Harmony Smiley's Nose Plugs, Grey, One Size, 1 Count (Pack of 1)

First off, this review is only in regards to the nose clip. I have a swim iPod so I have earbuds and didn't need earplugs. I purchased 4 different nose clips that day and I will address all of them in this review. First off, I've always been a Cressi product user. I don't know why, but there stuff seems to fit my face better, and being female it seems like a lot of products are designed more for men or children. My Cressi nose plug I had for about a year, the plastic was really hard but it also seemed like it was dissolving, like when you have a piece of gum in your mouth too long. It got so uncomfortable near the end, it kind of soured me on that particular product so I thought I try some others. The first product I tried was the Swim Elite plug. I was surprised at first because from looking at the picture I was expecting two plastic straps across the nose, but it only one. The sides are rounded and raised which I mistakingly thought was two separate pieces Not a big deal except that this nose clip is almost identical to the "2 piece swim swimming clear set" by Como. (The Como set was half the price and twice the product). There are enough slight differences, for copyright purposes I'm sure, but they function exactly the same. When I first looked at both of them I was a little concerned about the nose pads. They look cheap and poorly attached. I'm not sure how long they will last but not sure what the life expectancy of nose plugs are anyway. I washed my face, having read some of the reviews of people having problems if they had any oil on their faces, and set out to test it. I had to manipulate my nose a bit to get t on, there isn't much give in plastic. It wasn't uncomfortable so to speak, but I was aware of it being there. I swam across the pool and I felt like it was going to fall off, as it slid down my nose a bit. I swam my regular program and they stayed on, but there was that feeling like they were going to come off the whole time. It should also be noted, that I could blow air out my nose, so I'm assuming one could breathe air in if they accidentally breathed through their nose. I tried it again over the next couple of days, with the same results. It never came off, but still felt "about to." Overall, an acceptable back up product. The next one I tried was the 2 piece swim combo by Como. Essentially these are identical to the Swim Elite product, with the same issues and review. They were inexpensive, 2 nose plugs and 2 earplugs for @$6, a no brainer as a back up set, but not an everyday use for me. The 3rd plug I tried was the Sodial beige string clip. These were awful!. Super hard plastic, and the strap is obnoxious. I don't need anything else on my around my head, (swim cap, goggles). These were almost painful, almost, because they wouldn't stay on. These were way to small? The part that goes over the nose was way too short for my nose. I have a very "beak" like nose, thin and pointy, and these didn't even make it to the middle of my nose. They might work for someone with a really short, flat nose or a child, but I'm not sure. The plastic was also made out of the same one as the Cressi one I had before, and I know what happens to that one after awhile. This is a definite "no," even at $2.22 I would not ever use, this one went in the trash. The 4th and final product was the Harmony Smiley's nose plug. This by far was the best of the bunch...not really a comparison. The pads had just the right amount of cushion and firmness to stay in place and completely plug my nose. The part that goes over the bridge of the nose is metal, and it seems like it might hold up better than plastic, (my Cressi's were metal bridged and still intact). I had to manipulate my nose a little to get them on, but for the results I got, I don't mind. The only drawback for a swimmer, is the cord that is attached. It was a little bit of a pain in the butt to cut off, but can be done. They should offer an option of with or without the cord, as I could see it being a useful for a kayaker. At @$10 these are a steal, would definitely purchase these again, maybe even having a second one for backup. All of the nose plugs left dents in my nose, but these went away after an hour or so, (don't swim right before you need to be somewhere important, or you might find yourself trying to explain...). I wanted to include my experience with all the products in this review because often times I read others reviews saying how they liked another product better, but never mention the product they liked! I swim everyday and comfort and functionality are equally important to me, so hopefully this information is helpful to someone else.

Incredibly good. The padding inside makes it very easy to get the right tension. It's soft and fits well. Definitely blocks water from your nose

This is the ONLY nose clip that works for me and my big nose. At 6' and 180 lbs, I am not a small guy. This nose clip works well! I cut the string off and keep it in a small case in my swim bag. I tried similar products from Speedo, Tyr, Arena and FINIS. Those other brands slipped off so easily or allowed plenty of water to leak up my nostril. That's right. I bought 5 different brands so you don't have to! Only Harmony Smiley's worked well. You can really pinch/pressure it to fit your own nose well. It's conforming and lasts. I've used ONE clip for 2 seasons now. I am ordering a backup in case I drop and lose mine. The Harmony Smiley's nose clip stays on firmly during active lap swimming (decent speed, plenty of splashing on turns). Sure, it will occasionally come lose, and I can linger quickly on a turn and pinch it tight no problem. But it held firmly through a 600 yard warm-up yesterday without needing so much as an adjustment. I found the seal holds if I made sure my nose is not oily (no excess sunscreen) and clean when I first put it on. And it's easy to grab and remove between sets during lap swim, and then just clip it back on and you're good to go for your next set. The chemicals they use in local pools really irritates my allergies. Harmony Smiley's is the only nose clip that worked. Now I can swim without massive sinus headaches from pool chemicals. All other nose clip brands were a waste of money for me. THIS IS THE ONE TO BUY!

I have tried a number of nose clips. I have been swimming laps for many years but about a year ago developed some allergy to pool water (i have tried various pools). Nose plugs were the only item that alleviated a runny nose. So first, I hate swimming with nose plugs but if I wish to continue that is the only choice. I have tried other remedies (nasal spray, vaseline, for example). None of the other nose plugs stayed on for more than a lap or two. The Smileys, however, stayed in place for about 1/4 mile before needing a quick adjustment. A quick off, replace and squeeze does the trick. I attach these to the side of my goggles and don't have a problem with the small rope affecting my vision. I purchased these 6 months ago and the inside rubber grips have worn. That is disappointing. I will buy a Smiley's replacement until I can find a better solution.

I've tried many nose plugs, and these are by far the ones that work best for me. I've tried the springy-clamp ones with the big plastic pads, and those get all distorted and snap off. I've tried the Speedo ones that are all plastic, but they're very small and don't fit well on my normal size nose. They do work, but they feel like they're going to fall off at any moment, so they're not secure. I've also tried the Aqua Sphere, and again, it only comes in one size and it doesn't go deep enough for my normal size nose. If you have a small nose, there are a lot of options for you. The problem with the Aqua Sphere, other than being small, is that once the pads get wet, they don't stick and will slide off. You have to put them on before you get wet, and then not touch them until you're done being in the water. I think that's unlikely for most of us. The Smiley nose plugs do go deep enough, and if they don't, you can wear them upside down, like a nose ring, and they work fine that way too. You can't orient many nose plugs that way. I needed a lanyard for my nose plugs, and with these I can attach them to my helmet, so it works out great. Some folks are probably looking for these nose plugs but with a neck lanyard instead of a helmet lanyard. I was looking for those too to no avail; I don't think they make them anymore. These plugs are comfortable while still sealing out the water, and can be repositioned while wet and they'll still work. If other nose plugs are small on you, these should do the trick. And if they are too tight or not tight enough, you can bend them to get a perfect fit. I'm very, very happy with these nose plugs.

Finally found a nose clip that stays on - don't know if I have a unique nose (but it is rather large), however I have been unable to find one that will stay on my nose while swimming about 35 minutes of laps in a pool. I've tried Speedo, Tyr, and many others. Sometimes they'll stay on for a week or, so, and then I'll start to struggle with them sliding off about halfway through my swim or at least getting more and more loose. Admittedly, I'm only 2+ weeks in using this, but so far so good. If after a month or so I start to have trouble with them, I may be forced to edit this review, but I'm happy with them so far.

I could not get this to stay on my nose no matter what I tried. It just slides right off.

I got this at the end of August in 2012 for swimming (I know they're for kayaking). I loved it. It clamped my nose harder than any other nose plugs, but let me adjust it as I wanted, which you can't do with the usual plastic garbage. And unlike many swimming nose clips (why do they call them plugs? They don't literally plug, they clamp!), the nostril pads stayed firmly in place, with no slipping. Several other styles I tried, even those with silicone grips I thought would be better, will pop right off my nose. This one has a nice grip that works even when your nose is wet already. Unfortunately, that grippy rubber doesn't hold up at all: it literally dissolves. The strap was superfluous for me, but I hate to cut things off that are supposed to be there, so while I swam, I'd loop it around the metal part so it wouldn't flop into my eye (little set loop goes on first, then loop the remaining, then attach to nose). I generally swim into October, so we'll say I got a month and a half of use out of these in 2012. Last summer I noticed the rubber cushioning on the nose clip was deteriorating. It would actually deteriorate as I wore it, so I would get gummy grey scum on either side of my nose. By the end of summer, I couldn't use the clip at all, because the metal was completely exposed. The clip worked so well I tried to still use it, but without the rubber, it's painful. If the rubber had held up, I'd be giving this product 5 stars and raving there should be 6. I still may buy another one, that's how well it works compared to other options. But that's more a reflection of how poor other products are than how great this one is. For $10-$15 a pop, it should last longer than 5 months, which is about how much use I got out of it (I swim until October, but usually don't start until July). And all they would have to do is use a better quality of rubber! I know oils (like those on your face) do dissolve rubber, but if it's really just a girl's t-zone oil dissolving the material that quickly, I'd say you just have to find a tougher rubber. If they do a revamp to improve the cushioning material, I'd recommend offering a swimmer's version as well (perhaps with a little less horrifically glaring color---blue metal, clear cushion?) with a head/neck strap.

i like that I can attach these to my googles so I remember to put them on and don't loose them

You don't lose it. That's the main benefit for me.

Very good. Pleased with it.

Grips well, stays on, doesn't get lost.

This saved my sinuses during HUET!! (dont know what that is? You get crash landed in a helicopter that sinks and rotates underwater while you have to stay buckled until submersed then pop out window and escape) Anyway first HUET years ago was beyond awful, took a week to recover, but this one I actually still felt human after hours in the water and could even drive 4hours home safely. All my colleagues were jealous and want the same for next time. The tether is key as you can secure it on helmet strap. Untethered not allowed and the nose piece on lifevest air tank barely works, so grateful I bought this!!