Review: AfterShokz Open-Ear Headphones

AfterShokz training headphones unique technology enables athletes to hear outside noise in the surrounding environment, which provides the freedom to listen to music, books, or the XTERRA podcast without compromising on safety.

We’ve all been there.

We’re at the trailhead looking at some serious hero dirt and realize that a Led Zeppelin playlist will be the perfect accompaniment to the ride. Or maybe, we’re feeling less than our best and need some inspiration on our run. Then, we realize that headphones aren’t always our friend on the trails. Whether it’s the rattlesnake in front of us or the mountain biker behind us, we need both our eyes and our ears when we’re training.

XTERRA competitions are so intense, we don’t allow headphones on the course because of safety concerns. We need you to hear the athletes behind who want to pass, the course marshall who needs you to turn your number around, and of course – your coaches who are yelling that you are only seconds behind that person you’ve been out to get all season.

But we also understand that training is different. As part of our search for the perfect gear, we wanted to include running or training headphones that allow you to get into the zone while also keeping you safe. That’s why the headphones we recommend are AfterShokz. Their unique technology enables athletes to hear outside noise in the surrounding environment, which provides the freedom to listen to music, books, or podcasts without compromising your own safety or the safety of others.

You wear AfterShokz like most other headphones – only the earbuds go outside the ear rather than in the ear. They use bone conduction technology to transmit sound via transducers that send mini vibrations through the cheekbone to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrums. This leaves users’ ears open to hear traffic, environmental hazards, and other runners and pedestrians.

Chris Appleton, who has been XTERRA’s course designer since 1996 uses AfterShokz running headphones during his own rides.

“You never know what you’re up against on the trail,” said Appleton, who rides his local single track in Boise Idaho, when he’s not driving the XTERRA truck. “Maybe it’s a runner who doesn’t hear you, or maybe it’s another rider who’s trying to tell you not to take that trail. With AfterShokz, I don’t worry about that.”

Appleton wears glasses with a strap and a helmet while riding and AfterShokz stay on without any problems. He also appreciates that the transition from listening to music or podcasts to talking on the phone is seamless (which is a great way to hide the fact that you are riding when you are supposed to be working)

All headphones have the company’s PremiumPitch+™ technology, which means deeper base and less vibration on audio. They also have LeakSlayer™ tech, so that the hikers you pass aren’t annoyed … er …. Impressed by your playlist.

Currently, the company offers two wireless models, Titanium and Air. Titanium is the base model made with a titanium frame and includes PremiumPitch+ technology, dual noise-canceling mics for clear calls, six hours of music or phone function, LeakSlayer, and a nifty function called AudreySays™ which is basically like Siri, meaning she guides you through power, pairing, volume, playing, and talking. (If only Audrey could do our strength training for us!)

The Air family also includes the titanium wraparound frame but is about 20 percent lighter, has a higher-level mic, reduced sound leakage, a new Bluetooth version (4.2 vs. 4.1), and better bass - which of course you need on the downhill, am i right?