Best Nasal Strips for Running: Our Top Picks + User Reviews

Key Takeaways

• Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips: Best overall for runners seeking maximum airflow and endurance during long runs. Sweat-resistant and super comfortable.

• Breathe Right Extra Strength: A good option if you want heavy-duty breathing strips for congestion or high‑intensity workouts.

• Hostage Nose Strips: Great for athletes who need strips with a lot of sweat‑resistance.

• Choose your strips based on your needs for sweat resistance, adhesive strength, comfort, and improved airflow for your athletic performance.

Proper breathing plays an essential role for runners. It’s the cornerstone of endurance, energy, and maximum performance. 

Whether you’re noticeably struggling to breathe while running or you're simply looking for another tool to elevate your fitness level, nasal strips are a must-have. These easy-to-apply strips help open your nasal passages, promoting better airflow and oxygen intake instantly. 

In this article, we show you the best nasal strips for athletes so you can breathe better, improve oxygen intake, and boost endurance on race day or during training. 

Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips: Best for Endurance Runners

These strips are made for athletes looking to enhance their airflow and oxygen intake during long training sessions or on the day of the big race.

With their patented design and super strength, hypoallergenic adhesive, they are designed to stay in place for up to 12 hours, even through sweat, heat, and heavy breathing. This is why Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips are by far the best choice for runners.

Key Features

Patented Design for Maximum Airflow

Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips use a patented structure that expands your nasal passages more effectively than other products. This design increases airflow instantly, helping you breathe deeper while you’re exercising (or sleeping!).

Hypoallergenic and Sweat-Proof Adhesive

Each strip uses a medical-grade, PFAS-free adhesive that's gentle on your skin, even during overnight wear or high-intensity workouts. It won’t peel off with sweat, making it ideal for athletes or anyone who’s active.

Universal Fit and Recyclable Materials

These strips contour to various nose shapes and stay firmly in place through up to 12 hours of wear, especially when you clean your nose with the supplied preparation swabs before applying.

The lightweight, recyclable materials create a combination of comfort and sustainability, which is perfect for those who are eco-conscious while looking for the best performance.

Pricing

• 1-month supply - starts at $27 (less than a dollar a day!)

• 3-month pack - starts at $79

• 12-month pack - $199

Where Dream Recovery Shines

• Up to 33% more airflow: Proven to significantly increase nasal breathing for better sleep and stamina.

• Secure during intense activity: Designed for high-performance use, which means they won’t budge during marathons, HIIT, or sweaty workouts.

• Gentle on skin: Hypoallergenic and medical-grade adhesive ensures there will be no irritation.

• Wear up to 12 hours: These strips are made to stay put and even come with alcohol swabs to prep your nose before application for longer wear.

Where Dream Recovery Falls Short

Premium price: Compared to some cheaper, less effective nasal strips, Dream Recovery Second Wind costs more, but delivers the best results in return.

Customer Reviews

“These are my new favorite addition to my exercise routine. I feel like my performance is so much better now that I can actually breathe properly and I’m no longer relying on mouth breathing to try and feel like I’m getting enough oxygen.”

“These provide instant relief from congestion. I suffer from allergies and now I can finally breathe!”

“I feel like I’ve tried a million nasal strips but they all fall off after 1 or 2 hours. These are the first nose strips that have stayed on the whole time for me.”

Who Dream Recovery Is Best For

• Athletes who want to improve their performance

• Anyone with congestion from allergies, colds, or flu

• People with severe snoring

• Those with sensitive skin needing a hypoallergenic adhesive

Transform your performance with Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips.

Are you a snorer, too? Keep exploring some of the best nasal strips for snoring and find out more about how nasal strips work to relieve snoring.

Breathe Right Extra Strength

Breathe Right Nasal Strips Extra Strength is a classic heavy-duty breathing strip that works well during exercise to enhance your breathing and boost your performance. Their spring-like action is 50% stronger than regular strength Breathe Right Strips.

If you want strips that are strong enough to open up airflow and reduce nasal congestion while running, it’s a great choice for some, but might not be ideal for everyone.

Key features

• Strong adhesive: Often sticks well to moist or oily skin

• Rigid structure: 50% stronger than regular strength Breathe Right Strips, providing more dilation

• Extra width: Offers broad nasal opening for better oxygen intake

Pricing

• $13.99 for a 26-pack

• $16.99 for a 44-pack
  

Where it shines

• Heavy congestion relief: Useful when dealing with a mild nasal blockage

Where it falls short

• Mixed reports on adhesive strength: While some users find the strips stay on well, others say they fall off shortly after application.

• Bulkier design: Might feel uncomfortable under sweat or in humid weather

• Difficulty with removal: Some users experience pain and irritation when trying to remove the strips after extended wear. 

Find out more about the potential side effects in our guide: Are nasal strips bad for you?

Customer reviews

“Me and my boyfriend have been using these to work out and sleep and while we’ve been sick and they have been a lifesaver. They’ve made our workouts so much better and we also sleep so much better!”

“While it absolutely worked as intended and kept my airways open, the adhesive was way too strong. When I went to remove it, it almost ripped the skin off my nose. It left my skin irritated and red, which is definitely not something I want to deal with”

Who it is best for

• Congestion sufferers: Those who struggle with a blocked nose during exercise.

• Casual runners: For occasional use, more than everyday training or marathons.

Discover more on how to widen your nasal passages naturally and the difference between nasal strips vs nasal dilators.

Hostage Nose Strips

Hostage Nose Strips are designed with three reinforced springs to ensure maximum nasal opening and airflow while exercising. They are also made with medical-grade material and sweat-resistant, hypoallergenic adhesive to improve wear time and reduce the likelihood of skin irritation. 

You can also purchase a special tin with your order, which makes for a convenient place to store your nose strips in your gym bag or when you’re traveling with them.

There is also a 100% money-back guarantee, so you can try these nasal strips out risk-free. 

Learn more here at our in-depth Hostage Nose Strips review.

How to Choose the Best Nasal Strips for Running

Choose based on your primary need: endurance, sweat resistance, adhesive strength, or portability.

Feature #1: Adhesive Strength

Look for sweat-resistant, sports-grade adhesive so that the strips stay in place through intense runs. Dream Recovery does this well with a strong adhesive backing and special prep swabs that you can use to clean your nose before application to ensure a better stick!

Try Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips now.

Feature #2: Spring Action Strength for Maximum Airflow

Look for a product with a strong spring-like action once applied. The stronger the spring, the more the strip will open up your nasal passages for better airflow, easier breathing, and improved oxygen intake.

Feature #3: Comfortable and Hypoallergenic 

It’s essential to choose nasal strips that are comfortable and gentle on your skin. Go for a product that is made with hypoallergenic, medical-grade materials, like Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips, to avoid irritation, redness, and other negative skin reactions. 

Unlock Smoother Breathing For Every Mile You Run with Dream Recovery Second Wind

If you’re a runner who wants to beat congestion and breathe easier during your training sessions or races, there’s no doubt that nasal strips are a great tool to improve your performance. 

Out of all the options, Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips stand out due to their impressive sweat-resistance properties, long hold, super strength spring action, and hypoallergenic adhesive. 

Take your performance to the next level with Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips.