Runners all have two things in common. One- they love to run and two – they need a great pair of headphones to use while they run. While there are several thousand brands, makes, and models of headphones on the market today, here are the five things you need to consider before you make your final choice.
Waterproof
Have you ever been out on a run and get caught in a sudden rainstorm? Or even more common, running yourself into a sweaty mess? This is why you will need to ensure your headphones are fully waterproof –not just water resistant.
Many headphones will label themselves as waterproof when in fact the smaller parts like the volume remote, inline mic, or connecting cables are not. If you are a dedicated outdoor runner or you end up sweating a lot, getting a pair of fully waterproof headphones are essential.
Durability
The durability of a pair of headphones is often overlooked by runners when in fact runners will often put more wear and tear into the overall use of the headphones. The last thing you need is your headphones not standing up against your day to day running routine. Invest in a well reputed brand of headphones that will be sure to outlast miles and miles of running.
Comfort
Comfortable headphones are vital for not only ear care, but so they do not distract you as you run with the constant adjusting and fiddling to get them to stay in place. Some runners prefer the low key look and feel of wearing earbuds, while others prefer the over-the-ear style. Both of these headphones styles provide different benefits, but you need to be aware of how they affect your hearing.
According to NBC News, earbuds will place the sound closer to your ears and increase the sound by at least 9 decibels. This can end up causing hearing loss and damage to the ears if used at high volumes for long periods of time.
In contrast, over-the-ear headphones will provide more comfort and they are safer for your ears. Yet, many runners do not like the bulkiness of this headphone style. According to Widex, over-the-ear headphones are best for your hearing and are available in two types: open and closed. Open will help to prevent the sound from getting to be too loud and closed will provide great external sound isolation.
Battery Life
If you end up considering a pair of wireless headphones, battery life is a factor you will need to think about. You don’t want to end up with having to charge your headphones each day just to go out for an hour run. Find a long lasting battery life within minimal charging needs, so you don’t end up running without any music.
Bluetooth vs No Bluetooth
Bluetooth headphones are very popular since they can connect with nearly any modern device. However, many runners prefer to run with non-Bluetooth headphones so they do not have to worry about the connection. Non-bluetooth headphones will also allow you to skip a song or skim through your playlist easier than a Bluetooth headphone would. At the same time, Bluetooth headphones can be connected to any Bluetooth accepting device- and this convenience is attractive for many.
Now that you have these five factors to consider, you can make a more educated decision to find the best headphones for you and your running style. As we know, running just isn’t the same without your music or your favorite podcast and you’ll need a pair of stellar headphones to get you through your daily jog or sprint. In case you want to find more information, check out this headphones buyer’s guide for more insight on selecting the perfect headphones!
Which headphones do you love to take with you on your run and why?
Bio: Sarah is the Editor of Headphone Selection. She loves all sound technology and firmly believes in the power of positive music.
My question is how exactly do you gauge the comfort factor while you’re buying them online. You order them, get them delivered, you don’t find them comfortable and get them replaced. That’s fine..but is there a way to ascertain the comfort level while you’re just looking at the picture of the product?