Product Review: Aftershokz Trekz Air

Disclaimer: I received the Aftershokz Trekz Air as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out Bibrave.com to review, find and write race reviews.

Last year I was first introduced to Aftershokz (see here) and I was really impressed by well they sounded and loved the fact they stayed put while running. The one thing I didn't like with the last pair was the cord and battery/power pack that was attached to it.  So when I had an option to test out the wireless Aftershokz Trekz Air I jumped at the chance. 

Here's what their website say about them:

• Bone conduction technology delivers music through your cheekbones, ensuring ears remain completely open to hear ambient sounds
• A 20% lighter build than its counterpart
• A new organic design delivers increased comfort
• Complete wraparound titanium design provides a flexible fit for unnoticeable all-day comfort and stability
• OpenFit™ design ensures maximum situational awareness and comfort during long-term wear
• PremiumPitch+™ guarantees a premium audio experience, including wide dynamic range and rich bass
• Bluetooth® v4.2 connectivity and convenient multipoint pairing
• LeakSlayer™ technology significantly reduces natural sound leakage
• IP55 certified to repel sweat, dust and moisture, from workouts to wicked weather
• Enjoy six hours of continuous music + calls on a single charge
• EQ presets boost bass and reduce vibration on the go
• Dual noise canceling microphones exclude surrounding noise, effectively enhancing speech
• Audrey Says™ voice prompts guide users through power, pair, play and talk
• Hassle-free 2-year warranty

super easy & comfy

When I got the Trekz Airs, it was super easy to set up. I paired my phone and headphones within a minute or two of getting them out of the box. Then it was off to the gym to test them out!

awkward cord on JayBirds

I've haven't been running (7 weeks now, not that I'm counting...) so I've had to become friends with the elliptical at my local rec center. Going wireless has been amazing and with the Trekz Air even more so. I got a pair of Jaybirds wireless for Christmas and they are in the ear with a wire attached and the power buttons on them. Anyways it's weird and the buttons always make that side heavier and lopsided. I was always adjusting them, which is hard when your on an elliptical! The Trekz Air just hang over your ear and since they are made of titanium they are super lightweight. I never need to adjust them or think about them. I will never go back to my Jaybirds.

looks weird but it worked

When I tried the Aftershokz with the wire, I didn't like that I couldn't wear a winter hat since the headphones made the hat stretch out over the ears and my ears got cold. This time I tried the headphones and put them over the hat and they worked great! I thought maybe the headphones had to be directly on skin, well apparently not!

Last weekend,  I spent almost the entire day wearing them, listening to music while I cleaned up the house. I was able to walk around almost the entire house with them on and had my phone charging. The bluetooth connection was fabulous. The only time I had a problem was upstairs and a few plaster walls between the headphones and my phone. They were so lightweight I almost forgot that I had them on.

I would highly recommend these. Is it worth the  $179 price tag? I think so. You can listen to your music yet be aware of your surroundings. You never will have to deal with earbuds falling out of your ear or missing the rubber covering on the earbud. They are so light weight you won't even feel them.

I can't wait to try these out on a run outside but I got to get my knee better first!

Review: AfterShokz Sportz Titanium Bone Conduction Headphones

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Aftershokz Sportz Titanium Headphones to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Do you run listening to music or podcasts? Or are you prefer to be able to hear your surroundings? Do you try to do both? 

I always listen to something. On slow days or long runs I listen to podcasts but for speed days I love listening to music. The only time I might ditch the headphones is on the trails.  I pride myself on being aware of my surroundings but I know I've been caught off guard with a car passing or a dog barking when I've been in the zone.

I've been wearing Yurbuds for woman for the last few years. I've had a serious love/hate relationship with them. They fit in my ears ok until it gets hot out and I start sweating. Then it's a every few steps, I'm adjusting the earbud. Then I've lost the silicon earbud covering and replacing them is nearly the cost of what paid for the headphones. I've been wanting to try something new but wasn't sure what would work. 

Enter AfterShokz Bone Conduction headphones. What?! Bone Conduction? Here's what Aftershokz webpage says:

Transducers guide mini vibrations through the cheekbones to the inner ears, delivering sound without plugging or covering them.


Here's a picture of my son wearing them:

Not "in" your ear, so you can still hear around you!

 They are one piece that is connected by titanium frame that, of course, is super light weight. When I wore these I could hardly feel them. That was such a nice surprise after always messing with my normal headphones.  

Positives:

• light weight
• sound quality was good- but I'm not terribly picky about that
• you could hear around you
• no one could hear my music -at least when I asked
• no earbuds falling out
• plugged in with no problems with my Otter Box case
• no interferences with my sunglasses by my ears



You can hardly see them!

Negatives:

• you need to turn them on and off- I forgot once but they were still good for the next days run.
• extra little battery pack attached to the end of the cord was awkward, I used my FitBelt so it was tucked away but if I had an arm strap that would be swinging around.
  
• I tested these in the winter. Anytime I had a hat on the headphone frame would pull the hat out, so my ears did not stay covered. I ended up having to use the headphones when I didn't need a hat. 
• I could hear things that I previously could tune out. Examples: my keys in my pocket making noise, other runner's weird breathing in races, etc. also at the gym all the grunting and conversations that you kinda want to tune out. 

  

  cold ears :-(

  Do I recommend them? I do. I love them and the price for them was a reasonable $59.95. They also carry a wireless version which is $129.99 (I might be asking for those for a mother's day gift). Overall, it's really a win, win. You can hear what's going on around you and still listen to music!

Click here to buy and get a free stainless steel water bottle. Plus free shipping!