Music is a massive part of my life, I love nothing more than sticking on a good album and heading out for a run. Since watching Liam Gallagher’s As It Was at the cinema, the classic Definitely Maybe album has been played on heavy repeat on my runs. As much as I love to lose myself in music, I also like to be aware of my surroundings. I run mainly on country roads, so, for safety reasons, I need to be able to hear what is going on around me.
I’ve always been a fan of the Shokz brand, I had been wearing the Trekz Air . Their bone conduction technology is a game-changer, leaving my ears open whilst allowing me to listen to your tunes of choice. So, when I got my hands on the latest release – the AfterShokz Aeropex (now rebranded as Shokz Open Run) – I was excited!
Here’s what’s fresh about the Shokz Open Run / Shokz Aeropex:
- Compact and Light: The Aeropex is 30% smaller and 15% lighter than the already featherweight Trekz Air headphones.
- Waterproof Wonder: It boasts an IP67 waterproof rating, which means it can take on water up to 1 metre deep for 30 minutes.
- Enhanced Sound: With a 50% reduction in sound leakage, the Aeropex ensures that your secret playlist stays just that.
- Comfort and Quality: These headphones sit at a 30-degree tilt, reducing vibrations and sporting PremiumPitch 2+™ technology for optimal sound.
Unboxing the Shokz Open Run / Shokz Aeropex
Included in the box are…
- A pair of headphones, mine were the sleek Cosmic Black.
- Not one, but two chargers.
- A handy case for keeping your headphones and chargers together.
- And a pair of foam earbuds.
First things first, power them up! It takes just 2 hours for a full charge, and with 8 hours of usage time, they’re the ideal running companion from Monday to Friday, with no recharging needed.
One standout upgrade with the Aeropex is the charging port, magnetically connecting without the fuss of the lift-up flap seen in the Trekz Air.
Setting them up is a breeze. Just press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to connect via Bluetooth, and you’re ready to select the headphones from your device’s Bluetooth list.
On the run
Out on the run, the Aeropex headphones comfortably hug your ears without intruding inside, a feature I find incredibly comfortable. They’re 4 grams lighter than the Trekz Air, though the weight difference isn’t too noticeable. Both models are exceptionally lightweight and stay firmly in place, ensuring a hassle-free run.
The part resting on your cheekbones has been slimmed down, lending a sleek, discreet look. The new rectangular design minimizes vibrations, enhancing your bass-heavy tracks’ enjoyment.
Sound quality
Sound quality is where the true test lies with bone conductor headphones. It may not match in-ear headphones, but for me, it’s a fair trade-off for staying #beopen and aware of my surroundings. The sound quality of the Aeropex surpasses the Trekz Air. It’s richer and clearer, a noticeable improvement.
One minor quirk is the headphone band, which doesn’t sit flush against the back of your head, but it’s a non-issue while running. However, I wonder if an adjustable band would improve this without adding bulk or weight.
One slight issue for me is, as, with the Trekz Air, the headphone band doesn’t fit flush to the back of your head. This certainly doesn’t cause any problems whilst running but can get in the way when lying down to stretch afterwards. Although I”m not sure an adjustable band would be an improvement as that would make it bulkier or add extra weight.
Once again Aftershokz has come up trumps with these headphones. The Aeropex has given me improvements I didn’t know I needed. I can’t wait to see what they do with this technology in the future!
The Shokz Aeropex headphones are available on Amazon
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I was kindly sent these AfterShokz Earphones, after becoming an ambassador for the brand in May. All opinions and photographs are my own.
