Loop for sure. I used to shoot without one. Then, someone convinced me to try one. Accuracy improved immediately. I have never had one break, never had trouble loading an arrow, never had trouble clipping my release to the loop during a hunt. I vote: Loop.

another vote for the loop, have used it for years on an outback and had very good luck

moosekill i go hunting to release stress and relax. string loop all the way

I love the loop it will extend the life of your string.

Loop for a reason that nobody has mentioned yet. When you clip directly onto the string and draw, the "string pinch" causes the knock to come partially off the string. I was at full draw a couple of times and my arrow actually fell off the string. Thank god I didn't dry fire it! On a short ATA bow without a loop, if you draw and let down your arrow will very likely fall off the string. With a loop, I can draw and let down all day and the arrow stays tight on the string.That is THE reason I put on a loop.