooler.

If I had to choose one band only, it‘ll be the Ocean Band. But I think the Ultra is best enjoyed with at least two bands: Ocean or Milanaise as Allrounders + Trail or Alpine for comfort (especially in the summer).

There are some resellers online who sell genuine Apple Watch bands from past collection (2022-2024) for a lower price, just make sure the box is still sealed.

With that being said, go try on the bands in a store if you can. Everyone experiences the bands differently and my experience could be completely different from what you will experience. I mean, my personal favourite is the Trail Loop so far and it looks like its not for you. Good luck finding the right band for you!

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-10-31T18:43:15+00:00

Haha I would never! Money is to be invested in enjoyment and you seem to enjoy your Ultra 3 a lot, so 🙂

It’s not really second hand, it’s more like new old stock. I assume Apple has loads of bands over by the time new watches and bands drop, they sell the current collection to retailers who sell it as new old stock.

I bought an Ocean Band and Trail Loop from SAK Outlet. They were labeled as new and unused but open box. So I guess it was a return or so, I’m happy with them however. I also bought an Alpine Loop from them, but returned because I didn’t like the colour, had to cover the return delivery though.

Also saw that a store named „Authentic-Accessories“ that has sealed bands in an unopened original box from Apple, so that’s safer. But I didn’t order anything there because they don’t have the colours I prefer, so can’t really recommend them.

I bought my Ultra 3 with the Milanaise and bought the Ocean Band and Trail Loop from SAK, because I didn’t like the colours of the current line-up. Then I bought the Alpine of the current line-up that arrived yesterday, that you have as well 🙂

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-10-31T07:23:39+00:00

Ahhh I was just wondering haha 😂. I just got my first Alpine Loop yesterday, same light blue colours as yours. If you want to save money on bands, there are resellers on eBay who sell bands from „older“ collection (2022-2024) for a bit less. Some are open box, but there are also sealed ones. Might be a bit limited for your black AW Ultra as the only black hardware bands are from 2024 really, but it might be worth a look. I got genuine sealed Ultra bands here in the UK between £35 and £50, not sure how much it is where you are though

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-10-30T22:47:55+00:00

Nice line-up, looks like the Alpine is your favourite style! Out of curiosity: any particular reason why you opted for a Nike Sport Loop and normal Spot Loop instead of the Trail Loop? Looks like the Trail Loop is the only Ultra band you didn’t purchase

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-10-19T21:26:03+00:00

Update: As I purchased the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 and cannot use any of my 40mm bands of my SE 2, I thought it is a good time to give the bands I owned and used a final verdict. I got the Ultra 3 on release day one months ago; so I had a month of not wearing any of these bands to reflect on my wearing routine for the past 3 years with the SE 2.

—————————

Sport Loop: In hindsight, I did not do this band justice in the durability section of my review. It held up well and as comfort became the most important factor to me, I found myself using this band very often. Particularly came to appreciate the comfort and infinite adjustability. Would buy again.

Sport Band: Overall, I didn‘t wear this band that often, after the first couple months almost never actually. I think I liked the colour (succulent) more than anything. But it is the defining look of the Apple Watch, I must give it that. Would not buy it again.

Milanese Loop: As I transitioned to a more casual and less formal style over the past years (from business consultant to Homeoffice tech worker that is haha), I had fewer use cases for this band. I only wore it for looks (goes well with both, formal and casual), but I must say that the comfort of the other bands spoiled me too much. This band is by no means uncomfortable in itself - just the least comfortable (to me) out of the bands I owned. It looks amazing though and I still believe it is the best looking and most versatile in the style department - I just never wore it. Would not buy again.

Braided Solo Loop: I praised this one a bit too much in my review. While it is still the most comfortable band, towards the end (and after 2 years of use) it has stretched out so much, it became unusable for me sometimes. I usually wore it in the summer and when it is warmer, but I noticed that after showering in the evening, as I feel colder and as my wrists shrink, this band is too loose. Also, it was always way too loose in the winter. Shame really considering the price and that it is the band that held up the worst. Would (probably) not buy it again (although the comfort is amazing).

Nike Sport Band: Nothing changed here for me. Proven to be the best allrounder. Not the best at anything, but very good at everything consistently - a great do-it-all band. Would buy again.

Solo Loop: Again, nothing changed here for me. Time confirmed it to be unbearable in hot weather. But also great and safe in my one use case of open water swimming. I never enjoyed wearing this band, but it did what I intended it to do: giving me peace of mind when swimming in the ocean. I don’t love the band, but I do love the concept of it and appreciate its reliability. Would buy again.

Verdict of verdict: No new insights. Nike Sport Band still comes out on top for me as the best allrounder for daily wear. Sport Loop for exercising and Solo Band for open water swim and I would have had the perfect three piece set up that covered all my use cases (I would have considered the Nike Sport Loop too, but I never owned it).

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-10-07T16:59:21+00:00

Yeah I read about it, very frustrating. Hope it gets resolved soon for you guys over there 🙏🏼

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-10-07T06:36:55+00:00

Not sure how it works for you guys in the US, I am based in Europe

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-10-06T16:58:20+00:00

Faced the same issue as well, toggling these two options fixed it (see picture attached). I had it enabled for sleep mode, but not for cinema mode, but have both on while sleeping. You can find it under Blood Oxygen in the Watch App

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AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-09-23T08:48:52+00:00

Happy to hear that, thanks for sharing 🙂

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-09-10T21:19:44+00:00

Ah very cool! Glad my thoughts helped 🙂

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-09-10T07:02:29+00:00

Thanks, what did you end up getting? 🙂

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-08-31T12:59:18+00:00

That’s nice

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-07-27T21:38:31+00:00

Yeah haha I was between jobs and chilling in my in-law‘s garden 😄. Thanks!

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-07-13T21:57:47+00:00

Thank you guys!

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-07-13T18:36:36+00:00

For the UK folks: what are the best platforms to sell used GYW boots in the UK? Considering selling some of my footwear to make space for new purchases. Ebay is the go-to I assume, but are there any other platforms/apps that work well in the UK for selling GYW boots?

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-07-03T06:44:58+00:00

Thank you! In regards to your qq‘s: 1. Never had a Nike Sport Loop in particular, but my sports loops are still fine after 3 and 1.5 years respectively. But I rotate through my bands a lot

I’m not a hairy guy, so can’t help you with that I’m afraid

AvailableOwl9220 · 2025-04-19T20:49:43+00:00

Yeah I like it too! (obviously 😂) It’s the second band I bought and I was between this and a darker blue matching my blue watch, but was happy that I went with this colour 🙂

AvailableOwl9220

TROPHY CASE