Your sweat is ruining your headphones when you work out — here’s the solution

When I’m out running or working out, I always prefer to use over-ear headphones since they feel way more secure and comfortable than regular earbuds or on-ear headphones. The only issue is, waterproof over-ear headphones are pretty hard to come by.

It’s for this reason that I find myself reaching for the best workout headphones, which include open-ear earbuds to ensure minimal damage if I find myself caught in the rain. But another issue audio gear faces is sweat. Luckily, I have been testing some headphones that are totally sweat-proof in the H2O Audio RIPT Ultra headphones.

H2O Audio RIPT Ultra headphones: $249 at Amazon

The H2O Ript Ultra headphones are ideal for workouts because of their interchangeable silicone earcups, which create a totally sweatproof design. They boast a whopping 50 hours of battery life and are comfortable to use for extended periods of time, like on long runs or sessions at the gym. The ANC is effective if you want to use the headphones for focus at the office or to stay locked in during your workout.

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Why is sweat an issue?

It may not seem like it’s doing anything, but sweating when wearing headphones is causing more damage than you think. Your sweat contains salts and oils that your body is getting rid of.

If these salts and oils find their way into the internal components of the headphones, it can cause corrosion, leading to sound performance issues and the overall degradation of the device.

But that’s pretty obvious, right? Moisture and electronics don’t mix. What shocked me most was what sweat can do to the earcups of headphones.

These ear cups are usually made from some sort of faux leather, which is non-breathable. And because of this, the moisture-containing salts and oils are going to be absorbed and will lead to the breakdown of the material.

If you’ve ever noticed the material on your headphones beginning to crack and flake away, this is why.

I always wipe down my headphones after I use them to help them last as long as possible, but even chemicals that kill bacteria in cleaning wipes and cause the earcups to age prematurely. But H2O Audio has the perfect solution.

Silicone ear cups are the answer

I love the comfort of a faux leather ear cup for daily wear, and you don’t have to give this up with the H2O Audio RIPT Ultra headphones, as they come with interchangeable earcups. You get a pair of regular faux leather cups and a set of silicone cups.

I was a little skeptical at first when I looked at the silicone cups because I thought they could be a little uncomfortable, but I was instantly proven wrong. They are still super soft and moldable to the shape of your head.

The silicone material is much easier to wipe down after using the headphones, so I can have peace of mind that I’m killing any bacteria and also protecting the internal components of the headphones.

And if I want to use the faux leather cups when I’m at the office, it’s as simple as quickly twisting the silicone cup to the side, taking them off, and replacing them.

You can find out more about why I like these headphones so much in this full H2O Audio RIPT Ultra review.

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