Recently, open-ear headphones have become more popular for workouts. If you are also active, you are probably wondering whether you should make the switch. Yet perhaps you are worried about their sound quality or stability.
Interestingly, these headphones do not enter or even cover your ear canal - instead, they rely on a separate technology to conduct sound. This change in design actually makes them better suited for training.
Below, we will discuss these headphones so you can figure out why athletes choose open-ear headphones.
What Are Open-Ear Headphones?
The open-ear design is a relatively recent alternative to the over-the-ear and in-ear headphones. The main difference between the open-ear design and the other ones is how it projects sound and its design.
How Open-Ear Headphones Work
The open-ear headphones have a design that leaves your ears completely uncovered, unlike the over- and in-ear designs. The band of these headphones can rest on top of your head or go around it.
To transmit sound, these headphones have the equivalent of ear cups flat against your temple.
Furthermore, these headphones use bone conduction technology. More precisely, it transfers vibrations through the bones in your head. When the vibrations reach your inner ear, you hear your music. This allows you to hear clearly without covering your ear canal.
In comparison, the other types of headphones use air to carry sound.
Athletes Wearing Open-ear Headphones
The best way to understand how these headphones work is to experience them as professional runner Eilish McColgan has. As a Commonwealth Games medallist and British Record holder, she has always used music to help her train. In particular, she prefers the open-ear design and said, “They have a comfortable fit and an impressive battery life, which makes them my go-to headphones.” She also noted how their design makes them safer since it allows you to hear surrounding sounds.
Likewise, Jan Frodeno, the first athlete to win both Olympic Triathlon Gold and the Ironman World Championship title, also swears by these headphones. “Honestly, I don't leave the house without them either since they're easy to forget once you're wearing them,” Frodeno said.
Why Athletes Choose Open-Ear Headphones
These headphones are the best choice for anyone because of their functionality and design. This has led to the following nifty features:
Comfort During Long Workouts
The first reason why athletes choose open-ear headphones is because they are comfortable. With these headphones, you will minimise ear fatigue. This is because these headphones do not put pressure on your ears or cause discomfort inside the ear.
In addition, these headphones are more comfortable to wear because they remain secure around your head. So, even if you are training for long periods, you can be sure that they will remain in place without needing to readjust them.
Safety and Versatility
Another reason why athletes choose open-ear headphones is that they are safer across various environments. Their design allows you to hear your surroundings. So, you can wear them while you are outside running or cycling.
Even when you are inside a gym, they are great for staying aware of other gym goers and avoiding accidents. In fact, they can even let you listen to music and keep listening to instructions from a trainer.
Compatibility with Athletic Activities
Lastly, the open-ear design is a top choice for athletic activities. With these headphones, you can perform well in various sports, from running to cycling.
This is from the reported benefits of listening to music while exercising, ranging from greater output to rhythmic movement. Therefore, wearing these headphones will improve your overall performance across various sports.
The Benefits of Open-Ear Headphones for Athletes
As an athlete, these headphones outperform other designs in various ways. To explore these benefits, let us use the exemplary OpenRun Pro 2 headphones. These headphones with an open-ear design have the following benefits:
Maintaining Focus with High-Quality Sound
To start with, active individuals appreciate open-ear headphones because they help you maintain focus with music. The Open Run Pro 2 model has balanced audio so you can listen to music clearly while also allowing external noise.
Plus, it uses DualPitch technology, which provides clear high and low notes. So, you can follow along with coaching cues.
Durability for Active Lifestyles
The model also excels in durability, which is essential for an active lifestyle. Since sweat can easily damage electrical components, Shokz designed these headphones to withstand it. In fact, the whole design is water-resistant.
Conclusion
As we have clarified, the reason why athletes choose open-ear headphones is simply that their design is better suited for athletic activities. From their comfortable and secure fit to their safety in various environments, these headphones perform well.
In addition, their durable and high-performing design allows you to listen to music clearly even as you go through intense workouts.
These benefits come out most clearly through quality open-ear headphones such as OpenRun Pro 2. Get these Shokz headphones and experience high-quality sounds and maximum comfort.
