State of the art
Running earbuds
You want buds that stay in, look good and deliver sweet music to your ears. We may have just the things for you…
Words: Duncan Bell, Alex Cox
Photography: Phil Barker
Memories of festive wanton excess lingering around your midsection? Nigh-on two long years of being essentially stuck at home wearing hard on your physiology? Hastily made new year’s resolution weighing heavily on your psyche? Just need a mental boost? We get it. The easiest, cheapest and quickest way to both start making a difference and gulp in mouthfuls of fresh air is to get out and get moving, but that’s no reason to leave the motivation of technology behind.
A good pair of headphones can put your coach in your ears, drive you forward with your favourite tunes, or partially block out the chaos of the outside world so you can focus on boosting your pace or upping your distance. And earbuds that put running first are the answer.
Running buds are rarely fundamentally different from other earphones, but they’re usually specifically engineered to stay in your ears and not short out if you happen to sweat.
Don’t think this is something to avoid if you’re not a regular pavement pounder, either: running headphones offer a little extra protection, but that doesn’t stop them being perfectly usable even when you don’t have your best trainers laced up. Even if you’re not already in training, picking up a pair of running buds may be just the motivation you need to start clocking up those 5Ks.
WHAT’S ON TEST…
1 Jabra Elite Active 7
Jabra’s mini buds match your EQ and balance preferences, withstand the elements, and offer ANC and transparency. The key is ear security: they nestle nicely in your concha, and employ Jabra’s ShakeGrip active fit tech. So can they cling on where it counts?
£169,
jabra.co.uk
SPECS
Drivers 6mm Frequency range 20Hz -20kHz Microphones 3 per bud Connectivity USB-C (case), Bluetooth 5.2 Weatherproofing IP57 Battery life 8 hours buds; 30 hours total Dimensions 19.5x16.3x18mm per bud; 40.3x25.3x69.6mm case Weight 5.5g per bud; 44g case
2 Adidas Z.N.E. 01 ANC
Cunningly integrating the three stripes motif into the stalk, Adidas’ fresh buds are some of the most uniquely designed true wireless headphones we’ve seen in some time. There’s ANC and what Adidas calls Awareness mode on board – can this newcomer to the true wireless game really keep up with the veterans?
£169, adidasheadphon es.com
SPECS
Drivers 6mm Frequency range 20Hz -20kHz Microphones 3 per bud Connectivity USB-C (case), Bluetooth 5.2 Weatherproofing IPX5 Battery life 4.5 hours buds; 20 hours total Dimensions 46x62x26mm case Weight 4.2g per bud; 37g case