As a daily Apple Watch wearer, I’m forever on the hunt for the perfect watch strap. While the Nike Sports Loop has been my go-to on the Apple Watch SE 3, and before that, the Series 10, over the past few weeks, a new strap has climbed the ranks, knocking the Sports Loop out of the top spot.
And for good reason. The Solace Imperium Adapt strap for Apple Watch has a lot going for it, including a comfortable, PFA-free design made of stretchy, sweat-wicking nylon. It’s also available in a huge selection of stylish colors and patterns, and costs less than the Nike Sports Loop.
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1. Comfortable and adjustable
Few things bother me more than an itchy or abrasive watch band, which is to say, I have zero tolerance for crappy, low-grade silicon or rubber straps. Fortunately, this strap is anything but scratchy.
That said, right out of the box, the Solance Imperium Adapt is a tad stiff, but things start softening up after a day or two of wear. Made from stretchy nylon knitted in a Chevron-style pattern, the Adapt is plush without feeling thick.
It can also fit wrists as large as ~9 inches or as slender as ~4 inches. The magnetic clasp slides up and down the strap, letting you dial in just the right fit for maximum comfort, whether you like to wear your smartwatch loosey-goosy or nice and tight.
2. Breathable, sweat-wicking, and fast drying
The knitted nylon is highly breathable. I get pretty sweaty when I work out, and I found the Solace strap just as comfortable, if not more so, than the Nike Sports Loop.
The thick knitted pattern also allows the straps to dry really quickly. I ran my Apple Watch SE 3 + Solace strap on the sink for about thirty seconds to see how long it would retain moisture for. Afterwards, I gave the strap a quick blot with a paper towel and put it back on my wrist. Less than an hour later, there was no dampness to speak of.
3. Machine washable
With so much contact time with the body, your smartwatch and strap are probably filthy. While it’s recommended that you wash your Nike Sports Loop by hand, the Solace Imperium Adapt strap for Apple Watch is machine washable.
Better yet, it comes with a lifetime warranty, so feel free to toss it in with your other stinky workout gear.
4. Tons of stylish designs to choose from
As of publishing, the Solace Imperium Adapt strap for Apple Watch is available in no fewer than 24 styles, including my favorite, ‘Calypso,’ shown here. They should also accommodate nearly any Apple Watch model ever made, with one size for 38, 40, 41, and 42mm watches and another for 44, 45, 46, and 49mm models.
I opted for the larger, which means that my Calypso Solace strap not only fits my 44mm Apple Watch SE 3, but also the Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm) and Apple Watch Ultra 3 review units I have in for testing.
5. Nifty magnetic clasp closure
Last but not least, I’m a huge fan of the magnetic buckle system on the Solace Imperium Adapt strap. As noted above, the receiving half of the buckle can be slid up and down, allowing the strap to accommodate an enormous range of wrist sizes.
When the top of the buckle, with the logo, is placed over the bottom, the two lock together with a satisfyingly audible ‘click.’ More importantly, the magnets are strong enough to ensure a secure closure
Priced at $39.99 via Amazon— $10 less than the Nike Sports Loop — the Solance Imperium Adapt strap is my new go-to for the Apple Watch for the foreseeable future. Stay tuned for a long-term review.
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