As I have mentioned before, I usually listen to audio books while I run. It’s a great way to kill two birds with one stone. The problem is that I have had difficulty finding headphones that don’t slip out of my ears when I begin to sweat.
I’ve tried nearly everything. Neither the standard-issue headphones that come with the iPod nor a pair of high-end Shure headphones worked. In the end, gravity prevailed and the headphones fell out. This got to be quite a nuisance.
Finally, someone recommended to me a set of Sennheiser sport headphones. They retail for $49.95, but I found them on Amazon for $31.28. As you can see from the photo above, they hang over your ears, thus making it impossible for them to fall out.
Initially, they bothered my ears. The pressure was a little much. But, after a while I stopped noticing. Now I love them and use them every time I run.
Technorati Tags:
running, jogging, headphones
Building Champions has been coaching me since 2002. They have taught me to be more proactive and intentional in both my business and personal life. Visit their Web site to learn more and see their special offer for my blog readers.
Related posts:
In: 
Tags: 
I definitely have to put these on my Christmas list, Mike. Thanks for the hint.
Colleen,
I think you’ll like them! Also, I’m glad to see that the commenting feature is working here. You had me worried!
Thanks,
Mike
I forwarded this post to my wife (who is an avid runner) and she now thinks I’m thoughtful! Thanks Michael!
Hi there–Mike Morrell, lurker, here. These look awesome. I just joined the 21st century a few weeks ago with an iPod-like apparatus, and I immediately encountered the same problem in my gym. I’ll be checking these out–thanks so much!
Thank you – thank you – thank you Mike. I’ve been in the throws of the same dilemma for some time now. I’m going straight to Amazon and giving myself an early Christmas gift!
- Tom Moucka
Do these work with people who wear glasses?
Ken,
Yes, they do. I usually run with sunglasses and they work fine.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike
Thanks for the hint. I had similar problems until Eddie got a special pair of headphones for me from Brookstone (they are a little cheaper at $30.00–Surround Sound Earbud Headphones Brookstone sku # 510701). Mine actually hook over each ear, so I don’t have the pressure around my head like yours do.
BTW…Eddie and I just ran our 2nd 1/2 marathon 2 weeks ago and we are doing “The Rock” here in Dallas on December 9th. You really got us started on something we enjoy.
Thanks!
Thanks for the tip! I just started a good jogging routine and have found the same thing. I actually tried a pair of Sony’s clip type headphones.
Link to Sony Headphones
They didn’t work so well and the sound was mediocre at best. I’ll give these a whirl. Thanks!
These look great, but can anybody recommend headphones like this that also have a volume control? Is there such a thing? On a typical run, the volume of the traffic varies greatly and so I find myself playing with the volume a lot as I run. With my MP3 player in the little key pocket in my shorts, it’s quite a struggle.
I’ve had a number of high end (shure) and low end sets and these are by far the most comfortable to use during excercise.
Gah, earbuds. They are so insanely bad for your ears. Sound that is that loud that close to your inner ear can most certainly not be helping keep your ears happy.
I wrote about these same headphones back in May (http://www.jtoo.net/sports/seal-of-approval/). I’ve been using them for running ever since. They are definitely the best headphones I’ve ever owned.
Jon
These look very similar to the Nike Flight headphones that I use for running. (I wrote about these here.) The Nike Flight, which also wraps around your neck, has worked very well for me. I have been using them for the past two months and have been quite happy with them.
Jesse,
I have the Nike Flight headphone, too. I like them, but not as well as the Sennheisers. Just my opinion.
Thanks,
Mike
What about a sock cap? Would these be able to accommodate a sock cap pulled over them? I’m not a runner by any stretch of the imagination, but I really want to be. I prefer to run outside, and in my location that would mean cooler temperatures in this coming season. I’d want something over my head while running…but I suppose at that point I could resort to the traditional earbud, because the cap might help hold the buds in.
I’ve got a pair of Sennheisers which are not ear-buds for those who, like me, don’t like speakers stuck directly in their ears. The PMX 60s fit nicely over my ears (with glasses) similar to the ones you’re pointing out and work fine for running. They get in the way somewhat when doing bench presses and the foam gets sweaty.
I have these… My ears chafe after more than 30 minutes. I have a rotation of headphones (the Seinhausers do have the best sound) including some cheap sony’s that are not made for running but work ok as they clip over the ear, that i use each time i run to try and ease the pain…
These headphones are amazing. They sound better than my Shure’s and are almost unnoticable when running ( once you’ve worn them a few times). Only downside is the bright green color, but hey the color makes you run faster right?
I don’t think they make you run faster, but people are so captivated by the color, they don’t notice how slowly you are running. ;-)
Do these bounce up and down when you run?
Does the neck band move when you run?
Do they fit snugly (clamp) on your head?
What holds them in place besides gravity?
Do the ear pieces flex to different angles?
Are they adjustable in any way?
I run regularly with iPod earphones, but I find that the greatest enemy of enjoying good audio while running isn’t the earphones slipping out, but rather the infuriatingly loud whooshing sound that you hear when running into the wind. It’s caused by wind rushing over your ears, so earphones probably aren’t the right tool to solve this. Unless they’re obscenely efficient at noise-cancelling or something.
I am also looking for headphones that i can use while I am working out. The problem is that I have small ears. Do these headphones work well with small ears?
Jennifer
Recently I bought Philips SHE 9501. These are in-ear open type earphones, which solves the problem of devastating your inner ear.
The sound is extremely good and well-balanced (for those of you who care of sound quality). And they are also quite cheap.
Three sizes of gum caps allows you to fit it into your ears – for me, middle size works best.
And for having fun in running I also use nike+ set: transmitter and armband, which allows me to easily control both my run and my equipment.
Thanks: I have encountered this slipping problem with my earbuds that came with my Ipod nano. I have tried several different brands and I will be purchasing the set you have recommended.