VO2X Nasal Strips Review: How They Compare for Training

What are VO2X nasal strips?

VO2X nasal strips are made by Dopamine Lab and sold in Australia through their own website and bike and sports retailers. They're an external strip: a single-use adhesive band worn across the bridge of the nose that springs back to gently open the nasal passages.

Retailer listings describe them as drug-free, latex-free and hypoallergenic, sold in 30-packs and available in several colours, with a pitch aimed at runners, cyclists, endurance athletes and people who want better sleep.

VO2X nasal strips review: claims vs evidence

The core mechanism is sound. External nasal strips lift the soft side walls of the nose and widen the nasal valve, which makes nasal breathing feel easier. That applies to VO2X, Breathe Right, RhinoGear and every other spring-band strip.

Some VO2X marketing claims go further. Here's how they line up with what nasal strip research generally shows. For the detail on oxygen and endurance, read how nasal strips affect VO2 max.

• 'Opens nasal passages for easier breathing' — consistent with how external strips work.
• 'Maximise oxygen intake' — strips make nasal breathing easier, but there's no good evidence they raise how much oxygen your body uses.
• 'Enhanced cognitive function' — we're not aware of published research showing nasal strips improve focus or thinking.
• 'Train harder, recover faster' — easier nasal breathing may feel more comfortable at easy to moderate effort, but faster recovery isn't an established effect of nasal strips.

Price and availability in Australia

Checked 4 November 2026. Prices change, so check the retailer before you buy.

VO2X vs RhinoGear vs Breathe Right

All three are external spring-band strips, so the basic way they work is the same. The differences are in design, listing and where you buy them. On VO2X vs Breathe Right, both are single-use adhesive strips; VO2X leans into training and colour options, while Breathe Right is the long-standing pharmacy brand.

Who should pick which?

• Pick RhinoGear if you want a TGA-listed strip with a firmer triple-spring band, honest claims, dispatch from Australia and 20% off with Subscribe & Save — the best fit for most athletes. Not sure what a TGA listing means? Read <a href='/questions/are-nasal-strips-tga-approved'>are nasal strips TGA approved?</a>
• Pick VO2X only if the colour options matter most or you need a pack from your local bike shop today.
• See a GP if your nose is blocked most of the time or breathing problems affect your training. A strip helps airflow, but it doesn't treat an underlying condition.

Shop gym nose strips

Using VO2X now? Swap to RhinoGear for a week of sessions and compare how open your nose feels under load — the firmer triple-spring lift is the difference most athletes notice.

Shop RhinoGear gym nose strips — TGA-listed, drug-free, hypoallergenic and latex-free, dispatched from Australia, free shipping over $65 and 20% off with Subscribe & Save.