I’ve burned through several headphones (including those supposedly sweat and water proof) and was wondering if anyone else out there has had better luck with a specific brand or model of headphone when it comes to dealing with the punishing amount of sweat / water that is inevitable for distance running / cycling.
My last pair burned out after about a year (Phillips waterproof earbuds, model unknown), so I’m currently back in the market for headphones (by headphones I mean everything…ear buds, IEMs, all different form factors, etc.) for working out. Also, does anyone have experience with sport-band form factor headphones? I think they might have a place for running, but can’t imagine that a band behind your head is going to work for cycling…Ideally there is one headphone for both cycling and running, but I’d be interested in hearing from folks that have different sets for each.
Yes, I know that headphones are unsafe when cycling and running. Please no parental posts.
A year is pretty good for workout headphones IMO, I had yurbuds which were great for staying in place but the sweat killed them just like any other headphones. No I just buy generic beats by dr dre for like 12 bucks a pair in Beijing, get about 6 months out of a pair.
Ditto. I use these too. Work great for working out, are fairly water resistant and don’t break the bank if they fail. Mine typically last about 9-12 months but I get them at Radio Shack and use their replacement policy so it only costs $3 for the next pair.
Jaybird Freedoms… Check them out. I bought a pair of wireless headphones from costco… motorolla. Those were junk. The JBird Freedoms are very, very, very workout friendly. I picked these up at the disneyland marathon expo for $100 even. I wish you could borrow them just to see how awesome they are!
Yurbuds hands down. Best headphones going out there. Coming up to a year with them and the have stood up to everything, and i mean 2-3 hour wind trainer sweat fests, long runs in the Australian summer and pretty much most of my runs. Get some and you will not be disappointed. I questioned whether the would be worth it and am very happy with the investment.
After going through a lot of different headphones, I finally got a pair of the Bose IE2 (based on a similar ST thread). They are ~$100 (Best Buy usually carries them) but I don’t regret the indulgence. I have been using them for over a year without a hint of a problem. I use them on the trainer, running and when doing construction/home improvement stuff (i.e. they receive a lot of sweat and dust and aren’t treated lightly). The sound is incredible. My wife mocked the extravagance until she borrowed them for a short run. Now she has a pair. You can always get a pair and try them for a week. If you don’t like them, just take them back.
I haven’t tried the Jaybirds and I didn’t like the sound of the Yurbuds. Snuggbuds is another set of inexpensive headphones with a lot of base but after 3-4 pairs dying after about 6 months (most were replaced for free), I decided to look for other options.
After going through a lot of different headphones, I finally got a pair of the Bose IE2 (based on a similar ST thread). They are ~$100 (Best Buy usually carries them) but I don’t regret the indulgence. I have been using them for over a year without a hint of a problem. I use them on the trainer, running and when doing construction/home improvement stuff (i.e. they receive a lot of sweat and dust and aren’t treated lightly). The sound is incredible. My wife mocked the extravagance until she borrowed them for a short run. Now she has a pair. You can always get a pair and try them for a week. If you don’t like them, just take them back.
I haven’t tried the Jaybirds and I didn’t like the sound of the Yurbuds. Snuggbuds is another set of inexpensive headphones with a lot of base but after 3-4 pairs dying after about 6 months (most were replaced for free), I decided to look for other options.
Another lover of the Bose. I bought mine with a £6(bout $10) accidental 2 year damage policy. they store clerk suggested that it would be worth having the cable get damaged at around the 2 year mark to get a new set.
I have previously been though the Sennheiser, sony and various other brands and never got anything to last much beyond 6 months. The Bose ones are going on for a year now with no problem’s.
Recently (just over 2 months ago) got a pair, and they are working great for indoor trainer workouts. They stay in place, have pretty good sound, and are comfortable.
I have been using Snuggbuds SB-X’s for a about a year now. I sweat terribly and these have lasted so far. They have great cloth cords that don’t tangle like the rubber cords. There are different sized rubber pieces that change the fit of the buds also. I have extremely difficult to fit ears because of cauliflower ears from wrestling when I was younger and these actually fit and are comfortable.
After going through a lot of different headphones, I finally got a pair of the Bose IE2 (based on a similar ST thread). They are ~$100 (Best Buy usually carries them) but I don’t regret the indulgence. I have been using them for over a year without a hint of a problem. I use them on the trainer, running and when doing construction/home improvement stuff (i.e. they receive a lot of sweat and dust and aren’t treated lightly). The sound is incredible. My wife mocked the extravagance until she borrowed them for a short run. Now she has a pair. You can always get a pair and try them for a week. If you don’t like them, just take them back.
I haven’t tried the Jaybirds and I didn’t like the sound of the Yurbuds. Snuggbuds is another set of inexpensive headphones with a lot of base but after 3-4 pairs dying after about 6 months (most were replaced for free), I decided to look for other options.
While I have never tried the Bose I own a pair of similarly priced Klipsch ear buds. They are amazing. Awesome sound, comfortable fit, and they never fall out while running. I am as big a cheap ass as they come, but I have no qualms about using expensive ear buds considering how much of my time is spent training, especially inside and solo. I had my last pair for a couple years with no problems, and they didn’t break, I lost them otherwise I’m sure I would still be using them.
I used a set of Bose ear buds for probably a year. I regret running with them because it ruined them. They were great in the gym, but the excessive sweat from running eventually got them. Now I stick with cheap ones.
i agree with jaybirds. i recently got a pair of jaybird bluebud x and they are amazing. they are supposedly pretty sweatproof. it’s very convenient having no wires getting in the way when exercising. i’ll never go back to wired.
yurbuds are good too but i would keep losing the earbud covers that kept them in place.
Jaybird Freedoms… Check them out. I bought a pair of wireless headphones from costco… motorolla. Those were junk. The JBird Freedoms are very, very, very workout friendly. I picked these up at the disneyland marathon expo for $100 even. I wish you could borrow them just to see how awesome they are!
X2
Though I’ve got the bluebuds. Incredible sound - better than my wired klipsch. And no matter what I’m doing, these things don’t move.
"While I have never tried the Bose I own a pair of similarly priced Klipsch ear buds. They are amazing. Awesome sound, comfortable fit, and they never fall out while running. I am as big a cheap ass as they come, but I have no qualms about using expensive ear buds considering how much of my time is spent training, especially inside and solo. I had my last pair for a couple years with no problems, and they didn’t break, I lost them otherwise I’m sure I would still be using them.[/quote
x2 The mic and volume adjuster died on my bose buds 2 days ago so I picked up a pair of Klipsch on sale at best buy and while yurbuds are great for staying in the Klipsch blows them and the bose away in the sound department. One thing to consider they are noise canceling. With the bose I could hear cars and backround noise with the Klisch I hear absolutely nothing so may not be the best beds for cycling but if you are into sound like me I have yet to hear a bud that comes close.
Generally, I don’t listen to music while running anymore (gets in the way), but when I do, I’ve found that the Sony MDR-AS20J Active Style Headphones with Soft Loop Hangers work really well.
Shure 115’s - their cheapest model. First pair lasted me 5 years of running/cycling/gym until the nylon coating cracked on one cord where it wrapped over the ear. Got another pair the next day. I tried the more expensive models from them and didn’t like the fit.