Australian sport breathing comparison
Rhinomed Turbine vs On The Nose Co.: Which Is Better for Sport in Australia?
Turbine opens the nose from inside the nostrils. On The Nose Co. supports the outer nasal walls from the outside. This evidence-aware review compares fit, airflow claims, sweat, skin contact, reuse, cost and race-day practicality.
On The Nose Co. is our overall choice for most Australian athletes because it offers an external, no-insertion format plus conventional and magnetic options, dedicated sport products and deeper training guidance. Rhinomed Turbine is the better fit for someone who specifically wants a reusable internal dilator and wants to avoid facial adhesive. Turbine publishes a 38% average nasal-airflow result, but that figure is not proof of a 38% improvement in oxygen uptake, speed or endurance. No public head-to-head trial establishes a universal performance winner.
Commercial-interest disclosure: This article is published by On The Nose Co., which sells products compared here and therefore has a direct commercial interest in the outcome. Rhinomed did not sponsor, review, approve or contribute to this article. Turbine and Rhinomed names and trademarks are used only to identify the compared product; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
These products pursue the same practical goal through opposite routes. Rhinomed Turbine is an intranasal stent: adjustable loops sit inside the nostrils and hold the nasal valve area open. An On The Nose Co. conventional strip is placed across the outside of the nose; flexible bands lift the outer nasal walls. Its magnetic system instead uses two adhesive side tabs and a reusable external bridge.
Inside route: Turbine
Reusable internal device, three sizes, no adhesive across the nose and direct contact inside the nostrils.
Outside route: On The Nose Co.
Nothing inserted in the nose; choose a conventional full-width strip or an external magnetic bridge and tabs.
That design difference matters more than brand slogans. People who dislike anything inside their nose may strongly prefer external strips. People with adhesive sensitivity—or those who repeatedly lose strips to sweat—may prefer an internal option, provided it fits comfortably and is suitable for their sport.
How we made this comparison
We reviewed official Australian product pages, current specifications, instructions, warnings, prices and research summaries on 10 August 2026. We also checked peer-reviewed literature about internal dilators and external strips during exercise.
Rhinomed Turbine and On The Nose Co. compared
| Feature | Rhinomed Turbine | On The Nose Co. |
|---|---|---|
| Core design | Internal nasal dilator with adjustable left and right stents | External conventional strips or reusable magnetic bridge with fresh side tabs |
| Inside the nostrils? | Yes | No |
| Skin adhesive? | No facial adhesive | Yes; full-width adhesive on conventional strips or smaller side tabs for magnetic strips |
| Sizing | Small, medium and large; starter pack provides all three | External fit varies by the selected conventional or magnetic product |
| Reuse | Up to 10 uses per device; wash after each use and dispose after 10 uses | Conventional strips are single-use; magnetic bridge is reusable while adhesive tabs are single-use |
| Published AU price checked | AU$34.99 for a three-device size pack, up to 30 total uses | Varies by product, pack size and current promotion; check the live page |
| Published airflow evidence | Brand reports 37.6% average airflow improvement over baseline in a 20-person, sponsor-funded 2003 rhinometry study | Explains the established mechanical category principle; no product-specific percentage used in this verdict |
| Sport restrictions | Official warning says not for contact sports, water sports or swimming | Check sport rules and remove if adhesion, pressure or skin comfort becomes a concern |
| Under-12 use | Official directions say not suitable for children under 12 | Follow the selected product label and supervise younger users as directed |
| Best suited to | Athletes wanting reusable internal support without facial adhesive | Athletes wanting no inserted device and a choice of external formats |
Prices, stock and specifications can change. Confirm the current On The Nose Co. Nose Strips for Running & Sport, Magnetic Nasal Strips and Rhinomed Turbine Australian listing before buying.
What does Turbine’s “38% more airflow” actually mean?
Rhinomed’s research page describes a controlled rhinometry study involving 20 healthy people. With participants’ mouths closed, airflow was measured with and without an earlier intranasal stenting device. The brand reports a 37.6% average increase over baseline, with financial sponsorship by ASAP Breatheassist.
That is relevant evidence that mechanically stenting the nasal valve can change measured nasal airflow under test conditions. It is not the same as showing that the current retail Turbine makes an athlete 38% faster, increases oxygen delivery by 38%, raises VO₂max or improves race results. A small airflow study and an athletic-performance trial answer different questions.
Claim audit
What is known, what is marketed and what remains uncertain.
Turbine sits inside the nose, is offered in three sizes, can be adjusted independently on each side, should be washed after use and is recommended for up to 10 uses per device. Its Australian page lists the product on the ARTG.
Rhinomed reports an average 37.6% nasal-airflow increase in a small, sponsor-funded 2003 rhinometry study. The test measured nasal airflow under controlled conditions—not running time, power, recovery or competition results.
We found no public independent study directly comparing the current Turbine retail device with On The Nose Co. strips for airflow, comfort, retention, VO₂max, pace, power or injury risk.
Independent exercise evidence is mixed and product-specific evidence is limited. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis found external nasal strips did not significantly improve VO₂max, heart rate or perceived exertion in healthy people during exercise. A 2019 study of an internal nasal dilator in athletes reported improvements in nasal patency and some aerobic measures, but it did not test Turbine against On The Nose Co.
Practical interpretation: either design may make the nose feel more open for some people. Feeling less restricted can still be valuable during warm-ups, steady running or recovery breathing. It should not be presented as guaranteed performance enhancement.
Round-by-round verdict
No-insertion comfort
External strips avoid the foreign-body sensation and internal pressure that some users dislike.
No facial adhesive
Turbine does not rely on adhesive touching the bridge or sides of the nose.
Reusable internal format
Each Turbine device is recommended for up to 10 uses with washing between uses.
Choice of external systems
On The Nose Co. lets athletes choose conventional strips or a reusable magnetic bridge with replaceable tabs.
Contact and water sports
Turbine’s own warning excludes contact sports, water sports and swimming. Any device must also comply with event rules.
Proven performance superiority
No direct controlled trial establishes that either product produces better race or training outcomes.
Overall sport ecosystem
External sport strips, magnetic options, application guidance, the Breathing Academy and interactive tools create a broader pathway.
Fit and comfort: pressure inside versus adhesive outside
Turbine’s starter pack is useful because internal fit is not obvious from appearance. It contains small, medium and large devices so a first-time user can identify the most comfortable size. Each side can be adjusted independently. Correct sizing should create support without sharp pressure, rubbing, pain or a persistent urge to remove it.
External strips avoid internal contact, but the skin becomes the fit surface. Conventional strips need clean, completely dry skin and balanced placement across the lower bridge. Magnetic systems use smaller adhesive tabs on the sidewalls, then connect to a reusable bridge. Skin oil, sunscreen, moisturiser, sweat and repeated removal can affect hold or comfort.
Choose Turbine if you…
- want no adhesive on the face
- prefer an internal device that can be washed and reused
- are willing to test three sizes and adjust both stents
- do not compete in the excluded contact or water activities
Choose On The Nose Co. if you…
- do not want anything inserted in your nostrils
- want clear, black, conventional or magnetic choices
- prefer a fresh external contact surface for each session
- want products, education and sport tools in one system
Neither format should hurt. Stop and remove the product if you develop pain, bleeding, marked pressure, broken skin, blistering or persistent irritation. For external strips, see the practical guide to nose strips for sensitive skin. For ongoing one-sided obstruction, recurrent nosebleeds or suspected structural problems, speak with a qualified health professional.
Sweat, hygiene and race-day reliability
An internal dilator is not competing with sunscreen and sweat for adhesion. That can make Turbine attractive in hot Australian conditions. The trade-off is hygiene: it must be kept for personal use, washed in warm soapy water, rinsed, dried after each use and stored dry. The manufacturer says to dispose of it after 10 uses.
External strip retention depends heavily on preparation. Wash away oil, moisturiser and sunscreen where the adhesive will sit, dry thoroughly, apply before heavy sweating begins and press evenly. Do not layer a strip over irritated or sunburnt skin. Read how to keep nasal strips on during workouts; the skin-preparation principles apply in Australia too.
Do not debut either product on race day. Test the exact size, placement and session intensity during training. Check your sport or event rules, especially where a device could be dislodged or create a contact hazard. Turbine’s Australian directions specifically say not to use it during contact sports, water sports or swimming.
Which costs less per workout?
Turbine’s Australian large three-pack was listed at AU$34.99 when reviewed. With the manufacturer’s maximum of 10 uses per device, that is up to 30 uses, or roughly AU$1.17 per use before shipping—if every device fits, remains comfortable and reaches the full recommended lifespan. A starter pack may have a different effective cost because only one of its three sizes may become your preferred fit.
On The Nose Co. pricing varies between conventional pack sizes and the magnetic starter-and-refill model. Compare the current displayed price, shipping, number of wears and whether every component is reusable. Conventional strips use one complete strip per workout. The magnetic bridge is reused, but two fresh tabs are required per wear.
A fair cost calculation
Do not divide only by an advertised maximum. Include unusable sizes, early removal, failed adhesion, replacement tabs and cleaning effort. The lowest sticker price is not necessarily the lowest real cost for your nose and routine.
Our final recommendation
On The Nose Co. wins this comparison overall for versatility. It is the stronger starting point for Australian runners, cyclists, gym users and HYROX athletes who want an external solution, do not like devices inside the nose, or want to move between conventional and magnetic formats. The connected Breathing Academy, Interactive Breathing Lab™ and Knowledge Centre add useful decision support beyond the product itself.
Turbine wins a specific—and important—use case. Choose it if facial adhesive is the deal-breaker, you are comfortable with an intranasal device, you value up-to-10-use reusability and your sport is compatible with the manufacturer’s warnings. Its published airflow study is a meaningful reason to consider it, provided you understand what the study did and did not measure.
The honest answer is that personal anatomy and tolerance can reverse the verdict. An external strip can be perfect for one athlete and unreliable on sweaty skin for another. An internal dilator can feel secure to one person and distracting to someone else. A short training trial is more informative than assuming the largest airflow percentage or strongest marketing promise must produce the best result.
What would change this verdict?
We would update the ranking if a well-designed independent trial directly compared current Turbine and On The Nose Co. products using blinded or objective nasal-resistance measurements, verified retention, adverse-event reporting and sport outcomes. Until then, our verdict weights design choice, practical fit, safety, transparency and the complete support system—not unverified performance superiority.
Prefer support outside the nose?
Compare On The Nose Co.’s external sport formats, then test your chosen setup during training before using it in an event.
Shop sport nose stripsExplore magnetic stripsFrequently asked questions
Is Rhinomed Turbine better than On The Nose Co.?
Turbine is better for athletes who specifically want a reusable internal dilator without facial adhesive. On The Nose Co. is our overall choice for people who want nothing inserted in the nose, a choice of conventional and magnetic external formats, and a broader sport-breathing education system.
Does Turbine really increase airflow by 38%?
Rhinomed reports a 37.6% average increase over baseline in a sponsor-funded 2003 rhinometry study of 20 healthy people using intranasal stenting technology. That supports a nasal-airflow claim under the study conditions, not a 38% improvement in speed, VO₂max, oxygen delivery or endurance.
Can Turbine make me run faster?
No reliable public evidence guarantees that. Nasal openness and athletic performance are different outcomes. Fitness, pacing, lungs, cardiovascular delivery, muscles, temperature and many other variables influence performance.
Are external nose strips proven to improve VO₂max?
A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant improvement in VO₂max, heart rate or perceived exertion from external nasal strips in healthy participants during exercise. Some users may still value the feeling of reduced nasal restriction.
Can I use Turbine for contact sport or swimming?
The current Australian product directions say not to use Turbine during contact sports, water sports or swimming. Follow the label and check your event’s equipment rules.
How many times can Turbine be reused?
Rhinomed recommends up to 10 uses per Turbine device. It should be washed in warm soapy water, rinsed, dried after every use, stored dry and not shared.
Which is better for sensitive skin?
Turbine avoids facial adhesive, which may suit someone whose skin reacts to strips, but it introduces internal contact and pressure instead. External magnetic tabs reduce the adhesive footprint compared with a full-width strip but can still irritate some skin.
Which is better in hot, sweaty workouts?
Turbine does not rely on skin adhesion, while external strips need careful preparation and may be affected by oil, sunscreen and sweat. However, correct Turbine sizing and comfort still need to be tested during training.
Can children use Turbine?
The Australian Turbine directions state that it is not suitable for children under 12 and should be kept out of children’s reach because it is a small device. Follow the current label for any product used by a young person.
Can either product treat a deviated septum or breathing disorder?
No. These products provide temporary mechanical support and do not correct structural disease or replace diagnosis and treatment. Seek medical advice for persistent obstruction, recurrent nosebleeds, unexplained breathlessness, chest pain, wheeze or symptoms that limit exercise.
Sources and review notes
- Rhinomed Turbine official site — mechanism, sport positioning, published claim and research status.
- Turbine research summary — 20-person rhinometry study, 37.6% result and study attribution.
- Official Australian Turbine product page — price, sizes, uses, materials, directions, warnings and ARTG statement.
- Dinardi et al., systematic review and meta-analysis — external nasal dilators and exercise outcomes.
- Matteo et al., internal nasal dilator study — nasal patency and exercise-related measures in athletes.
- External nasal dilators: background and uses — mechanical category background.
Product details and prices were checked on 10 August 2026 and may change. External links were included for verification. We welcome documented corrections through the On The Nose Co. contact page.
Medical disclaimer: This article provides general education and product-comparison information, not medical diagnosis, treatment or personalised sports advice. Nasal dilators and strips do not treat asthma, sleep apnoea, structural obstruction or cardiopulmonary disease. Stop exercising and seek urgent care for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting or blue/grey lips. For persistent nasal or exercise-breathing symptoms, consult an appropriately qualified health professional.