In every single place I look, individuals and devices are yelling at me to hydrate. On social media, the algorithm bombards me with health and sweetness influencers who say I ought to drink a gallon of water a day. (Glowing pores and skin! Shed that final cussed 5 kilos! Extra vitality!) The varied smartwatches I take a look at all have these hydration widgets for monitoring my day by day water consumption. Not too way back, I had a “good” water bottle that flashed hourly rainbow LED lights as a reminder to drink up. Most not too long ago, I’ve been sporting this little pod on my bicep. It, too, tells me to hydrate — however in a method that’s surprisingly helpful.

The $129 Nix Hydration Biosensor is a pod-and-patch combo that alerts endurance athletes when they need to hydrate throughout a exercise. It claims to offer personalised hydration suggestions, in addition to calculate your particular person electrolyte loss relying on sure elements like climate and sweat fee. It’s overkill. Hydration doesn’t want to be this costly or sophisticated. However for knowledge nerds and endurance athletes, the Nix sensor does supply some sensible steerage that, for some, may be well worth the value.

A couple of months in the past, I examined the Gatorade Good Gx bottle and the Gx Sweat Patch. It was one other gadget-patch combo that claimed to learn your sweat within the title of extra clever hydration, however I wasn’t a fan. Not solely did it really feel like a car to promote me extra Gatorade, the sweat patch by no means labored for me. It left me cautious that the Nix sensor would even be a tool that was higher in idea than execution. However whereas the merchandise are comparable, Nix delivers a greater general expertise.

The Nix sensor has two elements: a reusable sensor pod and single-use patches. The patches are fabricated from a latex-free adhesive that’s snug to put on. It jogs my memory of KT Tape in that it’s versatile sufficient to maneuver with you however sticky sufficient to not slide off your pores and skin once you begin sweating. The patches are small (2.75in diameter), and I didn’t have any difficulty becoming it on my bicep. Earlier than a exercise, all it’s important to do is align the pod with the grooves within the patch’s sensor attachment and twist till it locks in place.

Whereas the sensor and patch had been straightforward sufficient to put on, the large take a look at was whether or not it’d be capable to learn my sweat, particularly since I’m testing this within the winter. Not solely do I sweat much less in winter, however I’m not a type of robotic runners who can log 10 miles within the freezing wind in nothing however a T-shirt and shorts. Except for sweat detection, I used to be curious to see whether or not the sensor would catch on my lengthy sleeves or if sporting a number of layers would trigger any points.

Apparently, my bicep is sweatier than my forearm, and it made a distinction. In keeping with Nix, the bicep is likely one of the finest locations to estimate your whole bodily fluid and electrolyte loss whereas delivering an excellent person expertise. (Gatorade’s patches go on the forearm, and neither patch is validated for different components of the physique.) On three out of 4 take a look at runs, the Nix sensor was simply capable of get a studying. I’ll get into my botched run beneath, however I guarantee you it wasn’t as a result of it couldn’t detect sweat. As for my sleeves, I didn’t have any issues aside from once I needed to reconnect the sensor after already placing on my shirt. All which means is, in winter, you’ve obtained to watch out to ensure all the pieces’s linked earlier than you head out.

Nix additionally makes it simpler to add and sync knowledge. It principally works like several smartwatch or health tracker. Whenever you’re accomplished with the exercise, you finish it within the app, watch for Bluetooth to do its factor, and voilá. Knowledge seems. (Syncing can take a scorching second, however that’s common.) You are able to do this with the patch on or off, too. Conversely, Gatorade makes you snap an image of the patch, and the entire system depends on analyzing the sweat-activated ink sample on a used patch, which, for those who’re not sweaty sufficient, gained’t work. Even if you’re sweaty sufficient, generally you’ll should retake the picture as properly.

One other factor I appreciated was the charging case. It might sound too large, given the scale of the pod, however I truly like that. I’ve used and misplaced loads of foot pods and different small wearables with small circumstances. That is sufficiently big to simply discover, whether or not it’s on a nightstand or stashed in a bag. Plus, the lid has a slot the place you may stick a patch for comfort. And since it’s a charging case, you don’t actually have to fret in regards to the battery. The sensor pod lasts 36 hours on a single cost, however as long as you’re placing it again within the case once you’re accomplished, you gained’t have to fret about it for a couple of months.

Nix additionally gives real-time hydration alerts. This was a hit-or-miss characteristic for me because the alerts principally come from the Nix app in your telephone. If I had the Nix app open and on display screen, the alerts had been extra noticeable. If I made a decision to have one in every of my many different health apps open, I tended to overlook them completely. You possibly can decide to get them in your Apple Watch or sure Garmin smartwatches, however once more, I’ve personalized my exercise views to point out me precisely what I need to see, so this wasn’t my favourite choice. Plus, the app warns that it could possibly take about 25 minutes earlier than there’s sufficient sweat for the sensor to learn, but it surely might additionally take a bit longer. Throughout one take a look at, I didn’t see any related knowledge till 35 minutes into the run and always checking took me out of the zone. I like distraction-free working, so I most well-liked reviewing my knowledge after a exercise after which making use of what I discovered to the subsequent. However, on the threat of dogpiling on Gatorade, not less than you might have the choice for real-time alerts in order for you them.

Whereas the Nix sensor wipes the ground with Gatorade’s sweat patch, there are some downsides. For me, the most important one is connectivity. Whereas I didn’t have a lot bother with the sensor’s Bluetooth throughout setup, it crapped out on me twice throughout testing. A type of instances was fairly minor. I’d already completed an hour-long run once I observed the sensor had misplaced connection to my telephone. As a result of I used to be dwelling, I used to be capable of take the pod out of the patch and reinsert it earlier than getting within the bathe. All the pieces reconnected, downside solved. I used to be additionally nonetheless capable of add my knowledge.

The second time was my botched take a look at run. I had put a totally charged pod right into a patch, accurately positioned it on my bicep, obtained dressed, laced up my sneakers, began up all my different wearables, and… forgot to hit begin within the Nix app. (It was early, and I’m not a morning particular person.) I didn’t discover my goof till midway by way of a 105-minute long term. I attempted to begin a belated exercise — some knowledge is healthier than no knowledge, proper? — however the pod wouldn’t connect with my telephone. This was regardless of the very fact I might see the Nix was on, and if LED indicator lights are to be believed, working. I attempted twiddling with the sensor, locked and unlocked the sensor by way of my sleeve, turned my telephone on and off, after which tried turning the pod on and off. No luck. I attempted the entire rigamarole a couple of extra instances later within the run, simply in case it was my location. Nada. It wouldn’t reconnect to my telephone till I used to be again dwelling. At that time, I attempted to see if it might add my sweat knowledge however no luck there, both.

That royally sucked. I missed out on beneficial long-run knowledge, and lengthy runs are when hydration is most necessary! Even worse, these are single-use patches, and I’d wasted one. It prices $25 for a refill pack of 4, which means every patch is $6.25. Human error performed a big function on this, however higher connectivity might’ve not less than saved the state of affairs. I made a foolish mistake, however not an implausible one.

I get why the sweat patches are single-use. Adhesives by no means stick fairly as properly after the primary time. Plus, you’d have to scrub off previous sweat for correct knowledge, and adhesives break down with water and cleaning soap. However understanding this doesn’t cease these patches from feeling wasteful — each monetarily and environmentally. Nix does have a partnership with Terracycle, so you may not less than recycle used patches without spending a dime. I recognize the choice, however I needed to root by way of Nix’s FAQs to even discover out about it, and the entire course of requires a bunch of additional steps. Persons are lazy, and I’ve a sense most used Nix patches will find yourself in a landfill anyway.

Whereas I’m airing my gripes, it’s a bummer that the Nix sensor doesn’t help exercise varieties outdoors of indoor/outside working and biking. You don’t actually want granular hydration knowledge for yoga, pumping iron on the gymnasium, or a brief HIIT exercise, but it surely’d be good for lengthy hikes, different sorts of strenuous cardio, or outside sports activities. Hopefully, Nix will add help for extra exercise varieties down the road.

I used to be additionally disillusioned to see Nix is iOS-only in the meanwhile. The corporate says that Android compatibility is slated for this month (February 2023), but it surely wasn’t out there once I was testing the machine.

To get correct outcomes, Nix recommends a sweaty run or biking session that lasts not less than 45 minutes. When you efficiently log a exercise, the app spits out a abstract that features the train, whether or not it was indoors or outdoor, and what you used to hydrate. You’ll additionally see temperature, humidity, dew level, photo voltaic load, wind, and altitude. As for hydration metrics, the app will inform you how a lot fluid and electrolytes you misplaced in the course of the exercise, in addition to your sweat composition (aka, how salty your sweat is).

There’s additionally a extra normal sweat profile that aggregates knowledge from a number of exercises. There you may see your estimated sweat fee, electrolyte loss fee, sweat composition, and Nix Index, a proprietary rating that’s meant to point out how sweaty a specific exercise was for you.

After I informed my partner about this, they gave me a withering look. It’s the identical one they offer me every time I clarify a brand new doodad I’m testing and the info it tracks. It’s derision incarnate. You see, my partner and I are polar opposites in the case of health knowledge. My partner is a type of naturally gifted athletes who handle to run just like the wind on 4 hours of sleep and a half-eaten protein bar. They solely begrudgingly use an Apple Watch to stream music as a result of they’ll’t be bothered with offline playlists. They’ve by no means as soon as reviewed their exercise stats. This sensor isn’t for easy-going Kind B athletes like my partner.

It’s for individuals like me, the Kind A doofuses that use color-coded spreadsheets for coaching logs and set out their exercise garments the evening earlier than. The nerds who lookup and examine a number of coaching plans and vitality goo diet labels earlier than deciding on one. Those who look within the mirror and assume, “I, a quantified sicko, could be optimized for most efficiency.”

I’m totally conscious that I don’t want Nix to run a well-hydrated 13.1 miles. I’ve run loads of races earlier than I ever tried Nix and have at all times crossed the end line in a single piece. However I additionally know I can do higher. I recognize understanding I sweat about 7.8 ounces of fluid and 365mg of electrolytes per hour within the winter. I like understanding I ought to use a sports activities drink with roughly 47mg of electrolytes per ounce. You are able to do the mathematics your self, but it surely’s a headache. Sports activities drink firms don’t make it straightforward to determine and examine electrolyte ranges, and advertising tends to concentrate on carbs as an alternative.

That’s why it’s cool that there’s a helpful chart proper on this app I can reference that lets me examine electrolyte ranges of in style sports activities drink manufacturers. Seems Liquid IV is the one that the majority intently matches my electrolyte wants. It’s not laborious proof, however anecdotally, my coaching has improved since I coincidentally made the change from Maurtens a couple of months in the past. I’ll one hundred pc use this info once I’m getting ready my subsequent long term.

The underside line is it helps me plan my runs, which in flip alleviates my anxiousness about finishing stated runs to my ridiculous and arbitrary requirements. If planning helps you’re feeling extra assured a few run or a biking session, then there are a couple of eventualities the place I can see the Nix sensor being a worthy funding.

For instance, for those who’re a triathlete who steadily races in all kinds of climates. The Nix might be useful in fine-tuning your hydration technique everytime you prepare in an unfamiliar surroundings. Or, for those who’re significantly warmth delicate, this may enable you to enhance summer season mileage safely. Individuals simply beginning to sort out longer distances might additionally profit. Personally, I’d have favored a place to begin once I was new to hydration and fueling methods.

However paying $130 for a sensor and $25 for patch refills is rather a lot, particularly because you’re not going to be sporting a patch for each exercise. For most individuals, that is simplest as a benchmark software that you simply get away when the climate, your surroundings, or your coaching regimens change. A little bit additional to offer you a slight edge. That’s the factor about devices like these. They’re not important. They’re a “good to have” if, and provided that, the expense is smart.

When you’re bought on the concept of hydration patches and making an attempt to determine between this and Gatorade Gx patches — simply go along with Nix. It’s costlier up entrance, however in the long term, you get 4 patches in a $25 refill in comparison with two. It’s additionally extra thoughtfully designed, works reliably, and provides you extra actionable knowledge. It’s what Gatorade was making an attempt to do, however higher.