Introduction
Music can enhance your morning run by allowing you to feel more energized, focused, and motivated. If you want to get the most out of your listening experience, you need a pair of headphones that will stay comfortably in place and produce excellent sound quality. Here's a guide to help you select the best headphones for running.
What Type of Headphones is Best for Running?
Choosing the right headphones is crucial to enhance your workout experience—with comfort, durability, and sound quality being the most important factors to consider. Let’s explore the different types of headphones best suited for active lifestyles.
Best True Wireless
Shokz OpenFit stands out as a superior choice for true wireless headphones, tailored for runners. It features an open-ear design which allows users to stay connected to their environment while enjoying audio or taking calls. The built-in 0.7mm ultra-flexible memory and ergonomic hook design adapt to every ear shape ensuring a comfortable fit even during long training sessions. Enhanced with DirectPitch and OpenBass technology, OpenFit offers an enriched audio experience with clearer highs and deeper lows.
Best Bone Conduction
Runners looking for an immersive experience are embracing bone conduction technology. Headphones like the Shokz OpenRun Pro provide premium sound quality so you can fully enjoy your music or podcast. Bone conduction technology is an innovative audio transmission method that bypasses the eardrums and directly sends sound vibrations through the bones in the skull to the inner ear. This type of headphones promotes situational awareness, which is beneficial for runners who prefer outdoor training.
Best Budget
If budget is your number one concern, the OpenMove headphone is a good choice. OpenMove is our entry-level bone conduction sports headphones which is great for daily use. Enhanced with the patented 7th-generation bone conduction technology, this pair of headphones delivers superior dynamic stereo sound. It has an IP55 sweatproof rating, which helps the headphones hold up against moisture and dirt.
How to Choose Headphones for Running?
Running headphones need to meet a specific set of requirements for them to function effectively. Things like comfort and sound quality are top priorities for most runners when they are selecting a pair of headphones. Here are a few features to consider when purchasing your running headphones so you can have a great experience every time.
Ensure the Perfect Fit
Secure fit is one of the most important features of running headphones. You don't want your headphones to fall off your ears or get dropped to the ground while you are running. This can be dangerous and annoying. It's best to purchase headphones that stay in place no matter how fast you run so they don't interfere with your workout focus.
Consider Comfort and Design
Nothing is worse than a pair of headphones that don't fit well. If your headphones hurt your ears or give you a headache, this is going to take away from your running experience instead of enhancing it. Everyone has different needs regarding fit, so it may take some time to find the design that's most comfortable for your head and ears.
Check Sound Quality
Headphones are pretty useless without decent sound quality, so don't feel bad about being picky in this area. Listening to music that sounds crisp and clear can help you stay focused and motivated during your run. If this is important to you, you need to pick a pair of headphones that can deliver a high-quality listening experience every time.
Prioritize Long Battery Life
Long battery life is an essential feature of running headphones. Whether you run one mile or ten, you don't want your headphones to die in the middle of your workout. This can cause you to lose your motivation and focus, and make for a boring run. A pair of headphones with a long battery life that can be charged quickly will be your best running companion. If you can't remember to charge your headphones after every run, try to find a pair with a battery life that will last for multiple runs.
Opt for Water Resistant
Sweat, rain, and moisture in the air can damage your headphones. The pair you select should be water-resistant to get the most life out of them. Water resistant doesn't mean waterproof, so don't expose them to too much moisture or submerse them in water. Water resistance is a key feature to look for, if you like to run in the rain.
Balance Budget and Quality
Last but not least, you should consider your budget when purchasing a pair of running headphones. Shokz offers some great options for under $200. You'll be able to enjoy your run and feel good about your purchase if you stay within your budget.
Why Do Runners Use Bone Conduction Headphones?
As previously mentioned, bone conduction technology offers several advantages for runners.
First, the design of headphones with this technology allows runners to hear their music and the sounds around them. This is the best of both worlds and an important safety feature. If someone is trying to get your attention to warn you, you’ll be able to hear them and avoid getting hurt.
Second, the way the sound is transferred to your ears provides a high-quality listening experience. Bone conduction headphones rest on your cheekbones, allowing the sound to flow past your eardrums, which provides a more natural listening experience.
Most often, bone conduction technology is found in open-ear headphones. This design is unique and advantageous for several reasons. Consider how much sweat you produce during a single run. Do you honestly clean your headphones every day? In-ear headphones can get clogged with sweat, wax, and dead skin, making them a breeding ground for bacteria. Open-ear bone conduction headphones like the ones from Shokz are far more hygienic, safe, and comfortable than traditional earbuds. If you want to maintain situational awareness without compromising your listening experience, bone conduction headphones are the way to go.
Conclusion
As you can see, choosing the right pair of running headphones can take some time. You need to consider comfort, fit, price, and sound quality to find the pair that’s best for you. Recently, open-ear headphones with bone conduction technology have been popular with runners. Explore Shokz's range of headphones. It is tailored for runners like you, to find the perfect fit for your running routine.
