TL;DR from this thread: basically everyone's saying the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones are a bad idea for heavy lifting. Honestly, I get it. I actually tried using over-ears for cardio once and they felt like a sweaty sponge on my head... realy gross and they kept sliding off during bench press. Not as good as expected for the price tag tbh, and unfortunately, the lack of an IP rating means they'll probably die early. So basically the consensus is:
- Over-ears (XM5) = zero moisture protection and they'll slide around.
- Earbuds = the only real choice for intense sweat and stability. If youre worried about cost like I am, the Sony LinkBuds Fit Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds are cool but kinda pricey for gym beaters. Since someone already mentioned the Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, have you looked at the Sony WF-C510 Truly Wireless Headphones? They're way cheaper, usually around $60, and still have that IPX4 rating. I mean, they lack noise canceling, but for heavy lifting, do you realy need total silence?? I guess it comes down to:
1. Sony WF-C510 Truly Wireless Headphones - Best budget value for sweat resistance.
2. Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones - Good middle ground for features.
3. Sony LinkBuds Fit Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds - The premium choice if you want the best fit. Just dont get the XM5s for the gym... you'll highkey regret the $400 mistake when the sensors start acting wierd from the moisture. gl!

so basically, gym gear needs moisture protection. - background: the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones lack an IP rating, so sweat will ruin those ear pads fast.
- why it matters: you need something that wont slide or short out mid-set, right? - solution: check the Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones. they have IPX4 and stay put during cardio way better than bulky over-ears, honestly. gl!

Works great for me

hey, basically moisture and tech dont realy mix well and over-ears can slide off during cardio! safety first is huge. • Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones: fantastic sound but i think they might slide around too much? also no sweat rating!
• Sony LinkBuds Fit Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds: super secure fit and built for sweat! id highkey go with these for heavy lifting sessions!! gl!

> Which model actually holds up best against sweat without sliding off? Yeah honestly if youre doing heavy cardio and sweating buckets you should look at the Sony Float Run Off-Ear Wireless Headphones instead because they literally cant slide out if they arent inside your ear to begin with and ive been a DIY enthusiast for years so i can tell you the biggest killer of gym tech isnt just the moisture but the salt build-up on the charging pins which basically fries the internals unless youre pro-active about self-service maintenance. Instead of waiting for a total hardware failure and needing a pro repair just grab some 90% isopropyl alcohol and a q-tip to clean the contacts every week—its a super easy DIY move that doubles the life of any fitness gear and the Float Run design is killer because it hangs over your ears so no sweat gets trapped in your ear canal which is way better for hygiene plus you dont get that annoying thumping sound when you hit the treadmill like you do with standard in-ears tbh.

Saving this thread

Love the energy!! Sony gear has been my go-to for years and honestly, long-term durability is fantastic once you find the right pair. Just catching up on this... quick question tho. Do you need top-tier noise canceling to block out those loud gym speakers, or is transparency more important so you dont get hit by a bike during cardio? Also, what kind of budget are we talking for gear that's basically gonna get soaked in sweat every day? Just trying to get a better feel for what you're actually after!!