How to Wear Swimming Nose Clips

Nose clips (sometimes called nose plugs) are small devices that allow you to keep water out of your nose while swimming. They are especially useful if you are a beginner and haven’t yet mastered the breathing technique of a particular swimming stroke.

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Nose Clip Types

First of all there’s the basic nose clip. It’s made of an u-shaped bridge with padded ends to avoid cutting. The bridge is made of stiff wire or nylon and the pads are made of latex, silicone or TYR. The u-shape of the clip pinches both nostrils together, so that it sticks on your nose and keeps water out.

Then there are strapped nose clips. They have an additional latex strap attached at both ends. The strap helps to keep the plug in place while swimming. It also prevents losing the nose clip in the water when you remove it from your nose.

How to Wear a Nose Clip

Fitting a regular nose clip is rather easy to do. Simply push it against your nose with the bridge facing upwards. Then push the ends against your nostrils to pinch them.

Use a similar method to fit a strapped nose clip. Once the clip sits on your nose, move the strap around and behind your head or neck. The easiest way to do it is to first put on your swim cap, then your swim goggles and finally the nose clip.

Are Nose Clips With or Without a Strap Better?

Personally I prefer strapless nose clips because fiddling with the strap is cumbersome. Furthermore the regular clips stick to the nose well, even without a strap. I can’t remember having ever lost one while swimming. Finally I prefer the look of the nose clips without strap. 🙂