Just because I could easily hear everything around me doesn’t mean the OpenRun Pro’s sound quality suffered, which was an issue in previous pairs of Shokz headphones. Unlike the regular OpenRun headphones, the Pro boasts additional bass transistors, which definitely helped the listening experience. Jamming along to Sour with the OpenRun Pro was probably the closest I’ll ever get to an Olivia Rodrigo concert. I’m an avid listener of podcasts and audiobooks, and these headphones allowed me to hear the twist in my latest true crime obsession perfectly without missing the announcement for my subway stop. And the sound didn’t leak out, which is ideal for someone with my personal music taste. Thank you, OpenRun Pro, for keeping my Ashlee Simpson playlist between us. Even if you are someone who’s responsible with your headphones, I think the OpenRun Pro is worth the added expense for the comfort and improved sound quality.
The OpenRun Pro is specifically designed for running — and while I’m not a regular runner, I would bet that these super-light headphones won’t slow you down during a marathon. When I wore them on a two-mile jog, I found they stayed snugly on my head, and sweat wasn’t an issue (although, to be fair, it was winter, and I wasn’t running all that fast). I didn’t have to adjust the headphones once — which was a bit of a downer, as I could have used the excuse to take a break. They are stretchy too, which not only helps them sit on my head but also suggests they’re less likely to break at the bottom of my backpack.
Still, I’m keenly aware of the trade-off I’m making by using lightweight headphones like the OpenRun Pro. The smaller the headphones, the less likely that people can see I’m wearing them — and leave me alone. In our constant attempt to make technology smaller, we forget that sometimes there is something to be said for enlarging it. It’s asking a lot for headphones to convince leering men to be polite, but enormous ones sometimes do.
Over-ear headphones are definitely desirable in some circumstances too, such as listening to music in your own home or office. When you’re already in a secure place, they can quietly communicate to your family or coworkers that now is not the time to bug you. But when you’re out on the streets, bone conduction is the way to go.
So while these headphones did nothing to fend off the catcallers, I was able to hear both my music and everything going on around me. The OpenRun Pro won’t tell people to leave you alone, but it offers a comfortable, safe, and high-quality experience — even for those of us who aren’t runners.
