Most nasal strips use pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesives — the same technology as a standard bandage. They're formulated for dry, resting skin.

Under athletic conditions, three things happen simultaneously:

• Sweat creates a liquid barrier between the adhesive and the skin, breaking the bond

• Heat softens the adhesive, making it prone to sliding

• Facial movement generates shear forces that lift the edges

Within minutes of hard effort, a standard strip migrates, folds, or falls off entirely. That's an adhesive engineering failure — not a reason to give up on nasal strips.

XLR8-Grip™ is XLR8+ Labs' proprietary adhesion system, engineered specifically for high-sweat, high-output conditions where standard strips fail.

The system is formulated to resist moisture degradation, maintain bond strength as skin temperature rises, and withstand the mechanical shear forces generated by facial movement at full exertion. The result: a strip that stays locked from warm-up to cooldown — through a full HYROX session, CrossFit WOD, long run, or 8-hour sleep shift.

XLR8-Grip™ is what separates a performance nasal strip from a chemist strip that happens to be placed on a face.

Correct application is the single biggest factor in adhesion performance.

1. Clean and dry the nose bridge — wash with water, remove any sunscreen, moisturiser, or sweat residue. Oils are the primary cause of premature peeling.

2. Apply before you start sweating — the XLR8-Grip™ system bonds to dry skin. Don't apply mid-warm-up.

3. Centre the strip across the widest part of the nose bridge, just above the nostrils.

4. Press firmly along the full strip length for 10–15 seconds, paying extra attention to both edges.

5. Smooth the ends flat — edges that aren't fully adhered are the first point of failure.

The strip should feel firmly bonded before training begins. If it lifts within the first 10 minutes, skin preparation is the likely cause.

Loosen the edges with warm water — a warm shower or a wet cloth works well. Begin peeling from one edge, keeping the strip close and parallel to the skin surface. Avoid pulling directly upward.

For sensitive skin: apply a small amount of moisturiser or oil to the edges before peeling. Allow a few moments for it to work under the adhesive before removal.

If skin redness occurs consistently, allow an extra rest day between uses.

The science is clear on the mechanical benefit. Nasal strips dilate the nasal valve — the narrowest point in the nasal airway. During exercise, negative pressure collapses this valve further, restricting airflow. Strips mechanically hold it open.

Research (Wheatley et al., 2019 — PMC6822853) found that nasal dilation can reduce nasal airway resistance by up to 39.1%.

At sub-maximal intensities — endurance, strength work, HYROX, CrossFit — this improved nasal airflow means better oxygen delivery, reduced respiratory effort, and less involuntary mouth breathing as output climbs. The benefit is most significant for athletes who currently mouth-breathe during moderate-intensity work.

At maximum sprint intensity, mouth breathing inevitably takes over — that's normal physiology. The strips do their best work across the bulk of a session, not the peak seconds of it.

Yes. XLR8+ nasal strips and mouth tape are 100% drug-free. They contain no medications, no medicated coatings, no prohibited substances. They work through mechanical action only — physical dilation of the nasal valve.

They are fully compliant for use in competitive sport at all levels, including WADA-regulated competition.

HYROX and CrossFit are precisely the conditions XLR8+ is built for. Both formats involve sustained moderate-to-high intensity output across extended periods — the zone where nasal breathing is still viable and airflow efficiency directly affects performance.

Standard chemist strips are designed for sleep and mild congestion. They typically fail in the first 20–30 minutes of any session involving significant sweating. The XLR8-Grip™ adhesion system is engineered to maintain bond integrity through the full duration of a competitive event or training session in the Australian heat.

Nasal strips work at the external nasal valve — the opening at the base of the nose. They do not correct internal nasal anatomy.

For mild-to-moderate deviation, strips can still meaningfully reduce airway resistance at the valve and provide measurable airflow improvement. If the deviation is severe or causes near-complete obstruction on one side, the benefit may be limited on that side.

For personalised advice on nasal anatomy and airflow, consult an ENT specialist.

Mouth tape is a skin-safe adhesive strip worn over the lips during sleep to encourage nasal breathing.

When the mouth stays closed, all airflow routes through the nasal passages, which filter, humidify, and warm incoming air, and produce nitric oxide that supports healthy blood vessel function and

oxygen uptake. Nasal breathing also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting deeper, more restorative sleep.

Mouth breathing during sleep is associated with snoring, dry mouth, disrupted sleep architecture, and poorer overnight recovery. Mouth tape addresses the root cause — mouth falling open — rather than masking symptoms.

Mouth tape is generally safe for healthy adults who can breathe comfortably through their nose. The key precondition: you need to be able to breathe adequately through your nose before taping.

Do not use mouth tape if you have:

• Untreated obstructive sleep apnea

• Chronic nasal congestion or significant nasal obstruction

• Active respiratory illness, congestion, or a cough

• Any condition that may impair nasal breathing

If you're new to mouth taping, test it in short periods while awake first to confirm nasal breathing is comfortable. XLR8+ mouth tape uses a gentle, removable adhesive — not a permanent seal — which allows for quick removal at any point during the night.

If in doubt, consult your GP or sleep specialist before starting.

For snoring caused by mouth breathing — one of the most common causes — yes. When the mouth stays closed, airflow routes through the nasal passages rather than the open mouth, eliminating the turbulence that generates snoring noise at the oral level.

For the most effective result, pair mouth tape with XLR8+ nasal strips. The strips ensure the nasal passages are fully open (maximising flow); the tape ensures breathing actually routes through them. Together, they address both sides of the equation.

If snoring is caused by soft palate anatomy, throat structure, or diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, mouth tape alone is unlikely to resolve it — consult a sleep specialist for those cases.

It depends on density. Light stubble typically poses no issue. For heavier beards, the tape adheres to hair rather than skin, which can reduce hold and make removal less comfortable.

For dense facial hair: apply the tape only across the lip area, avoiding the surrounding beard. Starting with a 4–5cm strip placed horizontally across the lips (rather than a full seal) is an effective technique for bearded users.

Mouth tape is sometimes used by CPAP users to prevent air leaks through the mouth, which reduces therapy effectiveness. However, combining mouth tape with CPAP therapy should only be done under the guidance of a sleep specialist or respiratory physician — not independently. Your CPAP provider can advise on whether this is appropriate for your specific setup and prescription.

For sleep: yes — and this is more effective than either product alone. Nasal strips mechanically open the nasal passages. Mouth tape ensures airflow actually routes through them. One opens the highway; the other closes the detour.

XLR8+ frames this as the 24-hour breathing protocol:

• Train with nasal strips — maximise airflow during output

• Sleep with mouth tape + nasal strips — recover with optimal nasal breathing all night

Athletes using both products report better overnight recovery, reduced morning congestion, and faster adaptation to nasal breathing during training sessions.

Each strip is for single use only. Maximum wear time is 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Do not reuse strips.

For training: apply before your session and remove post-workout or when you shower. For sleep use: apply before bed, remove in the morning with warm water.

XLR8+ nasal strips are drug-free and work through mechanical action only, which means they carry no pharmaceutical risk. However, as with any new product used during pregnancy, consult your healthcare provider before starting use.

The strips themselves are not currently recyclable — they're a composite material (flexible spring layer + adhesive). Our packaging uses recycled materials and our mailers are fully biodegradable.

XLR8+ Labs ships Australia-wide. Free shipping applies to all orders over $60. Standard and express delivery options are available at checkout.

XLR8+ offers a 20-day trial on all products. If you don't notice a meaningful improvement in breathing — during training or sleep — within 20 days of consistent use, contact the team at info@xlr8-labs.com.

The 20-day window accounts for the adaptation curve: correct application technique and nasal breathing habits both improve over the first week of consistent use. A single session isn't a fair test of the product or the protocol.

Currently, XLR8+ is available exclusively online at xlr8-labs.com. Wholesale and stockist enquiries can be directed to info@xlr8-labs.com or via the wholesale page on the site.