Curious about the new M5 Apple Vision Pro? Chance Miller spent the last week with the upgraded hardware, including the new strap, which you can read about in his review for 9to5Mac.
Separately, I’ve spent the last few hours using my M2 Apple Vision Pro with the Dual Knit Band, which you can purchase separately from Apple for your existing Apple Vision Pro.
Because Dual Knit Band impressions made up a lot of our Apple Vision Pro (M5) review, I’ll keep this piece brief. I do want to share a few thoughts, though, since Apple provided a sample for testing.
Like Apple’s two other bands, the new solution comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. You can find your size with the Apple Store app for iPhone and iPad.
Both the size of the box and amount of paperwork with images stands out to me. Remember, the iPhone 17 Pro basically includes a single piece of paper barely bigger than a Post-It note that tells you about eSIM. Apple products seem to lose the paperwork over time, but it feels nice when it’s there.
Anyway, my immediate first thought after picking the strap up is “whoa, this is heavy.” That’s by design, of course, as the new strap includes tungsten meant to provide a counterweight to the headset itself. These weights are only included in the rear portion of the strap and not the piece that goes over the top of your head.
You may recall ResMed making its own Apple Vision Pro strap sold by Apple that similarly included counterweights for a more balanced feel during use. In that product, six different removable weights attach to the strap by velcro, allowing you to customize the weight distribution based on comfort.
Apple’s Dual Knit Band is easier on the eyes than the ResMed solution, and it probably strikes the right balance for more Apple Vision Pro customers.
The new Dual Knit Band is the right default solution, and it’s engineered quite well with its single dial for adjusting back and top strap tightness. Initially, I set the rear strap at around the same setting as the Solo Knit Band, then popped out the dial to set the top strap tightness. I realized, though, that tightening up the top strap then allows you to loosen up the rear strap. This is where the promised comfort is unlocked, in my experience.
For me, however, I fall into the camp, fortunately I think, that finds the Solo Knit Band to be plenty adequate. I say fortunately because I also just think it looks better. Like we’re learning with AirPods Pro 3, comfort and fit wildly vary from person to person. Maybe it’s the size of my giant melon that makes the Solo Knit Band work well for me. True story: one-size-fits-all hats almost never fit me.
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