FOR THE MILLIONS of Americans who run regularly, finding the right headphones can be as hard as finding the best running shoes. Even the best-fitting earbuds can pop out, while over-ear headphones trap heat and sweat. But there’s an even bigger issue beyond fit and comfort: running with conventional headphones can be dangerous. When your ear canals are blocked, it becomes difficult to hear what’s going on around you, despite transparency modes that use microphones to pipe outside noise in.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 addresses this safety concern with its bone conduction design, keeping your ears completely uncovered so you can hear what’s happening around you. To see how these stack up next to the best workout headphones available, we wore them during long runs, lift sessions, and walks. Shokz has been a long-time favorite among runners and triathletes, and the brand’s latest bone conduction headphones promise to deliver improved audio quality without compromising on fit or safety. Does it succeed?
What We Like
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 look nothing like your typical headphones. Instead of tips that go into your ears, they have a wraparound band that sits behind your head and loops over your ears, with flat transducers that sit right against your cheekbones. These transducers utilize bone conduction technology, transmitting gentle vibrations through your cheekbones to deliver audio directly to your inner ear.
Shokz enhances this experience with its DualPitch technology, which incorporates an 18 x 11mm low-frequency driver specifically designed for deep bass frequencies. This addresses a common limitation of bone conduction headphones: bad bass performance. By combining bone conduction with traditional speaker drivers, the OpenRun Pro 2 delivers more powerful sound while minimizing vibrations.
The OpenRun Pro 2 is purposefully designed for runners with its lightweight frame and IP55 rating. The quick-charge capability provides 2.5 hours of playback after just a 5-minute charge, while the full battery life extends to an impressive 12 hours. Additionally, multipoint support allows you to connect the headphones to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, making it easy to transition between your phone and laptop.
SHOP SHOKZ OPENRUN PRO 2
They’re Incredibly Comfortable
As I mentioned, the OpenRun Pro 2 features a neckband design that wraps around the back of your head and loops over your ears. Fitness and Commerce Editor Charles Thorp, NASM, who utilized these Shokz for a half marathon, was also surprised by how ergonomically the headset fit around his ears. He also mentioned that the connecting band made it easy to take off the headphones for moments of quiet, talking to fellow racers, and just enjoying environmental sounds.
“Anyone who has run with earbuds knows the pain it can be to take them out and try to keep track of them,” Thorp says. “Often I’ve had a pace slowed while trying to remember which zippered pocket I’ve thrown them in. That doesn’t happen with these Shokz.” They come in two sizes: standard and mini. If you’re unsure which to pick, the brand has some tips on how to find the right fit; I went with the standard size, which stayed secure during HIIT workouts and didn’t feel too loose or tight. They also had no issues staying put while I disapprovingly shook my head after a slower-than-normal mile time—the joy of getting old.
I typically use the AirPods 4 as my do-everything earbuds (office, walks, workouts, errands), so the OpenRun Pro 2’s fit was a big change of pace. Based on looks alone, I expected them to be heavy and bother the back of my neck, but I was pleasantly surprised by how light they were. I had to get used to the process of putting them on, but after a short adjustment period, it was a piece of cake.
As a full-time glasses wearer, they never felt cumbersome or unstable, even during more intense workouts. They’re not just comfortable; I hardly noticed I was wearing them on multiple occasions, only realizing they were still on my head after catching my reflection in a mirror.
SHOP SHOKZ OPENRUN PRO 2
The Design Is Great for Environmental Awareness
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are a perfect example of why open-ear headphones are ideal for outdoor running. I could easily hear my surroundings while on my local trails with nothing covering my ears. It’s the beginning of rattlesnake season here in Arizona, and being able to hear their distinct warning rattle could literally be a lifesaver. This is just as crucial in city environments, where being able to hear approaching vehicles can help you avoid accidents. While transparency modes in earbuds like the AirPods Pro 2 let in outside noise, they still rely on microphones and digital processing that can miss subtle sounds.
The awareness you get while wearing the OpenRun Pro 2 extends beyond potential snake encounters; I could hear approaching mountain bikers and other hikers without a problem. It’s also nice not having anything inside my ears considering temperatures have already exceeded 90 degrees a few times this year. I haven’t experienced the sweaty buildup that comes with earbuds and over-ear headphones. The IP55 water and dust resistance also survived my desert runs without issue, though they’re less durable than the more affordable OpenRun’s IP67 rating. I can see these being my go-to pair when consecutive 100-degree days inevitably arrive.
SHOP SHOKZ OPENRUN PRO 2
The Battery Life Will Keep Up With Your Workouts
The OpenRun Pro 2’s quick-charge feature via USB-C came in handy several times during my testing—just 5 minutes of charging provides 2.5 hours of playback time. The feature saved me more than once when I forgot to charge before heading out the door. Shokz advertises 12 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, and that was more or less my experience during a week of runs, lifts, and walks. For marathoners, 12 hours of battery means you can complete a full race with plenty to spare.
If you tend to listen with the volume turned all the way up, you’ll likely see the battery life come in at less than the advertised 12 hours—closer to 10.5 or 11 hours. Outside of that, the biggest downside is the lack of wireless charging, which, to be fair, isn’t a common feature in bone conduction headphones. It’s an inconvenience more than anything. But I’ve gone completely wireless between my phone, smartwatch, and everyday earbuds, so plugging in the OpenRun Pro 2 added a little friction to my day.
SHOP SHOKZ OPENRUN PRO 2
Physical Controls Are Intuitive
Most earbuds and headphones today rely on touch-sensitive surfaces and gesture controls, which can be frustrating during an intense workout. The OpenRun Pro 2 takes a more practical approach with its physical buttons. The multi-function button on the left side allows you to play/pause, skip tracks, and answer/end calls. Meanwhile, the right side features volume controls and a power button.
It’s all very straightforward, making a huge difference when you focus on maintaining your run pace. You don’t have to remember any taps or double taps or other complicated gestures. The buttons also provide satisfying tactile feedback, so you know immediately if your press is registered. The buttons worked reliably every time, regardless of how much I was sweating or gasping for breath.
SHOP SHOKZ OPENRUN PRO 2
What We Don’t Like
Bone conduction headphones have limitations that the OpenRun Pro 2 can’t outrun. While bass performance is improved over the original OpenRun Pro, the newest model can’t compete with the audio produced by high-end earbuds and over-ear headphones. Sound leakage is also unavoidable at higher volumes, so they’re not the best option in open office environments. Your desk neighbor might catch your embarrassing playlist or podcast.
Additionally, ambient noise will always compete with your music, which is both a feature and a limitation. While the design is ideal for safely running outdoors and in urban areas, you don’t get the audio isolation of active noise-canceling headphones. If your primary concerns are sound quality and noise cancellation, you may want to consider the over-ear Beats Studio Pro instead. But of course, that eliminates the safety benefits that the Shokz offer.
SHOP SHOKZ OPENRUN PRO 2
Are the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Worth It?
The OpenRun Pro 2s are comfortable, durable, and the open-ear design makes them one of the safest models for outdoor running. Sure, there are compromises—the headphones can’t overcome the limitations of physics. But there’s a lot to like if you prioritize safety and comfort above all else. There’s a reason that we named these headphones in Best Marathon Gear guide and they were featured in our Men’s Health Fitness Awards this year. Plus, we think they’re they’re the best headphones for running—yes, more so than the AirPods Pro 2.
In the context of the best workout headphones available, the OpenRun Pro 2 also offers excellent value. At $179, they’re more affordable than the AirPods Pro 2 ($249), Bose Ultra Open ($299), and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 ($249). Shokz’s headphones may not be the best option for everyday listening, but for safe long-distance runs and high-intensity workouts, they can’t be beat.
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Brandon Russell is a freelance writer covering gear and technology. He started his journey as a news writer at a small newspaper and later began reviewing smartphones, movies, and video games. In his free time, he enjoys the slower, more intentional experience of using a 35mm film camera and making short videos about movies he grew up watching.
Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world.
Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.
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