Shuffle cannot tolerate sweat/moisture

Use a bit of tape on the earbud end of your wrap to prevent moisture entry...

Nothing to add that everyone has not already stated. On 2nd replacement headset, and it pooped out on my morning jog. I would have been shocked by this lack of product testing from Microsoft, but from Apple??? It is disgraceful that this could have happened on such a high profile product from a company that's entire success is based on brand loyalty, but even darker that Apple Support (at least to me) will not even acknowledge the issue, and leave me to think that my experience is either a freak of nature or that I am abusing the device in some unknown way.

I'm growing increasingly mad about this thing, SARAN wrapping doesn't work for me, i sweat too much. I'm trying to invent something that will take care of this, because I'm getting more and more angry, If nothing i make works, I'm taking this piece of crap back to the friggin store, It's a shame because i really like it.

Once i find the solution i'll be sure to share it with the rest of you guys, and trust me...I WILL FIND A WAY!

Along with the Saran wrap are you taping it on at (at least) the top end (towards your head) and the bottom? I would bet I could top you on sweating and I put on the plastic wrap and then taped the end of the wrap on each end of the controller. I have had no moisture get in.

If you've read the longer thread on this problem someone else came up with a workaround using PVC glue.

I'm trying another take on this, I purchased a pack of non-lubricated condoms
I cut the condom into three distinct pieces, two smaller ones and one that could cover the whole controller.

First: Using the two smaller latex pieces I wrapped the top and bottom then used a small amount of Krazy Glue to secure.

Second: Using the bigger piece of latex I wrapped the entire controller and secured with a small amount of Krazy Glue.

Third: Placed a dab of glue on the top end of the latex to ensure no leakage.

After I test this out I'll post again to inform how it works, if there is one thing i know, latex condoms do in fact prevent any "leaking."

So the latex condom idea worked perfect, no sweat was able to get into the controller. I do admit using this is kind of weird, but I'm sure a rubber balloon would work as well; just try to find a clear one. I also think APPLE should mold a case for this particular problem, preferably clear rubber considering you must be able to click the buttons. Until a moisture resistant headset or something is done to fix this problem I'll be using the latex condom workaround. Anyway, it works so that's all i care about.

Hello all! So I needed an iPod to run, my iPhone was just to big to be carrying around so I decided to purchase an iPod shuffle when I thought to myself those things are so small I am sure they wont get in the middle. So when I read this I was a bit worried, but today I took it for the first time for a 45 minute run and I did not run into any problems. I did sweat quite a good amount and it never was a problem. My shirt was soaked so I think thats a pretty good test. I wonder if maybe its a bad batch? We have all concluded that it is the headphones right? anyways I hope that my input helps to any contribution.

Hey Juan,

The first few runs i went on went the same way as you, and when i first read these complaints i was like "well, i had no problems" but after the first few runs the controller stops working until it dries out. I assume if too much moisture gets into the controller it will eventually stop working, so if you run into this problem check out some of the work-arounds from this forum. If on the other hand you dont run into any problems maybe i'll have to take my headphones back and get one of your pairs. Although you haven't had a problem yet, it might be smart to take a pre-emptive strike on it and do a work-around anyway.

Well, good luck and i hope Apple is in fact doing something about this.

Same Problem. I think the sweat effects the control pad. Save me Apple.

Me too and I in fact almost leaped off of a treadmill at my local gym because it was so freakin' loud!!!

Firmware version 1.0.2 is supposed to prevent the sudden maximum volume phenomenon... Have you applied it?

Avid runner. Failed to see this message board before buying new shuffle last sunday. ran monday. in florida where sweat is way of life. 25 minutes and volume went nuts up and down and then quit working. came back and found all these posts and did various work arounds. today ran sweated and no problems. here are steps (1) download software update. don't know if it works but prob doesn't hurt (2) do the right ear loop (3)saran wrap the controller and glue the ends with small dab of super glue (4)pin high on shirt (5)have ipod with control facing down (6) do not touch controller at all while running. All that seemed to work, lots of trouble, but obv design flaw.
AND call Apple. I spoke to yesterday and they denied any knowledge whatsoever of the problem. I suggested they read their own forums.

I too have had problems with the ipod shuffle/headphones that have caused me to return the device for a full refund. Upset about it because I really loved the device for my outdoor workouts but there is a definite "sweat/moisture" problem that basically causes the headphones and device to be non-responsive or respond improperly when the headphone mic button is pressed. Kinda crazy that most of the people that buy this device are athletes and yet the product is essentially defective for use in this population. What athlete does not sweat? I feel that apple should halt sales of this product until they rectify this issue.

I too have been frustrated by the moisture problem. I bought the 3rd generation shuffle the day it came out. Becuase of it being new, I thought I had a defective shuffle. I am now on my third 3rd generation shuffle and the moisture problem still exists. I am willing to purchase other headphones, but after reading some of these posts, that's not going to solve the problem. I even went as far as to start wearing a headband to try to stop moisture from getting to the headphones, to no avail. It MIGHT be tolerable if sweat was pouring off me, but somedays I will get 3 minutes into my run, hardly sweating at all, and my ipod shuts down. You'd think that Apple would do something to remidy this problem. You gotta assume that most people buying a shuffle are using them at the gym/ for running.

I'm on my 2nd shuffle and it is performing as poorly as the first - whenever it is exposed to sweat, the volume control takes on a life of its own, songs start to skip and the unit becomes unusable. Glad (I suppose) that I'm not alone, but I'm really dissappointed with what appears to be a huge oversight by the product testing group at Apple. I'll try the Saran Wrap "solution".