Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Review

Shokz focuses on audio gear for active lifestyles, including those for running, working out, and bone conduction sound technology, which improves safety with environmental awareness.

Likes

The fit and comfort of the OpenRun is an absolute game-changer, letting runners focus on the joy of movement over earbud woes. The flexible headband and ear wrap-around style fits most ears and heads well without creating sensitive spots or causing fatigue. Shokz offers mini and standard-size headbands, so following the measurement guides before buying can further customize your fitting experience.

While running, this pair sat nicely thanks to the lighter weight; the band didn't flop around, and we didn't experience any falling or shifting while on the move, even with lateral dodging to avoid obstacles. The design and fit make it clear that a true running lover played a role in their creation. We often forget they are on, and some choose to wear them for phone calls and everyday chores, cherishing the environmental awareness that helps them stay tuned into life while listening to tunes.

These running headphones have some of the best awareness in the business. Their design sits neither in the ear, over the ear, nor in the ear canal itself, allowing even the quietest sounds to pass through to your eardrum unhindered. If you turn off the speaker portion of the audio duo, the awareness becomes even greater, and soft pup panting or breaking twigs in the distance come through loud and clear. The impressive awareness makes them a perfect companion for running in busy urban environments or on desolate trails, providing advanced knowledge of cars behind you or strangers near you.

We appreciate the pairing of the bone conduction and speaker, creating a dual-driver design that significantly reduces any vibration or discomfort typically associated with bone conduction technology. We didn't experience any issues with vibration or feelings of unease during testing. We like that the OpenRun app lets you customize your listening experience with sliders to adjust the frequency ranges and the ability to turn the speaker off entirely to rely solely on bone conduction (classic mode). While we recognize this might not be for everyone (and it diminishes the sound quality), it increases your ability to hear what is happening around you, making the awareness even greater. The versatility of how you listen sets these buds apart from the competition.

These buds have fast charging times (USB-C charging) and a longer battery life, translating to longer runs and less worry about running with nothing to listen to. Some testers report that a quick charge of about 5 minutes before a run when their buds were dead was all they needed to get back on the road, music and legs pumping in time for over two hours.

Dislikes

While this new version of the OpenRun combines a traditional speaker with bone conduction, creating a far better listening experience than bone conduction alone, it still isn't enough to create truly beautiful or rich sound. The open-ear design can make creating an immersive experience challenging, which could lead to wearers pumping up the volume to compensate.

Higher volumes can result in minor vibration irritation for some sensitive wearers when you adjust the setting to classic mode. Music lovers might want to look elsewhere for their daily pair of buds, where noise cancellation or a broader soundstage might be more appreciated than awareness. Still, the sound quality is acceptable for running, far better than bone-conduction-only models, and perfect for longer durations, as most runners prioritize the safety associated with an awareness of the world over music magic. There is some sound leakage at higher volumes. If someone is very close to you without headphones, they might catch a hint of sound, but nothing significant enough to disturb other runners.

Some users didn't like the over-ear design, which can clash with glasses and some hats. Most of our testers were less bothered by it, at least for shorter runs. The design of your glasses and the shape of your head affect how you will feel, but it is worth considering if you frequently run while wearing eyewear.

Should You Buy the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2?

If running is your game and you want a rock-solid set of buds that doesn't move and keeps you connected to the outside world, the OpenRun Pro 2 is the pair for you. The over-ear and headband design creates a stable and comfortable fit even with lateral movements, and the bone conduction/speaker pairing creates sound good enough to keep you moving. They aren't the best choice if you can only buy one set of headphones as they don't offer the best sound quality for long listening sessions or noise cancellation properties; they just weren't designed for either.

What Other Running Headphones Should You Consider?