Alpine Loop vs Trail Loop Vs Ocean Band: 5 Expert Insights

In this comparison of Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, and Ocean Band, I’ve decided to take a rather unique approach.

I am going to read 5 expert reviews on these Apple Watch Ultra (AWU) bands and share their findings with you. Here is how it is going to be.

1. A link to the original post or video.
2. Followed by a juicy bite-sized summary of the expert findings.

You can say I am doing this because I don’t have access to these premium Apple Watch Ultra bands. Yes, you are right. Also, it is a part of internal research that I often do so I can share the most valuable information with my readers. However, this time, I have decided to make it public.

Let’s dive in.

Alpine Loop Wins for DCrainmaker for its aesthetic appeal:

My first feature is DCrainmaker.

DC Rainmaker, aka Ray Maker, is the go-to guru for all things sports technology. I have been reading this in-depth blog on GPS watches for years now, and he is a sort of inspiration for me.

He has written a detailed blog on these Apple Watch Ultra bands, and I love his personal touch. There is also a detailed video that you can find below.

Here is a link to the complete video:

Key Findings:

1. Ray maker found the Alpine Loop to be the most visually appealing of the three straps.
2. Trail Loop is his favorite for wearability, ease of adjustment, and practicality. However, it lacks the visual appeal of the Alpine Loop and is unsuitable for high-impact water sports.
3. This one is a no-brainer. Ocean Band is specifically designed for water activities, does not retain water, and can be worn over wetsuits. Ray maker’s least favorite in terms of comfort and appeal.
4. Ray makes a point of finding the correct size and fit for each strap, as it impacts comfort and the accuracy of heart rate sensor data.

Here is a more detailed and quick breakdown of his findings.

Feature	Alpine Loop	Trail Loop	Ocean Band
Adjustability	Moderate (hook/loop)	High (Velcro Strap)	Low (Metal clasp)
Comfort	Moderate	High	Medium
Water Retention	Moderate	High	Low
Available Sizes	Small, Medium, Large	Small, Medium/Large	Single Size
Size Available	Small: 130-160mm wrist Medium: 145-190mm wrist Large: 165-210mm wrist	Small: 130-180mm wrist Medium/Large: 145-200mm wrist	One Size: 130-200mm wrist
Color Options	Orange, White (Starlight), Green	Yellow/Beige, Black/Grey (with orange accent), Blue/Grey	White, Yellow, Blue
Price of Extension Strap	N/A	N/A	$49

$99 Price Tag is too steep: TheVerge

In a Verge article, Victoria Song reviews the three Apple Watch Ultra straps – Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band. She actually spent some time with each of these bands and has some useful insights to share.

Here are some of her key findings:

1. She claims that about 90% of the time you are going to wear your Apple Watch Ultra in your daily routine. That means whatever strap offers more comfort should be your top choice.
2. Unsurprisingly, the Trail Loop is her recommended choice due to its comfort, breathability, adjustability, and lightweight design.
3. She cast the vote in the favor of Alpine Loop for outdoor activities. To back it up, Song (rightfully) claims it offers extra security with its G-hook, but it can be difficult to take off quickly.
4. The Ocean Band, with its fashion-forward look, is ideal for divers and swimmers. However, Song warns points out some interesting drawbacks: single size, finicky clasp, and polarizing design.
5. Victoria suggests that if the $99 price tag for additional straps is too steep, third-party bands offer more affordable and diverse options.

Feature	Trail Loop	Alpine Loop	Ocean Band
Comfort	High	Moderate	Moderate
Material	Stretchy nylon weave	Double-layered textile	High-performance elastomer
Adjustability	High, easy with velcro	Medium, G-hook can be a pain	Low, finicky removable clasp
Breathability	High	High	Low
Weight	Lightest	Similar to Trail Loop	Heavier than Trail Loop
Water Resistance	Dries quickly	Better for rain and elements	Waterproof
Visual Appeal	Low	High	High

The Trail & Alpine Loop get grubby more often: TomsGuide

In Tomsguide take on Apple Watch Ultra Bands, Jane McGuire accurately identifies the use cases of these bands, rank them in the comfort department, and provides valuable insights into their pros and cons based on her personal experiences.

1. She favored the trail loop for its comfortable and lightweight design but has her fair share of gripes. ‘The trail loop gets grubby and stays wet after water exposure.’
2. In her opinion, the Ocean band being a silicon band does well in this department. It doesn’t get wet or grubby and is suitable for water sports. However, adjusting it can be more difficult.
3. She was quick to recommend the Alpine loop for rugged activities but warned against certain drawbacks. For instance, the Alpine loop can be stiff, pinch the skin, and get grubby.
4. All three brands (sized 49mm) were released with and designed for the Apple Watch Ultra (September 2022). However, the watch is also compatible with 45mm bands that come with the previous models.

Band	Target Audience	Material	Fastening	Sizes	Colors	Pros	Cons
Alpine Loop	Explorers, Adventurers	High-strength yarn	Titanium G-hook	Small (130-160mm), Medium (145-190mm), Large (165-210mm)	Orange, Green Alpine, Starlight	Stays put during rugged activities; adjustable loops	Stiff, can pinch skin, gets grubby
Trail Loop	Endurance athletes, Runners	Woven textile	Velcro-like tab	S/M (130-180mm), M/L (145-220mm)	Yellow/Beige, Blue/Gray, Black/Gray	Most comfortable; easy to adjust; lightweight	Gets grubby, stays wet after water exposure
Ocean Loop	Water sports, Divers	Flexible rubber	Adjustable strap holder	One length	Yellow, White, Midnight	Doesn’t get wet or grubby; good for water sports	More difficult to adjust

Apple Watch Ultra Bands: Choose a Color that strikes a Balance Between Style and Practicality

Denise Lim, in her article at MakeUseOf, provides insights into each band’s material, color options, and practicality.

Here are some important takeaways from his post:

1. Each band comes with a different color option. That we know already. Most people overlook the importance of color. Each color has its pros and cons in terms of dirt visibility, aesthetics, and ease of cleaning.
2. She favored dark colors as the most practical option for their ability to hide dirt and stains. The worst color option in this regard is the Starlight Alpine loop.
3. Also, she appreciated the tubular construction of the ocean loop that allows it to expel water more easily than other loops.

	Alpine Loop	Trail Loop	Ocean Band
Material	Polyester fabric	Nylon	Fluoroelastomer (rubber)
Recommended For	Outdoor adventurers	Endurance athletes	Water sports enthusiasts
Color Options	Green, Orange, Starlight	Black/Gray, Blue/Gray, Yellow/Beige	Midnight, White, Yellow
Design	Series of loops with titanium G-hooks	Stretchy, thin, Velcro, pull tab for adjustment	Titanium buckle and loop, tubular structure, water expulsion

Trail Loop is the most featherweight band (weight: 9g): Safwaan

Safwaan’s wrist size is similar to mine, falling into the small-petite category. He helpfully weighed each watch band, providing insights into potential wrist fatigue during extended wear or physical activities.

1. As you can see in the video, Trail Loop weighs 9g, the Alpine loop 12g, whereas the Ocean band is the heaviest of all, weighing 34g.
2. There is no metal lug for the Ocean band, plus it is quite thick for everyday use. Safwaan ranks it as the worst band for daily use and petite wrists.
3. Both the Trail and Alpine loop are highly stretchable (which helps in expelling water).
4. Though it lacks color variety, the Trail loop is the most comfortable of all.

Final Words:

Apple allows you to pick one out of three loops when you purchase a new Apple Watch Ultra.

The choice of Alpine vs Trail loop is really difficult to make as, despite Apple’s claim that they are targeted at distinct audiences, the use cases are versatile.

Almost all experts validated the aesthetic appeal of the Alpine loop, and there is a consensus on the unmatched comfort and convenience of the Trail loop.

Interestingly, none of them recommends the ocean loop for daily wear. So it is recommended to buy it separately (for $99) if you are into water sports.