The new OpenRun Pro is a wireless, open-ear sport headphone that uses bone conduction tech to deliver high-quality audio through your cheekbone, leaving your ears open to your environment.

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro sport headphone side isolated — photo: Shokz

We found the OpenRun Pro’s comfort and wearability superior to in-ear headphones, particularly during high-output activities such as ski-touring. In-ear headphones come with problems: they require frequent cleaning, they sometimes fall out, and they cut you off from the ambient sounds in your environment. The OpenRun Pro sound, delivered via bone conduction, is powerful but not overpowering, while the dual noise-canceling microphone delivers crystal-clear audio on both ends during calls.

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro sport headphone close up — photo: shokz

The geometry of the OpenRun Pro holds tight around your ears and head without pinching. (Users with long hair will always want to tie their hair back out of the way.) The tough but flexible titanium frame is very lightweight and unobtrusive to the point that you will forget you’re wearing it.

While ski touring I turn my music off when I need to pay attention to my descents. The OpenRun Pro is easy to power up or down with one touch, and the 10-hour battery life means you can rely on it for long sessions. And on a multi-day trip you can do a five-minute quick-charge for 1.5 hours of power, which is especially handy if you’re using a power bank and trying to conserve juice.

Shokz openrun pro woman workout — Photo: Shokz

The headphones are the first to be powered by Shokz’ TurboPitch Technology, which adds two bass enhancers into the transducers for a beefier sound.

The IP55 rating means the OpenRun Pro can weather dust and moisture so you can lean into your rainy run, sweaty ride or valley-to-peak touring mission.

A new Shokz App is available in the Google Play and Apple App Store. Download it for easy pairing (Bluetooth 5.1), multipoint pairing, listening selection and user tips. You can also choose your listening experience with the selection of two EQ settings (Standard or Vocal Booster).

Bone-Conduction Tech

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The OpenRun Pro isn’t an audiophile headphone, though the sound is nonetheless impressive. Bone-conduction can’t offer the total-immersion sound of in-ear or or ear-cushion headphones. But for wearability during high-output activities, the open-ear design is far superior. And when you’re exercising outside, the open-ear design doesn’t block out your ambient environment—a big plus, in our view.

95/100

Total Score iLegend

The best

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro Premium Bone Conduction Sport Headphones: features

-Technology: 9th generation bone conduction technology with ShokzTurbo Pitch™
-Bluetooth®: v5.1
-Wireless range: Up to 33 ft (10 meters)
-Weight: 29 grams
-Water Resistance: IP55 water-resistant
-Battery type: Rechargeable li-polymer battery
-Continuous play time: Up to 10 hours
-Standby time: Up to 10 days
-Battery capacity: 140 mAh
-Charge time: 1 hour
-Charger type: Magnetic induction
-Warranty: 2 years.

More about Shokz here.