Trying to find the best nose plug for swimming can be a challenge; with so many options out there, how do you pick? The best swimming nose clip has to be work perfectly, so it’s important that you do research before buying one.
Nose clips are wonderful tools that everyone can use when they’re swimming to help with comfort and to prevent sinus infections from water getting into the nasal cavities. Either way, they can be paired with goggles and other swimming equipment for the perfect swimming experience, even in your own pool.
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OUR TOP PICK
Sinus Saver Water Sports Nose Clips
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Pliable silicone cups
- Different sizes for a perfect fit
- Discrete look
EDITORS CHOICE
BRBD Anti-Slip Dotted Nose Clips
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Dotted design for a secure swim
- Carrying case
- Multiple colors
BEST VALUE
Speedo Liquid Comfort Nose Clips
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Carrying case
- Lightweight feel
- Padded nose plug
Speedo Competition Nose Clips
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Metal frame for adjustments
- Ultra-sleek look
- Carrying Case
The Wolf Moon Waterproof Silica Gel Nose Clips
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Bright colors
- Clear nose band
- Comes with earplugs as well
Speedo Core Competition Nose Clips
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Carrying case
- Ultra-sleek look
- Adjustable frame
arena Strap Pro Nose Clips
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Memory foam plastic for a perfect fit
- Strap
- Designed for comfort
arena Nose Clips
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Memory plastic frame
- Sleek design
How To Choose A Nose Clip For Swimming – Buying Guide
Size
The size of your nose clip has a lot to do with how well it helps keep out water, but it also has to do with the kind of nose clip or nose plug that it is.
Nose clips have to be able to sit on the bridge of your nose to bring your nostrils together, relying on the pressure from the clip to keep water out. Oftentimes, these kinds of nose clips are made to mold to your nose to make sure that they fit.
Some nose clips have a metal piece that allows you to shape the clip into the shape you need instead of molding to your nose automatically. These can be changed to provide a much looser or secure fit depending on how you’d like your nose clip to work.
While you don’t have to worry about the size of the clip when it comes to nose clips, you do have to take into account the size of the nose you’re trying to put the clip on. For example, kids have much smaller noses, so most clips won’t work on them. You’ll need to get specialized kids nose clips just like you do for kids goggles.
Nose plugs like the Sinus Saver Water Sports Nose Plug actually fit into your nostril, so this size has to be much more accurate than the standard nose clip. The Sinus Saver works by fitting into your nostril and obstructing any water that could get it.
Durable Materials
Since you’ll be using your nose clip or plug for swimming, you should be paying attention to the material it’s made out of. Unless you’re using your nose clip just at home, you’ll probably need to transport it too, so you should take that into account as well.
Some nose clips are made from metal, making them easily adjustable and wonderful in the long run. These metals won’t be harmed from any chemicals that you maintain your pool with or from anything in any body of water you go to.
Silicone is another popular material used to create nose clips. These are typically softer than metal nose clips, but they can also deteriorate over time from regular wear and tear. While they are cheaper than metal nose clips, it can be frustrating if one rips unexpectedly and you have to wait for another one to come in and get formed to your nose again.
There’s a variety of other things that nose clips can be made out of, so make sure you look into the material before making the purchase. It can have a big difference on how your swimming trip pans out.
Strap or Lanyard
Having a strap or lanyard on your nose clip can make a world of difference. While nose clips aren’t supposed to come off, there are occasions that can’t be predicted that can easily take them off your nose. In those cases, a lanyard is the perfect way to protect your merchandise.
While you can get nose clips in a variety of colors, oftentimes they come in clear. They’re also typically made to be as discrete as possible, so if one falls of in the water, it can be incredibly difficult to find.
With a lanyard, your nose plug won’t get lost, and instead will fall back around your neck, making it easy to slip back in. In the lanyard is ripped off as well, it’s a lot easier to find than just a small nose clip. Save yourself hours of searching (or money for a new nose clip) by investing in a strap to keep yours in place.
You might also like: Top Earplugs For Swimming
Design
The design of whatever nose clip you pick is another extremely important feature. With a few different options, you can completely change your swimming experience.
The biggest thing is whether or not to get a nose clip or a nose plug, the difference being mentioned above. Both of these are great options, but nose plugs are a little more comfortable than nose clips.
Nose plugs insert into your nose and leave a tiny bit of a connecting band that can be seen. This is much more comfortable than a nose clip for most people as your nose isn’t being held together by a clip. However, many people get adjusted to a nose clip after the initial discomfort of wearing them; the action of a nose clip is very similar to that of holding your nose.
With the tiny connecting band, nose plugs are also more discrete than a nose clip. While looks aren’t the most important thing in the world, it can be a bit nerve-wracking to have a neon green nose clamp keeping your nostrils together. Many people opt for the sleeker design that nose plugs can offer.
FAQs
Q: What are nose clips for swimming?
Nose clips for swimming are a swimming tool that allows you to swim underwater without getting water in your nasal cavity. Most people stop this from happening by holding their nose whenever they plan on going under, but it can be debilitating to only have one arm to swim with.
Even if you can swim without holding your nose, constantly having water in your nose can be dangerous and breed sinus infections as well. Instead of taking the risk of getting sick, many people grab a nose clip to keep themselves healthy.
That’s what casual swimmers do. However, if you plan on swimming competitively, it’s best to get used to swimming with a nose clip or plug. Professional swimmers use these for the same reasons causal swimmers do, but it’s much more important to their career to do so.
It’s not a secret that you can swim much faster with two arms free than with one arm. If you’re someone who has to hold their nose when they’re underwater then it’s essential that you get a nose clip or plug to free up that other hand.
Even if want to swim professionally and don’t need to hold your nose when you’re underwater, it’s still important to use a nose clip for swimming to protect yourself from sinus infections.
Q: How do they work?
What you’re using depends on how your nose clip (or nose plug) works. There’s a few different ways that your nose protective gear can function.
If you have a nose clip, then it’ll clamp onto your nose, pinning your nostrils together to use your own skin as a natural protection against the water. The clip itself is typically either adjustable or made out of a malleable plastic or metal, meaning that it will conform to your nose after use.
Nose clips are easy to slip on and sit on your nose, making a quick movement before jumping into your pool during the hot, summer days.
Nose plugs are different and require you to know your own nose size a bit more. Nose plugs work similarly to ear plugs, inserting into your nostril and blocking water from entering itself. This is a slightly different feel from the nose clamps, and most people find them more freeing.
However, nostril sizes vary by every person. What you’ll need to do is figure out how to measure your own nostril to make sure that you get the perfect fit for your nose clip. This can be a bit tricky, and every company has a different way of measuring nose sizes, but in the end, it’s worth it for such a custom fit.
Whether you’re using a nose clip or a nose plug, children fits are very different. Most nose clips specify if they’re made for children, and nose plugs are definitely a challenge when shopping for your little one.
Children’s noses are much smaller in several different ways. First, the bridge of their nose is smaller, meaning that most nose clamps will slide off if they’re meant for an adult size nose. This will prevent the clip from working like it should, and water will probably continue going in the child’s nose.
Children’s nostrils are also smaller than adults, so most clamps won’t work properly on children. If the nose clip is too big, then the contours of kid’s noses will cause the clamp to clamp down on their actual nose. This stops the nose clip from working properly and can be quite uncomfortable as well.
Q: Who can benefit from using nose clips?
The short answer is everyone can benefit from using a nose clip.
If you’re someone who holds their nose underwater, then investing in a nose clip can free up your swimming routine. Imagine jumping into your crisp, cold pool in the middle of a hot summer day with both hands in the air instead of just one. The freedom you can gain with both hands is wonderful!
There’s also always the possibility that you’ll be pushed underwater unexpectedly, and if you need to plug your nose, then it’s incredibly uncomfortable to be caught off guard. If you have a nose clip, then you won’t have to worry about any unexpected trips under.
This is especially important for kids just learning how to swim; oftentimes they can be skittish when it comes to swimming in water, and if they go under without being prepared, you’ll be hearing lots of complaints.
Even if you’re used to swimming underwater without holding your nose, sometimes unexpected things happen in pools, especially if you’re around family. One accidental splash or push in the pool can cause you to get water in your nose without being prepared. While this is nothing dangerous, it can be extremely uncomfortable, and a nose clip can prevent that.
For those of those with sensitive nasal cavities, nose clips help protect against sinus infections as well. Even if you don’t have a sensitive nose, it’s still a good idea to protect yourself. Sinus infections from water are common, and they’re also extremely painful.
Nose clips are also a great way to teach kids how to swim underwater, or swim in general. Normally the hardest part about teaching a child to swim is keeping them in the water after the first time water gets up their nose. With a nose clip, this won’t happen, and your kids will learn to swim quicker than normal.
Overall, everyone can benefit from nose clips regardless of age or experience swimming.
Q: What are some disadvantages of nose clips?
There really isn’t any disadvantages of nose clips. However, there are a few things that take some getting used to before you’re 100% comfortable with them.
At first, nose clips can be a bit uncomfortable. Having something squeeze your nostrils shut is not something you typically feel, so it takes a few times before you get used to the feeling. However, using a nose plug helps this sensation since it’s not pinching your nose together.
Using a nose plug can cause a significantly different swimming experience, so it’s important to note that you can avoid the uncomfortable feeling of nose clips by simply using a nose plug instead.
Metal nose clips have a bit more of an issue that other nose clips. If you run into anything, such as the side of a pool, then you can severely hurt your nose, sometimes leading to fractures or breaks. While this issue can be severe, it’s another very easy thing to avoid.
If you’re using your nose clip for casual swimming excursions (or for kids), then look at silicone ones to prevent this from happening. While professionals are training in a lane and not worrying about running into anything, most swimmers are using a nose plug for everyday play, so it’s easy for something to accidentally get hit. Choosing a silicone based nose clip can prevent any accidents from happening.
It can also be difficult to get kids used to nose clips at first. Considering that the feeling can be foreign and uncomfortable to adults, kids typically voice their complaints much more. Getting children ready to swim can be a long process and an even longer when you first introduce nose clips.
However, if you teach kids to swim with a nose clip, then it’ll be something that they’re used to. Using a nose clip from the start is a great way to get kids adjusted to the odd feeling of wearing a nose clip while getting them excited about swimming.
These “disadvantages” are barely even that, and when you consider the payoffs of wearing a nose clip then these inconveniences aren’t worth anything. And both of these minor downfalls can easily be averted with a little bit of planning.
Q: Are there different types of nose clips available?
Nose clips are all very similar, however, there are some minor differences between most nose clips.
The first big area to notice a difference in is the material they’re made out of. Some nose clips are made with a pliable metal that lets you adjust the size to better fit your nose. Others are made out of silicone, or even a memory plastic, to mold around your nose.
There’s also different kinds of clips and pads where your nose will actually be closed. There’s a growing difference between these, and some people just like other designs more than others. There are soft pads, and there are pads that are textured to help avoid the nose clip slipping off.
While a nose plug is slightly different than a nose clip, their functions are the same. A nose plug inserts into your nostrils while a nose clip clips your nostrils shut.
Nose plugs vary about as much as nose clips do, so it’s important to do your research (for example, reading this guide) before buying anything.
Globo Surf Overview
The Sinus Saver Water Sports Nose Plugs are the best way to go when it comes to the best nose clips for swimming. There’s a few reasons for that, and all of them have to do with how well the nose plug does its job.
The Sinus Saver Water Sports Nose Plug gives you directions in the product description box to figure out your size. This is important and is largely the reason why this nose plug outdoes the others. With a perfect fit, this nose plug works better than any amount of force from a clip ever could.
Since it’s a nose plug, it’s much more comfortable than any of the other options. It works great for both kids and adults to keep the water out of your sinus cavities, and it works much better than nose clips for kids.
Nose clips can be uncomfortable and hard to get used to, but nose plugs don’t cause any kind of discomfort, instead protecting you and your kids. It’s hard to get kids used to wearing nose clips because of how uncomfortable they can be at first, so the Sinus Saver Water Nose Plug is a much better option.
This nose plug keeps you safe in many different ways. Besides keeping your nasal cavity clear of water, the soft and pliable silicone it’s made of protects you in case you collide with anything. Nose clips can be dangerous considering their hard metals can cause our nose to fracture or break should you run into anything, such as the pool wall (which happens much more often than you’d think).
The soft silicone material is also the perfect material for a nose clip or a nose plug. It doesn’t wear down over time, so it’ll last as long as you need it to. The material itself is typically used in medical equipment, so it’s safe and has proven its worth in a very professional field.
This nose plug is also very discrete, simply sitting inside your nostrils with a thin band connecting the two plugs. Most people don’t want to wear a clip that stands out in the middle of the pool, so this is the perfect way to blend protection with appearance.
The sleek design is also made to combat any splashes. While the nose plug doesn’t come with any strap or lanyard, it’s made to specifically protect against falling out. The small band connecting the plugs is secure and doesn’t have much room to go anywhere. It’s also located in the perfect place on your nose, protected from any hard splashes that could drag it down.
Most nose clips fall off your nose because they slid down as a result of typical water activities. However, because the band is located on the underside of your nose, the Sinus Saver Water Sports Nose Plug can’t slip down your nose, and if it’s splashed from underneath then it is blocked from going up by your nose. You really don’t need a lanyard for this nose plug.
The Sinus Saver Water Sports Nose Plug is the perfect combination of comfort and safety when it comes to nose clips (and nose plugs). It’s great for both adults and kids, and beginners and professionals. Pair it with all of your other water equipment, including water shoes, to make for the perfect swimming day!
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