There are a lot of solid headphone options in the universe these days. Many of them are genuinely great—and I’m firmly in the over‑ear camp for most of my outdoor runs. Open ear models like the Nank Runner Diver 2, along with other sound-embedded sunglasses options like Lucyd and Chamelo, get a lot of miles from me. The catch? Those headphones are also a financial investment—one that’s usually worth it, but still a consideration.
That’s why the Nank Clip Super immediately caught my attention.
Priced at around $40, the Clip Super is a refreshingly inexpensive option with a genuinely unique design. Instead of wrapping around or sitting inside your ear, these headphones clip onto it—creating an open‑ear experience that prioritizes awareness and comfort while keeping weight to an absolute minimum.
Design & Fit
The clip‑on design is the defining feature here. Each earbud attaches directly to your ear cartilage, leaving the ear canal fully open for safety. For runners who prefer situational awareness—traffic, bikes, other runners—this checks an important box. More and more races only allow these types of headphones these days.
The materials feel soft and flexible, and at just over 5 ounces total, they add virtually no noticeable weight. Once clipped on, they stay put surprisingly well. I never had one come loose or feel like it was at risk of falling off, even during faster efforts.
That said, if you’re sensitive to pressure on your ears (I am), you’ll notice the clip mechanism. There is some pressure required to keep them secure. On longer runs, I was aware they were there—not painful, but noticeable, especially with repetitive up‑and‑down motion.
Where they really shined for me was during cross‑training: cycling, gym sessions, and strength work. Less bounce meant more comfort, and I forgot I was wearing them at times.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is clear, balanced, and WAY better than expected at this price point.
Is it Bose or Beats? Obviously not. But for an hour of music or podcasts during runs and workouts, it’s more than sufficient. In fact, for $40, I’d comfortably put the sound quality in the excellent-for-the-price category.
Nank attributes this to their Advanced DS 2.0 Directional Audio Delivery Technology—a 360° open‑style directional system designed to send sound toward your ears while minimizing leakage. And yes, it works. There are few things worse than hearing another runner’s music bleeding out mid‑run, and I never felt like I was that person while wearing these.
Calls, Durability & Extras
The Clip Super also includes an embedded microphone for calls. I tested this mid‑run (heavy breathing and all), and the feedback from my wife was that the call quality was surprisingly clear – given the circumstances at least. I hardly ever use my headphones for calls that last longer than a few seconds anyways, so it was sufficient for me.
They’re rated IPX5, meaning they can handle sweat and rain without issue—exactly what you want from a workout‑focused headphone.
Final Thoughts
For less than the cost of a typical 5K race entry, the Nank Clip Super is hard to beat.
They aren’t perfect—ear sensitivity and bounce during longer runs are worth noting—but they deliver strong performance, solid sound, and impressive versatility at a very approachable price point. For runners and athletes looking for an affordable, open‑ear headphone that works especially well for cross‑training and everyday workouts, this is an easy recommendation.
