Aftershokz Aeropex (Rebranded as Shokz OpenRun) - Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport Headphones - Sweat Resistant Wireless Earphones for Workouts and Running - Built-in Mic - with Sport Belt

THE GOOD:+ Discreet, insofar that no one will be able to truthfully make those "turn the volume down, I can hear your music all the way over here" comments. Get rekt, Mom.+ Safe. Even when listening to music at full tilt, you can still hear when you're about to be run over by a forklift or assaulted by a vicious kitten, or when your significant other is talking to you.+ Socially acceptable (or at least moreso than devices that cover/fill your earholes). In my experience thus far, people seem far less put off by this device when exchanging pleasantries or engaging in customer service duties (please refer to your employee handbook regarding this device's compatibility with your supervisor's personality) compared to traditional headphones, earbuds, or AirPods. In some cases, it can even serve as a nice icebreaker.+ Intimate. It puts music in your bones, man. Can't get much closer than that. Audio is crystal clear and overall of high quality (or at least as high quality as the file itself). It is a delicious experience, for lack of better terms.+ Stellar battery life. On the first day of use (I did charge them overnight), I wore these non-stop from 0800 to around 1800. There was approximately an hour and half of call time, and the rest of the time was just music. Volume was at roughly 67% throughout the day, and by the time I took them off, the Bluetooth menu on my phone was reporting that my Aeropex were still above 50% battery life remaining. Granted, overall battery life will degrade over time - as it does with all rechargable devices - but this is a phenomenal starting point. Doubly so when considering how lightweight and small this device is.+ Solid mic quality. Of all the headphones and headsets and earbuds I have owned over the years - and I have owned many - the Aeropex has one of the best built-in mics I have had the pleasure of using in a long while. People can actually understand what it is that I am saying during phone calls and on voicechat platforms like Discord. Maybe my excitement over this is tempered by the fact that I had absolutely no expectations for it, given that the last half a dozen devices I've owned had mics suited only for collecting dust, but still.+ Thoughtful. Well, AfterShokz, I mean. They provide not one, but TWO of their fancy magnetic charge cables. No brick, but to be fair it's a safe bet that the average person has at least one standard USB receptacle somewhere in their life.THE BAD:- Yes, bone-conduction as a means of audio delivery does lose out a bit on the lower frequencies. Bass drops will not be as phat, the double-kickdrum sprees may sound less intense, and certain bassy, sexy voices may not sound quite as buttery. This is the caveat in the "overall of high quality" remark in THE GOOD section, but for me it is a tolerable caveat.- There is a voice that announces things, like general battery level, connection status, and the "POWER ON" and "POWER OFF" announcements. It is not the worst robovoice I've ever heard, but I would have much preferred a variety of beeps or other, non-vocal status indicators. For volume change or pausing audio, it does play back a simple beep, which I deeply appreciate. Some folks report that this beep is inordinately loud, but that has not been my experience.- It comes with a silicon pouch... tote... thing... which smells about as good as the milk you found on the floor this morning, which your cat regurgitated either last night or the night before. Cold, sour, slightly rancid; 10/10 do not recommend. Mine also came with a so-called Sport Belt. While it doesn't smell absolutely vile, I have approximately zero uses for it. Not necessarily a bad thing, I suppose, but it is a "waist" of materials. (I'll see myself out.) In all seriousness, go get a hardcase, or use a small cardboard box, or really anything other than the silicon odor abomination it comes with. I recommend a case from Hermitshell, which are tailoired specifically to AfterShokz products.THE UGLY× Fit may vary. I was comfortable all day (roughly 10 hours straight, for those of you not paying attention), but my coworker had to attach tiny cushions to the bits just behind the ears on his set because they were, as he put it, "a little clampy."× Sometimes they would catch on my hood when I'd be looking around, and so were shifted a bit out of place, which was mildly irritating. I've trained myself to adjust the way I look around as a result.× Amazon keeps bringing up noise cancellation, for whatever reason. Bone-conduction headphones, such as AfterShokz's Aeropex device, are open-ear devices. That is to say, they do not offer noise cancellation. In fact, the lack of noise cancellation is actually a selling point. They do ship with a pair of foam earplugs, which are quite effective in blocking out sound, but I am not about to rate the Aeropex on the noise cancellation properties of foam earplugs. Good grief, Amazon.× COVID-related mask experience may vary. With the ear straps of the mask in place first, my Aeropex sit nicely over my ears with no issue and no audio interference. With my Aeropex on first and the mask's ear straps on second, I am still comfortable and neither item is at risk of slipping or falling or otherwise vacating their place atop my ears. I exclusively use a cloth mask with a 3D-printed frame (which is basically a cup for your face), so I cannot speak to the experience one might have with, say, an M95 mask, or a rebreather, or an exclusion zone gas mask.Overall rating: 4.7/5.0This thing is magic, as far as I'm concerned. Delicious, intimate, beautiful magic. But that's just, like, my opinion, man.

First things first, I hardly EVER write reviews. Way too busy, and I don't typically care enough. Here's a short and sweet summary: if you can fit the extra $160 into this month's budget (maybe no fast food, pizza, or coffee...whatever), don't hesitate - you won't regret it.Next, here's some helpful info from the included manual:Wireless range: 10 meters (honestly, I get better range than that...I've used them from downstairs in the opposite corner of my house from my phone)Continuous play battery life: 8 hours (they must mean streaming to two devices simultaneously and nonstop, or maybe talking on the phone for 8 hours, because I wear and use it all day from 6am until around 9pm and have only charged it at night - it has never died)....now on to why I love these things. I am a previous owner of the Trekz Titanium. I tried the Trekz Air but didn't buy them. I was waiting for a unit that handled dual Bluetooth devices and was waterproof - Aeropex was what I was waiting for.Cons: You already know this, bone conduction headphones can't replicate the amazing bass of an expensive pair of earbuds or cans. THAT SAID, when you're under water (these are waterproof) or wearing earplugs these things easily sound at least as good as a "decent" pair of headphones (like $20-40 range...more than adequate unless you are an audiophile). WITHOUT earplugs in, with open ears that are alert to your surroundings, I'd say these are the same quality "ish" of stock Apple iPhone earbuds. Maybe a bit less.PROs:1. These have the best battery life of any wireless headphones I've used.2. I now have a headset that simultaneously connects to my work laptop for Skype meetings and my iPhone for personal stuff. Amazing. No more multiple headsets. Mic is great. Clarity is better than my Plantronics.3. Sound quality is great. Better than Trekz Titanium, can't speak for Air. The feeling that there is music playing that everyone else hears BUT THEY DONT is pretty amazing. I get to work or exercise to the music that keeps me going, but I don't have to worry about not being alert. No, these don't have great bass (without earplugs in). But as someone who enjoys dubstep, I can at least say I enjoy my music, still. The benefits far outweigh this minor drawback, trust me.4. Vibration (the tickle common to bone conduction) is dramatically improved, as is sound leakage. People don't hear these things unless they are cranked.5. Touching on something mentioned in my one and only "Con" - if you want noise cancelling headphones, it would be tough to find a better pair. Since you can wear the highest grade earplugs with these things - THEREBY *ENHANCING* THE SOUND - they effectively replace any other noise cancelling headphones. AMAZING.6. I love, love, love the charging port. The magnetic charger just snaps into place and works - I now wish every device had a charger like this. BONUS: they give you two in the box, so you have one for home and one for work.7. Since this is a relatively "new" technology, it's a great conversation starter, and everybody loves it. When you tell them to plug their ears (and suddenly they hear it BETTER) the facial response is like magic....so there you have it. I will likely not review another product for like ten or more years. But you, dear reader, I hope this pushes over the edge, if you're on the fence. These things are great. I have worn them all day, every day, since purchase (manufacturer warranty of two years btw) and they are comfortable and so convenient.Hope this helps!

I wear these headphones almost everyday all day long. They are so comfortable, I forget I am wearing them. I have even recommended them to my friends who bought them. They are always on and ready to receive a call, listen to music, listen to an audiobook, or listen to a podcast all day. I have never had the battery die the same day I charged it. I have worn them in the shower, the hot tub, and even swimming. I have used them running or working out at the gym. I purchased these headphones over two and a half years ago. I have had only had two issues with them. The first was the silicone cover on one of the surfaces that lay against your skin began peeling off. I cleaned it and superglued it back on. This happened probably 6 months ago. This didn’t cause any other waterproof issues. The second issue has been in a rattling sound where something is loose on the right side. This just developed in the last month. This also causes buzzing sometimes when listening to music or podcasts. Considering I went two years without any issues and using them virtually everyday, I feel that they have been an excellent investment! I am in the process of figuring out which Shokz to buy to replace the original AfterShokz Aeropex - Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport I purchased. Great thing is they have advanced in technology as well as come down in price. So, I am excited to buy another set. The only comfort issue I have had with the headphones is that they stick out too far behind my neck which makes it uncomfortable laying down. However, I am excited to change to the new mini because I tried them on and they don’t have the same isssue of sticking out as far behind my neck.Thank you AfterShokz/Shokz!!