Foam tips for running?

[beatle]

I have a pair of Shure E4s with large Comply tips that I love. I've started running in the past month and I'm having some issues keeping the tips in my ears. For the first mile or so things stay pretty planted, but once I start to actually sweat, the E4s start to slide out a bit. I twist and push them back in, but I have to do this several times over the course of a 3 mile run. Is it just time for a new pair of tips? I've also tried some of the rubber/silicone tips in the fit kit and they are unbearably uncomfortable for any length of time.

 

[greydragon]

Call me a stickler, but if you're doing street running, I think noise isolation IEMs (like the shures) are bad idea. It can be dangerous not being able to hear your environment. But if you're just doing park/track running, it maybe ok.

If you're finding all tips uncomfortable, and the foam tips keep slipping, the next best thing is to get ear-phones/buds that rest just on the outside of your canals. That way, you can 'hear' your surroundings and have decent sound coming in also. Depending on your running style, fit maybe an issue also.

And should sound quality really matter anyway? Your focus should be on running and getting the best workout with the time you have available. I run without any audio distraction and concentrate on mechanics and breathing. When you get the right rhythm & pace, its almost better than meditation.

 

[redrich2000]

Get some cheaper phones for running. You don't want to sweat all over your E4s!! I use CK7s in the gym, my E4Gs are too precious. They stay in pretty well while I am on the treadmill and if they start to come out they are easy to push back in.

 

[eruditass]

try flanges or maybe even black olives, they should repel the sweat better unless you sweat INSIDE your ears. once you take them off though sweat can get in and will make it harder to stay in and possibly damage if they get into the drivers

 

[beatle]

I'm on a treadmill, so no worries about surroundings. I ran in the beginning without music, but I find it occupies my mind enough that I think less about how tired I am.

I have always hated ear buds, as they barely stay in my ears enough when I'm stationary, much less when I'm moving. Maybe my ears are weird.

What are flanges and black olives?

 

[Duke309]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatle /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm on a treadmill, so no worries about surroundings. I ran in the beginning without music, but I find it occupies my mind enough that I think less about how tired I am. I have always hated ear buds, as they barely stay in my ears enough when I'm stationary, much less when I'm moving. Maybe my ears are weird. What are flanges and black olives?

flanges and black olives are different tips for your iems. I've never tried running with my e2cs, always used my ksc-75s or marshmallows.

 

[Chipp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatle /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm on a treadmill, so no worries about surroundings. I ran in the beginning without music, but I find it occupies my mind enough that I think less about how tired I am. I have always hated ear buds, as they barely stay in my ears enough when I'm stationary, much less when I'm moving. Maybe my ears are weird. What are flanges and black olives?

Flanges are the standard silicone tips that your IEMs came with; and black olives are a extra-durable foam tip from Shure that is the favorite of many a user here. You might find them called "Shure Black Foam" in retailers like Idealsound.

 

[beatle]

Maybe I'll give the olives a try. How do they compare to the Comply tips?

 

[jhendrickson]

I use our elliptical with Comply Slims and have not had any issues thus far. Perhaps a slimmer tip would not try to push it's way out once it gets some sweat on it.

Do you do the over the ear thing with your E4's? That's how I wear my M5's.

 

[mrbrad]

I would also suggest the flange tip. Although the olive tips will probably be better, the sweat will cause them to wear out faster. I do a treadmill with E3C and the modified tri/bi-flange and they work good! Helps to reduce the treadmill noise.

 

[Meloncoly]

I personally run with Shure olive foamies when I'm on the treadmill, and I don't have an issue with them, although I don't sweat in my ear or have sweat roll into the ear. Bi-flanges, modded from tri-flanges by cutting the smallest tip off works as well for me.

 

[s0n1c6l1ss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greydragon /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...When you get the right rhythm & pace, its almost better than meditation.

Wow, you just said it! I always felt that way too. I think sometimes though music might help you go an extra bit. Incidentally, I haven't listened to music while running outside, but would want to see how it affects my performance.

Darn the weather here! Still a little cold to go out on most mornings. (STL, MO)

 

[s0n1c6l1ss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatle /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a pair of Shure E4s with large Comply tips that I love. I've started running in the past month and I'm having some issues keeping the tips in my ears. For the first mile or so things stay pretty planted, but once I start to actually sweat, the E4s start to slide out a bit. I twist and push them back in, but I have to do this several times over the course of a 3 mile run. Is it just time for a new pair of tips? I've also tried some of the rubber/silicone tips in the fit kit and they are unbearably uncomfortable for any length of time.

So, you don't mind the thumping sound with IEM's while running?

 

[srchabra]

I'd suggest the olives. I tried the silicone double flanges (with foamies underneath) on my SF3s and after about a half an hour they got too slick to maintain a seal. The olives, on the other hand, lasted longer than I did.