Many people prefer to listen to music whilst running and there are many benefits to doing so, however, without the right pair of headphones you may find that these tech pieces quickly become a hindrance rather than helping to keep you motivated. Whilst earpods from brands such as Apple and Samsung tend to be the typical, default choice, and these have their advantages, they may not be the best choice when it comes to running. In this blog, we’ll talk you through the pros and cons of this type of earphone whilst comparing them to the Shokz models that are designed for runners.
Why aren’t regular earpods or headphones recommended for running?
When using typical in-ear, bud-style earphones for running, some common issues tend to arise. These include:
- Headphones falling out of ears or slipping off the head
- Closure of ear cavity which reduces awareness of surroundings
- Increased bacteria growth in ear/on headphones
- Can be bulky and uncomfortable to exercise in
- Can cause ear pain or discomfort due to prolonged use and increased movement/friction.
What makes Shokz headphones different from normal headphones?
When considering the above points, there are plenty of features that set Shokz apart from regular headphones, and this doesn’t necessarily mean that your current headphones are bad - it just means that they might not be the most suitable for running. The first key difference with Shokz that eliminates many of the above issues is that they do not sit in your ear, rather they hook over and use bone-conduction technology which leaves the ear canal open.
For a closer look at this technology, you can view the design of the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones below. You can see how the Shokz headphones sit just shy of the ear canal, unlike earpods which would sit in it. This means that you can retain situational awareness, so if oncoming traffic approaches you or a cyclist is ringing their bell to alert you, you’ll be able to hear your surroundings and won’t be taken unaware. As such, you’ll be able to run to your own beats but you won’t be totally tuned out, making the run much safer.
In addition to this, you can see how the slim design is more lightweight than regular headphones that would go over the head. The band at the back adds an extra layer of security and can be worn across the back of your head or hovering just off the nape of the neck, depending on what you feel is comfortable. If you want to take the headphones off, this band also means they can be placed around your neck and there will be no bulky ear pieces in the way whilst you’re running without music.
Another added benefit of this design is that it is more hygienic. In-ear or overhead earphones will be subject to sweat and moisture when you run, which can be a problem for bacterial growth and could affect the rubber on the earphone coverings. The Shokz design can be easily wiped down after a run, and won’t cause a buildup of sweat, moisture, and earwax within the ear canal itself.
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| OpenRun Pro 2 Wireless Bone Conduction Running Headphones |
How do Shokz headphones work?
Of course, you may be wondering how exactly you’ll hear a clear sound if Shokz earphones do not sit directly within the ear. The answer lies within their patented bone conduction technology.
Where traditional headphones use speakers to transmit sound vibrations through the air, Shokz utilise transducers which send vibrations through the cheekbones and deliver sound directly to the inner ear whilst bypassing the eardrum.
This is a completely different listening experience to your usual headphones, and the vibrations may take some getting used to. However, it’s much safer as it allows you to hear your surroundings. The design also means that you get pain-free listening if you find that your regular headphones cause discomfort after prolonged use.
Can you talk on the phone with Shokz?
Yes, all the Shokz wireless models have built-in microphones so that you can take or make calls whilst on the go if needed. This is a major plus point for those who use traditional headphones for this purpose. The microphone in these models is also noise-cancelling so whilst you’ll be able to hear what’s going on around you, the call receivers won’t be competing to hear you over background noise. Even better, Shokz is compatible with both iPhone and Android phone models, so you don’t have to worry about their certain technical features being accessible to one operating system as you would with Airpods and Samsung Galaxy Buds for example. Additionally, Shokz can also be connected with certain GPS watches, such as the Garmin and Coros music models.
Are there any disadvantages to using Shokz headphones over traditional earpods or headphones?
There are some things that you need to consider before purchasing a pair of Shokz, bearing in mind that the target market for these headphones is runners who need situational awareness. So if you’re looking for noise-cancellation, you’ll be better off with traditional headphones. Other than the noise cancellation aspect, it’s important to note that you might strain to hear your music, podcasts, or calls in very noisy environments, so depending on how loud you need your sound to be, these may not work as well for you.
How do you wear Shokz headphones?
When you wear your Shokz, you need to make sure that the transducers are positioned to rest in front of your ears, not on them or behind them. Depending on the size or shape of your head, if you may find the band too tight, you can position it to sit more comfortably resting on the nape of your neck, or you can try the mini option if the band sits too far off your head.
Alternatively, if you don’t like the idea of using banded headphones, you can opt for a different model, such as the Shokz OpenFit Air which more closely resembles traditional earpods. They use the same bone conduction technology as the banded model, and hook over the ears for security. The shape folds around the curves of the ear and when compared to traditional earpods, the bigger contact area adds an extra layer of stability to the mix. They also have no pressure points so you won’t feel discomfort after long periods of listening to music.
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| OpenFit Air Wireless Bone Conduction Running Headphones |
Find your ideal pair of Shokz headphones with Start Fitness
Whilst this blog has targeted the benefits of Shokz for runners in particular, it is worth noting that there are other models available such as the OpenSwim Pro which are suitable for use when swimming. Both the OpenSwim Pro and OpenRun Pro can be used for cycling too. We aim to stock a variety of models and colours so that you can find a style and design that suits your personal needs to support your active lifestyle. Simply browse through our full collection and try out bone-conducting technology for yourself.