AirPods are amazing until sweat and movement turn them into slippery projectiles. I didn’t want to have to buy a new pair of workout earbuds, so I tried out three low-cost add-ons that ended up turning my AirPods into gym-ready headphones that were secure and comfortable — and without any reduction in sound quality or features.
The remedies are rudimentary: clip-on ear hooks, silicone wings and foam ear tips (for AirPods Pro). Both address the culprit of all this that ails us — fit instability — by throwing more grip, contact points and a better seal at it. The result: no mid-set adjustments, more consistent audio and confidence for sprints, burpees and bench presses.
Clip-on ear hooks: sure fit for sprints and lifts
For high-impact movement, plastic ear hooks that snap onto the AirPods stem make the biggest difference. They redistribute weight by anchoring to the outer ear, preventing the downward flow that occurs as sweat accumulates. I opted for a plain pair similar to Icarerspace’s widely followed hooks; the two-pack cost about $15 and took seconds to fasten in place.
During a treadmill interval session and while doing power cleans, the hooks kept my earbuds locked in. There are trade-offs: the loop can chafe the back of the ear after a couple of hours, and you have to take the hooks off to dock AirPods in the case. For short, intense workouts, they’re the most set-it-and-forget-it option, though.
Silicone wings: subtle grip with improved cup seal
If you don’t like over-ear loops, silicone “wings” are a better middle ground. Versions like the Proof Labs wings, fit over the bud and tuck into the concha, filling the excess space that AirPods wiggle around in. The pair I received comes in various sizes for about $15, which is a big deal — ear asymmetry is a thing, and using different tips can make a big difference.
With the wings on, I found that because I had stopped fiddling between sets, I noticed a secondary benefit: a tighter seal enhances low-end response and stabilizes noise cancellation in AirPods Pro. Apple’s own Ear Tip Fit Test can verify this — run that with wings aside and it’ll quantify the difference. Wings, like hooks, are usually required to be removed before it charges.
Foam ear tips for AirPods Pro: Lockdown comfort
If there is one $15 upgrade for anyone with AirPods Pro, it might be memory-foam tips. Brands like Comply and Dekoni utilize foam that becomes heat-activated and expands into the ear canal, ensuring a tight seal every time. In my workouts, foam tips virtually eliminated micro-slips you hear during workouts (especially when rowing and doing incline walking), and they kept bass response present and less vulnerable to being overcompensated in noisy gyms.
Two caveats: foam wears out over time (sweat, oil, and compression are its mortal enemies), and it might take away some of the “pop-in” feel of the Apple silicone tips. Wash regularly and let air-dry after use for shape and hygiene.
Why these fixes work: an ear-anatomy reality check
Ears vary wildly. If your antihelix ridge is shallow and your concha is small, smooth plastic can’t grip securely enough. Ear canal geometry has been known for some time, as a study by research published in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, to influence low frequency response and perceived loudness as seal quality varies with head movement.
HOOKS — Adds external anchor, wings fill in concha gaps, foam tips conform to the canal. All three boost friction and contact-line area, which is why they lay the lions low but don’t monkey with the electronics. If none of those are addressing your fit concerns, try a design that’s inherently sport focused, like the Beats Fit Pro, or over ear headphones with clamp force that’s made for movement.
The setup, sweat-safety, and quick wins
Sizes need to be matched up carefully: mismatched sizes of wings or tips for left/right ears is expected. Test the seal by running Apple’s Ear Tip Fit Test (AirPods Pro) after any change. Recalibrate volume if the increased isolation makes tracks sound louder — your ears will thank you.
Know your gear’s limits. The 2nd-generation (USB‑C) AirPods Pro have an IP54 rating, and the recent AirPods models are usually IPX4. That means sweat-resistant, not waterproof. (Apple says resistance is not permanent; dry your earbuds thoroughly before you charge them, to prevent corrosion or damage to the drivers.)
Finally, keep volumes in check. NIOSH suggests exposure should be limited to 85 dB for eight hours, and every ~3 dB increase cuts safe listening time in half. With a better seal from wings or foam, that lower volume should still let you hear detail — even over banging plates and a running treadmill fan.
The bottom line: Convert non-sport AirPods to reliable workout companions with ear hooks, wings or foam tips that cost around $15. I opt for hooks on sprint days, wings on circuit days, and foam tips for lengthier endurance sessions. No new headphones, no more mid-set adjustments — nothing but the most stable fit and sound that doesn’t change when it’s time to make that critical call or push to the finish.
