Shokz OpenRun Pro bone conduction headphones review (unsponsored)
Are you a runner or cyclist considering getting bone conduction headphones? You may have come across Shokz (previously Aftershokz), well-known for their sport headphones using bone conduction technology. Here is my honest review of the new Shokz OpenRun Pro after using them for a few weeks.
I was kindly gifted these headphones, however this review is not sponsored and only expresses my own opinions.
About Shokz (formerly Aftershokz)
Shokz is one of the most famous and innovative bone-conduction sport headphone companies.
Born in the US, the formerly called Aftershokz company released their very first bone conduction headphones in 2011.
Shokz aims to convey the idea of being open in what you do “whether it be your surroundings, change, new ideas, or exciting adventures”.
What is bone conduction?
Unlike traditional headphones that transmit sound vibrations through the air into your eardrum, Shokz uses bone conduction technology by which vibrations are sent through your cheekbones and right to your inner ear, bypassing your eardrum.
Instead of sitting inside or over your ears, bone conduction headphones are positioned next to your ears, on your cheekbones.
The main benefit? This technology allows you to listen to music whilst being more aware of your surroundings, which is useful when running or cycling.
Bone conduction headphones can also be a better fit for people who have issues with earphones falling off their ears or finding them uncomfortable.
Shokz OpenRun Pro
OpenRun Pro are Shokz’ most premium headphones to date, featuring the latest 9th generation bone conduction technology with added bass enhancers for even better sound quality.
They are also equipped with a dual noise-canceling microphone which means that you can take calls and perfectly hear & be heard.
Another improvement is the size, 20% smaller than previous models for even more comfort.
You won’t need to put these away when it rains, as they have an IP55 rating which means that the OpenRun Pro can withstand rainy and sweaty activities.
The OpenRun Pro have a 10 hour battery life and a quick charge function. About to head out and forgot to charge your headphones? Put them on charge for 5 minute whilst you lace up your shoes and you’ll be good to go with 1.5 hours of listening time.
Where to buy the Shokz Open Run Pro headphones
In the UK, you can find these headphones on various trusted websites:
The retail price is £159.95
Honest review of the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones
I’d like to mention that the Open Run Pro are my very first bone conduction headphones. I’ve always used traditional ones before getting these, so I can’t compare them to other bone conduction models.
What I like
After wearing my Powerbeats Pro for so long I didn’t know how I’d feel about the design of the OpenRun Pro, which go around the back of your head.
Turns out, I very quickly got used to how they sit and how they feel, I don’t even notice that there’s something behind the back of my head anymore.
I was extremely surprised with the sound quality, it’s hard to imagine listening to music with the headphone sitting on your cheekbone when you’ve never tried, but you can hear the music loud and clear, just like with any “normal” headphones.
The headphones were easy and quick to set up and pair with my phone and my watch.
The placement of the buttons makes it quite simple and intuitive to adjust the volume or change the song whilst you’re on the move.
The big plus is that I am definitely more aware of my surroundings when wearing these headphones. I barely run on main roads but it’s great to be able to hear other runners, dogs and cyclists coming from behind me.
If you run or cycle during peak times or on the road, a pair of bone conduction headphones is definitely a much safer option.
Any negatives?
I must say that the thing that bugs me is that the OpenRun Pro don’t turn off automatically. I have been so used to just taking the Beats out of my ears without pressing any buttons that I keep forgetting to manually press the Off button, leaving the battery to drain.
Good thing they charge quickly, because I’ve had to plug them many times just before going on a run and realising the battery had died.
I would also advise to always put the charging cable back in the box after using it to avoid losing it. Unfortunately it’s a very particular one and if you misplace it, you can’t charge your headphones with a random USB cable.
Finally, I’m not too sure how to solve this issue but often times it seems that my headphones and my Garmin are not connected. When I wear the Beats, I hear audio messages from Garmin (reading out texts, telling me how fast my last split was, etc..).
It’s not the end of the world but I much prefer hearing the notifications over reading them on my watch when I run.
That being said I am really enjoying the OpenRun Pro and they are my headphones of choice when I know I’ll be running in busy areas or if I need to be extra careful about my surroundings.
I can also see myself using them during a race, if I want to listen to music.
To conclude, the OpenRun Pro are for you if you’re a runner/cyclist who’s looking to invest in a pair of headphones that offer premium sound quality, are comfortable to wear and allow you to be aware of your surroundings.
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