oh man, I totally feel u... trying to do burpees in Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones sounds like a nightmare lol. I've been training for a 10k lately and went through the same struggle. For your situation, I would suggest: • Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds - These are basically the sweet spot. They're crazy light so they actually stay put during high-impact stuff. The "Ambient Sound" is super reliable for traffic, and they've got that IPX4 rating for sweat. Bass is good, but you might want to tweak the EQ in the app to get that "extra" motivation. • Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds - The sound is highkey incredible, but be careful with the foam tips. If they get too sweaty, they can feel a bit slippery. Honestly, they're expensive so I'd be worried about losing one on a trail run! I'd personally go with the LinkBuds S for the gym—cheaper to replace if something happens and they're more comfortable for long runs. gl with the half-marathon!!

Coming back to this... dude, I feel u. Trying to do burpees in Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones is basically like wearing a sauna on your head. I actually ruined the ANC mics on an older pair because of sweat buildup, so switching to something with a real IP rating is definitely the right call before you fry your tech. Since you're training for a half-marathon, I honestly think you should look at the Sony Float Run Off-Ear Wireless Headphones. I've been using them for my long runs and they're a game changer for stability. * **Stability:** They use a neckband/hook combo that is *literally* impossible to shake off. I've done hill sprints and they dont budge.
* **Safety:** Since they sit off the ear, you get 100% natural ambient sound. It's way better than the processed 'Ambient Mode' when you're running near traffic.
* **Technical catch:** They have massive 16mm drivers, but since there’s no seal, the bass won't hit as hard as your XM5s. If you really need that deep sub-bass for your heavy lifting sets, check out the Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds instead. They're much smaller and lighter (only 4.6g per bud) than the flagship Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds, and the 'Ergonomic Surface Design' actually holds tighter in the ear canal during high-impact movement. Both models are IPX4 rated, so they'll handle your 5-day-a-week sweat sessions no problem. Plus, they sync perfectly with the Headphones Connect app so you can keep your custom EQ. Do you think you'd prefer the open-ear design for safety, or do you need that seal to stay in the zone? 👍

Late to the party here but I totally get the hesitation about dropping huge cash on gym buds that might just die from sweat. Im a bit of a cautious buyer when it comes to workout gear because I'm so hard on it, and honestly, I've been super satisfied with the mid-range options. They work well and I don't stress as much about ruining them. A few budget-friendly resources and tips I use:

• Check out the Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds. They are much lighter than the XM5s and still work perfectly with the Sony Headphones Connect app you're already using.
• Take a look at the Sony WI-C100 Wireless In-Ear Headphones if you're really worried about losing buds. The neckband is a great DIY-style safety net for long runs because they literally can't fall on the ground.
• Use the comparison tool on Rtings.com to check the stability rating for any model you're eyeing. It's a lifesaver for runners to see how they handle movement. I usually hunt for deals on the Sony refurbished site or look for open-box units at major retailers to save some cash. Definitely worth a look if you want to stay in the ecosystem without spending a fortune. Good luck with the half-marathon training!

> I really want to stay within the Sony ecosystem because I love the Headphones Connect app and I’ve already dialed in my perfect EQ settings. I have used quite a few brands over the years, but Sonys software integration is just superior for managing gym profiles. For anyone worried about buds popping out during sprints, the Sony LinkBuds Fit Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds are the way to go. I switched to these recently and I am very satisfied with the performance. The standout feature is the fitting supporters. These are soft wings that lock into your ear, making them much more secure than the standard flagship buds for high-impact stuff like burpees. They have a solid IPX4 rating for heavy sweat, and the ambient sound mode is very crisp for outdoor running. Compared to other premium brands, these keep that punchy Sony bass you need while solving the stability issue. They work perfectly with the Headphones Connect app too, so your EQ settings will carry over and you wont have to start from scratch.

> I tried wearing my XM5s during a heavy lifting session and a 5k run last weekend, and it was a struggle. I have been dealing with the exact same problem recently! It is honestly so stressful trying to maintain a high-intensity workout while worrying about expensive gear sliding off your head. A similar situation happened to me last month during a treadmill session and it was a total nightmare. Building on the earlier suggestion, I have spent a lot of time looking for the most methodical solution within the ecosystem. While I am still figuring it out, I have had a fantastic time testing the Sony WF-XB700 Truly Wireless Extra Bass Headphones for heavy lifting sessions. The fit is incredible and the bass is amazing for motivation. For the running side of things, the Sony WF-C510 Truly Wireless Compact Earbuds are also a fantastic option to consider because they are so lightweight. You definitely dont want to risk those premium over-ears anymore. It is just not worth the sweat damage tho!

Ok so i saw this earlier and honestly that point about sweat being the ultimate killer is spot on. I’ve been through basically every major brand over the last decade, from the big premium names to the dedicated fitness brands. From a market perspective, flagship brands often prioritize their tech stack and software over truly ruggedized builds. I spent way too much time researching how different companies handle ergonomics for high-impact stuff. My current setup for the gym isn't a top-tier flagship because I realized after years of trial and error that the more sensors they cram in, the more points of failure there are when ur sweating buckets. I used to be all about having the perfect EQ, but after losing a very expensive pair to moisture during a rainy run, I shifted my focus. It’s basically a trade-off between having the best app features and something that actually won’t die after six months of training!!! In my experience, dedicated sports models use specific coatings that help with grip. Honestly, just make sure whatever you get has those physical wings because no amount of software can fix a bud that falls out in the middle of a sprint lol.

+1 to what was said earlier. Honestly, you're highkey right to be worried about those over-ears... I've seen way too many people fry their expensive ANC mics because of moisture buildup. But here’s a word of caution from my own experience: dont just buy the most expensive earbuds thinking they'll survive forever. Sweat is basically salt water, and it's brutal on electronics regardless of the IP rating. In my experience, comparing the top-tier buds vs the mid-range "active" models is key. The flagships sound great, but the mid-tier sports versions usually have those wing tips that are way more secure for things like burpees. Tbh, I'd go for a mid-range "sports" model instead of the newest flagship. You still get the app and EQ, but it’s a lot less painful on the wallet if they eventually succumb to the gym grind. Just remember to wipe them down after your runs!