With the longer mornings and evenings making it safer to walk the dog or go for a run, it’s still essential to stay aware of your surroundings. Personally, I enjoy listening to a podcast or some music while walking my dog, so I decided to try the Shokz OpenRun Pro bone conduction headphones.
Unlike traditional headphones or earbuds that block out ambient noise, these are designed to keep you aware of your environment while still providing sound loud enough to keep your energy up. If you’re interested in getting a pair, now is a great time to buy, as they’re on sale with £50 off during Amazon Prime’s Spring Deal Days sale, dropping from £159.95 to £109.
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Though I’m not an avid runner, I love going for long walks with the dog — especially now we finally have some spring weather. That’s why the Shokz headphones were the perfect choice for me, allowing me to stay aware of traffic, other people, and dogs, while also keeping track of my own dog.
After charging them for a few hours, I slipped them on, and they comfortably settled in front of my ears, unlike traditional headphones or earbuds that sit inside or on your ears. Despite having a strap that goes around your head, they’re virtually unnoticeable due to their lightweight design and positioning, making them incredibly comfortable. I paired them with my phone in no time and was ready to go.
(Image: Shokz)
I’ll admit I was expecting the background noise of being outside to completely drown out my music considering it was playing in front of my ears, not in them. However I could hear the music as clear as day whilst also still being able to hear cars approaching and people nearby without having to actively listen out for them.
Usually as a woman whenever I head out and about on my own I can feel quite vulnerable wearing headphones, even when just walking the dog around the block, as it makes me feel less in tune with my surroundings. So being able to still be aware of what was behind me or approaching definitely made me feel safer, whether it was traffic or people.
Aside from making me feel more comfortable taking my usual route alone, they also pleasantly surprised me with how comfy they were, even after wearing them for a while. I don’t know about you, but when I’m working out with AirPods in or over-ear headphones, my ears start to feel sweaty and a bit irritated after a while, so the fact these just sat lightly in front of my ears was also a welcome change.
(Image: Shokz)
The sound quality was also great. I could hear my music just as clearly as if I was using normal earphones, and the controls for changing the volume or switching them on and off were located on the part that sits behind your ear, so it was easy to change without having to remove them. It took a little while to get a feel for the buttons as they’re completely flat, but after a few tries I found I could do it without faffing.
They also promise a 10hour battery life, so if you are planning on running a marathon you don’t need to worry about them dying half way through, and it means you’re not having to recharge them after every other workout. They also have an IP55 rating that means they can withstand dust and moisture, so they’ll hold up against rainy runs, sweaty workouts and even gritty conditions.
(Image: Faith Richardson)
You don’t have to just take my word for it though; Amazon shoppers have also been raving about them, giving them a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. One said: ”You can run wearing them and they don’t move at all. Comfortable and easy to use, charge easily and last for a long time. You can hear things around you like cars so you are safe but you can hear your music easily. I love them!”
If you’re looking for something similar, Philips’ TAA6606BK Bone Conduction Headphones, £75.94 here (was £82.97), are currently discounted over on Amazon to help save you money. They work in a very similar way to the Shokz pair, and although they have a 3.8 star rating compared to the Shokz 4.5 star one, they still have plenty of great reviews from people who found them comfortable and said had good sound quality.
All in all, I think I am definitely a convert to this style of headphone for when I’m outdoors! I’ll probably stick to my usual noise cancelling ones when I’m on public transport or in crowded cities, but for quieter locations and sport, these are definitely the way to go!
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