I have no luck with earphones, within a few weeks one side has stopped working and they’re a tangled mess. I really struggle to keep them in my ears, the minute I start running I can guarantee that the right side will pop out and hit me in the face. I get through so many pairs I tend to just buy the cheapest ones available.

With music and running being my escapism I knew I needed to upgrade to something better but with so many on the market, I didn’t have a clue where to start.

So I was very grateful when Aftershokz got in touch and asked if I’d like to try out their new Trekz Air Headphones. I’d heard a lot of good things about this brand and their technology intrigued me. Rather than going in your ear (as mentioned, I have issues with this) they sit just in front of them. They have bone conductor technology which delivers the music through your cheekbones. This means your ears are still open so you can still hear the world around you, which is fab when you are running in areas where you need to keep your awareness.

 

First impressions
Included in the box are the headphones, a carry pouch and a micro USB charging cable and some foam earplugs. The headphones themselves are extremely lightweight weighing in at only 30g.

The Trekz Air headphones are available in 4 colours – I was sent the red pair. They connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth so they are completely wireless – another big tick. They’re really easy to set up, simply push and hold the + button for 2 seconds until the red light flashes.

I hit the play button on my phone and I was all excited. Alex Turner in my ears – without being in my ears. How mad is that?

The controls are easy to use – with volume controls and a multi-function button which plays/pauses your tunes and also skips to the next track on your playlist. It will also answer phone calls too. To switch off – press the + button again for 2 seconds and until a blue light flashes.

What exactly is bone conduction technology?
We hear bone conduction sound while eating, drinking, scratching our head, etc. We also hear ourselves talking partially through bone conduction. That’s why we perceive our own voice differently from what other people hear. Probably why I hate the sound of my own voice on videos! Bone conduction transducers guide micro-vibration through the cheekbones to the inner ears, delivering sound without covering them so you can still hear the environment around you. To really test the bone conduction technology out, add the foam earplugs included in the box into your ears – you will be amazed!

The run test
I’ve tried these out on my last few runs. The headphones are held in place around the ear, they stay in place and don’t bounce around. They are so lightweight I actually forgot I was wearing them. More importantly, they are sweatproof and water-resistant.

The sound quality
As I usually only have one working earphone these were a complete luxury to me. I found the sound quality fine for running – perhaps a little quieter than regular headphones – however, I expected that as they are intended to go in your ear.

There’s no need to panic about your running buddy hearing your playlist – thanks to their LeakSlayer technology there’s minimal sound leakage, so your embarrassing song choices can remain your little secret.

The only negative I’ve found is on bassier tunes they do vibrate a bit which can be a bit ticklish!

[left]The tech spec
20% lighter than the titanium model.
IP55 certified for protection against dust and sweat.
Speaker type: bone conduction transducers
Frequency response: 20Hz~20KHz
Sensitivity: 100 ± 3dB
Microphone: -40dB ± 3dB
Bluetooth version: v4.2 [/left]
[right] Compatible profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
Wireless range: 33 ft (10m)
Battery: rechargeable lithium ion
Continuous play: 6 hours
Standby time: 20 days
Charge in: 2 hours
Weight: 1.06 oz (30g)
2-year warranty[/right]

These earphones are a winner for me. Being able to listen to your music, be aware of your surroundings and have no annoying wires – what more could you want?

For more information or if you’d like to try out the Trekz Air for yourself please click here

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Disclaimer – I was kindly sent these AfterShokz Earphones, for free in return for an honest review. I did not receive any payment and as always, all opinions and photographs are my own.