RTINGS

If you want to stay aware of your surroundings while running outdoors, the best headphones for outdoor exercise that we've tested are the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction. Unlike any of the other picks on this list, they don't enter your ear canal and use bone conduction to send vibrations through your cheekbones to your ear canal. It means that they don't block out any background sound at all. Their unique sound reproduction may not be for everyone either. These headphones lack low-bass, so music like EDM and hip-hop lacks body and sounds hollow. If you like these genres, you may want to look at the Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless instead, which have a more conventional design that uses speakers and produce a warmer sound. However, if you like to listen to vocal-centric content like podcasts, the Shokz can be a solid choice, thanks to their fairly balanced mid-range.

These headphones hook around your ear, ensuring they don't move around too much during intense movement. They're well-built and have an IP67 rating, so they're dust-tight and can be immersed in water without damage. They last roughly 13 hours continuously and have a standby mode to help conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off. However, they use a proprietary charging cable, so if you lose or misplace it, you'll need to buy a new one.

The best Bluetooth earbuds for running outdoors that we've tested are Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction. Unlike other picks on this list, these buds don't enter your ears. Their design sits near your temples, allowing you to easily monitor your surroundings without pausing your audio, which keeps you safe while running or exercising outdoors. They also reproduce audio differently: they send vibrations along your bones to produce sound. It means they struggle to reproduce thump, rumble, and boom, which may be a dealbreaker if you like bass-heavy music. However, they can reproduce mids very well, so vocals and lead instruments sound clear and detailed, making them a solid choice for genres like podcasts.

They have a good build quality that's certified IP67 for dust and water immersion resistance, but their neckband feels a little thin and prone to damage over time. They have a comfortable fit, and since their design hooks over your ears, you don't have to worry about them moving around too much during your workout. They also last over 13 hours continuously and have a standby mode to help conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off.

Bone Conduction Headphones Comparison