Running earbud recommendations please

[TomatoRun]

As you were all so good the last time I needed advice I’m back for some more. I finished run 3 of week 8 (go me!)and my earbud fell onto the road and a car ran over it! So I need new ones. The problem is that they don’t stay in my ears so my headband was holding them in but I won’t be able to wear that as the weather improves…. So all suggestions gratefully received

[Instructor57 Graduate]

I could never keep earbuds in so always used to buy ones with the over ear hooks I have have had several pairs over 3 years and none have ever been more than £20. amzn.eu/d/34iwOox

I am now however a convert to bone conduction 🙂

[Cmoi Graduate]

I have ridiculously cheap (around 8 euros) around-the-neck Bluetooth earbuds. They occasionally ping out but because they're on a neckband, they don't get lost. The audio quality is good enough... maybe one day I'll get round to investing in a more sophisticated model!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

I have Runar...I have small ears..and also sensitive..these round the neck..are good .

[Stentrunner Graduate]

I use these. They are Bluetooth, the neckband has volume and pause controls, and it’s rechargeable.

Sony WI-C400 with neckband.

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

I use Shokz (formerly Aftershokz). They are bone conducting headphones so you can hear what's going on at the same time as you listen to music etc. They sit on a band around your head.

I'm on my second pair, the first pair started playing up after 18 months and were replaced byt the manufacturer, no questions, with an upgrade. They feel much more secure than earphones.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Same for me. I have (After)shokz Aeropex. Second pair, as the first also failed within warranty.

With them being bone conduction it leaves my ear holes open and means I can hear traffic and other people.

I've even seen ladies running with massive over-ear headphones. (Why does it always seem to be ladies who do this?)

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to nowster]

It’s not my experience that only ladies do this.

Many women have had unpleasant things shouted at them while they’re out running. Maybe that’s an understandable reason why they might not want to hear what’s around them?

[nowster Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Personally, I'd be more concerned about safety, even if it does mean I'm aware of guys calling out inappropriate things. (It does happen to guys too, but to a lesser extent.)

And they're wearing them at parkrun where it's considerably safer!

[Kirst13 Graduate in reply to nowster]

My daughter has big over the ear headphones and she can change settings to let in background noise or not.

[Yesletsgo Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I agree with @nowster, better to be aware of what's going on. If you can hear abuse etc you know how to react. Sometimes blanking these idiots can make things worse (though I agree that sometimes just ignoring them can work  MissUnderstanding )

[Yorkshirerunning Graduate in reply to nowster]

Yes same for Mr - absolutely brilliant ( anything else falls out!)

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Shokz for me too. Expensive but absolutely worth the investment for me because of traffic on rural country lanes and being able to hear the birds as well as my podcast!

[Pugwash Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I bought some 'knock-off brand' bone conducting earphones just to try them out, but I couldn't get on with the way of holding them tightly to my temples (essential for their successful operation) which was a rubber strap between the two arms that I could never get to hold position firmly enough.

I love the principle of them and, because I'm a cyclist too I get the safety aspect of environment awareness but they weren't for me. Maybe I cheaped out.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Pugwash]

The proper ones use a spring steel band round the back of the head.

[Pugwash Graduate in reply to nowster]

👍

[swim63 Graduate]

Depending on your phone, I use Apple AirPods, expensive but really happy with them. Have never fallen out and you can choose to switch off outside noise, oras previous comments, allow outside noise. I do the latter for safety reasons.

[Pugwash Graduate]

It's a personal thing but my choice, after trying several others, is Anker's SoundBud Curves. They're Bluetooth, have a great battery life, easy and reliable connection and the selling point for me (which is a negative for others) is that they have an arm that hooks around your ear so there are no 'falling out' worries.

[Reggiegirl Graduate]

(After)Shokz for me too. I got the Minis as I found the fit is better. Good luck choosing

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

bone conductors all the way for me…aftershokz open run…you’ll never look back 😉

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

I wear after shokz bone conductor headphones, really comfortable and don’t have to worry about them falling off !!

[Sandie1961 Graduate]

Another vote for Aftershokz. They are expensive but look out for sales, as I got mine with 40% off

[bees-knees Graduate]

I bought a pair of over-ear bluetooth earphones from Tesco for around £15. Called Mixx Cardio Air 5/Memory Fit 5 Wireless Sports Earphones. This was nearly three years ago when I first started C25K. They are just right for me and I often just use one so that I can hear traffic, birds etc. I am just about to restart for the 3rd time, having graduated twice and then succumbed to foot or knee injuries. Very slowly this time I think.

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

Initially, I used No Fear Bluetooth Earphones,

(Now £6 @ Sports Direct),

sportsdirect.com/no-fear-bl...

That's a horrible-looking link!

But found the band would rub on my neck and would gradually force me to turn my head to one side!

I started using, Gear Geek Earbuds Pod 3 - for £29.99 but I got a £4.95 discount from Honey(?) which covered the postage. I love them! Not sure why anyone would want to pay £150 for the Apple ones?

(geargeek.co.uk/gear-geek-ea...

[counsellor-neil]

Another recommendation for Shokz. Great stereo sound, no risk of them falling off. Also, approved by more races, than in ear phones, if that may be a consideration.

[XenaZelda Graduate]

I got a pair of over the ear wireless ear buds, £20 from Amazon and they are great, good quality sound 😃