Bone conduction headphones are making waves in the market and they could change the way personal audio when doing physical activity is listened to.
These aren’t your average headphones; they’re a game-changer for runners, cyclists, and multitaskers alike.
I took part in my first half marathon last week and I used these for the entire 2 and half hours of that race.
Mainly organised races particularly in the UK encourage the use of these types of headphones, and in fact bone conducting headphones and ones that don’t sit in the ears are the only types of headphones that are approved for use in all road races in the UK, primarily for safety reasons.
The open-ear design of these allows runners and cyclists to maintain awareness of their surroundings, including traffic, emergency vehicles, and other warning noises.
I’m sure if you’re a runner or a cyclist, then you know how having situational awareness is so important to your own and potentially others safety, being able to hear important ambient sounds, which again is crucial when running or cycling on a road or late at night.
So with this in mind, I found myself wanting to change because I was using my AirPod Pro’s earphones and with these I had two issues:
I’ve had the AirPods for a while, and while using them for long periods in transparency mode, they would only last for about 2.5 hours, which if I’m running half marathons or further, then the battery dying isn’t going to be good. Occasionally they have fallen out of my ear (before you say, yes I have tried different bud sizes, but they are still prone to just falling out).
So I’ve been looking for pair of headphones that could replace the AirPods on my runs. I also wanted to find a pair of headphones that were an affordable alternative to the ever popular Shokz OpenRun headphones and other high-end brands, and so I stubbled upon the Shokz OpenMove headphones.
In the box, you get the OpenMove headphones, which come in alpine white, elevation blue, Himalayan pink and these ones in Slate grey (I don’t know who comes up with these colour names sometimes). You also get a USB-C charging cable, a Shokz branded carrying bag and the instructions.
Bone conduction technology is quite fascinating, and I didn’t really know what to expect when I first put these on. Unlike traditional headphones that transmit sound through the air into your ear canals, bone conduction headphones use vibrations. These vibrations go through your cheekbones directly to your inner ear, bypassing the eardrum entirely.
This technology is not only innovative but also allows you to remain fully aware of your surroundings, making it a safer option for outdoor activities like running and cycling.
If you do get these thinking that you’re going to get superior sound quality compared to in ear or over ear headphones then you’re not as you are trading the superior sound quality for safety and for some people, comfort.
The OpenMove headphones do boast a range of features that make them stand out. Their Affordable Price which at £79.95 here in the UK, is priced competitively, ensuring that they offer a cost-effective solution to those high end alternatives without compromising on the quality that you do get from spending more.
Good sound quality — Despite their modest price, the OpenMove delivers sound quality that rivals the premium Shokz OpenRun headphones, as I mentioned before, while you’re not going to get the sound quality anyway near what you would get from using in-ear or over the ear alternatives, these certainly provide a good alternative, that delivers clear and consistent dynamic stereo sound to you via that bone conduction technology.
There are two sound modes available when listening to audio, there’s the standard mode, generally for outdoor use and a vocal booster mode, which is designed to make the speaking audio on when taking calls, and listening to podcasts and audiobooks a lot clearer.
Awareness of Environment — One of the main attractions of bone conduction technology as well as other types of earphones that don’t go in or on your ear, you can enjoy your music or podcasts while still hearing traffic and other important sounds, which is crucial for safety during outdoor activities.
Comfort — These are designed with comfort in mind and weighing about 29g, they are less intrusive and more hygienic compared to in-ear headphones and can be worn for extended periods without discomfort.
It was definitely a learning curve deciphering how to get these on when I opened the box for the first time and figuring out exactly where they needed to sit, but now it’s simple hook them over the ears and they just want to naturally rest in place, without ever feeling like they are going to come off.
With these both tethered together, it’s definitely a look and feel that needs a bit of getting used to, particularly if you’re coming from something like AirPods.
Durability — They have an IP55 rating which ensures they are sweat proof against splashing water, making them robust companions for your workouts.
Battery Life — With up to 6 hours of battery life and standby time of up to 10 days, they can support you through long runs or cycling sessions. Although when you have depleted the battery, charging them via the USB-C cable inserted in here, will take up to 2 hours.
Bluetooth 5.1 with Multipoint Connectivity — which allows you to connect to multiple devices seamlessly and gives you a wireless range of 33 feet.
When it comes to physical activities, these for me are a game-changer. Their secure fit ensures they stay in place during vigorous movements, which for me is running, and their open-ear design keeps you connected to your environment, which is essential for safety during outdoor sports.
Whether you’re sprinting down a track or cycling through busy streets, these headphones won’t let you down. They are easy to operate when on the move thanks to the simplicity in its design, on the right side, the plus and minus button which increase and decrease the volume when your audio is playing. When nothing is playing pressing either button will tell you the current battery level, long pressing the plus button turns the headphones on and off and pressing both buttons when something is playing, switching between the two audio modes. On the left side, just the one multifunction button, with simple and familiar commands, one press to play and pause, two presses to skip to the next track and three presses goes back. See simple.
My only downside to these, and it’s not an issue for me with short hair, but could be for someone with longer or thicker hair, is the headband round the back of your head which may be awkwardly moved repeated by longer hair that either sits on top of or underneath the headband. But for my use, this isn’t an issue, but take note if you think it might be an issue for you as most bone conduction headphones are designed in this way.
Despite this, the Shokz OpenMove bone conduction headphones are an excellent choice for anyone looking for quality, affordability, and safety in their audio experience. They are particularly well-suited for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who need to stay aware of their surroundings and with the OpenMove headphones, you can enjoy the benefits of advanced technology without breaking the bank.
Remember, the important thing is always stay safe and enjoy your music responsibly!
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