Many people have asked to start including product reviews as well as shoe reviews on my blog. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t change shoes every single week so a new shoe review won’t happen.
I’ve reviewed a few other running brand gear including CEP Compression as well as the Coros GPS Watch.
Do you run with music?
This is a question I get frequently. During easy runs, I do. During workouts and races, I don’t. I don’t typically listen to podcasts when I run and usually keep podcasts on in the background when I’m working or cleaning my house (hey, we all need motivation right?).
I should preface this review with: for years, I used the standard iPhone headphones and didn’t have an issue. I could buy dollar store headphones, and they would work. I didn’t know how amazing a wireless headphone would be until I invested in it.
The primary issue, for me, was safety and hearing things around me. With standards headphones, I always kept the music low to hear around me.
What makes Aftershokz different?
By now, you’ve heard of Aftershokz on the internet. We sell them at the running store I work at as well, the brand has gotten big!
Both the Aftershokz Titanium and the Aftershokz Air sit in front of your ear so you can still hear around you. Aftershokz sends sound waves through your cheekbones, leaving your ears open so you can hear what is going on around you. I’ve run countless miles with them, and I can hear everything while also listening to music.
Most headphone companies want to promote noise isolation and cancellation, AfterShokz has gone against the grain with the open ear design. Not having something covering your ears allows you to be more alert and have situational awareness during your workout.
The Pros:
- The only headphone design that allows you to hear your surroundings.
- Durable (they are sweatproof and I’ve run in the rain several times and been fine).
- Light: They aren’t bulky and don’t bounce around.
- Bluetooth headphones and no cord
- Comfortable Fit: I don’t even notice them.
- Secure Fit: Obviously if you are running, you don’t want them moving around.
- Water Resistant: If you run in the rain, you should be fine. I would personally leave them at home in a torrential downpour.
- Sweat Resistant
The Cons:
- They aren’t going to be as loud as other headphone brands that sit directly on your ear. They don’t cancel outside noise, but that is the point.
ETA: Originally, I stated that you can’t change music/volume directly on the headphone. You, in fact, can and it’s done with the button on the side! How I missed that, I don’t know!
Bone Conduction? What does that mean?
As you play music or sound, the pads vibrate. Instead of sending noise through the air and into your eardrum, it diverts it through your bones.
With bone conduction, there is a difference in the sound between over the ear headphones. I’ve always found the volume to be fine with the Aftershokz and bone conduction. I don’t know if they are the right headphone for a more noisy situation like crowded gym but for running, they are great.
The Models:
The Aftershokz Trekz Titanium:
The Aftershokz Trekz Titanium was the original version and retails at $99.99. It’s the first, the original, and a great product. It comes in brighter and more bold colors. If bright-colored headphones are for you, this is your product.
- The Aftershokz Titanium has Bone conduction technology delivers music through your cheekbones, ensuring ears remain completely open to hear outside sounds.
- Light, flexible and portable.
- The OpenFit™ design allows you to hear outside noise while still enjoying music.
- Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
- It’s certified to keep out sweat, dust, and moisture, from workouts to wicked weather
- Six hours of sound per full charge
- Hassle-free 2-year warranty
The Aftershokz Trekz Air:
The Aftershokz Trekz Air is the second generation and retails at $149.99. It all has all of the features of the Aftershokz Titanium but with a few more. The colors are much more toned down as well. The Aftershokz Trekz Air has a little better sound quality and volume. The significant updates come with the headphone piece wrapping around your head is much lighter and slimmer.
The Aftershokz Trekz Air version is also about 20% lighter. The final difference is the microphone quality is better for phone calls. I don’t call people while working out (I’m not that coordinated) but several people do. If that is something that interests you, the Trekz Air might be a better option.
Aftershokz is an excellent product and even better company, possibly why they’ve exploded on social media and in running specialty. I’m happy with my wireless earphones. I don’t know how it took me so long to convert. Aftershokz has a comfortable fit and allows you to stay safe while out running.
Aftershokz was kind of enough to send me a 15% off link for readers. Just use this link.
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. There are often giveaways as well as discount codes.
Questions for you:
What kind of headphones do you use?
Do you use music when you run?
I love my trek titanium’s. I use them for everything; running, cleaning, yard work, walking the dog. On the titanium’s you can change the volume and music on the headphone as well as answer calls. My mom always seems to call me on my long runs. I find them to be super comfortable and I usually forget that I’m wearing them. I use music on long runs that I do alone and also for pacing on quick short runs.
Ha I wish I had the coordination to talk on the phone and run. I would probably run into a pole. I use the the most for cleaning.
I love Aftershokz! They are the most life-changing fitness accessory that I’ve tried.
If you want to block out noise, they do come with old fashioned ear plugs that do the job well. It really enhances the sound too. I use them when cutting my grass. 🙂
I’ve been using Aftershokz for probably about a year now. I adjust volume on the headphones but use my Garmin for music controls on the run.
I typically use music on my weekday runs. Weekends and races are often time with my running partner. When I’m doing long slow runs by myself, I often prefer podcasts to music.
That’s awesome. It’s nice to change it up between all of them.
These look like some great headphones. I jog daily, so I could use something like this. I always listen to music!
They are great because you can hear your surroundings.
This is really convenient for not giving up the music even when you are exercising!
Fit well with glasses?
I’ve used them with both glasses and sunglasses before and been fine.
Oh I love that you can listen to music and still hear the surrounding noise. Perfect for running outdoors!
Exactly, much safer!
I’ve never hear of the brand before but i will definitely check it out. I need a good and stable headphones for running. These seem great. Thank you.
Let me know if you do Chad!
Okay these sound absolutely AMAZING. I think I may need to invest. Thanks so much for sharing!
Of course! Let me know if you do!
I love it! It looks so snug and love the muted colors. 🙂 Hope I can find this one in our local stores.
I like the simple, muted colors, as well!
I would love these headphones! I don’t love listening to music through headphones since I find it so loud. So I’d love ones like these. Running while listening to music can really pass time fast.
Those look perfect for when I am at the gym. I hate having individual buds.
Looks like a nice product! I definitely need it for runs to take them on a whole new level
Do you listen to music when you workout? I always appreciate staying safe when I do.
The headphones look comfortable and super easy to use, ear buds can be quite the hassle these days. I’d def look into more for when I run on the treadmill.
They are so easy to use! Plus they don’t get tangled or a mess when running.
Ooh, I have to try these for my bicycle ride to work!
Let me know if you do!
I love that AfterShokz has gone against the grain with the open ear design. Seems to be something my sister would love for her running!
It is pretty cool and it’s so important to stay safe when you are out and about.