Hey! Just found this thread and honestly, I feel u on the "swampy" ear cup thing... I'd definitely avoid the over-ears for HIIT or heavy cardio. I'm kinda new to this but I've been super satisfied with some of the more budget-friendly Sony options that actually stay put. Here's what I recommend for a secure fit that won't break the bank: - Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds: These are my current favorites. They're usually around $90-$100 and they're sooo tiny. They stay locked in during my heavy lifts and they're sweat-resistant. The noise canceling is actually pretty good for the price!
- Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds: These are the budget kings, usually about $60. They don't have ANC, but they're super light and fit really secure. Basically perfect if u just want something that won't budge during burpees.
- Sony Float Run Off-Ear Wireless Headphones: If ur worried about buds slipping out, these are about $129.99 and hook over ur ears. Since they don't sit inside the ear, you don't get that gross sweaty feeling at all. I mean, it basically comes down to how much u wanna spend, right? I've had no complaints with the cheaper ones so far! Peace!

I went through this last year. honestly, i was super excited to get the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones because of the hype, but for the gym? it was a huge mistake. Unfortunately, i basically felt like i was gonna break them every time i hit a heavy set. They felt too delicate for the price tag, you know?? Plus, like u mentioned, the "swampy" ear cup thing is REAL. So i pivoted to earbuds, but honestly i didnt wanna drop another $300 on Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds (which I know were mentioned earlier) just to have them fall out or get ruined by sweat. I ended up trying a more budget-friendly route with the Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling In-Ear Headphones. They're usually around $98, which is way easier to stomach if they eventually die from salt/sweat. Ngl, the ANC isnt quite "industry-leading" compared to the flagships, but for half the price, they stay in my ears during sprints way better than I expected. If you're really worried about budget, i even looked at the Sony MDR-AS210 Sport In-Ear Headphones which are like $20. They're wired, so no ANC, but basically impossible to lose. anyway, i guess i’ve learned to be more cautious with the expensive stuff in a gym environment... it just doesnt seem worth the risk of breaking a $400 pair of headphones cuz of a little moisture!! anyway... hope that helps. gl!

Yeah, honestly, everyone's spot on about avoiding the over-ears for heavy gym stuff. Those things are just NOT built for sweat and movement, period. But like, focusing on the budget end for a sec, because breaking expensive gear sucks... I've found that sometimes, going a step *below* the flagship earbuds can actually give you better long-term value, especially if you're hard on your gear. The key with any earbud, even the ones with decent IP ratings, is simple maintenance after *every* workout. I usually grab a damp (not wet!) cloth and wipe them down, paying extra attention to the charging contacts and the earbud tips. And like, make sure they're completely dry before putting them back in the case. I've had a pair of the older Sony WF-SP800N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds for AGES, and they were specifically designed with IP55 water resistance and a secure arc support. They're not the *latest* and greatest, so you can often find them on a deep discount or refurbished, which is PERFECT for a gym set that's gonna take a beating. They give you solid ANC for the price point and they're WAY more rugged than the super sleek flagships. That extra bit of a physical hook on the ear makes a HUGE difference for stability too. They've survived countless sweaty sessions with zero issues because they were built for it, and the fit is just BOMBPROOF. So, it's not always about the newest model, sometimes an older, sport-focused one is the BEST bang for your buck and longevity.

Yo! I totally feel u on the gym struggle. I've been a Sony fanboy for like a decade now and I've definitely learned some hard lessons about which ones survive the "swampy" gym life. First off, I would suggest staying far away from the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones for your heavy sessions. Honestly, I tried using my older over-ears for lifting once and the pads got realy gross and started peeling within months. Plus, with HIIT, they're gonna slide right off your head when you hit those burpees... it's just a bad time all around. For what you're doing, here's what I recommend: * **The Powerhouse:** Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Earbuds. These have the legendary ANC you're looking for. To make sure they dont fly across the room during sprints, I highkey suggest getting some Comply Foam Earbud Tips for Sony WF-1000XM5. The memory foam grips way better than the stock tips when things get sweaty.
* **The Lightweight Choice:** Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds. They're incredibly light and sit deeper in the ear. I've found these are actually more stable for treadmill runs cuz there is less weight pulling them out of your ear.
* **The Durability Pick:** If you're really worried about sweat damage and want something more rugged, look at the Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds. They're a bit more budget-friendly but I've found them weirdly tough for daily abuse. I've been using the WF series for my HIIT sessions for about two years now and they've survived some serious moisture. Just make sure to wipe the charging contacts before putting them back in the case! What kind of phone are you pairing them with tho?? That might change which codec you can use. gl!

Jumping in here! Honestly, if you're worried about the electronics dying from sweat, I've always taken a more DIY approach to my gym gear. Instead of the high-end flagships that are impossible to fix yourself, I’ve been using the Sony Float Run Off-Ear Wireless Headphones. Since they sit *outside* the ear canal, you basically solve the "swampy" problem and the stability is top-tier for HIIT. Tbh, I think they're better for the gym because there’s less to go wrong—no touch sensors to freak out when they get wet. Wait, I mean, they do have buttons, but they're way more durable. Plus, you can easily clean them yourself without worrying about damaging any delicate ANC mics. If your looking for something that just works and doesn't require a professional repair if a little moisture gets in, these are the way to go.

Did this last week, worked perfectly

Works great for me

Yeah, I totally agree with what everyone is saying about avoiding the over-ear stuff for the gym. It just seems like a recipe for disaster with all that sweat and movement, you know? Honestly, I’m pretty new to all this tech stuff and I've been trying to do some research before I buy anything myself because I'm really worried about breaking something expensive. From what I’ve seen in market reviews lately, I’m kinda wondering if Sony is even the right move for super intense workouts compared to other brands? Like, I love their sound too, but IIRC, they don't really have a dedicated "extreme sport" line like some of the other big names out there. I was reading a comparison the other day and it basically felt like some competitors focus way more on the "rugged" side of things for their fitness models. I’m not 100% sure though, maybe Sony’s regular tech is just that good? But yeah, it kinda feels like Sony is more about the office or commuter vibe. Does anyone know if they actually test their gear for heavy sweat specifically? I'm just so cautious about spending the money if they aren't actually built for that.

Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!