Best Bluetooth Headphones and Earbuds for Outdoor Activities of 2023
THE TOP WIRELESS EARBUDS AND HEADPHONES FOR RUNNING, BIKING, AND HIKING
Published February 9th, 2023
To find the best wireless headphones, we tested bluetooth earbuds on thousands of miles of trails and routes off-trail. We tested in mountains, desert, forests, and everything in between in rain and extreme heat. After comparing the top models, here are the best headphones for outdoor people.
As fitness and outdoor enthusiasts, we need headphones that can withstand sweat, rain, and rough treatment while allowing us to remain safely aware of the environment around us.
We researched wireless earbuds and headphones based on criteria important to outdoors people—features like waterproofness, battery life, ruggedness in a range of scenarios, and the quality of sound.
Then, we tested the models that seemed most promising to find the best wireless earbuds for running and working out (and swimming and the outdoors). Here are our top winners for best wireless and open ear headphones.
Types of Wireless Headphones
OPEN EAR HEADPHONES
An open ear Bluetooth headphone does not cover the ear, thus allowing excellent situational awareness. Shokz has been a leader in bone conduction headphones that are durable, comfortable, and have great features. Bose also provides an open ear headphone that has excellent music quality.
TRUE WIRELESS EARBUDS
We reviewed true wireless headphones (earbuds without wires) that allow for better situational awareness and are durable enough for outdoor endurance sports. Truly wireless earphones do not provide the same level of situational awareness as “open ear” headphones, but they are a good option for better sound quality and longer battery life.
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headphone Comparison Tables
compare headphones by MSRP, Type, Pros and Cons
| MODEL | TREELINE AWARD | MSRP | TYPE | WHAT WE LIKED | WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE | WARRANTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenRun | Best Overall Read why |
$130 | Open Ear | Situational awareness; Waterproof; Rugged; Very comfortable for long duration activities. | Sound quality not as good as earbuds or Bose Open Ear; Battery life. | 2 years |
| Shokz OpenMove | Budget Open Ear Read why |
$80 | Open Ear | Sound quality; Waterproof; Rugged | Band is not as comfortable as Aeropex; battery life. | 2 years |
| Klipsch T5 II Sport | Best Truly Wireless Read why |
$129 | Truly Wireless | Sound quality; Low profile; cool Waterproof/dustproof case; Transparence mode. | Cost; Case is heavy; No active noise cancellation. | 2 year |
* Prices reflect MSRP at time of publishing and are subject to change. See our Deals Page for discounts and sales on products that win our awards.
compare headphones by Weight, Playtime
| MODEL | TREELINE AWARD | WEIGHT* (oz) | INDEPENDENT EARBUD USE? | EARBUD/ HEADPHONE PLAYTIME** | PLAYTIME WITH CHARGING CASE | TOTAL PLAYTIME (one bud at time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenRun | Best Overall Read why |
0.90 | NA | 8 hours | N/A | NA |
| Shokz OpenMove | Budget Open Ear Read why |
1.00 | NA | 6 hours | N/A | N/A |
| Klipsch T5 II Sport | Best Truly Wireless Read why |
0.43 | Yes | 8 hours | 24 hours | 40 hours |
*Weight is both earbuds or headphone. The charging case weight is not included.
**Use of active noise cancellation and/or transparency modes will reduce battery life.
compare by Waterproofing and Charging Specs
| MODEL | TREELINE AWARD | EARBUD/ HEADPHONE IPXX RATING1 | CHARGING CASE IPXX RATING1 | CHARGING SYSTEM | CHARGE TIME | FAST CHARGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenRun | Best Overall Read why |
IP67 | N/A | Magnetic Induction Cable | 1.5 hours | 10 min = 1.5hr |
| Shokz OpenMove | Budget Open Ear Read why |
IP55 | N/A | USB-C | 2 hours | N/A |
| Klipsch T5 II Sport | Best Truly Wireless Read why |
IP67 | IP67 | USB-C or Wireless | 2 hours | 15 min = 1 hour |
IPXX rating refers to the intrusion (first number) and moisture protection (second number) rating of a product. Read more about IPXX ratings here.
THE BEST HEADPHONES AND EARBUDS FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
THE BEST OVERALL HEADPHONES: SHOKZ OPENRUN
Type: Open Ear
Warranty: 2 years
Playtime with charging case: N/A
What we liked: Situational awareness; Waterproof; Rugged; Very comfortable for long duration activities.
What we didn’t like: Sound quality not as good as earbuds or Bose Open Ear; Battery life.
After years of testing, the Shokz OpenRun is the best headphones for outdoor activities. They are comfortable (even when used for hours), are waterproof, dustproof, very durable, have good battery life, and allow for excellent situational awareness.
Treeline Review has recommended Shokz bone-conducting headphones as the best option to maintain situational awareness for several years now. Treeline writers and editors have used Shokz headphones on numerous thru-hikes, including the Pacific Crest Trail, Arizona Trail, Blue Mountain Trail, and Oregon Desert Trail.
Shokz headphones work differently than traditional earphones, utilizing situational awareness technology. The allows you to hear what is going on around you in addition to your music or podcast.
Situational awareness is essential for outdoor fitness activities like running, cycling, or hiking. In addition, some states are banning or limiting headphones that cover the ears while cycling. Situational awareness headphones don't cover the ears, so may be permissible in some areas (check with your local lawyers on this as we aren't experts).
COMPARE PRICES OF THE AFTERSHOKZ OPENRUN
Treeline editor Liz Thomas wearing the Shokz on a hike. The Shokz wrap around the head securely but don’t have any components that go inside of the ear making it a true open ear design.
OPENRUN ADVANTAGES
EXCELLENT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
OpenRun headphones do not block your ear. You can hear subtle noises in the environment. In our experience, an open ear headphone is better at staying alert to your surroundings than simply wearing one earbud or using earbuds that have a “transparency” feature to allow in external noises. We get more into how the technology works below.
FIT AND COMFORT
Shokz OpenRun fit snugly and securely around your ear; they remain in place during vigorous activities. We find the OpenRun more comfortable than earbuds over hours of continuous use. The OpenRun has a full titanium band that is light and flexible. It does not interfere with eyeglasses, hats, or bike helmets. The Shokz OpenRun comes in two sizes. For those with smaller heads, the OpenRun Mini has a ½ inch shorter band.
Durability
The OpenRun Bluetooth headphones are water- and dust-proof (IP67). The OpenRun has the highest level of dust protection, rated to protect against complete water immersion up to 3’ deep for 30 minutes (note: you can’t swim with OpenRun, but you could kayak or paddleboard with them). There is a moisture detection system to ensure safe charging. The titanium band is flexible but rugged.Sound Quality
Open ear headphones do not have the sound quality of higher-end earbuds (like our true wireless headphone winners). But the sound quality isn’t the most crucial factor for outdoor fitness headphones. We think situational awareness, durability, and comfort are more important. That said, Shokz OpenRun headphones sound surprisingly good. The OpenRun use Shokz’s 8th generation bone conduction headphone technology for louder volume and deeper bass.OPENRUN FEATURES
Music and Phone Controls
The multifunction button on the left side of the headphone controls music (play, pause, skip, back), manages phone calls (answer, end, reject, redial), and prompts your device’s digital assistant. The multifunction button is easy to use, even if you wear a stocking cap over the headphones.Multipoint Pairing
Multipoint pairing allows the OpenRun to be paired with two devices at once, such as an iPhone and a laptop, allowing users to transition seamlessly between either device.Moisture Detection Alert When Charging
The OpenRun headphones can detect liquid (water, sweat, etc.) when charging. If the headphones are plugged in while wet, the LED indicator will flash red and blue while beeping and vibrating. If this occurs, unplug and dry the headphones before you proceed with charging.Phone Calls and Connectivity to Other Devices
The OpenRun sound quality and microphone also work well for making and receiving phone calls. They have a dual noise-canceling microphone. We know several folks who use Aftershotz as their work headphones for calls and teleconferences.EQ (Equalizer) Settings
All Shokz Bluetooth-enabled models come with two EQ settings: “Standard” (regular use) and “Earplug” (for use when earplugs are inserted for improved sound quality).OPEN EAR/BONE CONDUCTION TECHNOLOGY
The technology Shokz uses has been around since the 1970s and has been used for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The sound quality is not as good as a pair of quality earbuds, but the sound is fine for sports headphones. I have shared my Shokz headphones with skeptical family and friends on numerous occasions. All have been amazed by the sound quality (many have purchased a pair for themselves).
The following are some common questions about bone-conducting headphones:
CAN OTHERS HEAR YOUR MUSIC PLAYING ON THE SHOKZ?
No. The user is the only person that can hear music or other sound playing on the Shokz headphones.
CAN YOU FEEL THE BONE-CONDUCTING VIBRATION?
You may feel a slight vibration the first time or two you wear Shokz headphones, especially when played at high volume or music with high bass; however, we no longer notice the vibration after some use.
CAN YOU DAMAGE YOUR HEARING WITH BONE CONDUCTING HEADPHONES?
According to the Salus University Pennsylvania Ear Institute, “While they (bone-conducting headphones) have safety and design advantages over traditional headphones, bone-conduction headphones can still damage hearing when music or sound is played at high volumes.”
BEST BUDGET OPEN EAR HEADPHONES: SHOKZ OPENMOVE
Type: Open Ear
Warranty: 2 years
Playtime with charging case: N/A
What we liked: Sound quality; Waterproof; Rugged
What we didn’t like: Band is not as comfortable as Open Run; battery life.
The Shokz OpenMove, at half the price of our overall winner, the Shokz OpenRun, is a great option to try bone-conducting headphones. The OpenMove headphones have most of the features of OpenRun, including:
Exceptional situational awareness;
Rugged durability;
Good sound quality (The OpenMove has a third EQ setting, Vocal Boost, which is not available on the OpenRun. Vocal Boost enhances the listening experience of podcasts and audiobooks); and
Dual noise-canceling microphone for clear phone calls.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE AFTERSHOKZ OPENMOVE
| FEATURE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shokz Open Run | Shokz OpenMove | |
| Cost | $160 | $80 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours | 6 hours |
| IPXX Rating | IP67 | IP55 |
| Weight (ounces) | 0.90 | 1.00 |
| Sizing | Two Sizes | One Size |
OPENMOVE AND OPENRUN HEADPHONE DIFFERENCES
There are several critical differences between OpenMove and OpenRun to consider:
Less Battery Life
The OpenRun has 8 hours of battery life versus 6 hours for the OpenMove.Less Water/Dust Resistance
The OpenMove headphones are rated IP55; OpenRun is IP67. You can read more about IPXX ratings here. But, the difference is that the OpenMove is rated to partially protect against dust and partially protect against low-pressure water jets. In contrast, the OpenRun has the highest level of dust protection, rated to protect against complete water immersion up to 3’ deep for 30 minutes (note: you can’t swim with OpenRun, but you could kayak or paddleboard with them).
In addition, OpenMove does not have moisture detection when charging, but OpenRun does.
Titanium Frame
The OpenRun has a full wrap-around titanium frame; the OpenMove only has a partial titanium frame. The OpenMove frame is less flexible and not quite as comfortable for extended wear.THE BEST TRUE WIRELESS EARBUDS: Klipsch T5 II Sport
Type: Truly Wireless
Warranty: 2 year
Playtime with charging case: 24 hours
What we liked: Sound quality; Low profile; cool Waterproof/dustproof case; Transparence mode.
What we didn’t like: Cost; Case is heavy; No active noise cancellation.
The Klipsch T5 II Sport are the best true wireless earbuds for outdoor recreation. Klipsch is a decades-old company known for exceptional sound quality in loudspeakers.
Their truly wireless sports headphones have the best combination of sound, durability, and battery life of all the headphones and earbuds we reviewed.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE KLIPSCH T5 II SPORT
The Klipsch charging case is bulkier than that of the Jaybird Vista, but has a higher dust and waterproof rating. The charging case provides 24 hours of battery life.
KLIPSCH T5 II SPORT ADVANTAGES
Durability
The truly wireless earbuds are rated IP67--this is the highest dust intrusion rating and the second-highest waterproof rating, matching our overall winner, the Shokz OpenRun.
The Klipsch T5 II Sport charging case is also rated IP67, a significantly higher IPXX rating than any other earbuds we reviewed. In contrast, the Jaybird Vista 2’s case is only rated at IP44, and the Jabra cases are unrated. The Klipsch case also has a moisture removal system, something we haven’t seen in any other earbuds we reviewed.
Battery Life
The Klipsch T5 II Sport has the best battery life of any true wireless earbuds or headphones we've tested in several years of testing. The earbuds have 8 hours of battery life, and the charging case adds 24 hours of battery life.
Each true wireless earbud can be used independently (our preferred method when listening to podcasts or audiobooks). If the earbuds are used independently, you can get up to 40 hours of battery life. You can even share an earbud with a hiking or walking partner.
Situational Awareness
With a press of a button, the transparency mode allows the built-in microphones to take in audio from your surroundings. The earbuds can be used independently, allowing you to wear one earbud at a time and thus improving situational awareness even more. Using them one bud at a time makes them a safer option for true wireless running headphones, but we think an open-ear headphone may provide more situational awareness.
Sound Quality
Klipsch has been making legendary loudspeakers for over 60 years. They bring this experience to these outdoor fitness earbuds. We aren’t hardcore audiophiles, but the Klipsch sound better than other workout earbuds we have tested. There is a good range and a deep bass sound. There is no active noise cancellation, but the secure fit provides good passive noise cancellation.
The author wearing the Klipsch T5 II Sport earbuds. The "hear through" function works well for providing situational awareness walking along roads. We’ve experienced no issues with phone calls while moving.
FEATURES
Fit
The Klipsch true wireless earbuds come with six sizes of color-coded ear tips, 1 pair of memory foam tips, and three pairs of ear wings, allowing you to find your perfect fit. We strongly recommend that you take the time to try different combinations to the best sit for comfort and passive noise cancellation.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The Klipsch app provides customizable EQ sound presets, access to advanced features, firmware updates, set up videos, battery status, and quick access to support.
Wireless Charging Capable
You can power the charging case from any Qi-compatible wireless charging pad. You can also charge the case with the included USB-C cable.
Are Klipsch T5 II Sport Earbuds Worth It?
Klipsch T5 II Sport earbuds are nearly as expensive as Apple Airpods Pro 2nd Gen, but we think they are worth it. They have much better battery life and durability than the Apple Airpods Pro, which is not designed for endurance activities under the most challenging conditions. If you run, hike, or walk-in wet or messy conditions, they are the best earbuds available.
THE CONTENDERS
AIRPODS PRO 2ND GEN
Type: Truly Wireless
Warranty: 1 year
Playtime with charging case: 30 hours
What we liked: Sound quality; Versitility (noise cancellation/transparency mode); Features; Apple ecosystem.
What we didn’t like: Cost; Not waterproof.
Apple AirPods are probably the most popular wireless earbuds on the market. They’re great lifestyle earbuds; however, they aren’t the best option for vigorous outdoor activities. Water/sweat resistance and proofing are our primary (but not only) concern in sports earbuds. That said, noise cancellation is the distinguishing feature of the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen.
The Pros have silicone tips that allow the buds to fit snugly in the ear and block outside noise. These noise-canceling tips help the buds stay in place better than earlier generations of AirPods. For example, the Generation 3 AirPods lacks silicone tips for passive noise cancellation and doesn't have an active noise cancellation feature, either. In contrast, the new AirPods Pros are noise cancelling earbuds with a transparency mode that, when engaged, allows the user to hear outside noise.
We think AirPods Pros would be great for use in good weather conditions, but we cannot recommend them for hiking and other vigorous outdoor activities without better waterproofing.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE AIRPODS PRO 2ND GEN
AIRPODS GEN 3
Type: Truly Wireless
Warranty: 2 years
Playtime with charging case: 30 hours
What we liked: Sound quality; Features; Apple ecosystem.
What we didn’t like: Situational awareness; Not waterproof.
Like the Airpods Pro, the Gen 3 model is probably one the most popular wireless earbuds on the market as a lifestyle piece; however, they aren’t the best option for vigorous outdoor activities. The AirPods Gen 3 has better battery life and is more water-resistant (earbuds and case) than the Pro 2. However, the Gen 3 lacks active noise cancellation and, more importantly, transparency mode. Situational awareness is critical when hiking, cycling, or running. The AirPods Gen 3 is not well-suited for good situational awareness. Both the AirPod Gen 3 and Pro models can be used “one earbud at a time”-this is fine for podcasts or audiobooks but is not a good option for listening to music.
| FEATURE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Apple AirPods Pro | Apple AirPods Gen 3 | |
| Cost | $249 | $179 |
| Water/ Sweat Proofing: | ||
| • Earbud | IPX4 (water/ sweat resistant) | IPX4 (water/ sweat resistant) |
| • Charging Case | Not water/ sweat resistant | IPX4 (water/ sweat resistant) |
| Battery Life: | ||
| • One Time Charge | 4.5 hours | 6 hours |
| • Total Including Case | 24 hours | 30 hours |
| Fast Charging | 5 minutes = 1 hour | 5 minutes = 1 hour |
COMPARE PRICES OF THE APPLE AIRPODS GEN 3
JABRA ELITE ACTIVE 75T
Type: Truly Wireless
Warranty: 2 years
Playtime with charging case: 24 hours
What we liked: Sound quality; Versitility (noise cancellation/HearThrough mode); Wireless charging.
What we didn’t like: Charging case not waterproof; Cost; Left ear bud cannot be used independently.
Jabra makes excellent earbuds. The Jabra Elite Active 65T was previously our top true wireless earbud. The Elite Active 75T takes everything we liked about the Elite 65T and makes it better. The Active 75T upgrades the battery life and durability, plus adds active noise cancellation (ANC).
FEATURES
Fit
The Jabra’s have a low profile, secure, and comfortable fit. We found them very comfortable over hours of continuous use.
Durability
The Jabra Elite Active 75T earbuds are dust and waterproof (IP57). However, despite the waterproof earbuds, the charging case is not IPXX rated. Lack of waterproofing is a concern for outdoor endurance activities in wet and dirty conditions.
Battery Life
The Jabra earbuds have excellent battery life, up to 7.5 hours (5.5 hours with ANC or HearThrough engaged) of battery life and a total of up to 24 hours of use (no ANC/HearThrough). Unfortunately, you can only use the right earbud individually, meaning you can’t double the earbuds’ battery life by using one at a time.
Sound
The Jabra app allows you to select a sound profile from “smooth” to “bass boost” or customize a sound profile. You can use the app to customize your voice on calls, so you will not need to speak louder to hear yourself on calls.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The Jabra Elite Active has ANC, a feature not available on the Klipsch 5T II, our top true wireless pick. Active Noise Cancellation removes background noise. ANC is an excellent feature for workout headphones to dull ambient noise at the gym but isn’t suitable for outdoor activities where situational awareness is critical.
HearThrough (Situational Awareness)
Jabra provides a HearThrough feature that uses four microphones to pick up outside sounds and play them in your ears.
The right earbud can be used alone for mono playback to improve situational awareness. This is useful for running headphones to hear approaching cars or for hikers to hear snakes.
The Jabra Elite right earbud can be used individually, but unfortunately, the left earbud can only be used with the right earbud.
JABRA ELITE ACTIVE 75T VS. KLIPSCH 5T II SPORT
The Jabra Elite Active 75T are great earbuds and have two advantages over Klipsch 5T II Sport. Jabra has ANC and costs less. Nevertheless, we think Klipsch has two clear advantages for outdoor endurance activities in all weather conditions (hiking, trail running, etc.):
Durability
The Klipsch has a water- and dust-proof case with a moisture removal system. The Jabra case is not water or dust-proof. We’ve had earbuds (original Jaybird Vista) stop charging on two thru-hikes when the case got wet.
Battery Life (and Situational Awareness)
Klipsch earbuds have slightly better battery life (8 hours vs. 7.5 hours). Still, the real advantage comes from the ability to wear either Klipsch earbud one at a time (only the right Jabra earbud can be used individually).
Single earbud use is common when listening to podcasts or audiobooks, especially when situational awareness is necessary. While thru-hiking, for example, we charge one earbud while listening to the other. Under this use case, Klipsch has up to 40 hours of total battery life (each earbud plus case) compared to a total of 24 hours for Jabra.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE JABRA ELITE ACTIVE 75T
JAYBIRD VISTA 2
Type: Truly Wireless
Warranty: 1 year
Playtime with charging case: 24 hours
What we liked: Waterproof (case is water resistant); Battery life; Wireless charging.
What we didn’t like: Cost. Phone mic and SurroundSense (transparacy mode) don't work well if used while moving.
I used the first generation Jaybird Vista for over two years and on several thru-hikes (Pacific Crest Trail, Arizona Trail, Blue Mountain Trail) and day to day use. The Jaybird Vista 1 was a previous winner for the best truly wireless earbud. Treeline editor Liz Thomas section hiked 500 miles of the PCT with the new Jaybird Vista 2. We both almost always use the Vista one earbud at a time to extend battery life and improve situational awareness.
As we outline below, the Vista 2’s offered a superior upgrade over the already good Vista on many specs:
JAYBIRD VISTA COMPARISON TABLE
| FEATURE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| Durability: | ||
| • Earbuds | ||
| • Case | ||
| Battery Life: | ||
| • Earbuds | ||
| • With Case | ||
| Active Noise Cancelation | ||
| SurroundSense1 | ||
| Clear Voice (4 mics w WindDefense fabric) | ||
| Find My Case |
VISTA 2 VS. KLIPSCH T5 II SPORT
The Jaybird Vista 2 and Klipsch T5 II Sport, our winner for best true wireless earbuds, have similar specifications. Both are fully waterproof (including their case), have excellent battery life, have a mode to allow ambient sound and exterior noises, and their earbuds can be used one at a time. The Vista 2s offer passive and active noise cancellation (ANC); Klipsch only has passive noise cancellation.
Unfortunately, despite the promising specs, we cannot recommend the Vista 2 because of our experiences during testing. The ANC, SurroundSense, and phone microphone are not usable as a headset in windy conditions or when moving (running, cycling, hiking, or walking). In testing, the wind noise was amplified, and the earbuds were unusable for taking calls.
Treeline editor Liz Thomas hiking a coastline trail in San Diego with the Jaybird Vista 2.
We experienced wind noise even if we turned off the ANC and SurroundSense - and these are the key new features of the Vista 2. We are not alone in these findings. User reviews on Jaybird’s website also complain about wind noise, and Jaybird responded that they will “continue upgrading [their] products and improving call quality.”
We hope Jaybird fixes the problems because they can be a top choice for outdoor endurance activities, but until they do, we cannot recommend the Vista 2.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE JAYBIRD VISTA 2
SHOULD I CARRY WIRELESS HEADPHONES OR EARBUDS ON A THRU-HIKE?
Most thru-hikers carry inexpensive wired headphones (like the Apple earbuds that come with your iPhone) to help pass the occasional monotony of walking all day. I had always assumed that wireless earbuds were not appropriate for a thru-hike because they require power, are exposed to months of dust and sweat, and are too sound isolating.
My views have changed after using several brands of wireless earbuds on the Arizona and Pacific Crest Trail. The new generation of fitness earbuds like the Klipsch T5 II Sport, Jabra Elite Active 75T, and Shokz OpenRun are designed to withstand the elements of a thru-hike much better than inexpensive, wired earbuds.
Modern wireless earbuds have long battery life. They can be easily charged from the portable battery packs that most thru-hikers carry. Plus, it’s nice not to have a wire connecting the earbuds to my phone that gets tangled every time I remove my pack.
From left to right: Jaybird Vista, Klipsch T5 II Sport, and Bose Sport wireless earbuds. Photo by Mike Unger.
Buying advice
It is essential to distinguish wireless fitness earbuds from other headphones you would use for listening at work or home. Sound quality and noise isolation are the essential features of work or home use. However, situational awareness, durability, comfort, and fit are more important characteristics of sports headphones and earbuds for outdoor activities like running, hiking, or cycling.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Situational awareness is critical for outdoor activities; cyclists and runners need to hear approaching vehicles! It’s equally crucial for hiking and trail running to hear an approaching mountain bike or warning from a rattlesnake.
Our “open ear” picks offer the best situational awareness. However, our earbud picks offer a “transparency” mode to let in outside noises.
FIT
Workout earbuds must not only be comfortable, but they must remain in place during strenuous workouts. Everyone has different ears, and therefore, will have a different fit. However, some earbuds excel at fitting most people. Even if an earbud fits well for office use, it may have a reputation for falling out of ears when using them as a running headphone.
All of our earbuds picks come with different-sized ear tips. Take the time to find the right fit. In addition, it’s common to use a different size for each ear.
The author wearing a pair of AfterShokz earbuds on a thru-hike of the Arizona Trail. Outdoors people who will be taking their headphones into rain or dusty and dirty areas need to be aware of the IPXX rating on their earbuds more than people using their earbuds at the office or at home.
IPXX RATING
IP (ingress rating) ratings are an international standard used to define the sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures from foreign bodies (dirt/dust) and moisture like rain or sweat. The workout headphones and earbuds reviewed all have received an IPXX rating.
DIRT/DUST INTRUSION RATING (FIRST DIGIT)
0/X. Not rated. No special protection.
1. Protection from solid objects greater than 50mm in diameter.
2. Protection from objects greater than 12mm in diameter.
3. Protection from objects 2.5mm in diameter.
4. Protection from objects 1mm in diameter.
5. Partial protection from dust.
6. Completely dust-tight.
MOISTURE PROTECTION (SECOND DIGIT)
0/X. No protection
1. Protection from droplets such as condensation.
2. Protection from droplets deflected up to 15 degrees from vertical.
3. Protected against spray up from 60 degrees from vertical.
4. Protected from water splashes from all directions for 10 minutes.
5. Protection against low-pressure jets from any angle.
6. Protection against direct high-pressure jets.
7. Protection against full immersion for up to 30 minutes in up to 1 meter of water.
8. Protection against extended immersion in greater than 1 meter.
Battery Life
Battery life is an essential factor to consider for wireless earbuds. Nothing is more frustrating than having earbuds die mid-hike or run. Quick charge capability is also essential.
About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
Mike Unger is a double Triple Crowner — he has hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail twice.
In addition, he has backpacked numerous other on-trail and off-trail routes, including the Pacific Northwest Trail, Blue Mountains Trail, Great Divide Trail, Colorado Trail, Arizona Trail, John Muir Trail, Ouachita Trail, Oregon Desert Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, and Mogollon Rim Trail. He’s tested different headphones and earbuds on his many thru-hikes.
Mike Unger is not, nor has he ever been, a sponsored athlete, ambassador, or influencer for an outdoor company.
