10 Best Headphones/Earphones For Hiking
As important as it is to be aware of your surroundings when hiking, there are times when headphones/earphones can improve your experience. Whether you’re listening to your favourite music, an interesting podcast, or an entertaining audiobook, having audio for your hike can make your trek more enjoyable.
The caveat in the opening sentence is essential here. Use your own judgement of the trail and the area in which you are hiking. If the region is known for having dangerous wildlife, we recommend you keep an ear out for potential threats; however, if you feel comfortable and want to listen to the audio while trekking, we have a list of 10 recommended headphones/earphones for hiking.
Of course, you can also choose to listen to your audio through a speaker, thereby keeping your ears unobstructed. That being said, if you’re set on getting a great pair of earphones for your hiking adventures, this article is for you!
The top 10 best headphones/earphones for hiking are:
- Shokz OpenRun
- Shokz OpenSwim
- Poly/Plantronics BackBeat Fit 2100
- Jabra Elite Active 45e
- Beats Powerbeats High Performance
- JBL Endurance Peak II
- Sennheiser CX Sport
- Sony WF-SP800N
- Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2
- JLab JBuds Air
- Bonus: AKG K240 Pro
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For more information on headphones and earphones, check out Arthur’s other blog at mynewmicrophone.com, where he writes about all things audio.
What Makes A Great Headphone For Hiking?
Though the term “best” is subjective, we should still list the criteria used to determine what makes a great pair of hiking earphones.
- Comfort: this is perhaps the most straightforward yet most important criterion of any pair of earphones. Though highly subjective, factors such as weight, shape, and the overall dimension play a role in comfort.
- Wireless connectivity: wired headphones will likely get caught in hikers’ gear and/or trees, rocks and other natural objects on the trails. Wireless headphones eliminate this possibility.
- Battery life: because wireless transmission requires power, wireless earphones will need batteries. The amount of time it takes for the battery to drain from fully charged is a crucial factor to consider, especially for longer hikes.
- Frequency response: a great pair of earphones should reproduce the entire audible spectrum from 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz with clarity.
- IP rating: presumably, you’ll be sweating during your hike. Having a sweatproof and even a waterproof pair of earphones is preferable. That means an IP rating of at least IPX3.
- Openness to the environment: it’s essential to be able to hear the environment during hiking. Noise-cancelling headphones, then, are not advised. Instead, we suggest choosing open-back or otherwise open-to-the-environment style headphones/earphones for hiking.
With that, let’s get into our top 10 best headphones/earphones for hiking!
Shokz OpenRun
First on the list is the Shokz OpenRun. Previously known as AfterShokz, in 2021, they shortened their name to Shokz. This headphone may look a bit strange, and for a good reason: it’s a bone-conduction headphone that does things a bit differently than typical headphones and earphones.
Shokz is known for its bone-conduction headphones, and the OpenRun is arguably their flagship product.
Bone conduction headphones work by vibrating our bones (and ultimately our inner ear) rather than our eardrums to elicit a response that our brains interpret as sound.
This type of headphones/earphones doesn’t actually go over our ears. Instead, a bone conduction headphone will press against our cheekbones. By keeping our ears clear, we can simultaneously listen to our audio and hear the external environment.
The setback to bone conduction headphones is the sound quality. Nevertheless, this style of headphone is excellent for safety, at the expense of poorer frequency response and, of course, the mixing of ambient noise and the intended audio.
To improve audio quality, Shokz includes its proprietary PremiumPitch 2.0+ to enhance the OpenRun’s bass response and max volume.
Bluetooth 5.1 wireless connectivity does away with any wires that may get caught on gear or natural objects. Pairing with your Bluetooth devices is made easy and secure. The headphones also have tactile commands such as play, skip, pause and back-a-track (rewind/repeat) to keep you focused on hiking and not on your audio device.
Are you going on a longer trek? The OpenRun has an 8-hour battery life with a quick charge, making it a fantastic choice for long days on the trail.
The Shokz OpenRun is available in 2 sizes to help maximize comfort for the user. The Mini version has a band size 1-inch shorter than the original.
The OpenRun’s IP67 rating means it’s sweatproof and waterproof, making it a superb choice for hikers. Note that the charging case is not waterproof.
The Shokz OpenRun comes with a 45-day return policy and a 2-year warranty.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: bone conduction
- Impedance: no info
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 105 ± 3dB
- IP Rating: IP67
- Open/Closed-Back: N/A
- Weight: 26 g
- Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 5.0
- Microphone: Dual Noise-Canceling Mic
Shokz OpenSwim
Let’s discuss another great bone-conduction headphone: the Shokz OpenSwim. These headphones were formerly known as the AfterShokz Xtrainerz.
This pair of bone-conduction headphones have an IP68 rating, making them waterproof and able to withstand immersion of two meters for up to two hours. Though this may be a bit overboard unless you plan on swimming during your hike, the added protection against dust, sweat, and water is undoubtedly useful in wet weather conditions. You won’t have to worry about water damage to these headphones.
Like the aforementioned OpenRun, the OpenSwim does not cover the ears and allows hikers to hear their environment clearly, along with the audio they choose to listen to. Shokz also includes its PremiumPitch 2.0+ in the OpenSwim for superb audio quality, given the bone conduction design.
However, unlike the OpenRun (and unlike most other items on this list), the OpenSwim does not connect to our smartphones or audio devices wirelessly via Bluetooth. Instead, they are designed with 4 GB (up to 1,200 songs) of internal storage with support for MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, and FLAC. The reason for this design feature is that these headphones are designed for swimming, and Bluetooth wireless will not work underwater.
An 8-hour battery life makes these headphones great for long hikes. The lithium-ion battery takes 2 hours to charge from complete depletion, so they’re also a fantastic choice for multi-day hikes (so long as you have a power source to charge it from).
We personally use the Anker PowerCore 20100 as our power bank when hiking.
Play, pause and skip through songs and adjust the volume directly on the headphones with the control panel—upload audio from a computer via the OpenSwim’s USB port.
As with all the Shokz products on this list, the OpenSwim comes with a 45-day return policy and a 2-year warranty.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: bone conduction
- Impedance: no info
- Frequency Response: 20Hz ~ 20KHz
- Sensitivity: 96 ± 3dB
- IP Rating: IP68
- Weight: 30 g
- Wireless/Wired: neither (internal storage)
Poly/Plantronics BackBeat Fit 2100
Third on the list is the Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeat Fit 2100: an excellent wireless earphone/headphone option for hikers.
The BackBeat Fit 2100 is designed as a typical headphone with 13.5mm dynamic transducers. The comfortable ear tips fit into hikers’ ears, and the soft, flexible band wraps around the top of the ear, connecting around the back of the head for a comfortable and secure fit.
The Always Aware ear tips are designed to let in ambient sound, allowing hikers to listen to music and hear their surroundings simultaneously. Of course, you won’t have studio-quality sound with these earphones, but you will be able to hear the surroundings to help keep you aware.
Another safety feature, which is helpful for roadside training (and not necessarily on the trails), is the headphone’s reflective finish for improved visibility during darker hours.
With an IP57 rating, the BackBeat Fit 2100 will perform perfectly well on strenuous hikes in the rain and be resistant to sweat.
These wireless earphones pair easily and securely with Bluetooth 5.0 and have a battery life of up to 7 hours. The quick charge feature allows up to 1 hour of additional battery/listening time with a 15-minute charge.
On-ear control allows us to take calls and skip through music without changing our hiking pace.
Use the BackBeat app to customize these earphones to your liking. Users can set the My Tap feature to start and stop stopwatches and timers with a tap or two on the earphones, a valuable feature for tracking hiking speed. The app can also trigger different playlists to help with various workouts, including, of course, hiking.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: 13.5 mm Dynamic
- Impedance: no info
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 94 dBSPL @ max volume
- IP Rating: IP57
- Weight: 28 g
- Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 5.0
- Microphone: MEMS microphone with DSP
Jabra Elite Active 45e
Fourth on the list is the Jabra Elite Active 45e: an awesome pair of wireless earphones perfect for hiking.
The Jabra Elite Active 45e fits securely with a comfortable ear wing and ear hook combination. They’re comfortable over long periods and will stay in place during the most rugged hikes. In addition to superb comfort, the open-ear design and oval-shaped earbuds allow hikers to easily maintain their awareness of their surroundings.
Even as ambient noise is let in, the Elite Active 45e earphones sound fantastic. Though a short cable connects the two earphones, the Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity eliminates any potentially loose wire from the hiker’s kit. These earphones will last for most day hikes with a battery life of 9 hours on a single charge.
Sweatproof and rainproof, the IP67 rating of the Jabra Elite Active 45e keeps it safe from moisture on the trails.
Use the Jabra Sound+ app to personalize and customize settings and widgets for headphone controls within the mobile device. Of course, this means having your phone out while hiking, which may or may not be ideal for you, though the feature is worth mentioning anyway.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: 12 mm Dynamic
- Impedance: 16 Ω
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 14 kHz
- Sensitivity: 107dB ± 3dB
- IP Rating: AP67
- Weight: 29g with cable (23.4g without)
- Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 5.0
- Microphone: MEMS
Beats Powerbeats High Performance
At spot number 5, we have the Beats Powerbeats High Performance.
The Beats Powerbeats High Performance are wireless earphones (Class 1 Bluetooth via an Apple H1 chip) with a cable that connects the two separate earphones. Designed to be easily adjustable, the secure-fit ear hooks have multiple ear tip options and are made to stay in place during the most strenuous hikes.
A whopping 15 hours of listening time is available with a full charge of the Powerbeats High Performance. An optional Fast Fuel 5-minute charge can net an additional hour when the battery is low during a hike.
The IPX4 rating means the High-Performance Powerbeats aren’t entirely waterproof. However, for most hiking cases, they’ll easily withstand the sweat and rain (just don’t drop them in a puddle)!
In typical Beats fashion, the bass is accentuated in these earphones. That can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your personal tastes. Play/stop, skip, volume control, accept/end calls and voice assistants like Siri.
Of all the headphones on this list, these are the most obstructive to outside sound. Though they aren’t noise-cancelling, they do block out a significant amount of environmental noise. They can be worn a bit more loosely to allow exterior sound to enter the ear canal if need be.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: Dynamic
- Impedance: no info
- Frequency Response: no info
- Sensitivity: no info
- IP Rating: IPX4
- Open/Closed-Back: in-ear
- Weight: 0.93 oz. / 26.3 g
- Wireless/Wired: Class 1 Bluetooth
JBL Endurance Peak II
Number 6 on the list features the first pair of true wireless earphones: the JBL Endurance Peak II.
JBL’s Endurance Peak II is a pair of waterproof/sweatproof (IPX7) true wireless earphones produced precisely for sporting applications. They are perfect for hikers, offering excellent sonic quality, comfort and a secure fit.
The around-the-ear Powerhook design adjusts to the shape of the hiker’s ear, offering top-notch comfort and security, especially over longer hikes. The battery life is only 6 hours, which is low compared to other headphones on this list. The charging case offers an additional 24 hours of charge, though hikers can’t use the earphones while charging.
Hands-free stereo calls and Voice Assistant access allow hikers to use these features without interrupting their hiking or having to touch the earphones at all.
Like the aforementioned Beats Powerbeats High Performance, these earphones are designed to fit snuggly in the ear canal and isolate the eardrum from the external environment. This is something to be aware of before ever taking these earphones out on the trails.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: 10 mm Dynamic
- Impedance: 16 Ω
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 95 dB SPL @ 1 kHz
- IP Rating: IPX7
- Weight: 13g per earbud| 77g charging case
- Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 5.0
- Microphone: -38 dBV/Pa@1 kHz
Sennheiser CX Sport
The popular Sennheiser CX Sport wireless earphones get spot number 7 on this list.
Sennheiser’s CX Sport earphones sound awesome, fit nicely and connect to our devices wirelessly via Bluetooth. The CX Sport is designed with Sennheiser’s proprietary transducers, which deliver balanced and detailed sound with dynamic bass capability.
The stability and comfort of the fit are adjustable to any hiker’s ears with an ear adapter set (4 sizes) and an ear fin adapter set (3 sizes). A cable clip is included to keep the cord tight and tucked away to avoid snagging the cord on anything during the hike.
The IPX4 rating means that the Sennheiser CX Sport isn’t fully waterproof. However, it will hold up for sweaty hikes and light rain without issue.
6-hour battery life from a full charge makes them a good choice for shorter day hikes. A 10-minute quick charge can provide an additional hour of battery life.
The 3-button control panel allows hikers to adjust the volume quickly, skip tracks, accept/end calls and activate voice control.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: 0.476″ Dynamic
- Impedance: no info
- Frequency Response: 17 Hz – 21 kHz
- Sensitivity: 112 dB
- IP Rating: IPX4
- Weight: 0.53 oz
- Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 4.2
Sony WF-SP800N
At number 8, the Sony WF-SP800N is perhaps the most feature-rich earphones on this list.
Sony’s WF-SP800N is an outstanding pair of true wireless earbuds designed for sports. They are a perfect choice for hikers with an IP55 rating (sweat/water/dust resistance), Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, touch controls, customization via the Sony | Headphones Connect app and more.
These earphones offer both active noise-cancelling (not ideal for hiking) and Ambient Sound Mode (ideal for hiking) that effectively captures environmental sounds and mixes them into the audio being played by the earphones. Additionally, Quick Attention is achieved by placing a finger over the earbud to attenuate the audio and let in ambient sound.
These earphones sound incredible and also include the safety features hikers would want while hiking through the wilderness.
With Ambient Sound Mode engaged, these earphones will offer over 9 hours of play-time on a full charge. Up to 13 hours is possible in normal mode.
These are true wireless headphones, meaning there is no cable connecting the two earpieces. That means there’s no cable that could potentially get snagged during your hike. The earpiece fit is customizable with two sizes of arc supporters and four sizes of long hybrid silicon rubber earbuds. Mix and match to achieve the perfect fit for your ears and ensure these earphones don’t fall out during even the most rugged hikes.
There’s so much more to these headphones. Though we’ve touched on the factors that make the WF-SP800N a top-notch pair of hiking earphones, we suggest doing more research on Sony’s website before making a purchase decision.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: 0.24″ (Dome Type) Dynamic
- Impedance: no info
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: no info
- IP Rating: IP55
- Open/Closed-Back: in-ear
- Weight: ~0.35 oz. x 2 (2.08 oz. charging case)
- Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 5.0
Sony is featured in My New Microphone’s Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands In The World and Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World.
Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2
At number 9, we have the Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2.
The Spirit Dot 2 is another pair of true wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Each earbud has a composite driver surrounded by an elastic, bass-maximizing material to increase bass output while maintaining mid and high-frequency clarity.
The sound is great and fits comfortably and securely. The unique hollow AirWings are flexible, soft silicone rings that partially deflate to conform to the shape and size of the hiker’s ears. Five sizes of ear tips and three sizes of AirWings allow superb customization in fit.
The IPX7 waterproof rating means that these earbuds will continue to perform as designed in the rain and as the hiker sweats. Note that the charging case is not waterproof.
The earbuds feature built-in touch controls for convenient answering/ending calls, playing, pausing or skipping music, and activating Voice Assistants.
With 5.5 hours of play-time on a full battery, these inexpensive earphones last long enough for day hikes but may cut out before longer hikes are completed. If you’re willing to take a break and listen to nature, the charging time is only 1.5 hours, and the charging case offers an additional 11.5 hours of mobile charging.
Soundcore offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and an 18-month hassle-free warranty.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: 8 mm Dynamic
- Impedance: 16 Ω
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: no info
- IP Rating: IPX7
- Weight: 0.14 lbs net
- Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 5
JLab JBuds Air
At spot number 10, we have the last pair of earphones in this article: the JLab JBuds Air.
These affordable true wireless earphones fit snuggly into hikers’ ears and are super easy to use while hiking. Each 5g earbud comes with extra ear tips and Cush Fins to help keep the JBuds fitted and comfortable.
Class 1 Bluetooth 5 connection offers secure wireless connectivity and a play-time of 6 hours. The charging case provides an additional 18 hours on the go.
With an IP55 rating, these earbuds are certified sweat-resistant and even hold up when hiking in humid and rainy conditions. The charging case is not waterproof.
The sound quality of these earphones is remarkable, given the price. Custom EQ allows hikers to control the frequency response between 3 modes (without any additional app): JLab Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost.
Push controls on the outside of the earbud allow us to quickly control our music and volume by pushing on the outside.
These earphones are not open to the external world, so please exercise caution if you choose this option for your hikes.
These earbuds also come with a 2-year warranty from JLab.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: 8mm Dynamic
- Impedance: 32 Ω
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 103 ± 3 dB
- IP Rating: IP55
- Weight: 5g per earbud, 50g charging case
- Wireless/Wired: Class 1 Bluetooth 5 True Wireless
AKG K240 Pro
The AKG K240 Pro is a bonus option for hikers who are set on getting a pair of over-ear headphones. We wouldn’t personally wear bulky headphones on a hike, though discussing the alternative in this article is worthwhile as a bonus list item.
The AKG K240 Pro is an open-back over-ear headphone marketed for professional monitoring. The open-back design means that external sounds can still reach the ear. This is good not only for the hiker’s awareness of the surroundings but also for breathability and keeping the ears somewhat cool during a hike. Wearing any type of bulky headphones will cause the ears to sweat, which can be somewhat uncomfortable. However, open-back designs like the K240 Pro will help to mitigate this effect somewhat.
The K240 is designed with patented Varimotion 30mm XXL transducers to produce powerful sound between 15 Hz and 25,000 Hz. Of all the models mentioned in this article, this headphone will sound the best.
The K240 is not wireless. Instead, it comes with a detachable 3-metre cable with a professional mini XLR at one end (to connect to the headphones) and a typical 3-pin 3.5mm TRS at the other end.
These headphones are relatively inexpensive for their quality, which is another factor worth considering when taking them out into the wilderness. As studio headphones, they aren’t waterproof, so be wary of the weather.
Again, we wouldn’t wear these headphones ourselves while hiking but would recommend them to those hikers dead set on wearing over-ear headphones during their treks.
Key Specifications:
- Transducer Type: Patented Varimotion 30 mm XXL Transducer
- Impedance: 55 Ω
- Frequency Response: 15 Hz – 25,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 104 dB SPL/V
- IP Rating: no info
- Open/Closed-Back: Circumaural/Open-back
- Weight: 240 g (8.47 oz)
- Wireless/Wired: Wired
