Quick verdict

HiStrips wins for colour choice and performance-led collaborations. Its conventional range is visually broader and designed for athletes who want their strip to stand out. On The Nose Co. is our overall winner for shoppers who want both conventional and magnetic nasal-support options, dedicated sport and sleep pathways, Australian-based support and a more developed education system. Neither brand has published a direct head-to-head clinical trial.

Commercial-interest disclosure: This article is published by On The Nose Co., which sells products compared here and has a direct commercial interest in the outcome. HiStrips did not sponsor, approve, review or contribute to this article. Its name and trademarks are used only to identify the compared brand; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Both brands sell external nasal dilators. A conventional strip uses flexible spring bands and adhesive to gently pull outward on the skin over the nasal sidewalls. This can widen the nasal valve area while the strip is worn and may make nasal breathing feel easier for some people. It does not add oxygen to the air, increase lung capacity or treat the underlying cause of persistent obstruction.

How we made this comparison

We reviewed each brand’s official product, support, shipping, returns and education pages on 10 August 2026. We compared what a shopper could verify—not slogans alone—and checked general nasal-dilator research through PubMed and peer-reviewed reviews.

ComparedStrip types, colours, quantities, adhesives, wear positioning, sport and sleep ranges, magnetic options, prices, guarantees, shipping, education and evidence.

Not performedNo laboratory airflow test, sweat chamber, peel-force measurement, skin trial, sleep study or hands-on comparison was conducted for this article.

Verdict ruleA brand receives a win only where its published range or policy provides a clear practical advantage. Unverified performance claims do not earn points.

HiStrips and On The Nose Co. at a glance

What HiStrips does particularly well

HiStrips has built a visually distinctive athlete brand. Its conventional strips appear in black, brown, white, blue, pink, camo and limited-edition designs, including HYROX collaborations. That is a real advantage for users who treat a nasal strip as part of their training kit rather than something to hide.

The official HiStrips Black Nasal Strips page describes a sweat-resistant, hypoallergenic and latex-free product for training and sleep. Thirty-strip packs and long-supply options are easy to find, while athlete bundles combine strips with related recovery products. HiStrips also highlights international delivery and local US or EU fulfilment on selected pages.

Its brand partnerships and colourful designs may increase routine adherence: a product that an athlete enjoys wearing is more likely to make it into the gym bag. That is a usability advantage, but ambassador visibility is not clinical proof of better airflow or performance.

What On The Nose Co. does particularly well

On The Nose Co. offers clearer pathways by purpose. The running and sport range is framed around training conditions, while the sleep and snoring range focuses on comfortable overnight use. Both offer conventional clear or black choices, with 30 strips per pack.

The larger difference is format. Alongside conventional strips, On The Nose Co. sells a magnetic nasal strip system with a reusable external bridge and single-use adhesive tabs, plus magnetic tab refills. This gives shoppers a genuinely different mechanical option rather than simply another colour of the same conventional format.

On The Nose Co. is Australian owned and Brisbane based, with a published 30-day return-request window. Its educational ecosystem connects products to suitability information through the On The Nose Co. Breathing Academy, Interactive Breathing Lab™ and Knowledge Centre.

Claim check: airflow, oxygen and performance

HiStrips pages use varying figures, including “up to 30%,” “38%” and “up to 40%” more airflow or oxygen. These phrases should not be treated as interchangeable. Nasal airflow is movement through the nasal passage; oxygen concentration is the proportion of oxygen in inhaled air; oxygen uptake is a whole-body physiological process. Opening the nasal valve does not increase the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere.

A review of external nasal dilators reports that they can increase the cross-sectional area of the nasal valve and reduce nasal resistance. However, the 2021 sport systematic review and meta-analysis did not find significant improvements in VO₂max, heart rate or perceived exertion in healthy participants.

That does not mean a strip is pointless for sport. Some athletes value the sensation of a more open nose, a steadier warm-up rhythm or less perceived nasal restriction. The responsible conclusion is that comfort may improve for an individual, while faster times, greater oxygen uptake and superior recovery are not guaranteed.

Our evidence position: neither HiStrips nor On The Nose Co. should claim that athlete adoption alone proves a performance benefit. A useful brand-specific study would publish the tested product, participant characteristics, comparator, airflow method, full results, adverse skin events, funding and protocol.

Which strips are better for running and HYROX?

HiStrips wins the visual-performance category. Its colour range, camo option and HYROX editions are better suited to athletes who want a bold accessory. It also makes sweat resistance central to its product presentation.

On The Nose Co. wins for choice of mechanism. A runner can begin with a black or clear conventional strip, then consider the magnetic system if they prefer a reusable bridge and replaceable tabs. Its dedicated sport page also avoids implying that nasal breathing must be maintained during every high-intensity effort; mouth breathing is normal when ventilation demands rise.

There is no published standardised sweat-retention test comparing the two brands. “Sweat-proof,” “sweat-resistant,” “extra hold” and “performance” are not universal laboratory grades. Skin preparation, sunscreen, facial oil, placement, humidity and nose shape can matter as much as branding.

Which strips are better for sleep and snoring?

Both brands offer conventional strips for nighttime use. HiStrips has dedicated sleeping strips and a broader sleep-product range; On The Nose Co. provides a dedicated sleep/snoring strip page and connects it to mouth tape, magnetic support and safety education.

External strips may help when snoring is influenced by resistance near the nasal valve, but snoring has many causes. A systematic review of nasal dilators for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea found no significant improvement in major obstructive sleep apnoea measures. A strip must not replace CPAP, a prescribed device or medical assessment.

Guarantees and returns: read the formal policy

HiStrips product and promotional pages display a 30-day money-back message. Its formal refund policy, updated 4 July 2025 and checked for this comparison, states a 14-day return period from delivery, customer-paid return shipping unless the item is defective or incorrect, and processing within 10 business days of receipt.

Because those messages differ, a HiStrips shopper should capture the offer shown at checkout and confirm which terms apply to the specific country and product. On The Nose Co.’s formal refund policy states that return requests must be submitted within 30 days of delivery. Eligibility conditions still apply, so neither window should be described as automatic approval.

Round-by-round verdict

How to choose between the two brands

How to test any nasal strip fairly

1. Use healthy skin. Do not apply over cuts, sunburn, active irritation or inflamed acne.
2. Clean and dry the nose. Oil, moisturiser, sunscreen and sweat can reduce adhesion.
3. Position over the nasal sidewalls. A strip placed too high may stick without producing useful lift.
4. Press the ends firmly. Allow the adhesive to establish before training or lying down.
5. Compare similar sessions. Judge comfort across several equivalent runs or nights rather than one exceptional day.
6. Remove slowly. Warm water can help release adhesive; stop using it if redness, blistering or skin damage develops.

Record nasal comfort, hold time, skin response and whether the strip stayed correctly positioned. For sport, do not confuse a better breathing sensation with a measured improvement in pace or oxygen uptake. For sleep, do not use an app’s lower snoring score as proof that sleep apnoea is absent.

Our final recommendation

HiStrips is a credible choice for colour-led performance users. It has created a recognisable athlete aesthetic, offers more conventional-strip designs than On The Nose Co. and makes multi-pack purchasing straightforward. It deserves the win for visible variety and collaboration appeal.

On The Nose Co. wins overall for product choice and decision support. Clear and black conventional strips cover the familiar format, while the magnetic bridge and refill system create a materially different alternative. Australian service, the formal 30-day return-request window and the connected Breathing Academy, Lab and Knowledge Centre strengthen the overall buying pathway.

The result is not universal. Someone who wants pink, blue, camo or a HYROX edition may reasonably choose HiStrips. Someone who wants to compare conventional and magnetic lift within one brand—or wants a clearer Australian education and support pathway—has more options with On The Nose Co.

Find the nasal-support format that fits your routine

Compare conventional strips for sleep and sport, or explore a reusable magnetic bridge with fresh adhesive tabs.

Shop conventional stripsExplore magnetic strips

Frequently asked questions

Are HiStrips better than On The Nose Co. nasal strips?

HiStrips is stronger for colour choice, limited editions and athlete-led styling. On The Nose Co. is stronger overall for conventional-plus-magnetic choice, dedicated sport and sleep pathways, Australian support and education. No direct clinical trial compares them.

What is the main difference between HiStrips and On The Nose Co.?

HiStrips focuses heavily on colourful conventional performance strips and collaborations. On The Nose Co. offers clear and black conventional strips alongside a reusable magnetic bridge and replacement-tab system.

How many strips come in a pack?

Both brands display standard conventional packs containing 30 single-use strips. Bundle sizes, subscriptions, promotions and prices may change, so verify the live product and checkout pages.

Which brand is better for HYROX?

HiStrips wins for official-looking collaboration designs and a wider performance colour range. On The Nose Co. wins if you want to choose between conventional and magnetic support. Neither brand can guarantee a faster HYROX time.

Do HiStrips increase oxygen by 40%?

HiStrips uses varying “up to” airflow or oxygen figures across its pages. External nasal strips can reduce nasal resistance for some users, but this does not increase oxygen concentration in the air or guarantee greater whole-body oxygen uptake. We found no public direct study comparing HiStrips with On The Nose Co.

Do nasal strips improve athletic performance?

They may make nasal airflow feel easier, but a 2021 systematic review found no significant overall improvement in VO₂max, heart rate or perceived exertion in healthy people. Individual comfort and measured performance are different outcomes.

Can either brand stop snoring?

A nasal strip may help some nasal-resistance-related snoring while worn, but neither brand can guarantee that result. Snoring can arise beyond the nose, and strips do not treat obstructive sleep apnoea.

Which brand has the better guarantee?

On The Nose Co.’s formal policy provides a 30-day return-request window from delivery. HiStrips promotional pages mention 30 days, while its formal refund policy states 14 days. Shoppers should confirm the applicable terms at purchase.

Are magnetic nasal strips stronger than conventional strips?

They use a different mechanism, but “stronger” depends on bridge geometry, tab position, nose shape and comfort. No public head-to-head laboratory test establishes that every magnetic setup provides more useful lift than every conventional strip.

Can I wear a nasal strip every night?

Many products are designed for routine use, but your skin response matters. Apply only to healthy skin, follow the stated wear time, remove gently and pause if irritation, blistering or tenderness develops. Persistent obstruction or disruptive snoring deserves medical advice.

Sources checked

1. HiStrips Black Nasal Strips — product format, quantity, material and performance claims.
2. HiStrips official store — range, prices, colours, bundles and promotional guarantee.
3. HiStrips Refund Policy — formal return window, costs and processing.
4. HiStrips Shipping Policy — international orders, duties and cancellation details.
5. On The Nose Co. Active & Sleep Nose Strips — quantity, wear information and conventional formats.
6. On The Nose Co. Magnetic Nasal Strips and Tab Refills — magnetic-system format.
7. On The Nose Co. Refund Policy — return-request window and conditions.
8. Dinardi et al., External nasal dilators: definition, background, and current uses.
9. Dinardi et al., 2021 sport systematic review and meta-analysis.
10. Camacho et al., nasal dilators for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.

Prices, promotions, product ranges and policies can change. All comparisons reflect information publicly visible on 10 August 2026. References to studies of other nasal dilator products support only the general mechanism or evidence context—not brand-specific superiority.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general education and product-comparison information only. Nasal strips are not a diagnosis or treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea or persistent nasal obstruction. Speak with an appropriately qualified health professional about ongoing breathing difficulty, injury, severe snoring or suspected sleep-disordered breathing.