hi all, I need some tips! I’m sure everyone has different ways of listening to C25K. I use an iPhone and I have used J-Lab Bluetooth earbuds…. BUT….. I’ve now had 2 pairs in 6 moths!!!! The first lasted 4 months, the latest 2 months! The left one packs up and I’ve used lots of online chats to try and fix but nothing works so I am calling it quits on JLabs and wouldn’t recommend them!
What do others use? I’m wondering about headphones or plug ins or a different brand of more reliable earbuds. The jlabs had a hook over the ear so didn’t drop out, do earbuds need a hook to prevent them dropping out when jogging? Any thoughts or tips greatly appreciated!🙂 🙏 thanks so much.
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MatthewR
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I'm a convert to the bone conduction headphones. These sit on the bony bit of the ear so your ears are open to hear traffic etc. As I run mostly on lanes, this is invaluable to me. They sit really well and don't budge at all during running. The premium brand is Shokz, but I was able to source the older version called Aftershokz at a much discounted price. Other brands are available at amazon but I don't know how good they are.
Thanks for the tip sax64 I’ll definitely look into bone conduction ones - I hadn’t thought of them. Have they lasted well, no cut out when you run etc?
I’ve been using aftershocks for years they are great for cycling as you can still hear everything going on around you, I have only broken 1 pair (I have another 2) and they are now about 5 years old and that’s because I fell asleep and broke the over ear bit they still work fine they are just to loose now to do exercise with🤣 Costco have them around the £80 mark last time I was in there
I’ve got Shokz too-the mid range ones with the smaller band. They’re brilliant. I’ve had mine about a year and I wish I’d bought them as soon as I started running. Living rurally and wanting to hear traffic on country lanes means they’re absolutely perfect for me.
Hello, perhaps not very sophiticated but I just carry my mobile phone in my hand and hear C25K through the speaker... Hope you find a good way of doing it!
I use Aftershokx bone conduction headphones. They work especially well for me as I have very limited conventional heating in my left ear anyway, but can once again hear stereo. The phones are great for running as they are over ear, not in the ear. They are a single waterproof unit. You can hear music and the coach, but also traffic or other sounds around you, which must be safer. I’ve used them for three years.
Another shout out for AfterShox bone conductive headphones. They are light, very comfortable, and as others have said, good for running as you can still hear people and things around you. When I am running along the river bank I love that I can still hear the birdsong. I use Nike Run Club, and I want to hear the coach, but I prefer to hear the things around me rather than music I've been using them for about 2 years now. They are very durable compared to wired ear buds. Wired ear buds always ended up dying with the conductors in the wires eventually breaking down. They are a little pricey, but well worth the money
I p8cked up a cheap pair of wired headphones from lidl years ago snd they are brilliant. The wires are firmer towards the earplug and wrap around your ears so stay in place. I have tried several bluetooth versions but none of them stay in my ears
I buy cheap ear buds for this very reason. I just have in ear ones without the over ear piece and they don’t drop out. I tend to choose the ones with a gummy cone piece that goes in the ear as they fit well and stay put. You can get a pair from Amazon for under a tenner and how long they last is a lottery but expensive one are the same I find. My last pair have lasted 3 years 😲 but I managed to lose one in the house somewhere 🤷🏻♀️ but it’s still working, where ever it is 😂 I only tend to run in one anyway so I can hear what’s around me at the same time.
I bought some aeropex aftershox. They have the advantage of not blocking out your surroundings totally. However, because they are not directly in your ear they struggle a bit if you run close to traffic.
Hi Matthew, I've got an iPhone 11 and much as I really resent paying the premium for Apple products (I never buy their chargers etc because they're so expensive) I decided when I started C25K three weeks ago that as part of my commitment I would actually invest the dosh and get some reliable gear.....so I bought Apple's wireless (but joined together) ear buds for an eye-watering £69. (If you're on a budget, there's a massively cheaper wired-up pair for - I believe - £20.) The buds come with a charger (for a lightning C) and about six pairs of replacement ear tips. The quality is great and they've transformed my geriatric attempts to start and (hopefully) complete the programme. Good luck to you - they might turn out cheaper than buying lots of cheap replacements!!
I personally don't get on with aftershocks - they move around the back of my head too much (but I do have long hair) - I find apple air pods work really well (they are such a breeze to pair with the phone compared to any other headset I've used) and stay in safely while running.
If you are looking for in ear wireless buds, I've got the JBL Tune 230 TWS (they come in at around £50) and can recommend them.
I initally bought them for work about a year ago, but recently gave them a go on my runs and was surprised to not feel them slip at all although they don't have that over-the-ear-hook-thing. They sit nice and comfy (come with I think 2 or three different sets of silicon pads so give you options) in my ear with the sound clear and a stable connection to my iphone 13.
Got them because of the various media functions (including NC and volume control without the phone's buttons).
They are also a lot sturdier than the price would suggest. I've accidentally dropped them so many times - in their case and when taking them out - and they are still working without a problem.
Quite pleased with my JLabs because they are so secure . However, now looking at Shokz as a result of the enthusiasm expressed for them in these posts, and because it would be great to be able to hear birdsong, car engines etc. May I ask: does anyone use these who also wears glasses while out running? Do they still fit OK? Thanks in advance for any advice/comments.
I wear glasses (my eyesight is awful) and I have no problem at all with Shokz. Sometimes I get a bit confused about what to put on first if I’m wearing a head ace to keep my hair out of the way!
I’ve got Apple AirPods and they’re fab. Really comfy and you can put in transparency mode so you can still hear your surroundings (as long as music not too loud!)
They come with different size buds so you get a good fit, and squishy so they fit well
I use the headphones/earphones that came with my iPhone, so they are plugged in. They've so far lasted four years (same as the phone) but I don't really use them apart from running. They stay in pretty much consistently but if one does drop out I don't lose it because it's still attached. I think I'd worry too much about airpods or whatever.
I bought some Lenovo ones from eBaY that are wireless and wrap around the ear. If I move my head to the right they cut out, so I wouldn't recommend them. But something like would be ideal. I have a running belt like a bumbag which holds my phone.
I used to hold the phone in my hand so that I could see the segments - it really helped on the earlier runs, but later on I don't think you need to.
Hope you find something suitable. And if you do, post on ear .. I mean here, so that I know what to switch to when these shoddy things pack in
i switched to wireless because the wires on my original earphones kept getting caught on trees and other vegetation and eventually the wires seemed to have snapped. I don't tend to listen to music so the sound quality is not so important which means that a cheap version is fine for me. Mine are attached to each other so I don't lose them if one falls out.
I use Apple airpods because they pair up perfectly with the iphone and apple watch. Don't get the pro ones as it can be difficult to hear traffic etc. you can buy little silicon attachments from amazon which prevent them falling out while running.
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I've been using them for about 2 years now. They are very durable compared to wired ear buds. Wired ear buds always ended up dying with the conductors in the wires eventually breaking down. They are a little pricey, but well worth the money 
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