In a weft thread inserting apparatus in a rapier loom, a rapier band 4 having a first end fixed to a rapier head 23 includes a row of engaging holes 22 defined in the lengthwise direction thereof. The rapier band 4 is wound around a rapier wheel 3 in the state that the engaging holes 22 are engaged with a row of engaging projections 21 defined to the circumference of the rapier wheel 3. Presser rollers 24, 25 are rotatably disposed at positions corresponding to the positions where the rapier band 4 leaves the rapier wheel 3 and an endless belt 32 is wound aroung the rapier wheel 3, the presser rollers 24, 25 and a tension roller 31 so that the endless belt 32 does not interfere with the rapier band 4. The outside diameter of the portion of the rapier wheel 3 around which the belt 32 is wound and the outside diameters of the presser rollers 24, 25 are set such that the reciprocating speed of the rapier band 4 coincides with the circumferential speeds of the presser rollers 24, 25. With this arrangement, a wide fabric can be handled without increasing the diameter of the rapier wheel, sliding friction can be avoided between the rapier band and the presser members to thereby improve the durability of the rapier band.