Shokz has been in the running headphones game for a few years now, and in that time it’s had one goal; to build open ear headphones you can run, cycle and work out with, all without entirely blocking out the world around you. The reason for that was the early models I tested from AfterShokzsounded so bad it was hard to recommend them to anyone.

Shokz Official | The Professional Bone Conduction Headphones

However, both of these issues are natural limitations of the tech and design, so it's hard to castigate too hard for their lack of ability.Whereas the ear hooks of the Shokz Trekz Air and OpenRun are flexible metal with a silicone coating, those of the OpenMove are harder polycarbon, with a less curved shape.

Shokz OpenRun review: the best bone conduction headphones

This is a welcome change from older headsets’ micro-USB charging, as it means you don’t need to carry separate cables for your phone and headset. The OpenMove headset is symmetrical in design, with the only visible difference being the volume buttons and charging socket on one side, and the multi-purpose power button on the other. OpenRun, our sport headphones formerly known as Aeropex, now come with new packaging, a quick-charge feature, and a new name.

If you want bone conduction headphones for running and swimming, then check out the OpenSwim from Shokz. The charging port has changed from the covered USB one that we got on the Air to something that’s now proprietary. They may offer the best of times, the worst of times, but the AfterShokz Titanium do sound perfectly acceptable most of the time. AfterShokz doesn’t think so, which is why its athlete-focussed Titanium open-ear sport headphones do the exact opposite. It’s still the same neckband-style look, but it’s significantly reduced the size of the arms that sit just in front of your ears.

Aftershokz Titanium Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Aftershokz Titanium Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction

It’s not that they lack low frequency sound as such, but more that it’s felt more than heard – it reverberates through your jawbones. On each side of the Trekz Air there's a small fingertip-sized housing that contains batteries and controls, though they also have a role to play in keeping the Trekz Air still on the back of the head. By avoiding your ears, the Trekz Air don't do that at all, while still delivering decent sound quality. It means they can be worn around the neck, shoved into a pocket or balanced on a hook, which is all useful stuff for a pair of headphones designed to be used when exercising.ounces and IP55 certified, Air is by far the most weightless, natural-feeling sports headphone we’ve created.