Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: the must-have headphones for safe, music-filled runs

✔ Hao Chen, CEO of Shokz, tells us more about these next-generation headphones, designed to revolutionize your running experience.

The rise of a bold brand

Founded in 2004 as Aftershokz, the brand, now known as Shokz has always championed an alternative approach to listening. Unlike conventional headphones, which isolate users from the world around them, Shokz has focused from the outset on an open-ear listening experience that keeps athletes connected to their surroundings.

The aim is not to shut out the world, but to keep hearing it and remain part of it while enjoying your music. In the early days, runner safety was the priority. “All our headphones are open-ear: they never go inside the ears, they simply sit on top of them,” Hao Chen explained. He added: “Before, safety came first. Today, we also think about listening enjoyment and comfort.” Shokz now offers two types of Bluetooth open-ear headphones: bone-conduction and air-conduction models.

Bone conduction: a different way to listen

Bone-conduction technology shaped Shokz’s early development. It was a choice driven by the needs of its first users, who “place great importance on the safety, water resistance and battery life” of their equipment. Unlike conventional earbuds, these headphones do not go inside the ears: speakers sit against the temples and transmit sound through vibrations directly to the bones of the skull.

The result: you can hear the music perfectly even though it does not enter the ears directly. Even with your ears blocked, the sound remains audible, as do outside noises. That is a valuable advantage when running in the city, for example. Lightweight, stable and breathable, these headphones stay put even during intense efforts. It is a tried-and-tested technology that lets you sweat freely without compromising safety.

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Lightweight and comfortable: the promise of air conduction

Introduced later, air-conduction technology allowed Shokz to continue innovating without compromising sound quality. The OpenFit and OpenFit Air models perfectly illustrate this development. Their technology transmits sound through the air and into the ear canals, where it makes the eardrums vibrate. Their ultra-light open-ear design delivers a personal listening experience while maintaining a constant connection with the surrounding soundscape.

These earbuds are particularly popular with some women because they have no headband, which can often get in the way of long hair. Unlike bone conduction, the sound here is transmitted through the air, as with most conventional earbuds. However, the Direct Pitch technology built into these models greatly reduces sound leakage.

OpenRun Pro 2: a premium headset balancing safety and improved sound

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© photo credit

© photo credit

A genuine breakthrough for sports and music enthusiasts, the OpenRun Pro 2 represents the top end of the Shokz range. This innovative model combines bone and air conduction to enhance the listening experience, particularly by boosting the bass and balancing the treble. Users get significantly improved audio quality, along with up to 12 hours of battery life and enhanced comfort. The OpenRun Pro 2 also features noise-reducing microphones and a more robust headband, all designed to meet the demands of athletes.

This combination of technologies lets runners stay aware of their surroundings while making smooth phone conversations possible, even in strong winds. Comfort remains another major strength. “All our headphones are very lightweight and comfortable to wear,” Hao stressed.

In practical terms, the OpenRun Pro 2 has two volume buttons and a multifunction button. “Just double-tap it to skip to the next song”, with the controls customizable through the app. When asked which headset was his favorite, Hao answered enthusiastically: “The OpenRun Pro 2, because of its longer battery life and genuinely superior sound quality.”

Meeting the Shokz ambassadors

At the Shokz stand during the Run Experience at the Paris Marathon, the brand’s French ambassadors were meeting up, some of them for the very first time. Among them was Sylvain (@cuicui0047_run), who has been an ambassador for three years and shared his thoughts on the latest model he tested: “The OpenRun Pro 2 is exceptional. There is a real difference in sound quality; it is much more balanced.” Originally from Avignon, he also highlighted the safety benefits of open-ear headphones: “I bought them as a precaution. I often run on small country roads or even along national roads.”

He also spoke about his loyalty to the brand: “I’ve been running for ten years, and I’ll run the marathon on Sunday with my Shokz headphones. I never take them off, even when I’m not running, which often surprises my colleagues! I knew the brand back when it was called Aftershokz, and I was already promoting it before becoming an ambassador. To me, it’s a real revolution. The point is to keep your hearing fully available at all times.”

To experience the OpenRun Pro 2 at its best and get personalized advice, head to the MaXi-Race in Annecy on May 30, 31 and June 1. You’ll be able to meet Hao, Shokz’s French representative and official partner of the Paris Marathon.

| French Marathon Calendar, here.