I am definitely a runner who needs her music.
While I totally respect (and am in awe of) those runners who are content and comfortable with their own thoughts as they log their miles…I am not one of them. Music helps distract me, helps entertain me, and stops me from listening solely to my own jagged, ragged breathing.
But it can definitely be sketchy running outdoors with headphones. Run with the music too loud and you may miss important ambient sounds, like horns beeping or sirens or people shouting things like “On your right!”
And while I know headphones are frowned upon in most race situation, I do wear them and admit it can be a distraction (and even a hindrance) at times, especially on a crowded course.
That’s the thought behind Panasonic’s Open Ear Bone Conduction Headphones, which allow you to listen to the outside world while still running to your tunes (part of their line of summer fitness essentials!).
When I first saw them ,I admit I was skeptical. They looked bulky and…weird. It took me a few minutes to figure out how the heck to even wear them.
But then I took them out a run and I thought, A-ha!
Instead of earbuds that go in the ear, the buds (for lack of a better term) are worn next to your ear so the sound is sent from your cheek bones to your inner ear, leaving your ear canals open so you can still hear the world around you.
Sounds kind of freaky, right? I was SURE the first time I wore them that the people around me at the gym could hear my music, but after several tests asking the kiddos, “Can you hear it? Can you hear it now?” I became convinced that these really work.
And they are comfortable! The buds have just enough pressure (and cushioning) to stay put and I often forget them about them when I’m running — no having to adjust them mid-run. And I’ve also been able to wear them with hats, visors, sunglasses, and headbands.
Also, I should mention that they’re not Bluetooth, so they are connected to your phone by a wire (coming out of the left ear bud only), which I was totally fine with (while Dr. G. swears by Bluetooth headphones, I’m not too fond of them).
I wore them this past week during my runs on vacation on Cape Cod, and they were perfect since I was running in a new area and really needed to pay attention to my surroundings. But I also think they might come in handy at work, so I can listen to music and not be totally startled when someone comes over to my office or knocks on my door.
The only negative is that you can’t really wear then while lying down, which I discovered the first time I tried to do my ab routine after running on the treadmill one morning. So now I keep my traditional clip headphones in my backpack if I’m going to also do abs, chest work, etc.
They’re not Bluetooth, so they are connected to your phone by a wire, which I was totally fine with (while Dr. G. swears by Bluetooth headphones, I’m not too fond of them). But they ARE water resistant, making them good for sweaty runners, like me, or for those who like to run in the rain (not me).
So if you’re in the market for new headphones, definitely consider giving these a try. They’re a little pricier, retailing at $79.99, but are well worth it if you’re a runner who runs outside but needs music!
Do you run with music? What kind of headphones do you typically use?
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary pair of the headphones mentioned here to facilitate my review, but all opinions and images are, as always, my own.
Amy Barker says
They do sound like they would work really well. I will have to put them on my wish list and watch the price 🙂