Shokz OpenRun Review | Living science
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The Shokz OpenRun Pro earphones break from the same mold as other running earphones and will suit the average runner on the ground.
Instead of a silicone tip at the entrance to the ear canal, they have an open-ear design that places the speakers in front of the ears, at the top of the jaw. Using bone conduction technology, they transmit sound via vibration through your cheekbones, leaving your ears clear to take in your surroundings.
So if you’re going for a 10K, you can still accept potential hazards like traffic noise while listening to music – making them one of the best headphones for running (opens in a new tab). It’s also great for race days, allowing you to soak up the vibe of the crowd and chat with other runners without giving up your favorite tunes.
specifications
Smart Enabled/Compatibility: yes
Waterproof: IP67
Battery life: Until 8 o’clock
OS Support: yes
Bluetooth: yes
Noise reduction: no
In addition to this, the headset has a premium rubberized finish and sits securely on your ears and around your neck to keep it in place during your workouts. They are waterproof (IP67) and comfortable to wear too.
We found that this open-ear approach has its downsides. There’s a bit of sound leakage and the lack of soundproofing means they struggle to match the immersive listening experience of in-ear headphones. For this reason, we look elsewhere if you’re looking for a pair to wear to the gym.
But if you want to stay aware of your surroundings while running, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better pair of bone conduction headphones on the market.
Price and release date
The band Shokz was founded as AfterShokz in 2011, after their ten-year anniversary, they switched to their current moniker. With an MSRP of US$129.99 or £129.99 in the UK, the Shokz OpenRun headphones (formerly known as the AfterShokz Aeropex) are the brand’s mid-range offering and are priced higher than the entry-level headphones. OpenMove (opens in a new tab) and below the premium OpenRun Pros (opens in a new tab).
Over the years, Shokz has worked to improve their products, promoting the Shokz OpenRun headphones as “eighth generation bone conduction technology.”
Customization and design
Shokz knows how to create a sleek headset. The OpenRun Pro has a thin neckband with earcups and two vibrating tips on either end — these last parts are located on the cheekbones and are responsible for transmitting sound to your ears.
We really liked the rubber coating, which gave us confidence that sweaty workouts and runs in the rain wouldn’t be a problem. The flexible nature of the bandage also allows it to withstand a large amount of bending without breaking.
Setup is incredibly easy on OpenRuns as well; just pair them with your phone via Bluetooth by holding down the power button and waiting for them to connect.
The headphones come with a drawstring carrying bag, a quick user guide and a dedicated charging cable. If we’re fussy, we would have liked a USB-C cord, so we didn’t have one another type of charger in our house, but this is a minor gripe.
Their shape means that unlike most other running headphones such as JBL Reflect Flow Pros (opens in a new tab) and Bose Sports (opens in a new tab), they don’t have a portable charging case to increase overall playtime, but a full tank will still give you a solid eight hours of music. They also feature a quick charge feature that will give you 1.5 hours of listening time with just ten minutes of juice.
Control elements
Shokz OpenRuns have three buttons, and that’s it. On the left panel there is a volume rocker with plus and minus and a multifunction button. You can tap once to pause or play music, tap twice to skip a track, or tap three times to play the previous song. It can also be pressed to accept or reject a call.
We liked the volume rocker, which was pretty easy to use on the go. The multi-function button is also convenient, it is accessible and avoids the common problem of pushing the tip further into the ear when pressing the button on the frame (like the Jabra Elite 4 Actives).
Adapted
We were initially concerned that the Shokz OpenRuns wouldn’t be able to compete with the robust silicone tips and fins of their competitors. However, we need not worry; ear hooks keep the tips from slipping out of place, and the tension of the neck band keeps them level with your head.
This bodes well for endurance events such as cycling and walking, although there are some activities that we felt were not fit enough. For example, we wouldn’t recommend wearing them for yoga, as the neckband can catch on your back in some poses, moving your buds slightly. We also found that we had a similar problem when wearing a hooded sweatshirt or waterproof jacket.
But for running and other endurance sports, the fit is commendable, staying put and feeling comfortable during activities of any duration and intensity.
Sound quality
For a pair of bone conduction headphones, we think the Shokz OpenRun headphones deliver decent sound quality. However, we liked them more as background music than a powerful, all-encompassing sound. If you want to use your music as your primary motivator, you’ll likely get better headphones with active noise cancellation (eg Soundcore Liberty 3 Pros (opens in a new tab)) that delivers immersive sound while blocking out distractions.
Shokz OpenRuns are designed for people who don’t want to shut themselves off from the outside world, but instead like to absorb their surroundings with their music. We found the sound to be a bit dull compared to the crisp, isolated notes of other headphones.
There is some sound leakage, and the buds vibrate noticeably at higher volumes (a sensation we’ve found some people don’t really like). So, if you have the chance to try them before you buy, we recommend taking it.
Judgment
The Shokz OpenRun headphones are the best options on the market for runners and endurance athletes who don’t want to shut out the world. They provide a durable construction and a secure, comfortable fit without filling your ears with silicone.
We found that this design doesn’t provide as immersive a listening experience or sound quality as in-ear headphones, so we won’t be wearing them to the gym. But if you’re jogging and want to be aware of your surroundings for safety, it’s an elegant solution.
Alternatives
Jabra Elite 4 Active
If you don’t like the feel of earrings or silicone fins filling your ears, but you still want the immersive sound isolation of in-ear headphones, the Jabra Elite 4 Actives are the in-ear headphones for you. They provide a secure fit for sports thanks to dense silicone tips and an ergonomic frame that gently conforms to the inner ear and moves with you during your workout. We think they sound great too, with a nice natural sound.
Or, if you want impressive sound and active noise cancellation (ANC), we recommend the Soundcore Liberty Pro 3. They didn’t offer the same secure fit as other running headphones we’ve tried, so they’re best saved for lower-impact activities , such as yoga or easy kilometers. However, we were impressed by the impressive sound quality, with our fitness writer describing the ANC as “alarmingly effective”.
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