If you want to listen to music during your outdoor running or cycling sessions, but you still want to stay attentive to what is happening around you, then you could, for example, opt for bone conduction headphones, like Shokz’s OpenRun model. Practical and effective, this helmet is ideal for athletes, and at the moment, it is offered at 99 euros at E.Leclerc instead of 139.95 euros on the official website.
On the audio market, we find traditional headphones, in-ear Bluetooth headphones… but also bone conduction headphones. The latter, mainly intended for sportswomen and men, use a wave vibration system on the temples to propagate sound through the skull to the back of the eardrum. This way, the ears remain free, and we can hear the sounds around us, which can be more reassuring. In this sector, it is the Shokz brand that reigns supreme. And currently, it is its OpenRun helmet that particularly interests us: not only for its technical sheet full of good points, but also and above all for its price, which currently does not exceed 100 euros.
What is the OpenRun helmet?
- A lightweight helmet (26 g) that fits well
- Clear sound
- Fast charging
Priced at 139.95 euros on the official website, the Shokz OpenRun helmet is currently offered at 99 euros at E.Leclerc.
A lightweight helmet for intense sessions
Like most bone conduction headphones, the Shokz OpenRun model is both a neckband and over-the-ear headphone. The semi-rigid headband at the back is fortunately far enough away from the skull so that it does not hit the back of the neck all the time. The earpieces are placed around the ear, and it is this configuration which will ensure very good support. As we noted during our test of the Pro version of the OpenRun, the headset, very similar in its design, does not move a wire, which is very practical when running or jogging. does other somewhat intensive activities.
In addition, the OpenRun helmet weighs only 26g, making it even more comfortable over time. The silicone coating feels very pleasant on the skin, and the well-fitted titanium structure allows the helmet to stay in place. The fact that the ear canal is not blocked also reinforces this comfort: we therefore do not feel any discomfort during sports sessions, whereas with certain standard in-ear headphones, the inconvenience is much greater. Finally, note that the OpenRun is IP67 certified: it can therefore resist splashes, sweat and rain, but it is not recommended to use it for swimming sessions.
Reassuring and enduring
This bone conduction headset, by its design, allows the user to hear all the noises around them, which is much more reassuring if you are running on a street with a lot of traffic, for example. So don’t expect to have passive isolation, and even less active noise reduction here: the very concept of bone conduction headphones makes it impossible to immerse yourself in a bubble when listening to our music. On the audio side, naturally, the quality will not be comparable to that offered by a more insulating headset or a pair of standard headphones. If the brand promises clear sound and deep bass, expect that the bass will not be very generous and the treble will not be sufficiently fluid.
The headset makes up for it with its good battery life: according to the brand, you can listen to your music for 8 hours on a single charge. Even better, fast charging is included and can theoretically save you 1.5 hours of additional listening time in just 10 minutes of charging.
If you would like to discover other references that work in the same way as the OpenRun headphones, we invite you now to consult our guide to the best bone conduction headphones of the moment.
